An RV Money Pit Can Cost You Big Time

The RV lifestyle is supposed to be carefree—all about travel, adventure and getting away from it all.

However, if you happen to wind up an RV money pit, your dreams of carefree adventures could be shattered.

Instead you could get stuck with an RV that spends as much (or more) time in the shop than on the road.

So, how do you avoid getting an RV that leaves both your pockets and your heart empty?

Research before you go shopping 

Researching RV brands, models, floorplans, and model years is essential to get the perfect RV while you avoid buying an RV money pit.

Joining RV forums and social media groups and asking  RV owners about their experiences is a great way to get unbiased information about an RV model you’re interested in. 

Be prepared to dig in and research multiple sources, including sites like Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot to get a true picture of customer experience.

Nearly all RV models have occasional off-years, and some brands have a dismal customer service experience.

Being aware of this is key to getting an RV that will work for you. 

Buy a new RV

One of the best ways to avoid buying a money pit is to buy a new RV. While a new RV can come with a few “break-in” issues, it’s unlikely to become a money pit.

After all, a new RV comes with a lot of advantages.

New RV Advantages

• No one has lived in it and there’s no wear and tear
• Can be customized to suit your style perfectly
• State of the art amenities and features
• Dealer may offer a better financing rate
• Issues during the first few years may be covered by warranty and/or extended warranty

New RV Disadvantages

• Higher initial cost
• Up to 30% depreciation over the first 2 years
• Often come with a few break-in issues

Buy a great pre-owned RV

If you want to save money on depreciation and don’t mind the fact that an RV had an adventure or two before you owned it, buying a slightly used RV could save you a bundle of money while still offering great value.

However, a pre-owned RV has both advantages and disadvantages:

Pre-owned RV Advantages

• Lower initial cost
• Less depreciation when it leaves the dealer’s lot
• Amenities and features can be similar to those found in a new RV
• Older RVs often come with solid wood cabinets
• Previous owner might have installed upgrades
• Sometimes include a warranty

Pre-owned RV Disadvantages

• It was used before—the beds have been slept in
• Significantly higher chance of becoming a money pit
• RVs older than 10 years old may be banned from some RV parks
• Previous owner might not have maintained it according to manufacturer specifications
• Might have been subjected to mistakes such as not repositioning the driver’s seat before bringing the slideout in
• Higher chance of tire “lot-rot”

Get a professional RV inspection …

Whether you’re buying a new RV or a used one, getting an independent RV inspection done is the best way to safeguard your investment.

New RVs can be delivered to the dealer with issues and pre-owned RVs often have a few issues that may become significant over time.

Either way, it often takes a trained eye to discover deficiencies.

With that in mind, it’s smart to get a professional RV inspection done before you sign anything to do with buying an RV.

An RV inspection is comparable to a home inspection, except an RV inspector deals exclusively with RVs. That said, he knows them in and out.

A certified RV Inspector has extensive knowledge of every system in the RV and knows exactly what to look at and how to test it.

When an RV inspector completes an RV inspection, he checks for anything that could be wrong (or will likely go wrong soon) with the RV.

Then he makes an itemized report that includes the results of his thorough inspection.

Because RV inspectors are paid by the hour, it costs more to have a large RV with complex systems inspected than it does to have a smaller camper inspected.

A thorough RV inspection typically ranges between $300 for a small RV to well over $1,000 for a large motorhome.

This is money well spent if it allows you to avoid spending a lot more on a RV money pit. Click here to find a certified RV technician in your area.

… But perform your own pre-inspection first

There’s no advantage to hiring an RV inspector when you’re still in the shopping phases of buying an RV.

You won’t want to pay someone to inspect every RV you’re considering.

A basic pre-inspection of any RV that has everything you’re looking for will help you weed out RVs with obvious issues before you hire a professional.

The basic pre-inspection won’t replace an inspection by the trained eye of a professional. but, again, it will save money by weeding out the obviously bad choices.

Tips for your preliminary RV inspection

• A preliminary inspection of an RV can be time intensive. Plan to spend an hour or two inspecting the RV. Ask the seller to hook up the RV to shorepower and ask them to set the refrigerator and water heater on to operate on electricity at least a day before your planned inspection.
• Have the seller operate any mechanical component or appliance of the RV while you observe how it works. If they’re the ones operating these components, they can’t claim you’re the one who broke it while you were testing it.

Initial RV pre-inspection

Exterior

Start by having a good look at the RV exterior.

Telltale signs of neglect such as chalky, cracked or damaged cladding are red flags that tell a lot about how an RV has been maintained and cared for.

If your initial impression of the exterior is a good one, here are some other things to check.

