Most RV buyers, if you ask them, will say that having their RV inspected for quality issues before buying is a good idea. But how many actually do it? Did you hire an independent technician or other qualified inspector to examine your new or used RV top to bottom before signing on the bottom line?
Most home buyers insist on a thorough inspection by a professional. Many states even require such inspections. Heaven knows, there are so many things that a trained eye can see that others can’t. And what goes for homes, goes for RVs.
RVers, many of them making what will be the second most expensive purchase of their lifetimes, forgo an inspection, probably to save the $300 to $600 they cost (it could be more or less). Most dealers will do an inspection but, frankly, they’re often not looking very closely. Plenty of RVers will offer testimonials to that statement, frustrated they did not have their RVs examined by an independent expert before buying.
So, it’s your turn now: Did you have your RV inspected? Please leave a comment.
As a Certified RV Inspector in Ohio, you bet I check it out before we purchased out, dealership expected 30 min walk through, 5.5 hrs later and multiple RV Techs fixing multiple things we bought it and that was BEFORE some of the junk I saw coming out during the COVID ordeal.
Worst I think I’ve seen so far, $350,000 super class C, propane leak, 2 water leaks, non-working generator and 42 other things I found that needed fixed.
While looking for our last Motorhome had one inspection on another unit. Very disappointed in what was wrote up as to what I saw. Elected to do my own after that. 42 years of camping gives you good insight into what to look for. I inspected our last unit and test drove totaling 3 hours. When I went into make the deal with the sales manager, I had a list of items and issues that I had found. He just looked at me with a stunned look. But afterward I drove it home. Was it prefect, no, but I knew what I was dealing with. That was 4 years ago and still loving it, no regrets over not having a PRO inspection.
I bought a home build Ford Transit adventure van directly from the builder. I couldn’t find an available RV specialist, but I did have the Ford dealer inspect it for mechanical issues. It is great, couldn’t be happier.
I bought a TT sight unseen 1000 miles from my home in order to get one that was pre-covid. It was well worth the money for the inspection and after two years of camping the camper has no issues just as the inspector indicated.
We purchased our first ever RV, which was a motorhome, 10 years ago. We intended to keep it for a long time. I had no experience at all with RVs, we were spending a lot of money and I wanted to make sure I was getting my monies worth. It was well worth the money spent for the inspection. We did buy a used motorhome in very good condition. As a matter of fact, we still have it and we are traveling and living in it about six months each year. We are beginning to consider our next motorhome and we will absolutely get it professionally inspected before buying it.
For the price we paid, I don’t think an inspection was worth it. Yes we had problems, but I could fix all of them when we got home and we have had the coach since 2009 and continue to enjoy it and yes we still have problems, but none have ever killed our travels for more than a few hours.
Bought our first MH in July 2016 new fm dealer. Hadn’t started reading RVTravel until Oct 2016. Didn’t know RV dealer’s & manufacturers wouldn’t stand by their work. Have had to fix many things first 2 yrs & of course fixing something almost every time we go out. But still enjoy our time RVing.
Purchased from an older private party. Unit well cared for and maintained. I don’t think I would ever purchase from a dealer new or used.
We paid for an NRVTA-trained inspection of our TT this fall during shopping. It was our first RV purchase; we were buying long distance from an individual. Before even making the trip to see it, we wanted to know if it was as advertised. The inspector found issues that we were able to use to negotiate price down with – actually covering his inspection fee and more. We knew what needed repair going in, so there were no surprises. And he found that all of the tires were in bad shape and needed replaced before driving home – something we didn’t know and the previous owner didn’t report- so we were able to take care of that and keep our family safe during the trip home. We got a great, thorough report with photos and video clips at the end that have helped with insuring. 100% would do again.
Exactly our story! Negotiation paid his fee and we were forearmed with the knowledge of other issues. Mostly minor stuff, and the deal was good, so the purchase went ahead. We were able to solve the issues within the first week.
