Dealer Prep of a Used RV Trailer

Just thought I would point out that around here a dealer charges about $800 to prep a new trailer. How much did you pay?

I have to distinguish between "dealer prep" and "dealer inspection". If a "dealer prep" was ordered, I wouldn't expect much more than check the air in the tires, ensure battery is charged, and fill propane. If it's a "dealer inspection", then I would expect a checklist such as a PDI worksheet to be completed.

Thanks, very much, to everyone who responded. You are all extremely helpful and I am a lot smarter now because of you!

What exactly did you tell them to do when you dropped the rig off?

I'm having a hard time picturing just leaving a rig somewhere with instructions to "prep" it. Wasn't there some sort of work order/paperwork prior to the work?

More than likely if the prep was done correctly and issues found, the purchaser would have paid to have issues repaired. The dealer missed the boat on this one!

When I bought a used camper from Kings Campers they had a check sheet with a check mark when they completed the check.

beemerphile1 wrote:
There is no 'normal' in what you had done. They probably had the lot kid spend an hour on it after school one afternoon with the instruction to make sure everything worked.

You should have dictated what you wanted done before dropping it off.

That's the point of this thread - the owner is a newbie and didn't know what to check. The dealer should have done a better job of documenting what was to be done for the price paid. Car dealers generally have a list of things that are checked on cars for the service price they quote.

The only issue I see is the OP did not buy from the dealer, so the dealer probably had no interest or stake in the TT or the customer. Even so, dealers have an opportunity to make money by perferming these types of services, so they should treat it as such.

Bucky Badger wrote:
Sounds like you bought from a private party, and then brought it to a dealer for a prep? They should have done a MUCH better job and gave you a list. You paid them to do it you should know what is included.

X2

OP bought it and THEN brought it the dealer, as I read his post.

In that case he went to this dealer for the sole purpose of a service which he "paid" for.

Service department should have a complete list of all what they checked for what you paid for. I would ask to see the Service Deparment Manager and request a list of what you paid for.

There is no 'normal' in what you had done. They probably had the lot kid spend an hour on it after school one afternoon with the instruction to make sure everything worked.

You should have dictated what you wanted done before dropping it off.

The below checklist should help, it more than likely covers areas that may not apply in all cases but it should help.

RV Information and Details
RV Number (your own #):
Year:
Make:
Model:
RV Type:
VIN:
License Plate:
Inspected By:
Owner:
Address:
City:
Phone:
Asking $:
Mileage:

Items to take to Inspection
This inspection checklist
Notebook and pen
Fifty foot tape measure
Calculator
Flashlight with fresh batteries
Screwdriver with Phillips and flathead tips
Pliers
Small mirror (for looking into hard-to-see areas)
Tire pressure gauge with 100 psi range
Tarp or creeper (for inspecting underside)
Rubber soled shoes (for better traction while walking on roof)
Work gloves
Rags (for checking fluid levels, wiping hands)
Wet towels (for cleaning hands)
Engine coolant test strip

Outside Walls
Surface condition
Signs of leaks
Seals and caulking
Trim
Doors & screens
Windows & screens
Vents
Hand rails
Awning mechanisms
Awning canvas
Awning wind sensor operation, ability to turn off
Lights
Mirrors
Steps
Connector covers & sockets
Fuel doors, locks, and caps
Slide external seals
Slide operation, motorized
Slide operation, manual crank
Slide locking mechanism
Slide covers (toppers)
Fold-outs & expansions
Overall Condition

Outside Roof
Surface condition
Corners and edges where walls attach
Signs of leaks
Seals and caulking
Vents and vent hoods
Skylights
Slide covers (toppers)
Air conditioners
Antennas and satellite dishes
Ladder condition and caulking where it attaches to RV
Solar panels
Overall Condition

Outside Underside of Trailer
Fluid leaks
Frame condition, signs of damage or repair
Welds
Axles
Suspension
Electric brake wiring
Plumbing
Holding tanks (water, waste)
Underside enclosure and insulation
Straps holding pipes, hoses, wires
Leveling jacks (landing legs)
Stabilizing jacks
Drive shaft
Rear differential
Boots (enclosing various joints)
Overall Condition

