Community Forums

Kenkarast28 · 01-29-2025, 09:32 AM

Hi, I am close to purchasing a used 2019 Newmar Ventana 3412 and was looking for a detailed prepurchase inspection list and any advice on key items to look for. Thx!

TonyMac · 01-29-2025, 09:42 AM

Call the seller and have them turn on the fridge long in advance so it's at operating temp when you get there. Most everything else; ACs, furnace, genset, kitchen appliances; come on immediately when you turn them on. The fridge and freezer take a while to get to operating temp. Tel the seller that if the fridge is not at operating temp when you get there, you will consider it non-op.

OMMM4747 · 01-29-2025, 09:52 AM

Recommend a professional inspection. They will check for things you will never think of doing yourself and know where to look for problems inside and out. Do you want to climb on the roof? Do you know where to look for mold? Is your generator and heating system up to snuff?

An inspection reduces the likelihood of buying someone else's known (or unknown) problems and having buyer's remorse weeks down the road. Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

Good luck

Flyer15015 · 01-29-2025, 10:04 AM

Ken,
As they used to say, let your fingers do the walking.
I just typed in my Google search box, "RV prepurchase check list" and got 3 pages of sources for one of these. I would take them all with a grain of salt, but it's a starting point. The rest is up to you...................

Due diligence / caveat emptor.

Mike in Colorado

Zonnie699 · 01-29-2025, 10:56 AM

Definitely get a professional inspection,they look for things you might not.Also a great negotiating tool if he does find a problem

Wiscampsin1 · 01-30-2025, 07:13 AM

X3 on having a professional inspection.

Kenkarast28 · 02-01-2025, 07:21 AM

Thx to all for the input!

Twomed · 02-01-2025, 07:45 AM

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f278/pre...ml#post1688352

Check the pdf in post #1. Pretty complete list, not every item will apply to every coach but it will catch most items and save you you some dollars and headaches .

enjoy the new ride

**hamm2018** · 02-01-2025, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenkarast28

Hi, I am close to purchasing a used 2019 Newmar Ventana 3412 and was looking for a detailed prepurchase inspection list and any advice on key items to look for. Thx!

There was an app I found called "RV Checklist". It has pre/post trip check list and a PDI list.

NXR · 02-01-2025, 09:51 PM

We didn't use a checklist on ours but we told the dealer we were going to take our time. They were OK with that because we did their job for them.

The first day was on shore power and city water. My wife started in the rear and I started in the front and we both worked to the other end. We turned on and let everything run. One A/C reliably popped it's breaker between 3 and 4 hours. We brought some towels and tested the combo washer. That thing was so off-balance it ripped the hold down bracket off the wall. We opened every cabinet and tried every drawer. One drawer was tough to close and it was because the back of the drawer was hitting on a wiring bundle. Etc.

The second day was on generator and tank water and we did everything again and found a few items we missed.

The third day was the exterior and the chassis. Unsecured hoses, loose wiring underneath, chafing hydraulic hoses, you name it, on a motorhome that had 256 miles on it from the factory.

One slide was binding a bit and jumping. We rejected the delivery and left it for a month before we made the final payment.

My point is that checklists are nice but way too generic. Take a lot of time and test everything yourself. On and off is not good enough for me. Let the stuff run

For a 2019 the tire date codes are paramount because it may still have the original tires. That's multi thousands to remedy.

Ray

traveller333 · 02-02-2025, 07:21 AM

I agree with getting a professional inspection, but if you are going to do it yourself, I would like to add the following.

Anything major that opens and closes, should be opened and closed multiple times, not just once.

For example, open and close each slide 10 times. Same for the televator (if there is one), satellite dish, awnings, generator, hydraulic leveling system . . . etc..

I love NXR's comments about letting things run for a while. It doesn't eliminate the possibility of failure, but it definitely reduces the possibility of failure in your first few outings.

Regarding the cost of tires if they need to be replaced, you are looking at an average of between $1,000 and $1,500 per tire, installed, depending on the size and make of tire.