By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, certified RV tech Jacob Rigor of Rigor RV Repair pulls back the curtain on RV inspection dirty secrets that every RVer should know about before contracting for an RV inspection.
Are all RV inspections created equal? Unfortunately, no. There are some “dirty secrets” in the RV inspection business that could leave you with a lemon and a whole lot of regret.
Now, it might sound like Jacob is against RV inspections, but that’s not the case. In fact, as an RV inspector, he strongly encourages them. He says that the RV manufacturing industry has some serious quality control issues, and many new RVs have significant manufacturing defects. Plus, the industry is almost unregulated. That means minimal protection if you buy a dud.
Dealerships often do a “pre-delivery inspection” (PDI), but it’s typically assigned to the least experienced technician. They’re often incentivized to rush, leading to a superficial check. It’s like having the seller’s employee inspect your house before you buy it. Would you trust that? RVs can cost a lot, so a qualified, third-party inspector is a must.
The “dirty secrets” of RV inspections
So, what are these “dirty secrets” that you need to know? Here’s a breakdown:
# 1 Useless information overload
Some RV inspection reports are full of unnecessary information. The model and serial numbers for all the appliances don’t matter. A technician can find that if they need it. Why is this information included? Even professional inspectors admit they aren’t sure.
#2 Focusing on what the RV is, not what’s wrong
Inspections sometimes focus on documenting the RV’s features rather than assessing its condition. For example, the report might state the refrigerator is a Furrion 12V. It might also include the type of tires, engine, etc. This is information the buyer should already know.
Before hiring an inspector, buyers should know what features they want. They shouldn’t pay an inspector to document what’s already there. It’s like hiring an inspector to tell you a Chevy truck has four wheels. This wastes time and money. The dealer isn’t going to give a discount because the RV has GE air conditioners instead of Dometic. Documenting all these things takes time, making the inspection more expensive and bloated.
# 3 Skipping important tests
Despite long reports, important safety tests are often skipped. Carbon monoxide testing for the furnace may be missed. A rain test that simulates rain on the RV’s exterior to check for waterproofing defects is also often skipped.
#4 Errors and omissions
Many RV inspection reports contain errors, both big and small. In one case, a photo showed a good roof vent. However, the inspector missed significant roof bubbles in the roof membrane. Roof bubbles on membrane roofs are a serious issue. The inspector should have noted this in the report. In this case, the client knew about the issue before the inspector!
Why are these problems happening?
The problems come from the lack of regulation in the RV inspection industry. Other trades have mentorship programs. These programs include apprentice, journeyman, and master levels. The RV industry is missing this. This leads to unqualified and inexperienced inspectors.
To combat these issues, Jacob is starting an RV Inspection Network to help vet the inspectors and standardize the process. He talks more about this in the video.
What has been your experience with RV inspections? Be sure to leave a comment below!
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RVDT2881
The “certified” NRVIA inspector that I hired in the Salt Lake City area wasn’t qualified to inspect the Monaco Coach that I was purchasing back in 2022. I paid $950 and got what I consider a $250 inspection. Numerous items and systems were either overlooked or were not checked thoroughly. I discovered all of this once I had the coach back in Florida. If I had known of the additional problems I would have been in a better negotiating position as the coach was at the dealership on consignment. In retrospect, I would have been better off booking a fight and hotel to do the inspection myself.
I had a certified NRVIA inspector inspect my Outdoors RV. She missed that the shower door was installed wrong/crooked. It would over a short time on one end cut the sweep gasket. Allowing water to leak out. Each drawer was installed differently. One to the right the other to the left and the third off a different amount. Most of the major things worked. I was going thru medical treatments so was unable to inspect when a PDI was available. Outdoors RV company and dealer provides pool help.
I am not a fan of government intrusion in our lives. However, because of the total mess that is the RV industry, I would like to see the government get involved in setting very specific standards the RV manufactures have to meet to sell their RV’s. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, chassis welding and joinery, suspension, etc. standards comparable to residential standards and commercial vehicle standards (chassis, suspension, brakes, etc.). These standards would protect the buyers and the public. Maybe RV lobbyists are so strong that our “representatives” in government don’t want to endanger their cash inflow.
A thorough inspection and a qualified opinion saved me a ton of money on an RV inspection about a year ago. I was looking at a brand new motorhome purchase in North Carolina at a dealership. The inspection itself cost me $750 and I can honestly say it’s some of the best money I ever spent. There were so many things wrong with this motorhome that it would’ve taken weeks to fix all the small things they had to do.
not for me. I wanted to travel and this would have prevented it. Missing trim, misaligned trim, missing screws , improperly installed roof panels , front cap not sealed properly, rear cap not sealed properly, and on and on and on. One situation was potentially life-threatening.