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mrad's avatar
mrad
Explorer II
Aug 02, 2020

Question on buying a "prior salvage tilte" RV

Today we looked at a 5-wheel toy hauler that had a "Prior Salvage Title".

The owner explained to me that he bought it in Texas from a salvage or insurance company after a hail storm (large hail). We are in MN. He said he replaced the roof and did some other body work on it. He then said he had to have it inspected to get the title changed from salvage to "prior salvage". Looking around his yard, it was easy to see he was very mechanical he was restoring one jeep and had a Suzuki Samari he was refurbishing.

He also installed awning covers over all 3 slides, installed a 3rd heatpunmp AC in the toy hauler garage, replaced the bedroom AC with a heatpump AC, put 3 solar panels on the roof and replace all six tires with "G" rated tires last year.

The rig also had a 5500 onan gas generator with 640 hours (is that a lot?).

My question is, does a "Prior Salvage" title eliminate a buyer from getting a loan on an RV. This is not a concern for us right now, but if we decide to sell it down the road, will this be a road block to a potential buyer.

Would there be any other concerns about buying such an RV?
  • If it appears that the seller is well-versed with the restoration process, he should have pictures of the before, during, and after process of what he did to the RV. If not, I think I might walk away. Of course, if the price is right, and you have it professionally inspected, and it's what you really want, I wouldn't worry too much about the resale process. Do, however, check with your insurance agent as to the insurability of the unit.
  • Lt46's avatar
    Lt46
    Explorer II
    A lot of flooding occurs in TX and I'd be looking for evidence of that. A bad roof repair is the death knell for any RV.
  • Contact your insurance agent. Make sure there will be no problems insuring the unit.
  • I was going to look at an other than clean title RV. Was told there was some minor damage which had been fixed. I asked if they had any pictures of "minor" damage. They said no, I walked away. I do not have the expertise to tell if it was minor damage or a wreck, plus is minor subjective?
  • If this is a good deal for you today I would not worry one wit about selling in the future.
  • If u are satisfied it is ‘fixed’ there is nr problem. Prior means prior. It would have to have been inspected to be on the road.

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