Buying a RV -------------------------------------------------------------------------- There used to be a site on the internet that contained this checklist, or should I say one VERY similar. I had it printed out, as they published it for anyone who was going to be looking to buy an RV to use. The original is/was very close to this list, and I never would have retyped the list (and added a few things of my own to the list) if the internet site that it was on didn't go away. But since it did, (and it may come back) and many members of this egroup and other egroups I own, have liked it and used it, I felt it would be the best thing just to have our own copy so we don't have to depend on any other internet site being available for us to access this list. I want to give credit where credit is due, so here it is... The original list said "This page created and maintained by Fulltiming America". Please note: This is "just a guideline" a means of helping you to remember to look for things that may or may not need repair. NONE of these things should be a deter you from buying the RV but they should be checked, so that you know what you are getting into. All of these things if not "right" for you or not working can be repaired or replaced, just be aware of the extra cost it will take to replace or repair them, and how soon those will have to be done. (ie before you can use it, or "when you get around to it".) And a piece of advice from a used RV owner...... if you aren't willing to put extra money into a used RV for maintenance and repair or simply to get the decor a little more "liveable" then GO BUY A NEW RV!!!! Cause I GUARANTEE you will not find a used RV that doesn't already "need a little work" or will REAL SOON! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of inspection: _______________________ Time of day: ____________ Make of RV: ___________________________ Model of RV: ____________________ Class of RV: __________________________ Year of RV: _____________________ Milage:____________________ Maintenance Records? _________________ Size/Length: __________________ Gross Veh. Weight: _________________ Description: _______________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Location: ____________________________________ Asking Price: ______________ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ITEM | THINGS TO LOOK FOR | COMMENTS | ============================================================================= | Surfaces | Dents, dings, scratches or | | | | stains, etc. | | | | - Can we live with them? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Leaks | Warped or stained walls and | | | | and ceilings, especially in | | | | corners and around roof vents| | | | and windows. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Rotting Wood | Check for soft spots in the | | | | ceiling, walls, doors and | | | | around windows and on the | | | | roof and the floor. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Generator | Does it start smoothly? | | | | Voltage produced should be | | | | 110-125 volts. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Lighting | Working? Fluorescent ones | | | | should come on at full | | | | brightness. Are there | | | | Enough? Can you read a book | | | | at the table? | | | | Fluorescent vs little bulbs?| | | | 12volt vs 110? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Fans | Are their any? Do they work? | | | | How well? Are they quiet? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Door Hinges | Loose? Working properly? | | | & Latches | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Side View | Do they allow for good | | | Mirrors | Visibility? Are they loose? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Engine | Did it start on the first | | | | try? Any engine ping? Any | | | | hissing sound? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Gauges | Do they work? Are they | | | | at "normal" settings at a | | | | idle? When Driving? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Road Test | Listen for bumping, grinding | | | Drive | creaking or clanging, any | | | | unusual sounds? | | | | Does it have enough power to | | | | get up a steep hill easily? | | | | Does it hesitate when the | | | | engine is hot? (Transmission)| | | | Check the braking power. | | | | Check where it was parked, | | | | are their any signs of leaks?| | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Fluids | Check the oil, is it low? | | | | Is it black or was it just | | | | changed? Is it gritty? | | | | Check Transmission fluid, | | | | (with engine hot and running)| | | | is it low? Is it reddish or | | | | real dark red almost black? | | | | (reddish is good) | | | | Check brake fluid, is it low?| | | | Check antifreeze, is it low? | | | | Is it 1/2 way full in the | | | | overflow tank? Is it green | | | | or brown? (Green is good) | | | | Check the Windshield wiper | | | | fluid, is it empty? Do the | | | | sprays work? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | A/C | Run both the house (overhead)| | | | and cab (drivers area) A/C | | | | units for 20 minutes or more | | | | to make sure they cool and | | | | continue to cool and not | | | | cut off when compressor kicks| | | | in, or blow breakers/fuses. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Radio | Check all the radio controls | | | | and make sure all speakers | | | | front/back/left/right work. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Cruise | Does it have it? | | | Control | Does it work? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Locks & | Are all the door locks and | | | Controls | interior controls working? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Steering | Check the play in the | | | | Steering, is it too loose? | | | | Have anti-sway bars been | | | | installed? (good added item) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Tires | How old are they? Have they | | | | been covered? Check for signs| | | | of cracking, and tread wear | | | | on ALL tires, including | | | | inside duels. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Belts/Hoses | Check for cracks, they should| | | | be pliable/bendable not rigid| | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Exhaust | In sunlight, exhaust should | | | | be clear. It should also be | | | | odorless from a few feet away| | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Refrigerator | Have the owner level and turn| | | | it on at least 3 hours before| | | | you arrive. It should stay | | | | cold both in propane and 110 | | | | (+ 12volt if applicable) | | | | doors should have good seals | | | | and latches and should be | | | | clean and odorless inside. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Stove/Oven | Light the oven and all stove| | | | top burners. Do you have nice| | | | blue flames? Does it light | | | | easily? (Can take 30sec or | | | | so at first if propane has | | | | been off for a while) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Water | Try all water faucets and | | | | check for leaks around the | | | | pump and water heater and | | | | the holding tanks. Does the | | | | water inlet have a water | | | | filter before it gets to | | | | the pump? Is there a pressure| | | | regulator? Check under sinks | | | | for signs of previous leaks. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Potable Water | Run water in it and check | | | Tank | for leaks. Is there a "full"| | | | gauge/light, can you see it | | | | from outside while filling? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Winterizing | Has a winterizing kit been | | | | add to the water pump and | | | | hot water heater(a bypass)? