Don’t forget the RV inspection before signing the paperwork.
So, you’ve done your research, found your RV and you are about to take delivery. Wait!! Before you sign the paperwork, make sure you get an RV inspection. You wouldn’t buy your next home without an inspection and you shouldn’t buy an RV without one either. It’s a house on wheels with plumbing and electrical and complicated systems. And you need a licensed and experienced professional to examine it.
What about the Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI)?
Dealerships perform what is called a PDI. During the PDI a dealership technician goes through all the workings of the RV and performs a quality check. During this process everything is looked at to make sure it works appropriately. And if you are purchasing from a good dealership there’s a chance most issues will be found and fixed. But sometimes these are rushed, or the technician isn’t qualified. And they definitely do not have the same experience as a certified inspector.
How do I find an RV inspector?
We reached out to NRVIA, an organization established to provide increased awareness of the importance of quality RV inspections and to enhance the professionalism of RV inspectors. (That comes directly from the NRVIA website.) They were very helpful during our search and responded with tips on how to choose a good inspector. Check them out at https://nrvia.org.
Interview your inspector
You should interview your inspector as you would anyone you hire to perform a service. Ask them about their education, certifications, and experience. Here is what you need to find out.
- Review the Points of Inspection list
- Require NRVIA certification.
- Level 1 Inspectors can perform very basic inspections that are typically required by banks, insurance companies and warranty providers.
- Level 2 Inspectors are qualified to perform FULL scale pre-purchase inspections.
- You should interview your inspector as you would anyone who you hire to perform a service for you.
- Inspection prices can vary based on the size and type of RV. Compare costs based on the inspection checklist and RV type.
- Find out about additional charges. Often times inspectors will add a mileage fee if you are located outside of their normal route. This could be a flat fee or per mile.
- Find out if your inspector is open to you attending the inspection. But remember, you don’t want to ask a lot of questions during the inspection. Let the inspector concentrate and save the questions for later.
But I’m buying a new RV. I don’t need an inspection.
Wrong! There are lots of articles on the internet about problems with new RVs. RV’s are getting pushed out the factory with very little quality control. Look it up. It’s worth spending a few hundred dollars to catch the problem early and get it fixed than to get stuck on the road far from home. In fact, we just purchased a 2021 Fleetwood Bounder and there are plenty of issues our inspector found. Take a look at our interview with Ed from Eagle RV LLC.
If you would like to schedule an inspection through Eagle RV, LLC. Reach out to Ed via their website or phone number below.
Eagle RV, LLC
757-346-2440
https://eaglervllc.com
(This is not a paid endorsement. Please do your research when selecting an inspector. We were very pleased with the service Ed provided.)
And remember the part about the PDI? Our dealership prepped our RV before the inspector came. Here are some of the things our inspector found wrong with our brand-new RV. These weren’t picked up during the PDI.
- Front cap seal not properly sealed
- Raised area on rear cap
- Screw on bathroom sky light not sealed could lead to water intrusion.
- Unknown cable attached to rear ac unit.
- Sealant missing on XM radio antenna. Could cause water intrusion.
- Engine compartment door does not latch on streetside.
- Rear curb side compartment will not latch.
- Upper wiper seal not attached well.
- Cooktop not attached.
I hope that helps. We are still new to RVing and will continue to share what we learn on our journey.
See the full YouTube Video
Now go and enjoy your adventure!