Outside Storage Compartments
Overall condition
Signs of leaks
In lower compartments, look up to inspect floor condition
Shine flashlight into all openings, inspecting all visible components
Doors and seals
Lights
Sliding tray and locking mechanism
Overall Condition

Wheels,Tires & Brakes
Tire pressure
Tire tread
Tire walls
Tire date of manufacture:
Spare tire
Lug nut torque
Wheel rims
Brake function of each wheel
Brake pads
Brake rotor surface
Overall Condition

Utilities
Power cable and connectors
RV batteries (house batteries)
RV battery disconnect switch
RV battery sliding tray secure
Cable TV connector
Telephone connector
Satellite dish connector
Fresh water hose and connectors
Outside shower
Outside faucet
Fresh water tank fill valve
Fresh water tank drain valve
Winterizing connector and valve (antifreeze)
Water heater tank drain valve
Sewer hose and connectors
Sewer hose storage tube or compartment
Gray tank dump valve
Black tank dump valve
Black tank pressure wash connector and valve
Generator hours:
Generator fluid levels
Generator operation
Generator noise level
Generator exhaust location
Overall Condition

Outside Propane
Propane bottle condition
Propane bottles and sliding tray secure
Tanks have OPD valves (triangular shape)
Connections, pipes, and hoses
Level or empty indicators
Automatic tank selector device
Regulator output pressure
Overall Condition

Outside Trailer Coupling Components
Tongue or King Pin overall condition
Supplemental hitching equipment (sway bars, weight-distributing hitch, etc.)
Safety chains
Umbilical cord and connector
Breakaway switch and cable
Hitch receiver (on or under rear bumper)
Trailer wiring harness and plug (for pulling toad or trailer behind RV)
Overall Condition

Inside General
Floor plan (layout)
Necessities are accessible with slides in
Flooring
Stomp on floor to detect weak areas
Walls
Slide internal seals
Trim
Windows and screens
Drapes and shades
Door locks or latches
Cabinetry finish
Cabinetry hinges, slides, latches
Cabinetry interior
Remove drawers, inspect behind them
Ceiling
Press up on ceiling to detect sagging
Ceiling exhaust vents and fans
Furniture
Look under and behind movable furniture
Mattresses
Pull out and fold down beds
Rodent and pest presence or damage
Overall Condition

Inside Kitchen
Countertops
Counter top extensions
Sink
Seals and caulking around sink
Stove top, burners, igniters
Stove hood exhaust fan and vent cover
Oven and pilot light
Microwave oven
Coffee maker
Dish washer
Refrigerator works on all power sources (A/C, propane)
Freezer
Ice maker
Drinking water filter
Overall Condition

Inside Bedroom
Toilet flushes
Signs of leaks around toilet base
Look into black tank through toilet for hardened solid waste
Sink and fixtures
Shower and tub walls
Shower fixtures
Shower door and latch
Shower skylight
Washer and dryer connections (but no washer or dryer)
Washer and dryer
Washer hoses, indication of leaks
Dryer vent
Unscrew panels around and behind shower, inspect for leaks
Overall Condition

Inside Fresh Water System
Faucets work
Water heater works on A/C and propane
Water pump works
Water pump shuts off automatically soon after all faucets are closed
Water pump does not turn on occasionally when all faucets are closed and ice maker is turned off (if yes, then there may be a leak)
Water pump on/off switch
Fresh water tank level indicator
Overall Condition

Inside Waste System
Gray tank level indicator
Black tank level indicator
Sink and shower drains work
No foul odor inside RV when toilet not in use (unless toilet flush valve has been open for extended periods for inspection)
Overall Condition

Inside Heating & Cooling
Furnace controls
Furnace puts out hot air through all floor vents
Air conditioner controls
Air conditioners put out cool air through all ducted ceiling vents
Air conditioner filters
Electric heater or fireplace
Ceiling fans
Thermostat controlled vent fans (Fan Tastic Vent)
Overall Condition

