How To Buy a Used RV
This post may include affiliate links. That means we may earn commissions from the companies recommended in this post.
So, you’re thinking about buying a new to you RV huh? Maybe you want to be a weekend warrior or maybe you’re even dreaming of going full time. Buying an RV is both exciting and overwhelming. There is a seemingly never-ending variety to choose from. And prices to fit any budget.
Whether it’s your first RV or your fifth, purchasing one is a big decision. A big, expensive decision.
The first thing to consider may be new or used. If you’ve been in the market for an RV, you’ve probably heard that you can save a ton by buying gently used. But how do you know if an RV is gently used. The short answer is, do your homework.
There are thousands of used RVs out there for sale, and many of them are in great condition, being sold because of health problems and any number of other reasons. This creates an opportunity for savvy shoppers like you to save thousands of dollars compared to a new unit
Buying a used RV is super smart, not only do you save the depreciation dollars lost just by driving a brand-new vehicle off the lot, but if you do your due diligence you’ll end up with an RV whose previous owners have worked all the kinks out.
One of the great things the internet has brought us is the ability to look at used RV’s all over the country. Gone are the days of only going to a local dealer and settling for the models they have. Now you can shop the great prices to be found in Arizona even if you live in New York. RV Trader is a great Place to see lots of options.
But how do you know if an RV is worth traveling for?
While I was doing research on floorplans that appealed to us, Wayne was looking at info about diesel engines and class A chassis since we didn’t have any experience with those. One thing we discovered was that no matter what type of RV we were looking at, there were some basic questions that applied to all of them.
Here is what we learned about buying any used RV. These checks should help you quickly narrow down your prospective RVs without paying for an inspector each time and save you from traveling to see ones that aren’t right for you.
Start by calling the seller. The seemingly perfect RV may be hours away so asking questions could save you a trip. Jot down the answers so you can reference them later. Make it a point to ask the seller these same questions again when you meet him in person. If you find discrepancies with the answers the seller gives from what he said previously, walk away and find another RV.
- Are you the registered owner of the RV?
If not, who is the registered owner and why are you the spokesperson? Are you the one who can accept an offer and handle transfer? Many people show cars or trailers for their parents or someone else and have no idea about anything or how it works. Unless the owner is deceased or you’re buying from a dealer, make sure you are able to ask questions about the RV directly with the owner.
- Do you have a clear title or are there any liens against it?
If they don’t have the documentation handy, or they are evasive concerning liens, just walk away. There are too many scammers out there to take a chance with your hard-earned dollars.
- Is the title clear of any notations, such as rebuilt or salvage?
If not, no need to go any further. Unless you are prepared to rebuild yourself, don’t buy a vehicle that doesn’t have a clean history.
- How many people have owned this RV, and how often have they used it?
Learning the history of the RV can give you clues to the condition of the vehicle without inspecting it. An RV that was used regularly was more likely to have been kept up and serviced.
- What kind of lifestyle did the previous owners have?
Were they boondocking, resort camping, weekend warriors, full timers? Boondockers might have upgraded the batteries and maybe added solar. Resort campers likely paid extra attention to the exterior of the rig.
- How many miles are on the odometer?
Lower mileage when buying a used RV could mean it’s been sitting in an empty lot somewhere which means you can wind up with a lot of issues. Really low mileage is not necessarily a good thing for a used RV because if the RV isn’t driven enough, seals in the engine dry out and go bad and then you have engine leaks
- Has the RV ever been in an accident or had major mechanical repairs?
Has it ever had any bodywork? If so, why, how much, when, and where on the vehicle? If there are any areas of previous bodywork, damage, or concern, ask for pictures to be emailed to you, showing the situation realistically. What mechanical parts have been replaced or repaired? Things like transmissions have limited lifespans and are expensive to replace.
- Has factory recommended maintenance been done and does this RV come with maintenance records?
You will definitely want maintenance records with your used RV. These will alert you to previous problems that you’ll need to keep an eye on, such as any leak damage or replaced parts. By having the maintenance records, you’ll know exactly what has been fixed on the RV. Maintenance records are the holy grail of buying a used RV.
- Do you know of any mechanical issues?
Knowing ahead of time of any issues can help you determine if the repairs are something you are comfortable with taking on and can possibly be a negotiating point.
- Who does the regular maintenance on the vehicle?
Has it been serviced by a dealership or certified technician or has it been owner serviced? Neither is necessarily better than the other, but if it’s been worked on by the owner make sure they have detailed their work in the maintenance records.
- Are the manuals available?
There are so many different systems in RV’s and they can vary greatly from model to model. Having the manuals can make all the difference if your water heater goes out and you are not into cold showers.
- How many miles are on the tires and when were they last replaced?
It’s commonly thought that tires 8 years old or older should be replaced, regardless of the amount of tread they have left, as old tires may blow out unexpectedly. This is especially important if you’re looking at buying a used Class A RV. Class A rigs have expensive tires. As in, very expensive. Our new tires are more than $500 EACH! So, be sure to ask about the tires If it’s time to replace them do some research on how much it would cost then ask for that amount discounted from the price of the RV.
- How many batteries does it have and how old are the batteries?
Like tires, these can get expensive. If the batteries are old you may be able to negotiate a lower price.
- Has there ever been ANY water damage?
THIS IS HUGE!. Definitely the number one thing to avoid at all costs!
- Where has it been stored? Has the RV been covered while not in use?
Storing an RV outside uncovered can be really hard on the paint and can dry out the roof and seals. A good cover can save trouble down the road. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should pass on the RV only that you should be extra careful in your inspection.
- Is there rust anywhere?
Rust could indicate that the RV has been used or stored in harsh conditions or not properly maintained.
- Did any previous owners change or alter the original layout?
If you have your heart set on a particular floorplan you will want to make sure there haven’t been changes made that effect that layout. Changes can also void any warranty.
- Has the RV ever been smoked in? Have any animals ever lived in it? What kind of animals and for how long?
If you’re like me and you or a family member has allergies, any lingering traces, even the faintest, may have an effect on your decision to buy or not.
- Do all of the appliances work?
Stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator.
- Does the A/C work?
Air conditioners are expensive to replace so make sure they work.
- Does the RV have a generator? Does the generator work and how many hours are on it?
Nearly all motorhomes have a generator but the same cannot be said for travel trailers. If the RV has a generator, make sure it has been regularly serviced.
- Any issues with the slide outs? Do they operate smoothly?
If you’re looking at an RV with slides, you’ll want to know that it operates smoothly and seals completely to prevent leaks.
- Is anything else included?
Tools, hoses or electrical cords. You don’t want to be driving your new RV home only to discover you can’t plug in to shore power because there’s no cord.
Ask for a test drive
Even if you’re not local, ask. If the answer to this is “no”, walk away. Major red flag. Don’t buy the RV. Just don’t.
Finally, Ask for an inspection
Ask the owner if you can have the rig professionally inspected before buying. If the owner isn’t hiding anything, they’ll likely agree. A professional third-party inspection can save you a trip to buy an RV that’s not everything the seller says it is. You can find inspectors all over the country in the NRVIA directory here. These inspections can cost $300 or more. Worth every penny! If your rig passes the third-party inspection, I’d say you’re ready to start planning your trip to buy your new RV.
