Forum Discussion

Explorer

Oct 14, 2013

Dealer Prep of a Used RV Trailer

Hi Everyone,

We are completely new to RVing and just bought a 2009 RV for our retirement years. Since we know almost nothing, except for sage advice from some friends and info from books, before we took it on the road we dropped it off at a dealer for a "dealer prep". We picked it up, cleaned it up, loaded it and hit the road for a short weekend test run, to learn and learn more. We found several issues with the camper, some fairly significant that the dealer should have caught or at least warned us about.

The dealer would not provide a list of what was included in the prep except to say that the prep was to check electrical, plumbing and water. When we asked for a list of exactly what was included in the prep we were told there is no list.

- What is normally expected in a "prep" of a used RV?

- What is the normal cost?

Thanks for any thoughts on this!

14 Replies

samsontdog
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
The last TT that I was going to buy from a Dealer there was a long list of things that they would check if I wanted to pay for the service. I said "if you do all of the items on the list free then I will buy for this price" They said "ok". But we did not come to agreement on the total price on the purchase price on the USED TT
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
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.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2013
There is no standard format for a "dealer prep" on a used trailer. They will do whatever they want. You should be asking them before they did this. Take your list of things that need attention to another dealer and get the work done if you can't do it yourself..

B.O.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2013
dealers spend no time on used units, a walk thru is about all they,ll do. as the dealer would not commit himself when you asked, he gave you the answer . not much.