Am I Being Unreasonable?

As the seller, I would say the camper is open from 8am to 8pm. Look, test the systems, read the books, sleep, whatever. But at 8pm the camper gets locked for the night. Goodby.

Yes!

Hire a RV Mechanic to give it an inspection. Sleeping in it will only tell you if you like the mattress, and odors, or if it has bedbugs.

Better to have owner take you on a drive in it including a backing experience akin to a camping space.

lordnorth wrote:
I am looking at purchasing our very first camper of any type. (Jumping in with both feet if you will.) A "Class A" Gasser is what I have decided upon. I have one in particular that I am interested in and have been communicating with the private seller about the RV.

I would like to be able to spend one night in the RV before finalizing the purchase. I don't plan on driving it anywhere to camp, but simply to leave it parked in the guy's driveway or storage area and spend the night. I would like to take a couple of hours to completely read through ALL of the manuals and service information and warranties and directions. I would like to be sure that I understand and can operate all of the fixtures and features of the RV. I want to make sure that I can spend a night in it peacefully and to find out if the air conditioners suddenly trip the breakers after running for three hours (this actually happens in my buddy's RV).

I have even offered to write up the contract where I formally purchase the RV and give him payment BEFORE spending the night with a clause that if I can choose to back out of the deal for any reason before leaving the owners location.

The owner does not find this acceptable.

Am I being unreasonable, or is he?

Chris

Check it all day, then make your deposit that is refundable for 18 hours. Leave everything running as required, and go back in the morning after you sleep elsewhere. Close the deal, or take your deposit back.

After 18 hours, he owns your deposit, and if you don't show up he keeps it unless otherwise arranged. When you pay it full, title changes.

Aridon wrote:
I'd have to agree with the others. Unreasonable.

You don't have to sleep in the unit to verify that things work.

X2 Well said.

If it stayed at my place you would be more than welcome to stay in it. I would tell you the good and bad about it and then leave you alone to look it over and feel it. I wouldnt want anything disassembled. As you went along you could make a list and then go over it with me. You are buying used so there is risk. I compare it to buying a used car. If I buy a used car I'm taking a risk that the transmission or engine or whatever could be bad or have been abused. So I look for the best looking and best running car. If I do get burned on it I still have a good looking car that I now put a transmission in. If I had settled for a not good looking car and I had to put a trans in it I now have an ugly car for along time with a good trans. So as it pertains to RV's I would break it down in this order. Number one would be water damage. I would be absolutely sure that it has no water damage as its just too costly to repair. Number 2 would be how presentable is it. If it has a lot of dings, dirty upholstery, scratches, worn cabinets, yucky cook top, and on and on, you will be stuck with it and have to look at it.
You may not be able to stay in any of them that you shop for but you can look them over very closely and if they dont like it then walk away. After water your biggest risk by price of item is the frig, ac unit, furnace, water heater, toilet, water pump, ceiling fans. Tires are easy as you should be looking at date codes and BRAND as part of the negotiating.

Get on top and feel all over and around all the items up there for soft spots and buckling plywood.

lordnorth wrote:


The owner does not find this acceptable.



Chris

neither do I.
bumpy

Sorry but I would not let you spend the night in my RV before buying. That's just asking too much IMHO.

I would however let you spend all the time you wan't crawling around it and inspecting it.

Look it over real good, make notes about what appliances and whatnot (you can research on internet), make sure everything works. Purchase if it still is what you want. Make sure you have a fixit budget so you can replace mattress if needed or add some mods to make it your own. I always research a bunch before buying anything.. our recent trailer purchase was researched 2 years. When we checked it, it was as expected. Both my wife and I knew much more about it than the seller.

Aridon wrote:
I'd have to agree with the others. Unreasonable.

You don't have to sleep in the unit to verify that things work.

X10!

Hooked up to electric and water and a 30 minute or less walk thru is all you need to see if everything is working. I'd be more focused on engine and chassis.