Community Forums

IamGadget · 03-01-2010, 06:07 AM

Hello;
I am about to purchase my first RV. will be full time and want to try to not make a mistake...I have been advised to search here for a pre purchase inspection form for a Class A Motor Home. I have tried to search but cannot locate one. Also what is the best way to find a good/excellent person to inspect for me? I am in south florida at the moment on the south west side in Naples area. thank you,...feel free to send email direct to me at my AllenMankin@Gmail.com address. I might be making an offer today....Thank you all very much...Allen

Hitchhiker · 03-01-2010, 06:18 AM

Here's one used by folks who are buying my brand of trailer. Maybe you can use it as a guide and adapt to your use?

IamGadget · 03-01-2010, 06:32 AM

Thank you.....I did go to the link you sent to me...but i have to join. so i cannot download the form. I am sure there would be some information ther, but since I am purchasing a coach there are so many things like engine and generator and many parts that i need to be made aware of. I was advised by someone that irv2.com has a pre-purchase inspection form somewhere...but i have not been able to search it...I might be searching wrong....
Thank you for your help....allen

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitchhiker

Here's one used by folks who are buying my brand of trailer. Maybe you can use it as a guide and adapt to your use?

Hitchhiker · 03-01-2010, 06:35 AM

Sorry 'bout that, try this one, it won't have engine/drivetrain stuff but might help otherwise:

gla · 03-01-2010, 07:01 AM

ita hard to belive that in this market no one has come up with a pre inspection service for rvs. one only has to look in auto mags for all kinds of pre purchasing inspections. this could be a good money maker for a good retired rv service guy.a problem to be looked at that i have found some rv repair shops are good at one thing but not others.so finding a person that has this type of info on shops,priceless. this is why i joined irv2.....

Wayneey · 03-02-2010, 08:16 AM

Here's a PDI checklist I used on my motorhome; the original file is an Excel spreadsheet. If you see anything that looks useful, please send me a PM and I'll be glad to send you the original file.

Wayne

chasfm11 · 03-02-2010, 09:33 AM

IMHO, a pre-purchase checklist really needs to be tailored to a specific RV and features. I can explain that.

On a MH, there are lots of things that should be checked that at TT doesn't have. For example, all of the fluids need to be checked for proper level and signs of contamination. The engine belts and hoses need to be looked at, even on a new one. Just because it made the delivery trip to the dealer, doesn't mean that there cannot be issues.

All RVs have different appliances. Each function on each appliance needs to be checked. We have two furnaces and two A/Cs and all functions (fan speeds, cooling, heating) need to be checked. We were unable to check the A/Cs since our delivery was done on 1/23 and the dash A/C was broken. A list of each appliance and all of its functions needs to be included in the checklist. This gets very complicated when you get into genset, transfer switch, inverter and converter connections. Similarly, the fresh water via hose or onboard tanks with the pump also needs to be checked. GFCIs should be checked as they are a common problem in 110v electrical issues.
The outside inspection often is done quickly. All lights should be checked. We had problems with some of our marker lights that I should have picked up on during the pre-delivery
We didn't do another test drive as part of our pre-delivery and we should have . We had speedometer problems (they were supposed to have been fixed) and I hadn't tested the exhaust brake as part of our initial test drive. Fortunately, there were no issues with it but that is just an example of things that are easy to overlook. If I had it to do over again. I would have had a driving part to the pre-delivery checklist
the act of creating your own checklist should help to familiarize you with the RV. It is an investment in time but is well worth it. In addition, it may prompt you for questions to ask about parts that don't make sense to you. If someone else simply demonstrates operation, the area for your question might not come up.

IamGadget · 03-03-2010, 05:32 AM

thank you....i am going to try to delete this thread i started..since i already put down a deposit and decided to bring it to camping world for their 45 point inspection they offer. Since this is my first RV every...i think it best...The check lists that several people sent to me are still a lot of help...Thank you all...this is a great forum to belong to...thanks again, allen

I know have to figure out how to thank everyone on one reply. oh well...thanks again

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayneey

Here's a PDI checklist I used on my motorhome; the original file is an Excel spreadsheet. If you see anything that looks useful, please send me a PM and I'll be glad to send you the original file.

Wayne

IamGadget · 03-03-2010, 05:34 AM

thank you....i am going to try to delete this thread i started..since i already put down a deposit and decided to bring it to camping world for their 45 point inspection they offer. Since this is my first RV every...i think it best...The check lists that several people sent to me are still a lot of help...Thank you all...this is a great forum to belong to...thanks again, allen

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasfm11

IMHO, a pre-purchase checklist really needs to be tailored to a specific RV and features. I can explain that.

On a MH, there are lots of things that should be checked that at TT doesn't have. For example, all of the fluids need to be checked for proper level and signs of contamination. The engine belts and hoses need to be looked at, even on a new one. Just because it made the delivery trip to the dealer, doesn't mean that there cannot be issues.

All RVs have different appliances. Each function on each appliance needs to be checked. We have two furnaces and two A/Cs and all functions (fan speeds, cooling, heating) need to be checked. We were unable to check the A/Cs since our delivery was done on 1/23 and the dash A/C was broken. A list of each appliance and all of its functions needs to be included in the checklist. This gets very complicated when you get into genset, transfer switch, inverter and converter connections. Similarly, the fresh water via hose or onboard tanks with the pump also needs to be checked. GFCIs should be checked as they are a common problem in 110v electrical issues.
The outside inspection often is done quickly. All lights should be checked. We had problems with some of our marker lights that I should have picked up on during the pre-delivery
We didn't do another test drive as part of our pre-delivery and we should have . We had speedometer problems (they were supposed to have been fixed) and I hadn't tested the exhaust brake as part of our initial test drive. Fortunately, there were no issues with it but that is just an example of things that are easy to overlook. If I had it to do over again. I would have had a driving part to the pre-delivery checklist
the act of creating your own checklist should help to familiarize you with the RV. It is an investment in time but is well worth it. In addition, it may prompt you for questions to ask about parts that don't make sense to you. If someone else simply demonstrates operation, the area for your question might not come up.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-04-2010, 04:00 PM

We don't want to delete the thread, gadget, because it is potentially useful to others shoppers. However, I'll lock it for you so there are no further replies.