PLANNING
The Top 5 Things to Check When Buying a Used RV
by Sarah Kuiken
Shopping for a new-to-you RV is exciting — but when it comes time to purchase , how can you be sure you aren ’ t driving away with someone else ’ s headache ? One option is to hire a professional RV inspector to assess the rig you ’ re planning to purchase . Another is to go the DIY route and complete a self-inspection . No matter which path you choose , a thorough inspection should always be the last step before you sign the paperwork and hand over your money to the seller . Make sure you check five things before you sign on the dotted line .
NO .
1 TEST Everything
And we do mean everything . Pay particular attention to all of the major systems , like propane , water , and electric .
Complete the inspection in a place where water and electric hookups are available . If the seller ’ s home isn ’ t an option , see if they can bring it to yours or meet at an RV park so you can walk through every step . Here are the most important ( read : expensive ) systems and appliances to test :
Plumbing : Use every faucet , showerhead ( including the outdoor shower ), and toilet . Make sure everything works , and look for visible leaks .
Water pump : Put some water in the fresh tank , and turn on the water pump . More about this in the next section , but for now , just make sure the pump allows you to use the water in all sinks , showers , and toilets .
Water heater : If you have both propane and electric options , test both .
Furnace : If it ’ s summer , test the air conditioning first to get the interior cold enough to test the heat . If it ’ s winter , do the opposite ! Run the furnace for a few minutes to verify that hot air blows from the vents .
Air conditioner : This is a big one ! Air conditioners tend to break on the hottest days , so make sure yours blows cool air before you take ownership .
82 E3CAMPING . COM