5 Things to Check Out When Purchasing a Used RV
If you are in the market to purchase a used RV, you are going to want to make sure that you thoroughly inspect the RV before you purchase it, just like you would with a used car. Here are five things that you should check out on any used RV that you are interested in investing in.
# 1 Mileage
The first thing that you need to take into consideration is the milage on the vehicle. RVs are one of the few vehicles where you don't want the mileage to be too low. If an RV is ten years old and has less than a thousand miles put on it per year, it probably spent more time sitting in the garage then being driven. When a vehicle is not driven, all the moving parts are not being properly lubricated and can actual wear out and break down from lack of use. If the vehicle has really high mileage, you are going to want to make sure that the RV has proper maintenance recoreds that correlate with the high milage to ensure that everything was properly taken care of.
#2 Frame Color
Second, you are going to want to examine the color of the frame. To do this, you are going to need to look under the motorhome. When you look at the frame, it should be the color that it was when it was shipped from the manufacture, which is generally black. Keep an eye out for rust. If you see a little rust, that's okay but major rust all over the frame is a sign that the vehicle was not taken care of properly and is going to need major work to keep it in working condition.
#3 Exhaust Smoke
Third, you want to start up the RV and have someone stand behind and check the color of the exhaust. If some blue smoke comes out when you first start up the RV, that is a sign that the rubber gaskets on the vehicle need to be repaired and that too much oil is being burned by the RV when it is starting up. You also want to make sure that the smoke coming out of the RV is not too dark as the RV sits ideal; you want your vehicle to be able to pass smot standards.
#4 Leaking Fluid
Fourth, whenever you purchase a used car, RV included, you want to make sure that the RV is not leaking fluid. Check under the RV and see if any fresh liquids are pooled up underneath the RV. If there is lots of liquid under the RV, you need that issue addressed before you even consider purchasing the vehicle.
#5 Interior Condition
Finally, be sure to check out the conditions in the interior of the RV. You want ot make sure that youa re comfortable with how the inside of the RV looks, feels and smells. Make sure that you can see yourself not only driving the RV, but hanging out inside of it for hours. This is often a matter of personal preference; although you can fix up the interior, make sure that you are comfortable with its basic structure before you purchase the RV.