RV

• Engine Battery: Check the engine’s battery for a healthy charge and condition. Type of batteries. Date installed. Date manufactured.
• Automotive Fuses: Look over the automotive fuses for burning, melting, or breakage.
• Rubber Components: Look over the belts, gaskets, and other rubber components for excessive wear.
• Fluids: Write down the current levels of automotive fluids:
• Engine Oil: Find the date of the last oil change and notate it. Write down the current levels of each. If you’re buying the RV, a good practice is to get a complete oil change service to start with fresh oil once you take delivery.
• Brake Fluid (Yellow)
• Transmission Fluid (Red)
• Jack Fluid (All-Purpose ATF Transmission fluid: Red, or hydraulic fluid: clear or honeycolored)
• Power steering fluid (Red and sweet smell)
• Radiator/Antifreeze Coolant (Green)
• Windshield wiper fluid (Blue, Green, or Orange)
• Generator Oil: Locate the date of the last oil change for the generator and check the current fluid level.
• Generator Spark Plug: Use the multimeter to check the spark plug. Notate any misfiring issues or replacement concerns.
• Generator Overall Health: Use the flashlight to look over the generator parts. Notate any evidence of excessive wear, insulation problems, etc.
• Startup the engine: Notate hesitations, weird sounds, or other strange items.
• Startup the generator: Run generator for startup and electricity current output. Uplug shore power and check for current flow.

• House Batteries: Check the house batteries for good power levels and overall condition with the multimeter. Check for manufacturer date.
• Coach Fuses and Breakers: Inspect the AC and DC coach breakers for melting, burning, or breaking.
• Electric Converter: Locate the electric converter and check it for irregularities.
• Electric Inverter: Locate the electrical inverter(s) for proper operation.
• Solar Panel System: (if applicable) Test the solar system.
• Electric Outlets: Use the outlet tester on every 110v, USB ports, and DC outlet. Test the grounded outlets by pushing the reset button and turning it back on.
• DOT Lights: Check the headlights, turn signals, clearance lights, reflectors, and other lights.
• Exterior and Interior Lights: Turn all coach lights on and off, making sure they work.
• Backup Camera: Check the operation of the backup camera.
• Refrigerator & Entertainment System: Check for refrigerator and freezer functional and maintaining temperature.
• Air Conditioning Effectiveness: Conduct Temperature test.
• Furnace: Furnace works correctly on propane or shore power
• Central Vacuum: (if applicable) Activate the vacuum system and test the suction.
• Electric Power Cord: Inspect shore power cord connects securely to the RV. Check signs of male/female connections burning or melting. The cord fits nicely into the RV. The protective shielding doesn’t expose any of the internal wiring.

• Water Lines: Inspect water lines. Should have soft, pliable feel to them. Not dry or cracked.
• Water Pump: Make sure there is fresh water in the holding tank. Disconnect the RV from the city water. Turn on faucet and check water pump is working.
• Check for leaks:
• Kitchen sink
• Outdoor kitchen sink
• Bathroom sink
• Shower
• Exterior shower
• Commode
• Dishwasher
• Washer and Dryer

• Propane Lines: Check the propane lines for leaks.
• Propane Mounts: Make sure the propane tanks sit securely in their positions and are held securely in place.
• Permanent Propane Tanks: Inspect the built-in tank for any non-surface rusting, loose connections, or other issues that will compromise the tank. Check for leaks.
• Propane Gauge: Yes or no
• Holding Tanks Inspected
• Fresh Water Holding Tank: Disconnect the city water line. Make sure the valves and lines are in good order.
• Grey Water Holding Tank: Find out if the grey tank is empty first. Open and close the sewer release valve to make sure it works well. Pour one or two milk gallon jugs of water down the sink or bathroom sink. Check the sewer release valve area for leaking.
• Black Water Holding Tank: Make sure the black tank is empty first. Check the release valve for proper operation. Pour a gallon or two of water down the commode. Check the sewer release valve area for leaking.
• Black Tank Flush System: Hook up a garden hose to the flush system and run it for a minute or two.
• City Water Connection: The city water connection looks secure and undamaged.