My first RV that I purchased was a used Class C that I had professionally inspected and I was pleased with their service and the documentation they provided, especially as a new RV owner. (Previously I had rented several via Outdoorsy.)
My second RV that I purchased was a fifth wheel trailer, new from a local dealer, that I inspected myself. The dealer (Crestview RV in Buda, TX) actually has an on-site campground, so you can spend the night with full hook-ups and test everything before taking possession.
With both RVs there were still things that came loose or broke on every trip. It’s less fun when you have to play, “Guess where this screw/bolt came from?”, and fix something on every trip, but overall it’s still an enjoyable and relatively comfortable way to experience more adventures than at home.
My advice would be to use a professional inspector if you’re inexperienced with RVs or suspicious about the owner or condition of a used RV.
We paid a professional inspector to inspect our RV 4 years ago when we decided to go full time. This was our third rv, first fifth wheel, and first home on wheels. Every time we bought a new sticks and bricks home we had it inspected so we treated our first home on wheels the same way.
Our previous travel trailer had so many issues and the rv dealer we bought it from didn’t want to fix it so it was a crazy nightmare to get it fixed. We won’t do business with them again, and we weren’t going to go through that again. If this new dealership hadn’t allowed the inspector to inspect we would have left.
Our biggest problem was finding a local inspector and luckily we found one close by, and we definitely recommend them.
Had no clue RV Inspection was even an option. I almost died from CO poisoning because of previous owner modifications to generator compartment and his disabling of the detector. GET AN INSPECTION!
No, but will not make that mistake again.
Did not have professional inspection. Bought as used from original manufacturer. Was trade in on a new build of the same RV. Have had to do nothing to it in the eight years, except tires and batteries.
Luck, I think. Original manufacturer’s reputation has gone down. So much for a new one.
Bought a used motor home and had it inspected because I purchased an extended warranty. Three years later, so far so good.
Bought it new, so pointless.
Yah, right. My first fifth wheel had 17 problems
My truck camper had 9, 3 serious ones including a leaky fitting on the furnace.
Has anyone had any issue with an RV inspector just finding something just to prove his worth. I’ve sold two houses and bought the one I presently live in. It seemed like there would be something in the inspection the inspector would make a big deal out of. But wasn’t an issue. Just to justify their job. Plus I had about forty inspectors working for me some of which would find something which common sense would not reject. We would call it a nitpicker.
Yes, I did! And it was the biggest waste of $950 I have even spent. I would have been further ahead if I had booked plane and hotel tickets to Salt Lake City from Florida for a few days to go through the coach myself. He had no clue about the various systems in my 2006 Dynasty. I am sure he would be great at inspecting Tow Trailers but he should stay far away from Class A’s where they commonly have many sophisticated systems.
Best $500 bucks we spent. They found the heater ducting was not connected to the heater, so no heat getting inside the main body. There was a drip in the city water connection that had to be replaced. There were spots on the roof that needed resealing. We bought this trailer brand new off the line. It was supposed to have been inspected by the company, and the dealership was supposed to have inspected it. I don’t know how they missed the heat ducting not being attached to the heater? But like I said this money was the best we ever spent.
Last month we purchased a brand new 5th wheel at a dealer four hours from home. We noticed a few minor things which needed repair and made an appt 10 days later to pick it up. I thought about hiring an inspector, but due to freezing weather, I didn’t know how much he could inspect as the trailer was winterized. We picked it up and nothing was fixed and no parts ordered. I knew more about the rig then the employee giving us the walk-through. She couldn’t answer any of my questions. It was a huge waste of time. In our experience, all the dealers in my area are incompetent so this was nothing new. The trailer has been sitting in my driveway in the snow winterized since we got it. Weather permitting we go on our first trip in a week. I’m hoping for the best.
