7 Questions RV Sellers Hope You Won’t Ask — but You Should
If you’re shopping for a new-to-you RV, odds are you’ve already started scouring listings online for your dream RV. Fact is that you can find just about any RV, new or used, imaginable. And that’s a lot of fun. But when your shopping journey shifts from scrolling to stopping on particular listings, it’s time to compile some practical questions you should ask the RV seller. In some cases, they are questions that sellers hope you don’t ask about the RV. And that’s exactly why you should ask them.
Think about this a for moment. Like so many buyers, plenty of RV sellers are relatively new to the RV space. Some may not be that experienced at selling — or even owning — an RV. So, while they likely great intentions and have every confidence that their rig is a perfect specimen, this is your chance to make sure that your next adventure vehicle is exactly what you think it is. Beacuse no one likes surprises.
So, with that said, here are seven questions you should always ask an RV seller.
No. 1: “May I bring a friend in the RV business?”
Before buying any used RV, whether from a dealership or private party, I strongly recommend you find a qualified RV inspector. Pay them to go over the RV with a fine-toothed comb. (Remember, this is a big investment.) An inspector will test all the systems and report back to you on what’s working — and what isn’t.
There are dealerships who absolutely will have none of this. (Not the best sign.) Some may insist that their techs have already done this for you. (Hopefully true.) But still, it’s better to invest your money in a good RV inspection. This will tell you, and the seller, the true condition of the RV. Additionally, it may turn into a tool in your negotiation if you proceed with the sale.
As a former RV dealership employee, what I found was that customers who refused to take an RV off the lot until issues were fixed tended to get those issues attended to. (And usually quickly.)
Places to find a good inspector include the following:
- RV Industry Association’s RV Technical Institute
- RV Help (a network of RV inspectors and maintenance providers
- National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA)
No. 2: “Can I test it?”
You might be used to going for a brief test drive when you buy your next vehicle. The same idea should extend to your next RV. For the record, we’re not just talking about a spin around the block. (Although that isn’t a bad idea with a motorized rig.) Since an RV is comprised of many complicated and expensive systems, it’s in your best interest to make sure all of those systems are working to your satisfaction. If you’re buying from a private seller, the best way to do so is to arrange to meet the seller at a campground with full hook-ups. While there, simply go through all the systems one-by-one.
When I was selling RVs, folks bring their RV in for a trade would swear up and down that all the maintenance had been performed. And that all the systems were working like new. But, as you might guess, they often weren’t.
What to Do If You Get a Test Run
Going to a campground and plugging the RV in to water, electric, and sewer will give you a chance to run through everything on the unit to make sure that it’s working. If an RV seller has rig their proud of, it also gives the them the opportunity to show you any details and tricks to making your first RV adventure with the rig an enjoyable one. It’s a great setting to ask questions about the RV.
Bring a flashlight and a roll of paper towels. Look under sinks and behind cabinets where there is plumbing. Make sure none of the plumbing is leaking. Also, test to make sure that the refrigerator, water heater, and furnace are functioning properly. If the refrigerator and/or water heater offer both propane and electrical functions, test both to make sure that both are working well.
Bring an outlet tester. Or better yet, a multimeter and make sure that power is reaching all the outlets. Check the fuses and lights inside the coach to make sure they’re in good shape.
You’ll also want to test that the air conditioner. See if it is running as it should. (And hear how loud it is.) Work your way through all the systems to be sure that they’re either working or that the seller is willing to offer a discount commensurate with replacing any system that isn’t functioning properly.
No. 3: “Has there been water damage?”
Almost every RV out there carries a manufacturer’s recommendation to inspect all the exterior seals top-to-bottom at least every 90 days. While that doesn’t mean you have to do anything more than inspect them, good owners will perform these routine inspections to make sure none of the seals and other water barriers aren’t deteriorating.
