| It's a home on wheels. | | | | from electric to gas when you unplug your shore |
| Keep that statement in mind as you begin your | | | | power. Repairs can be costly so run this little test |
| motor home or travel trailer buying project. Take a | | | | before you finalize the purchase. |
| moment right now to inventory in your mind | | | | 4. Absolutely check the furnace and air conditioning |
| everything that needs fixing in your home right now. | | | | equipment. These can be expensive units to repair, |
| You might be imagining items as simple as a loose | | | | and you'll want to ask for a little discount if these |
| doorknob all the way to the intermittent problems | | | | aren't working correctly. |
| you're having with your heating and air conditioning | | | | 5. Does the toilet hold water? If the RV has been |
| system. | | | | sitting for a period of time the seal in the toilet will |
| Now, add an engine and or wheels to the mix, and | | | | have dried out. Add a little water to the toilet and |
| you have the idea - it's going to be a difficult to find | | | | see if it holds water for more than 15 minutes. Keep |
| the perfect used RV. You might have to settle for a | | | | in mind that the water in the toilet is what holds back |
| few little problems, or decide to pay a few extra | | | | the fumes trying to escape from the black water |
| bucks for something that's in pristine condition. There | | | | holding tank. |
| are a myriad of things that can go wrong with a | | | | 6. Check for soft spots in the flooring especially in |
| travel trailer or motor home, so a careful pre-buy | | | | the bathroom and kitchen areas. These could be |
| inspection is a must. | | | | symptoms of a much larger problem. The unit may |
| Here then, I offer a starter list of what to look for | | | | have leaky supply pipes or drains that are causing the |
| when purchasing a used motorhome or used travel | | | | wood to rot. |
| trailer. | | | | 7. Check the skin on the outside of the unit. Look for |
| Your used RV checklist: | | | | bubbles. Although cosmetic, you're probably dealing |
| 1. Check everything that relates to your propane | | | | with a corrosion issue. These can be resolved, but will |
| system. RV fires do happen and many times they're | | | | involve removal of paint, treatment of the affected |
| the result of a neglected propane system. Check the | | | | area, and repainting. Sounds expensive to me. |
| tank, the hoses, and the regulator. I can't stress how | | | | 8. If it has a gas engine, then I highly recommend |
| important this is. You could be risking your | | | | you carefully inspect the engine records. A good |
| investment, and your life if you overlook even the | | | | owner will have kept receipts of all engine |
| simplest of problems in this area. | | | | maintenance. It would even behoove you to have |
| 2. Check the condition of the house batteries. The | | | | the engine looked over by a trusted mechanic. What |
| house batteries hold the charge that powers your | | | | do you suppose it would cost to replace an engine? |
| lights and other items when you're not connected to | | | | 9. Finally, do a THOROUGH walk-through. Open and |
| shore power. They can be expensive to replace, and | | | | close everything. Turn everything on and off. Be |
| there might be as many as six of them. Are they | | | | suspicious and take notes as you walk through the |
| properly topped off with water, and do they hold a | | | | rig, and at least you'll go into the purchase with your |
| charge? These batteries are heavy so you really | | | | head up. |
| don't want to be doing this job yourself, and you'll | | | | I'll leave you with one final thought. You'll never find |
| have to take the cores back for your deposit. | | | | the perfect used travel trailer or RV, but you can |
| 3. Check to make sure the fridge works on both | | | | minimize the hidden expenses by following the above |
| propane and electricity. It should automatically switch | | | | guidelines. |