Good luck with your new RV, Suru. We hope you have a wonderful, stress-free trip.🤞Let us know how it goes. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Yes…TWICE! The first time was a disaster as we were put in touch with an inspection group with Lemon in the name. The inspector was given instructions to contact the owner or the manager of the concierge storage center if there were issues. There had been a power outage in the area and when the inspector arrived the batteries were dead so he did only minimal inspection but never notified anyone of the problem. We had seen the coach just a few days before and went for a drive and set up with the owner..everything was working and driving fine then! The Lemon inspector failed miserably, refused to refund any of our money, or accept responsibility for not checking with anyone. Result..owner replaced all the batteries..house and chassis and we called in a NRVIA inspector. What a difference! Paid three times as much but got 10 times the inspection! Fluids were inspected as well. Great experience and very happy campers! You don’t know what you don’t know!
I push everyone I talk to to use the NRVIA.
I bought a motorhome at General RV in Birch Run, MI. I was about to hire an inspector from 2.5 hours away and informed General. They said they wouldn’t allow him on the property. Why? “Because the unit is brand new and we have confidence in our own service people to do a proper PDI.” If I didn’t have a substantial amount as a down payment, I would have walked. But I was stuck. Never again, General RV. That is my only and last purchase from you!
I’ve owned RVs of every variety for 35 years. I know what to look for and fix/upgrade everything myself. I HATE letting others work on my stuff.
Unless the gentleman inspecting the rig has x-ray vision, 30 years of camping experience, and degrees in automotive mechanics and residential construction, then I will take my chances, thank you. Money would be better spent on a legal retainer.
We bought ours new but I wished we had an inspection done. We did get all the minor issues resolved.
My wife & I do our own inspections based on 45 years of adult RV travel. We have a 6 page checklist that includes the contents of the list certified inspectors use. She does the inside and I do the outside and chassis. I bring tools and coveralls and crawl underneath, over, and around, even going into the storage bays. Fluid samples taken and sent to a lab. We even get down on the floor pressing all around the juncture of the floor and walls for soft spots. Every cabinet is opened, every appliance and electronic device tested, electrical tests, etc. It takes us 4 to 5 hours to complete the inspection.
Prior investigation into issues a specific brand or model/year may have adds to our list if applicable (owner’s forums are an asset).
If we did not feel confident in our abilities we would definitely hire a qualified inspector.
Spike: Would you be willing to share that 6-page checklist so I don’t make the same mistake?
Bought new and identified a list of repairs needed before closing. In hindsight it would have been beneficial to inspect. That way we may have eliminated the two trips in first year for warranty issues. Some things don’t pop up until you start using.
Our trailer was 4 years old when we bought it through eBay (after looking at it on the way home from a vacation), and it had been used as a temporary residence for about a year while the owners were building a house. It was in an awkward place to move, so we hired a professional mobile home mover to fetch it and deliver it to an RV dealer about 30 miles away. We then had new tires installed, had the roof caulked and the systems checked before towing it about 400 miles to home.
This question should have been 2 parts. One for those that bought used RV’s and another for those that purchased new units.
Paid an independent inspector twice, once for a rv we didn’t buy, and I’m glad we did. We fulltime so we had our future “home” checked out. Also a useful negotiation tool to use with the seller.
I did a lot of research and did my own PDI. The tech educating us about the systems was great! He allowed us to video tape his instructions. He found a few minor issues and went and got some tools and fixed them on the spot. We had a few issues during warranty and received excellent service from the dealer.
I had the chassis and drivetrain inspected. I did a thorough walk thru and self inspection of the RV gear and systems.
I was ignorant of the need for professional 3rd party help in 2005 when buying our 1st, and only. I will NEVER buy a new RV again. Let someone else deal with poor factory performance issues. I have become an expert, out of necessity, in RV inspecting. The RV industry is the worst performing, most over priced arena to which I have ever been exposed.
Had we bought used, or new and off the lot, then we would have had it inspected. Instead, we ordered it and have had it inpected by Newmar’s techs during two trips to Nappanee to have warranty stuff addressed. Both our techs have convinced us that they are thorough and vigilant. So far, we have no reason to rethink our conclusions.
