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.
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.
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.
My diesel mechanic husband and gas engine mechanic brother-in-law did our inspection.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Nope, my wife is a Certified RV Tech. This is our third of the same make and model. I know, lucky, right?
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!!!
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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.
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!
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 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’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 purchased our motorhome from a friend. We know he took meticulous care of it so were not worried.
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.
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.
I used to be an NRIVA inspector so I performed my own inspection, free of charge, of course.
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.
The saleswoman was a friend and her father owned the CW property. Our RV was a good buy.