Buying a brand-new RV model isn’t practical for every budget. Fortunately, the pre-owned RV market offers a wide variety of options, making it possible to find an alternative that fits both your lifestyle and your financial goals. However, choosing the right RV involves more than comparing prices or floor plans. A thorough inspection and an understanding of the vehicle’s maintenance history are essential to avoiding costly repairs and ensuring it’s a sound investment. Before making your final decision, follow these important inspection and RV maintenance guidelines to help you purchase with confidence.
Water Damage
Like any major purchase, a complete inspection is in order. If you’re new to RVs, you might not know what to look for, so start with the roof and the exterior. Water is one of the big enemies of RVs, so look around the vents, windows and doors for cracked sealant or gaps. Look closely at where the roof meets the walls for irregularities. These are the most common areas where water leaks into the interior.
Next, inspect the interior of the RV. Check for brown, yellow or gray stains on the ceiling and walls. Are any of the surfaces bubbling or rippling? Do you feel any soft spots on the walls or ceiling? These are all signs of previous water damage. Water marks around the roof vents or skylights are indicators that the sealant needs to be replaced.
Finally, use your nose. Do you smell anything musty, resembling a damp basement? These are signs of hidden moisture that will be a big RV maintenance task.
Mechanical Issues
If you’re in the market for a motorized RV, you’ll need to check the engine area for oil leaks, corrosion and damaged components. Does the transmission sound and feel smooth while shifting? Your best bet is to have the RV’s engine checked out by a mechanic familiar with RVs.
You can also examine the service records to see how the unit was maintained. Look for items that have been fixed or replaced, especially if it is an older RV. Items that are age-sensitive, such as belts, hoses and tensioners, should have been replaced. The brake pads and rotors should be in great shape and the tires should show even wear and still have some life left in them.
Have your mechanic look at the shocks, bushings, ball joints and tie rods to ensure they’re not going to give out any time soon. Have them also look at the fuel system, including the fuel pump, fuel lines and filters for leaks, age-related wear and signs of poor performance.
Red Flag Checklist
If you’re considering an RV that is listed well below market price, you could be heading into RV maintenance costs that begin to add up. Keep a list of “red flag” items that you know will need to be addressed before your first outing.
Some common red flags include appliances. If the unit you’re considering is old, you might want to update the appliances. In some cases, the stove, microwave, refrigerator or air conditioner may be broken. Keep a running tab in your head as these red flags pop up.
Plumbing can also be a big-ticket project. Most RV maintenance issues related to running water will involve water lines, holding tanks, water pump, water heater, shower pan, faucet and sink drains, dump valves and gate seals. The list goes on and on, which is why plumbing issues on a used RV tend to be a major red flag.
Don’t go blindly into your RV purchase. At Gray Diesel & Equipment Services, we have helped many future RV owners with their RV maintenance inspections. And when you do become the proud owner, be sure to contact us and keep a regular RV maintenance schedule with us so your unit will always be ready for the road.