A used RV can look perfect from the outside and hide thousands of dollars in damage on the inside. This checklist covers what to check yourself on a walkthrough — and what to leave to a certified inspector.
Exterior Inspection
- Roof — Walk it if safe to do so. Press firmly in multiple spots. Any softness indicates water damage underneath.
- Sidewalls — Look for waves, bubbles, or delamination. Run your hand flat along the side panels. Any rippling means the interior structure has been compromised.
- Slides — Extend and retract every slide three times. Check the seals around each slide for cracking or compression failure.
- Tires — Check the date code on every tire. RV tires older than 6 years should be replaced regardless of tread.
Interior Inspection
- Every ceiling corner — Water damage shows up here first. Staining or bubbled wallpaper in ceiling corners means an active or past leak.
- All slide floors — Step firmly on the floor inside every slide. Soft or spongy flooring means water has been sitting there.
- Every appliance — Test the furnace, air conditioner, water heater, refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave. Do not assume anything works until you confirm it.
- Electrical — Plug into shore power and test every outlet. Check all interior and exterior lights.
- Plumbing — Run every faucet, flush the toilet multiple times, and check under every sink for staining or moisture.
Before the Inspection
Know what the RV is actually worth before you pay for an inspection. SmartBuyers Deals gives you a full pricing report and red flag scan in about 2 minutes from any listing. Use code RIO10 to save $10.