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
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