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Gray & Black | Have they been repaired? | | | water holding | Run water in them and check | | | tanks. | for leaks. Is there only one | | | | tank for gray & black water? | | | | (two is better) Do they | | | | have separate drains? (better| | | | if they do) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Bathroom | Is it big enough? Does the | | | | Shower work? Is there a Tub?| | | | Does the toilet work OK? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Interior | Rugs, Paneling/wall paper, | | | Colors | curtains, etc... Can you | | | | live with them??? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Flooring | Does carpet or linoleum | | | | need to be replaced? | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Windows | Do they all work? Are the | | | | screens in good condition? | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Seating | Is there enough seating for | | | | everyone who will be in the | | | | RV or does it just "sleep" | | | | 6 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Cushions, Pads| Are they clean, odor free | | | & Mattresses | and in good condition? | | | | (no rips/tears, zippers ok?) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Phone/Modem | Is it wired for a Phone or | | | | modem line? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Cable | Is it wired for cable hookup?| | | | (or will you be running cable| | | | thru an open window?) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | TV/Stereo | Does it work? Is it cable | | | | ready? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | TV Antenna | Does it work easily? Hand | | | | crank up & turn or electric? | | | | Does it go down well too? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Microwave | Does it have one? Does it | | | | work properly (actually pop | | | | some popcorn in it!) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Front Dash | do all the knobs and controls| | | | work? Air vents? Heat & | | | | defrost work? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Cigarette | Does it work? | | | Lighter | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Sleeping | Does it sleep enough people? | | | | Does it have a rear full bed | | | | that you don't have to climb | | | | up to get into? (do you want | | | | one?) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Exterior | Are they dry and clean, with | | | Compartments | no rusty areas? Do they lock?| | | | Do the doors have "hold open"| | | | latches? Are their enough? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Siding | Check for dents, and holes. | | | | Check the screws and body | | | | for rusted areas. | | | | Has it been kept clean? (No | | | | black streaks or stains) | | | | If not can you live with it? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Roof | Check for cracking on roof | | | | sealant, should be elastomer | | | | not black tar. Check for | | | | loose screws on rack and | | | | vents, and make sure seals | | | | around them are still good. | | | | Is there any rust spots? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Solar | Are there solar panels? | | | | Hooked up? Still working? | | | | How many per battery? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Converter/ | Does it have one, where is | | | Inverter | it (easy access), fuses and | | | | or breakers? What size? | | | | Spares? Does it work? | | | | Does it charge the house | | | | battery as well? (it should) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Furnace | Start the furnace and be sure| | | | it heats the air and the | | | | fan pushes air out ALL vents.| | | | Check storage areas to make | | | | sure duct pipes aren't | | | | crushed or loose. Make sure | | | | thermostat works properly. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Smoke & Carbon| Make sure there are BOTH in | | | Monoxide | the RV, near the furnace and | | | Detectors | generator compartment AND | | | | front and rear sleeping areas| | | | Test them to make sure they | | | | work. Are they battery or | | | | electric? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Fire | Should be ABC types, (all | | | Extinguisher | fires), one in drivers reach | | | | and one near stove/oven and | | | | one in rear sleeping area. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Interior | Is there enough? Check in | | | Storage | cupboards for signs of | | | | previous leaks. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Rear Ladder | Check condition, is it loose?| | | | Do the pipes have creases in | | | | bends? Are they rusty? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Luggage Rack | Is there a luggage rack on | | | | roof? Is it loose? Is it | | | | rusty? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Awning | Pull ALL THE WAY OUT and | | | | check for holes, rips, tears,| | | | and repairs! As well as for | | | | ease of use. (Some of the | | | | older awnings are a "two | | | | person" job!) | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Vehicle | How old is it? Does it have | | | Battery | high # of cold cranking amps?| | | (starting) | Corrosion on terminals? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | House | How many? Are they deep cycle| | | Batteries | marine or regular starter | | | | batteries? (You want deep | | | | cycle marine) If 2 are they | | | | wired in series right? | | | | Are they 6volt golf cart | | | | batteries? Are they paired? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Level | Does the RV lean to one side | | | | or the other (look from | | | | front and back) when sitting | | | | on level ground/parking lot? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Leveling | Does the RV have levelers or | | | | do you have to drive onto | | | | blocks for leveling. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Pets | If traveling with pets, is | | | | there room for them to be | | | | where they will be out of | | | | your way while driving, | | | | eating, cooking, sleeping? | | | | Is there a place for their | | | | food and water bowls where | | | | they won't be stepped on or | | | | kicked over? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Children | Is the RV big enough for you | | | | AND them to be in there at | | | | the same time, for days on | | | | end (it WILL rain you know!) | | | | without you going crazy or | | | | threatening to sell/give them| | | | to the first person who will | | | | take them off your hands??? | | | | (I know this would NEVER | | | | happen with your well behaved| | | | children.....) | | | | | | | | More importantly tho... If | | | | your children are young, and | | | | must be in child seats to | | | | abide by the laws of the | | | | land, make sure the RV has | | | | the proper seats and seat | | | | belts to secure them in the | | | | RV while traveling. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Manuals | Are the original manuals for | | | | all the appliances as well | | | | as the coach and house | | | | still with the RV? Is there | | | | a full wiring diagram? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Previous | Is this a "dump and run" or | | | Owner | will they be available to | | | | contact them with operating | | | | or previous maintenance | | | | questions? | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | ============================================================================= If you find this list to be lacking something you feel to be of importance to you, PLEASE let me (Kathy) know and I will add it to the list, because if it's lacking for you, it will be lacking for someone else too!