No, but I should have. Bought in February in bitter cold. Things were wrong that would not be seen, like it wasn’t winterized so pump, toilet valve and outside shower were broken tv antenna was not connected to booster. Etc.
( wonder why water was in the system, Brand new unit)
I fixed and dealer paid, including my labor which I charged back to them at their going rate of $150 an hour.
Wow, when I see the poll, it’s a 964 votes with 88% “No” results. Always, always get an RV inspection, new or used. If nothing else, you can negotiate armed with the inspection information.
Let me also add that there’s a reason that every home loan anyone will ever get requires a home inspection. Personally, this should be a requirement for any RV purchase, too.
I voted “No” because we bought new from a dealer in 2001, when the manufacturer still had quality control inspectors, and the dealer did as well. If I were buying today, well, I wouldn’t buy anything new today.
I did not, but wish I did.
Yes, I had mine inspected. I’d found it on RVTRADER and it was in Fort Smith, AR. It was 3 years old with 50,000 miles, a 2017 Pace Arrow so I was concerned about build quality. I live in CA. It cost me $750, but the inspector and his wife spent 6 hours going over it. The report was very detailed and listed everything I found when we flew there to pick it up. I think it was a great investment.
No. Bought new at the dealer but i sure wished i had
We purchased our 10 year old Class A Diesel Pusher from a private party and our RV Lender wisely requires a 3rd Party Inspection. Also that same Lender offered a 3 year warranty at one third the cost of such warranty if you try to buy it directly or through a dealer. Well worth it, enabled us to negotiate a better price to allow repair. The RV Warranty was so worth it and paid for itself. Insurance can be a practice of caution, as well as protection. Our inspector took 92 photos inside, underneath and detailed engine and generator areas we would have never seen. Best $325 we ever spent on a major purchase!
No inspection, purchased a 2006 Country Coach from Premier RV of Oregon in Junction City, Oregon. After speaking with the folks that worked there, and looking the Coach over, we bought it. Nearest inspector listed was 2-3 hours away. We had a very complete PDI with Dave at Premier, 6+ hours. Had a couple of minor problems 3-4 months after purchase, Premier took care of everything, would not think of going to another dealer for a coach.
The saleswoman was a friend and her father owned the CW property. Our RV was a good buy.
I had our current RV professionally inspected, and we bought it new. The list enabled us to make sure all the repairs were done “Before” we took delivery or signed final papers. There was no, ” bring it back and we’ll fix it ” that we all know could tie up the use for weeks or months. Well worth the money.
I used to be an NRIVA inspector so I performed my own inspection, free of charge, of course.
No need for extra inspection when you buy a Grand Design.
Funny, I just spent 4 weeks at an RV resort in FL next to a fulltimer who was waiting to get his Grand Design Solitude back to his dealership in Alabama with a list of 23 warranty items to be repaired.
Maybe it used to be that way, but not anymore. DW and I have been looking and numerous brand new GDs we saw at dealerships had trim falling off. When I pointed it out at one dealership the salesman exclaimed: “Well, that’s to be expected. It came 1300 miles from the manufacturer!” WHAT! You should expect a new RV to be coming apart after only 1300 miles?! Well, with quality as it is nowadays, maybe so.
No one was talking about inspections in 2012 when we bought our 2012 Phaeton, new from a dealer’s inventory. We spent four days on their full hookup site moving from our things from our old coach to this one. In the mean time we had test driven it and we had the opportunity to use all the amenities while living in it. There was no punch list, just a call to service with this or that and mostly dealt with immediately. This is a far cry from what I read about today. We never returned with a punch list.
We purchased our motorhome from a friend. We know he took meticulous care of it so were not worried.
We’ve been very lucky in the RVs we’ve purchased (with no inspections). Two were pop ups and 2 were gas coaches. First coach was a great deal and the owners remained available to advise for months. Our current coach was purchased from good friends who were aging out and were very honest with us. No surprises. However, we would probably get an inspection if we were to buy again.
