Before You Buy That RV Call For A Professional RV inspection
Certified RV Inspector and RV Maintenance Technician
Any Type of RV / Across the USA
RV INSPECTION SERVICE
Don't buy a money pit! When spending thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars on a RV. Hire a third party, unbiased independent RV inspection service. We will let you know the condition of all the major systems of the RV, including the safety systems. You will receive a detailed inspection report that will let you make a educated buying decision. We provide RV inspections on both motorized and towable RV's.
WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE AN RV INSPECTION?
You finally found the RV of your dreams! After months of debating, you have finally settled on the make and model that you want. You find one that seems reasonably priced, and the seller or salesman assures you that everything is perfect, but how do you know if it is really a good deal?
The answer is to have an RV inspection done by someone who has no financial interest in the outcome of the sale. This inspection should be done by someone who is familiar with RV components and has been trained in troubleshooting. The inspector should have agreed to a Code of Ethics (www.nrvia.org/code-of-ethics) and have been certified by a national organization. In short, an NRVIA certified inspector.
Your inspector will do more than just look at the physical condition of the RV. He will safety test all components such as the electrical system, the propane system and the fire extinguishers. He will look for problems which may be hidden, such as the possibility of water damage or insect intrusion. For more details, see What is covered in an RV inspection?
After the inspection, your inspector will give you a detailed and accurate report. With that report, you can negotiate the repairs and/or the price with the seller. If you are having your RV inspected prior to selling it, you can use the report as proof of the condition of your RV at the time of the inspection.
There are many different levels of inspection. If you are going to be living in your RV fulltime, we strongly recommend that you add fluid analysis to your inspection. The inspector will not check the mechanical components of your motorhome or towing vehicle (the engine, transmission, brakes, etc.) as that should done by a qualified RV mechanic but they will check the fluids on those systems.
WHAT IS COVERED IN AN RV INSPECTION?
There are several different levels of an RV inspection, ranging from a simple safety inspection to a premier inspection that reviews over 500 items in a RV. The one that you choose depends on why you are having an inspection done.
Let's face it, recreational vehicles (RV's) are rolling earthquakes. Even brand new out of the factory they are going to have one problem or another. If you are buying a new RV from a dealership, do NOT buy for price alone. Check their reviews for service after the sale. The relationship you form with the dealer can make a big difference in your RVing experience.
If you are buying a used RV from a dealer or individual, an inspection is a very good idea. The more an RV is used, the more wear and tear will be on the rig and the more problems that will turn up. Proper maintenance will help, but sometimes problems are hidden and will only be revealed when an inspector tests for that specific thing.
If you plan on traveling a lot, do not assume that any RV Dealership will work on your rig. RV Dealerships represent many different companies and don't receive financial or advertising support from the same way as car dealership. They have to make financial decisions thatare in the best interest of supporting their existing customers. That's why so many restrict service to the customers who purchased from them.
Your NRVIA inspector has been trained in troubleshooting problems, and is required to complete 24 continuing education hours every year to maintain their certification. We can work on any problems you find on your RV but it is unethical for us to work on problems we discover during an inspection.
There is also value is having your RV inspected Before the sale. A thorough inspection before the sale can alert a seller to potential problems he can fix before putting it on the market, This enables the seller to ask top dollar for the RV and give the buyer the peace of mind that he is getting a RV in good condition.
So what does an RV inspector actually do?
The first thing your inspector will check is the VIN. He wants to be sure he is looking at the right vehicle. It sounds unlikely, but even dealers have been known to prep the wrong vehicle for sale. If you are buying something from out of state, you definitely want to know that the vehicle you are expecting to purchase is the one that has been presented for inspection.
The second thing your inspector will check are safety issues starting with the power systems. For example, a miswired power plug outlet or a screw driven in the wrong place could cause what is called a hot skin condition. This is a situation which may cause the skin of the RV to become electrically charged. Because the RV is sitting on wheels which ground it, you may not notice the problem until you are standing on the ground and touch a metal part of the RV. Your RV inspector will check for this condition before even entering the RV.
After performing a GFCI circuit test and polarity test, your inspector will check the installed alarms. Your smoke, propane and CO detectors will be checked both by instrument and by the installed alarm system itself. Your propane system will be checked for leaks, including the tank, water heater and furnace.
Your installed fire extinguisher will be checked to make sure they are the correct ones for your unit and that they are placed appropriately. A home fire extinguisher and an RV fire extinguisher are not the same thing. A towable unit should have at least one 5 BC extinguisher. Motorized units should have at least one 10 BC extinguisher.
An RV fire extinguisher is not designed to put out a fire, although it certainly can do so. It is meant to give the occupants of the unit the chance to escape. So the next thing your inspector will check is are your emergency exits. Except in the case of single use windows, your emergency exit windows should be easily accessible and fully functioning.
Your inspector will climb on the roof and closely examine the seals, joints and trim rails for damage or other points of water intrusion. All sealant must be inspected for proper usage. Different types of roofs require different types of sealant. If the proper one was not used, that will be an indication of a potential problem.
Other safety issues on the roof could include blocked vents, cracked AC shrouds or damaged TV antennas. Although these items may or may not cause a problem using the RV, they could indicate issues in the past that may have been covered up or could cause future problems.
Your inspector will also check:
*All slideouts, slide toppers and awnings and for proper functioning.
*Sidewalls including doors and windows for delamination and proper functioning.
*Frame and running gear for rust, damage or leaks.
*Wheels and axel assembly, including tire tread, sidewalls, and dates.
*Chassis and undercarriage.
*Hitch, hitch receiver, 7-pin connector.
*Leveling System.
*12 V DC marker lights, including the chassis turn signal and running lights.
*12 V DC and 120 V AC interior, exterior, and compartment lights.
*Circuit panel (fuse) box.
*Converter/inverter/battery system.
*All appliances, including the generator, refrigerator, air conditioner(s), cooktop/oven, microwave/convection oven, cooktop exhaust fans, washer/dryer, dishwasher, electric fireplace, ceiling fan(s) and in-house vacuum system.
*The water systems including the city water hookup, the onboard freshwater tank and pump, the wastewater system (gray and black tanks, lines and valves) and the drain cap.
*The interior and décor including the ceiling, walls, flooring, cabinets, drawers, doors, furniture and entertainment system.
*The bathroom sinks, toilets and shower/tub.
If the RV is motorized your inspector will offer to draw and send out for laboratory testing the fluids that your RV or tow vehicle uses such as engine oil, radiator coolant and transmission fluid. He can also draw oil and coolant from generator, if equipped. If you are buying a 5th wheel trailer with a leveling system, the hydraulic fluid can be analyzed. Fluid analysis may reveal potential problems with the engine, transmission, generator or hydraulic systems and alert you to an upcoming repair.
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