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Join Dustin on a Grand Design Transcend exterior inspection

By Dustin Simpson
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Photo from California RV Specialists.

Join me inside our RV shop as I perform a detailed exterior inspection on a Grand Design Transcend RV.

Whether you’re a first-time RV buyer or a long-time Grand Design owner, this walk-through provides expert insight on what to look for, why exterior inspections matter, and how small overlooked issues turn into expensive failures later.

Dustin Simpson

What you’ll learn during this inspection:

Seal and caulking condition

Identifying gaps, cracks, aged sealants, or voids around roof seams, windows, lights, and trim that lead to water intrusion.

Siding and structural checks

Looking for delamination, soft spots, dents, impact damage, or early signs of exterior failure.

Doors, windows and vents

Testing proper operation, weather resistance, and ensuring seals remain watertight.

Tires and suspension

Checking tread wear, sidewall damage, inflation, axle alignment, bushings, and suspension hardware for safety and longevity.

Undercarriage/water damage indicators

Spotting corrosion, rust, stains, rot, wet insulation, or material breakdown under the unit.

Routine exterior inspections like this are one of the most important steps in preventing costly repairs. Catching sealant issues and structural wear early can save thousands—and prevent roof replacements, wall rebuilds, and frame damage down the road.

Watch as I break down each inspection step and explain WHY it matters: helping Grand Design owners protect their investment.

Join our community

Join our Grand Design RV Owners Maintenance & Repairs group on Facebook, where real owners share real repair issues, upgrades, maintenance tips, before/after repair examples, and see units we are currently working on.

More from Dustin

Make sure you check out my website, California RV Specialists, and our YouTube channel for more helpful information, and see our published articles on RVtravel.com and other social media pages.

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Dustin Simpson
Dustin Simpsonhttps://calrvspecialists.com/
With more than 25 years in the RV industry, Dustin Simpson has done it all—technician, manager, instructor, business owner, and expert witness. He owns California RV Specialists in Lodi, an independent repair shop known since 2003 for unbiased diagnostics, failure analysis, preventive maintenance, and structural repairs across all major RV brands. Dustin has inspected thousands of RVs, consulted with manufacturers on recalls and engineering improvements, and testified in RV-related legal cases nationwide. He’s also a dedicated educator, sharing advice through Facebook RV communities, his YouTube channel, and his contributions to RVTravel.com.

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2 Comments

Neal Davis
6 months ago

Thank you for the descriptions and sharing the video, Dustin! I hope that you had a good Christmas and that you have a grand 2026. Safe travels!

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Dustin Simpson
4 months ago
Reply to  Neal Davis

Thank you Neal, been extremely busy and just playing catch up. Thanks for the good wishes and looking forward to a great year. Wish you and your family the same.

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