• Sidewalls: Used RVs may have tiny knicks or dents. You want to look for cracks, open seals, or other loss of integrity that allows moisture through. Discoloration could be mold, mildew, or other contaminants forming.
• Front Cap/Rock guards: Notate any cracks, open seals, or issues of concern.
• Hood Panel/Generator Bay: Make sure the panel or bay opens and closes smoothly. When closed, there aren’t any gaps due to misalignment.
• Windshield/Front Bay window: The window shouldn’t have any cracks or open seals.
• Back Cap: Notate any issues of concern like cracks, open seals, or other problems.
• Roof Ladder: Check that the ladder is secure against the RV. Inspect the connections for open seals that will let moisture through.
• Entry Steps: Open and close all entry steps.
• Motorized Steps: The entry steps should deploy every time the door opens. There should be a toggle switch near the door that keeps them deployed when you’re camping. Notate any problems with either system not working correctly.
• Awning: Open and close the awning. Older manual awning arms can warp with age, making folding up difficult. Inspect the fabric for significant rips or mold growth. Check the installed LED lighting for shorted-out lights.

The RV has many doors besides the entry door. Check each of them for many of the common problems. Make a note next to the door that needs attention.

• • Entry Doors
  • Exterior Shower Door
  • Fuel Door
  • Fresh water fill
  • Furnace Door
  • Water heater
  • Refrigerator Panels
  • Clothes dryer exhaust vent
  • Stove hood exhaust vent
  • Open and Close: Make sure the doors open and close securely. They’re not off-center, and the hinges work well.
  • Doors Stay Open: If the bay doors have struts or other mechanisms that keep them open, make sure they work correctly. Older RVs won’t have friction hinge doors.
  • Latching System is Secure: The handles and locks aren’t loose or falling apart.
  • Weather Seals are Maintained: The weatherstripping should be soft and pliable to create a good seal against the bay door. Use a rubber treatment spray at least 2-3 times a year. Replace dry and cracked stripping.
  • Bay Lighting: Lights inside the bay work.
  • Damage Concerns: Look for evidence of damage due to water, pests, or other issues.

• Roof Integrity: There isn’t any soft spots or dry rot on the roof.
• Open Seals: All seals are solid or fixed with caulk.
• Vent Covers: All vent covers fit nicely over the openings, aren’t cracked, and work properly.
• Satellites and Antennas: All wireless inputs rotate, deploy, and fit into their cradles properly. None of the wiring is exposed or degraded.
• Air Conditioner: Start the A/C at the beginning of the inspection to give the compressor time to cool down. After 10-15 minutes, turn it off so you can open it up safely.
• Shroud: The protective cover is in good shape and secures well
• Seals: There aren’t any openings in the caulking around the A/C unit
• Wiring: There isn’t any exposed wiring outside the shroud. None of the wires inside the unit is loose or lost parts of its coating.
• Intake: The intake is clean of dirt and other contaminants
• Coils: The coils are intact and straight. There are tools to straighten them out.
• Insulation: The insulation within the unit is in good shape
• Filter: A/C filters will need replacement, but there is evidence of regular filter usage.
• Compressor: The compressor is cold to the touch. It will make noise when working. If the compressor doesn’t work, it may be cost-prohibitive to replace the part.
• Fan: The fan should spin well with your finger.

• Rear Receiver: The receiver is in good shape, and the electronic connector is 7-pin (modern).
• Front Hitch/ Kingpin: The towable hitch isn’t significantly dented or rusting.
• Safety Chains: All safety chains are in place, and it’s in good working order.
• Umbilical Cord: The electric cord that attaches to the tow vehicle is in good shape. Wires are not exposed, and none of the prongs are bent. Plug the umbilical cord into a running tow vehicle to test the DOT lights. All lighting should light up when you activate the tow vehicle’s lights.
• Brake Lights
• Left Turn Signal and Right Turn Signal
• Hazard Lighs
• Reverse Lights
• (if applicable) Back-Up Camera Activates
• Headlights and Clearance Lights

• Slideout Function: All slideouts deploy and retract smoothly on their tracks.
• Manual Slideout Retractor: (if applicable)
• Slideout Awnings: The slideout awnings roll easily when deployed.
• Slideout Windows: The windows on the slideouts look good, and the weather stripping keeps its seal against the window. Perimeter seals don’t have any gaps.
• Slideout Seals: Make sure the rubber weather seals are soft and pliable. The stripping needs to form a tight seal against the slideout.

• Tires: The tires have the correct air pressure (PSI), and there aren’t any soft spots that indicate signs of decay. Note Date manufactured.
• Rims: The rims look good around the edges.
• Brakes and Pads: (not applicable)
• Suspension: The components of the suspension are in good shape and only have surface rusting
• Axles: The axles aren’t bent and are tight in place.
• Underbelly: (if applicable)

• Auto-Level: The auto-level feature works well and has a good accuracy.
• Jack Fluid: When fully extended, the hydraulic jacks don’t leak fluid after 20-30 minutes.