INSPECTION RESULTS

Things that were found during our 30-minute RV inspection
* We never made it to the fridge, ACs, furnace, and much of the inside.
* We don’t have images/video & we won’t mention the sellers’ details to respect their privacy.

    • Neglect and lack of maintenance
      • 2-foot cobweb when we first walked up in propane bay
      • A layer of dirt/debris in all basement bays of RV
      • Speaker dangling from the ceiling in living room
      • Scuffed walls
      • Mouse poop under kitchen sink
      • Mouse poop under the master bed
      • Both AC filters clogged with dust/debris
      • Permanent creases in window shades from wear/tear
      • Window shades struggling to respond from wear/tear
      • Visible damage to the wood under sink
    • Mechanical / Liability Issues
      • Axles out of alignment ($1k+ fix)
      • Rear tires on driver’s side need to be replaced
      • Bent/damaged front bay door for generator
      • Seal for hydraulics on main slide leaking ($400 part)
      • Dicor separation on the roof for the front cap. Could feel where roof wood was wet from water coming in from the top
      • Front bay door damaged from a truck. Tight to open and visible damage to the door.
      • Underbelly sliced open for 6-foot stretch to fix a water leak in the kitchen. Insulation not replaced. Underbelly plastic not properly replaced. It was duct-taped together and sagging so much it was touching the axles.

I also filmed a 25-minute video the day after we returned to TN outlining most of this if you want to check it out on Patreon for free:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


BUYING AN RV QUESTIONS

If you’re looking at buying an RV from a private party, questions are your best friend. Some of these questions may also be great questions if buying from a dealer.

  • Pre-Offer Phone Call
    • Why are you selling?
      • Listening for the motivation behind selling
      • Listening for deception
    • How many owners?
    • How many miles?
    • What is the cargo capacity?
      Usually a yellow sticker 
    • Stored inside or outside?
    • What should be working, but isn’t?
    • What would be the lowest you would sell the RV for?
    • Say you want to talk about it with (somebody) and then call them back
  • Offer Phone Call
    • Before I make the drive/flight, is there anything I should be aware of as far as an inspection?
    • If I find something wrong that we did not know about before we agree on a price, will you adjust the price for it?
      • AC is out? The fridge doesn’t work? Water heater fails?
    • Title in hand?
    • Can I have someone inspect the RV before you make the drive?
      Could be certified RV Inspector, Friend, Local Handyman, Seller
    • Would you take $$ (usually somewhere between 10%-20% less than asking price) for the RV? I have cash and could be there in a few days.
      Already have pre-approved financing or cash lined up. That is a big part of getting a better deal. Many buyers are willing to come down if they know you are serious and will arrive soon. 
  • Just before leaving to buy the RV
    • If it’s a long drive/flight, take a picture of the cashier’s check and send it to let the seller know you’re serious (blurring out bank account is not a bad idea). 

Here’s a free 25-minute Patreon video walking through the above questions about RV buying/negotiation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than anything, know every deal is different and it will rarely go 100% to plan. There are no failures. Only learning and growing!