We paid $700 for an exhaustive exam of a used 2016 Stoneridge fifth wheel. We have a class c and totally unfamiliar with fifth wheel units. Inspector found about 4 or 5 items that we never would of noticed. Seller was willing to fix some prior to sale while others were not deemed critical as the RV will be stationary for next couple of years. Great investment!
We have owned three 5th wheels -2 new, and 1 slightly used, all from dealers and none were independently inspected. They have all been good, with no major problems. We are considering buying a used motorhome, and we will get it independently inspected before we purchase it.
We didn’t have a “professional”, but did have a friend who has owned several RVs and knows them inside & out, inspect it. He checked every square inch of the motorhome and said it was the cleanest one he’d ever seen! …and it has been too, for over 10 years!
Purchased new and stayed at dealership until we were satisfied all systems worked properly and we knew how to operate them. This was our third new one of the same make and model.
When we bought our Roadtrek, before they were bought out, I noticed a scratch on the headlight cover and a coupe of minor cabinet problems inside. I also saw the factory punch list signed off for each item. I told them once these were fixed to give me a call and I would purchase it. It was back when they were built correctly. Having been a Ford man I bought it on a Chevy chassis anyway. Chevy computer went bad and drove me nuts for about 9 months dealing with Chevy. They screwed around until it was out of warranty. It’s not just the RV builders!!!
.
Nope, my wife is a Certified RV Tech. This is our third of the same make and model. I know, lucky, right?
My parents purchased our RV in 1996, and it was not professionally inspected. When my wife and I took over ownership over 2017, I read my deceased step-dads repair log. The log indicated some maintenance gaps. But, we knew my parents never abused the RV, overheated the engine, and generally kept up with maintenance.
2017-2018 we went through the rig with a fine tooth comb, and performed dozens of repairs from tune-ups to belts and hose, a complete brake system overhaul, and suspension work and tires.
On our first cross country trek, we only had two items fail. The first was the city water check valve, and the second was the generator ignition module. Repaired both upon returning home. Every trip since 2018, we have had zero major malfunctions.
Ordered from factory. 20 yrs 2 months ago and still love it. Not sure if we even knew about having it inspected. The dealer we ordered it through was very thorough & helpful. Small, family run place. Took a 6 month trip 3 months after it was delivered. Across Canada & the US. Have had few problems.
I do not suggest this course for all. I was looking for a specific type of RV and found one locally. I am a very experienced technical person and know these things very well. I still did miss an issue that was not critical but could have been, the furnace was defective and allowing CO into the living space. Still, not bad overall for a coach that was over 30yo when we bought her. She has been a reliable friend and is now over 50.
We are the fortunate owners of a 1992 Safari Trek family heirloom. It had been parked for some time. The functional parts consisted of the engine, some brakes partially, most of the lights and not much else. The time for inspection was roughly 37 seconds. 🙂 A few years and all good now!
My diesel mechanic husband and gas engine mechanic brother-in-law did our inspection.
We were lucky enough to benefit from an acquaintance that was selling. We knew exactly what we were buying and he was a stickler for maintenance.
Purchased (ordered) my travel trailer from a local dealer and told him from the beginning that I planned to have an independent inspector look at it before taking prosession. The dealer was very accommodating. When the camper came in, the inspector found multiple (10+) issues that needed to be fixed. Many were minor, but 3 were significant to get repaired before taking the camper on a trip. This included a 2 inch hole in the roof where the builder’s caulking gun ran dry and he didn’t complete sealing the roof.
I had my camper inspected because it was built post 2020 when many manufacturers were losing workers due to the pandemic and many of the replacement workers were terrible at what they did. But the manufacturers were pushing out campers as fast as they could make them. I did a lot of research and many factories had many injuries, and problems with drugs. The factory where my camper was built had a better reputation than most.