Imagine you want to buy a house.
You have visited the area and have seen the locality. You love everything. The house itself looks spectacular with a big garden and garage. The paint seems fine too. You visit the inside of the house and you simply love it. It is the house of your dreams. You want to buy it as soon as possible.
In your excitement, you let go of the home inspection. What could possibly be a problem in this house? You think that it is perfect.
You pay the money and move in. And that is when you start realizing the big mistake you have made by letting go of home inspection. Even if a house looks perfect from the outside, there can be problems in it that only an expert can find out. You will have to spend a lot of money on repairs and maintenance now.
The dream of having the perfect house seems far-fetched now.
Just like home inspections are necessary before buying a house, RV inspections are essential before you buy a used RV.
So, You’re Planning to Buy an RV
The idea of taking a cross-country trip and hitting the open road on an RV sounds exciting and inviting. An RV not only accommodates a number of people, but it also has many features that make it is the best vehicle for long travels.
Buying a new RV is not too much of a task. You just have to have enough money to go purchase it and bring it home. However, RVs are not cheap. In fact, they are one of the most expensive vehicles out there, owing to the many features and facilities they offer.
Most of us can’t afford to buy a new RV. That’s why we resort to purchasing a used one. However, there are plenty of things to take into account before you go on and buy a used RV. You are plunking down your hard-earned money on a vehicle, and you should make sure that it is worth the cost you are paying.
Many people tend to ignore RV inspections when they buy a used RV. The result? They end up paying a lot of money in repairs and the total cost of the RV goes way higher than they had initially assumed. Remember, just like any other vehicle, you will have to spend money on RV repairs and maintenance, even if you buy a new RV. However, buying an RV after it has been cleared by an RV inspector can help you prepare for these costs. It also helps the used RV buyers to know if the RV is worth all this money or not.
What Does an RV Inspection Entail?
Just like a home inspection, RV inspection also involves a thorough inspection of a recreational vehicle. Remember, you are investing a huge sum of money on the RV and it should be worth its price. Unless you are an RV inspector yourself, you will not be able to gauge the condition of the RV in detail. Therefore, this task is left better to experts.
A good and experienced RV inspector will inspect all the important things in the RV and will give you their report. While they won’t advise you on whether you should buy the RV or not, their report will clearly give the positives and negatives of the vehicle. This will help you make an informed decision.
Here are the important things that an RV inspection includes:
The Condition of the Exterior
Just like a home inspector would inspect the exterior of a house, an RV inspector thoroughly inspects the RV’s exterior. This includes the condition of the body of the RV and its paint. In addition to that, they will also inspect the body for the presence of any dents, scratches or cracks.
Rust is a major problem with many used RVs. This is because many of the owners don’t check their RVs for leaks and it leads to rust in different body parts. Rust can damage the RV’s body quickly, and it is one of the most important things to consider when buying a used RV. An RV inspector will check the body and underbody of the RV for any signs of rust and subsequent damage. They will also check the condition of the roof, doors, and windows.
RV inspectors also check the RV for previous accident damage and the overall structural integrity. Since these vehicles are taken on long road trips, they must be in the perfect condition to travel and keep the passengers safe. You shouldn’t purchase an RV with a poor exterior as it can lead to high maintenance and repair costs.
Tires and Wheels
RV inspectors also check the tires and wheels of the RV. They will check how much wear and tear they have and how much have they been used. In addition to that, they will gauge the life of the tires and give you a clear idea about when you will need to replace the tires. You can then make your decision accordingly.
Generator
An RV has a number of appliances in it that run on the generator. This makes the generator the most important part of the inspection. Your RV inspector will carefully check the generator to find out if it has any problems. Remember, a new generator costs a lot and so does generator maintenance. Therefore, when you are paying so much money for the RV, then it should have a working generator that keeps up with you for a long time.
In addition to the generator, the RV inspector will also check any appliances it may have, as well as other electrical systems. They will check the AC, lights, gauges and all other electrical items to see if they are in a working condition.
Engine
Engine inspection is the most important part of an RV inspection. This is just like checking the gas pipes, electric wires, and drainage system of a house before you decide to purchase it. The RV runs on its engine, and it should be in great condition if you wish to avoid costly repairs in the near future. In addition to checking the engine, the RV inspector will also check everything else under the hood. They will also check for oil leaks, fluid levels, suspension, steering, exhaust systems, braking components, and any missing parts. Furthermore, they will also check the all-wheel and 4-wheel systems. They will mention the condition of each of these parts in their final inspection report.
The Condition of the Interior
Interior inspection of an RV includes checking the items that are related to the driver’s control and comfort. In addition to that, they also check the interiors of the RV such as the upholstery, cabinetry, furnishings, floor, and other such components. These components are essential to keep the passengers comfortable and should, therefore, be in great condition.
As we mentioned at the beginning of our blog, RV inspection really is just like a home inspection. Now that you know the importance of RV inspection, we’re sure that you would have scheduled one for the RV that you plan to purchase.
Remember, don’t even think about purchasing a used RV without getting it inspected by an experienced, knowledgeable and expert RV inspector. You may end up paying a huge price for an RV that has a lot of problems that you can’t apparently see.
Therefore, you should not forego RV inspection just because it is going to cost you a few bucks. It will also save you a lot of money that you will pay for an RV that is not worth it. You are going to take the RV to long distances when you travel. You are also paying a huge sum of money to buy it. Buying an RV after inspection will give you the confidence that you are making the right decision.
Are you looking for an experienced RV inspector to check an RV?
We have a team of experts who have years of experience working with RVs. They have inspected and checked hundreds of RVs and have helped many people make an informed decision about purchasing an RV. You can get in touch with us at [Insert Contact Details] to set an appointment and our RV inspectors will either come to your place for inspection or will ask you to bring the RV to them, whatever suits you.
We offer affordable RV inspection services and ensure that our customers don’t spend their hard-earned money on an RV that is not worth the asking price. You can also call our experts in case you need to carry out an RV inspection after you’ve come from a road trip on your motor home. You may also want to get your RV inspected before you set out on such a journey to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
Bottom line is that you should never purchase a used RV without getting it carefully inspected by an expert RV inspector.