• RV Exterior Walls: Inspect the exterior walls carefully for signs of moisture intrusion. These include delamination which might appear as discoloration, bubbling and lifting of cladding. 
• Open and inspect luggage bay cabinets: Carefully check luggage compartments for standing water, moisture, or moldy, musty smells. It’s a good idea to use a flashlight for your visual inspection. While you’re there, ensure that luggage bay lights, hinges, pneumatic rods, door catches, and locks are all in working order. 
• Inspect the Roof: If the roof is walkable and you feel safe getting up on the roof, get up on the roof and crawl around. Here’s what to look for:
  • General roof condition: The roof membrane should clean, without any damage, brittleness, soft spots or tears
  • Sealant condition: Should be present, slightly malleable, not hard, cracked or shrunken.
  • Extrusions including:Air Conditioner shrouds: Clean, undamaged, and bolted on properly.

Chassis/Mechanical Pre-inspection

Your preliminary mechanical inspection is not meant to replace an inspection licensed mechanic (unless you happen to be one of these).

However, you’ll be able to determine basic functionality of the motor, generator, and chassis before you hire the services of a pro.

• Generator: If applicable, run the generator for about 15 minutes.  Gradually load it with different appliances, adding one at a time.These could include  the air conditioner, refrigerator, and water heater. Check the tires for signs of uneven wear. 
• Tires: Check the tires for wear and wear patterns. While RV tires are never cheap, uneven tire wear could point to a serious (and expensive) underlying issue. Tires should match. Be sure to check the DOT stamp . Older tires aren’t necessarily a dealbreaker, as they could be a negotiating point if you decide to buy the RV.
• Motor: Run the engine. How does it sound?  Does it hum happily? Are there any weird squeaks or noises? Check for warning lights in the dashboard, too. After the RV has run for 5 minutes Inspect under it for leaks. If everything checks out, take it for a drive (if it’s a motorhome) to see how it handles and stops. Be sure to check the cruise control, radio, backup camera, and any engine brake.
• RV chassis. Check for obvious anomalies, like one side of the cabin being closer to the wheel than the other. If you are comfortable doing so, have a quick look under the RV. Look for cracks or bends in the frame and to see the condition of the axles and suspension. Expect to see some surface rust on the chassis of all but brand new RVs.

Awnings

Awnings can cost thousands to replace, So it’s a good idea to inspect every awning on the RV carefully before making an appointment with the RV inspector.

Extend and retract the awnings to ensure they work properly and have no tears or holes and that the arms are in good shape.

If the awning has a wind sensor, gently push and release one end of the awning.

Interior

If everything the exterior of the RV checks all the boxes, it’s time to continue your pr-inspection inside.

It’s a good idea to bring a small flashlight to get a good look inside cabinets

• Water intrusion Moisture and humidity in an RV can cause mold, rot, and degradation of interior surfaces. Sometimes these things aren’t visible unless you open cabinets and look behind the couch.
  • Use your nose: When you enter the RV is do a sniff test. If the RV smells even a little bit moldy or musty, it’s not worth serious consideration
  •  Check cabinets and drawers: Open each cabinet and drawer. A stiff or sticky drawer can indicate moisture intrusion. You can also use your flashlight to inspect the ceiling and walls inside the cabinets for stain, mold, and swelling. While you’re there, look for rodent droppings. If possible, turn the water on and use a flashlight to inspect for drips under the sink.  
• Appliances: RV appliances are expensive to replace. That being said, you’ll want to give them a cursory inspection to ensure they’re functional before you spend money on a professional RV inspection. If the refrigerator is two-way or three-way, check to see that it functions on each setting.
• Slideouts: Have the RV seller extend the RV slideouts and then bring them back in to ensure they operate smoothly without any squeaking, grinding or cracking noises.

Maintenance Records and History

Vehicle maintenance records, manuals and history offer proof of how well an RV has been cared for.

The operating manuals will let you know the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance. The service records and receipts will tell you what’s been actually been done.

CARFAX report (for motorized RVs):  A CARFAX tells you about damage from accidents, using the RV’s serial number.

Unfortunately, there is presently no such service for RV trailers.

Inspect all slideouts

Extend the slideouts and then bring them back in to ensure they operate smoothly.

If they don’t work smoothly, or are excessively noisy, it could be best to continue elsewhere on your RV shopping journey.

Final Thoughts

Buying an RV is a big investment. If it goes well, it’s an investment that can yield miles of smiles and countless happy memories.

If it doesn’t go well, you can wind up with an RV money pit that offers hope and disappointment followed by heartaches.

Careful inspection is the key to buying an RV you’ll be happy with. Like RV life itself, the RV buying process should be slow, and never hurried.

After all, there’s usually a lot of money at stake during the RV purchase journey.

Therefore, taking the time to do a careful pre-inspection and hiring a certified RV inspector to do a more thorough independent inspection makes good sense.

The post Smart RV Shopping: How to Avoid Buying a Money Pit appeared first on RV LIFE.