Inside Entertainment Electronics
TV's
TV security straps
TV sliding tray locking mechanism
Audio equipment
Video equipment (VCR, DVD)
Video source switch box (antenna, VCR, DVD, satellite, etc.)
Antenna signal amplifier
TV antenna controls for raising, lowering, and rotating
Satellite dish controls for raising, lowering, and rotating
Overall Condition

Inside Electrical
Lights, 120 Volt A/C
Lights, 12 Volt DC
A/C outlets have power
GFCI breakers function
12 Volt DC ports have power
A/C supply to RV when connected to shore power
A/C supply to RV when generator is running
A/C supply to RV when inverter is running off batteries
DC supply to RV when connected to shore power
DC supply to RV when generator is running
DC supply to RV from batteries
DC supply to RV from tow vehicle via umbilical cord
Battery charging when connected to shore power
Battery charging when generator is running
Battery charging from tow vehicle via umbilical cord
Battery charging from solar panels
Automatic power switching between available systems (shore power, generator, inverter)
Location of fuse and breaker boxes
Overall Condition

Inside Safety Devices
Fire extinguisher
Smoke detector
Carbon Monoxide detector
Propane gas detector
Emergency exit windows
Overall Condition

Dimensions & Capacities
External length (in):
External width, body (in):
External width, total (in):
Top clearance (ft & in):
Length when towing (ft):
Fresh water tank 1 (gal):
Fresh water tank 2 (gal):
Gray water tank 1 (gal):
Gray water tank 2 (gal):
Black water tank 1 (gal):
Black water tank 2 (gal):
Propane bottle size (gal):
Number of propane bottles:
Overall Condition

Weights
RATINGS from manuf. (lbs)
GVWR:
GAWR 1:
GAWR 2:
GAWR 3:
GCWR:
Tire rating:
ACTUAL WEIGHS from scale (lbs)
GVW:
GAW 1:
GAW 2:
GAW 3:
Left side:
Right side:
ESTIMATES (lbs)
Curb Weight (GVW - fluids already in GVW + all tanks full):
Expected personal cargo weight (items you will add to RV):
Persons weight (avg. 150 lbs × # persons):
Adjusted GVW (add above 3 items):
Maximum tongue weight (lesser of [GVWR - Adj. GVW] or rating):
Maximum tow capacity (lesser of [GCWR - Adj. GVW] or rating):

Documentation
Title
MSRP sheet
RV manuals
Appliance manuals
Maintenance records
Warranty documentation for all major components and appliances
Extended warranty documentation

RV Details
RV Number (your own #):
Tow vehicle:
Road test date:
Driven by:
Checklist completed by:

Preparation Steps
Confirm that trailer weights are within tow vehicle ratings
Before connecting umbilical cord to tow vehicle, confirm that trailer batteries have a full charge (required for brakes in case trailer separates from tow vehicle)
Trailer has been prepared for departure and hitched to tow vehicle.
Tow vehicle suspension does not appear overloaded
Trailer running lights
Trailer signal lights
Trailer brake lights
Trailer emergency flashers
Driver seat adjusted
Tow vehicle mirrors adjusted
Both sides of trailer are visible in tow vehicle mirrors
Parking brake released
Manually engage trailer brakes (via brake controller in tow vehicle) and attempt to drive forward
Drive forward slowly and manually engage trailer brakes (via brake controller in tow vehicle)
Drive forward slowly and depress tow vehicle brake pedal
Pull breakaway switch cable on trailer and attempt to drive forward
Re-insert breakaway switch cable
Post a spotter behind the trailer
Slowly drive in reverse while steering sharply in one direction, keeping a close eye on the trailer's front corners approaching the tow vehicle. Confirm that a 70° turn does not cause trailer to contact any part of tow vehicle.
Drive forward to straighten trailer, then repeat above step in other direction.
Post top clearance in driver's view, in feet and inches. During road test, observe bridge and other structure clearances to ensure that trailer will fit.
Overall Condition

Road Test Observation
Tow vehicle stability:
Acceleration:
Braking:
Steering:
Cornering:
Cruising:
Sway:
Tracking:
Effects of large trucks passing:
Effects of wind gusts:
Tow vehicle temperature gauges:
Overall Condition