Water is the nemesis of an RV. It can cause unseen damage including causing mold, a serious health hazard. As you look through the RV open all the cabinets and look for any discoloration on the walls or the cabinets themselves. Look at the walls of the RV, especially near corners or windows and seams. Walk on the floors near the edges of the RV. Feel for soft spots. These are clear signs of water damage.
Look at the base of cabinets that have plumbing inside them. While there, look for signs that the cabinets have been wet at some point. (Or may be still.)
Another major tell would be any distortion of the exterior of the RV. Smooth-sided or laminated RVs, in particular, can show signs that water has been allowed to soak into the wall surfaces. A big sign is a rippling of those wall surfaces. This is called delamination. The best way to mitigate this is to simply replace the entire wall. (Which, incidentally, could cost more money than the RV is worth.)
No. 4: “Can I tow it? “
If you’re looking at a towable RV, many dealerships and even manufacturers may insist that a rig is towable by virtually any pickup. But numbers don’t lie. So, above all else, know exactly what your vehicle is capable of carrying.
Your tow vehicle actually carries about 15 percent or more of the trailer’s weight. So, while many dealerships are focused on what a tow vehicle can pull, it’s really what weight it’s able to carry that is important.
Don’t rely on anything more than the cargo carrying sticker in the door jamb of your tow vehicle and the maximum, or gross, weight of the trailer.
No. 5: “Do you have maintenance records?”
If you’re buying a motorized rig (motorhome) you should establish a relationship with someone who’s familiar with the running gear of the rig. Sometimes the individual or company who works on the RV portion of the machine will be a different person than the one who works on the mechanical portions.
If you didn’t know this, here’s a something to keep in mind: Motorhomes are generally built by two companies. One builds the chassis; another builds the rest of the rig. So, if you have some routine engine maintenance that you need done, you might find yourself taking the rig to a different individual than you would if the refrigerator were acting up. (Makes sense, right?)
Keep this in mind: Owners who are meticulous about keeping maintenance records for their RVs generally are the ones who have actually performed the routine maintenance on their RVs. Even towable RVs require some maintenance. (Particularly wheel bearings and brake system checks.) So, maintenance questions are a great indicator how well an RV seller knows their rig.
No. 6: “Does this RV have an extended warranty?”
If the seller has an extended warranty on the RV, some of these are transferrable to the next owner. (Nice!) So, ask if the seller has an extended warranty — and who that warranty is held by. Reach out to the warranty company to see if the warranty can be transferred to you upon the sale of the rig.
No. 7: “What is the condition of the tires?”
Surprisingly, tires on all forms of RV generally tend to age out instead of wearing out. The generally accepted time to replace RV tires is at about five years from date of manufacture. (Although some feel you can go longer on larger motorhome tires.) Either way, asking questions about the RV tires is important.
All tires are built with a date code on them that shows when they were manufactured. It is not at all unusual that a new RV is delivered with tires of different manufacturing dates. (In fact, I have seem some towables with wildly different manufacturing dates on them. Some of the tires even on that new trailer clearly sat in the factory or warehouse for a while before someone mounted them on the RV.)
Learn how to read the date codes on tires and check all of them. This is especially true if you’re buying a motorhome, and there are dual wheels at the back. Don’t forget to check the less-visible, inside wheels.
Also, look at the tread on the tires and make sure that it’s evenly worn. If there are signs that the tread is worn unevenly this could be a tell that there are deeper issues such as bent axles or worn wheel bearings or misalignment.
Let Key Questions About the RV Do the Heavy Lifting
A seller who is proud of what they’re selling shouldn’t have any issues at all with these guidelines. Considering how expensive some RV systems are to replace, not testing them all — and not having a certified inspector — could make that RV go from being the ticket to adventure to a pricey driveway ornament. While it’s not typical to take the RV to a campground and test everything in the case of a used unit, this is the best way to make sure your next stop is another campground for happy memories and fun adventures.
Tony Barthel
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