pre purchase inspection

My only recommendations would be make sure that the individual that is leading you through your inspection is one of the older more experienced rv techs. Don't go with the new guy that is just learning how to be an rv tech. Take your time and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. The techs like to throw around rv lingo assuming that everybody knows what the heck they are talking about...make them put it into language you understand.
Dumboldles

Make sure ALL systems are checked. Like another said, have the refer turned on a day before. check and bleed the gas lines and fire up the oven and water heater. Have water installed in the tank and use the pump and check everywhere for leaks. Includeing the shower. (first use of ours have water on the floor) Get a checklist and do it yourself at your pace. Don't trust the dealer or salesman, he is out to make a buck. (Yours)

gbopp wrote:

darsben wrote:
NEVER, NEVER USE a inspector.
Instead try a mobile mechanic.

I'm familiar with a mobile RV tech/mechanic.
What is an Inspector?

An inspector is a so called professional you pay to find defects in a RV before purchase. Sort of like a home inspector.
RV inspectors have an organization that supposedly regulates and certifies them but has no enforcement or other powers. MOST if not all contracts with inspectors limit their liability to what you payed them to inspect the rig.

darsben wrote:
NEVER, NEVER USE a inspector.
Instead try a mobile mechanic.

I'm familiar with a mobile RV tech/mechanic.
What is an Inspector?

NEVER, NEVER USE a inspector. They have no real certification and most contracts state that they are not liable if they miss something.
Instead try a mobile mechanic.
I have had no dealings with the following but you might try calling him

Jim's Mobile Rv Repair
CEDAR Rd,
Hershey, PA 17033
(717) 926-6035

get a private inspector. don,t ever trust the dealer to tell you the truth. think about it,that sales person no,s nothing about a used unit.

Here is a helpful list. Click here. I think the most important thing you can do is have the dealer hook everything up, water, electric, propane, and holding tank drains. Make sure everything works. Make sure every question is answered. Ask how to winterize too, how to unwinterize, how to bypass the water heater. Have them demonstrate everything.

Note: RV refrigerators take several hours to cool down. They work very slow, but once cold work great. So if you have them turn the refrigerator on, don't expect sudden results. Instead, have them turn the refrigerator on the day before you take the inspection. Then it will be cold. You will know it's working.

Edit: I just re-read your post. Sorry... I put no value in hiring an inspector. I think inspectors are a joke. Like the above poster said, when they don't even know the diffeence between an electric line and a television cable, there's something seriously wrong. We tried selling a house. It ended up with 4 inspection. All 4 inspection (different clients), all came back with different results. One thing was ok with one inspector, it failed with another. Totally a bunch of BS!

Considering RV inspection is a relatively new market and demand, I wouldn't believe anything form anyone. It might be difficult for you, but YOU personally need to do your own inspection WITH someone you trust and believe in. That someone may be a friend, and it might be someone you hire.... BUT .... YOU need to be there when they do it! You still need to ask questions, and if your friend, or your inspector says there's a problem,.... you can ask him/her immediately.... "WHY?" Then talk to the dealer about it. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR INSPECTING YOURSELF. NONE!

Unless I had complete knowledge of an RV I was buying a pre-inspection is very important by a professional. That said, how do you rate that professional? When I bought and sold rental property I saw a lot of so called professional home inpectors. One that really comes to mind is an inspector that told the buyer I had a dangerous fire hazard with AC electrical wire laying on the ground in the crawl space under my house. I pulled all the wire out and it had to be inspected again at the buyers expense to allow the house to close escrow. What was the wire? It was heavy duty shielded 300 ohm TV lead in wire from the TV antenna. Bottom line. Make sure your inspector knows what they are doing. At least they can tell the difference between a generator and the engine that powers the RV. :B I'm sure there are good inspectors out there. Also some losers posing as professionals.