| "It's a home on wheels." | | | | switch from electric to gas when you unplug your |
| Keep that statement in mind as you begin your | | | | shore power. Repairs can be costly so run this |
| motor home or travel trailer buying project. Take | | | | little test before you finalize the purchase. |
| a moment right now to inventory in your mind | | | | 4. Absolutely check the furnace and air |
| everything that needs fixing in your home right | | | | conditioning equipment. These can be expensive |
| now. You might be imagining items as simple as a | | | | units to repair, and you'll want to ask for a little |
| loose doorknob all the way to the intermittent | | | | discount if these aren't working correctly. |
| problems you're having with your heating and air | | | | 5. Does the toilet hold water? If the RV has been |
| conditioning system. | | | | sitting for a period of time the seal in the toilet will |
| Now, add an engine and or wheels to the mix, | | | | have dried out. Add a little water to the toilet and |
| and you have the idea - it's going to be a difficult | | | | see if it holds water for more than 15 minutes. |
| to find the perfect used RV. You might have to | | | | Keep in mind that the water in the toilet is what |
| settle for a few little problems, or decide to pay a | | | | holds back the fumes trying to escape from the |
| few extra bucks for something that's in pristine | | | | black water holding tank. |
| condition. There are a myriad of things that can | | | | 6. Check for soft spots in the flooring especially in |
| go wrong with a travel trailer or motor home, so | | | | the bathroom and kitchen areas. These could be |
| a careful pre-buy inspection is a must. | | | | symptoms of a much larger problem. The unit |
| Here then, I offer a starter list of what to look | | | | may have leaky supply pipes or drains that are |
| for when purchasing a used motorhome or used | | | | causing the wood to rot. |
| travel trailer. | | | | 7. Check the skin on the outside of the unit. Look |
| Your used RV checklist: | | | | for bubbles. Although cosmetic, you're probably |
| 1. Check everything that relates to your propane | | | | dealing with a corrosion issue. These can be |
| system. RV fires do happen and many times | | | | resolved, but will involve removal of paint, |
| they're the result of a neglected propane system. | | | | treatment of the affected area, and repainting. |
| Check the tank, the hoses, and the regulator. I | | | | Sounds expensive to me. |
| can't stress how important this is. You could be | | | | 8. If it has a gas engine, then I highly recommend |
| risking your investment, and your life if you | | | | you carefully inspect the engine records. A good |
| overlook even the simplest of problems in this | | | | owner will have kept receipts of all engine |
| area. | | | | maintenance. It would even behoove you to have |
| 2. Check the condition of the house batteries. The | | | | the engine looked over by a trusted mechanic. |
| house batteries hold the charge that powers your | | | | What do you suppose it would cost to replace an |
| lights and other items when you're not connected | | | | engine? |
| to shore power. They can be expensive to | | | | 9. Finally, do a THOROUGH walk-through. Open |
| replace, and there might be as many as six of | | | | and close everything. Turn everything on and off. |
| them. Are they properly topped off with water, | | | | Be suspicious and take notes as you walk through |
| and do they hold a charge? These batteries are | | | | the rig, and at least you'll go into the purchase |
| heavy so you really don't want to be doing this | | | | with your head up. |
| job yourself, and you'll have to take the cores | | | | I'll leave you with one final thought. You'll never |
| back for your deposit. | | | | find the perfect used travel trailer or RV, but you |
| 3. Check to make sure the fridge works on both | | | | can minimize the hidden expenses by following the |
| propane and electricity. It should automatically | | | | above guidelines. |