Pre-Buy Inspection

Dslr wrote:
Great info all!! I'll take a look at what I can during the inspection and then just deal with any issues as they come.

A leak can end up very expensive. There are certain things I would absolutely not put off.

I recently purchased my first TT and found a pre-purchase inspection sheet on here that someone posted in a PDF. For the life of me I cannot find that sheet, and properly thank them. I spent 9 hours at the dealership, of which 7 were me doing the inspection.

I told them I would not sign anything until I went thru the TT with my sheet, which helped a immensely. And while I was inspecting it, the tech was showing me how to operate the various things on the TT, and he was very patient (at least until the 7th hour, but I cannot blame him). I found things wrong with the TT and they fixed everything they could while I was there. The only things they could not fix was a small scratch on the outside and scratches on the woodwork in the bathroom. And I still missed a few things (cabinet door latch, outside 110 outlet, and a light switch that needs to be replaced).

IMO I would not buy from a dealership that will not let you do a thorough inspection prior to signing any paperwork.

Great info all!! I'll take a look at what I can during the inspection and then just deal with any issues as they come.

As a new owner I was surprised by,

1. The amount of maintenance my TT required vs my PUP.
2. The variations in gas mileage. It averages 10 mpg. But can drop very quick.
3. 60 mph and 250 to 300 miles a day on average.

I never appreciated the advantage of your own bed and closets, until recently when I traveled to Winnipeg and had to wrestle baggage and meals. We had very nice motels and restaurants, but being retired, we like to do things on our own timetable. It kind of spoils you.

Get on a ladder, look at the edges of the roof for complete caulk coverage. Do similar with the doors/windows/exterior lights, etc.

Add water to the tank and energize the water pump. Leave it on during the whole PDI. Verify that the water heater comes on. Open cabinets around the sinks and inside/outside showers, and check for plumbing leaks. Look behind the toilet before/after flushing it.

Open all access panels, verify (by touch too) that all the wire nuts and other connections are secure.

Verify that the battery is getting charged while plugged in. This is a good time to wrap a bit of red tape around the positive battery cable for future reference, as it is likely not identified otherwise.

Test the A/C, TV, radio, furnace and other propane appliances.

That's off the top of my head. There are comprehensive PDI lists around here somewhere. A good inspection of the running gear is not a bad idea either. These manufacturers have been known to leave the wheel bearing with just the minimum amount of grease.

Dslr wrote:
I know most of the stuff will probably be small items here and there. I read a couple posts about plumbing not being hooked up correctly. And some electrical issues. Is there anything you can really do for that or are you just left to figure it out during usage?

Thats when you have them hook up water and partially fill the fresh tank and use the city water as well. Turn on all electrical devices like the stereo, fridge, lights, fans, AC awning, etc. You have to go into the PDI with the mind set that you now own it. Not like you're still looking.
It is yours. So treat it like it's yours. You don't need permission to try things out.

SoundGuy wrote:

Dslr wrote:
I know most of the stuff will probably be small items here and there.

And if you're lucky that's all they will be - "small".

I read a couple posts about plumbing not being hooked up correctly. And some electrical issues.

Key words - a "couple" posts. You're worrying over nothing.

Is there anything you can really do for that or are you just left to figure it out during usage?

As a newbie you're not going to know what to look for anyway so why worry about it? Take the rig out a few times, note what you don't understand or what doesn't seem to work as you thought it should, then later ask your dealer's service manager if you're concerned. If you've chosen a dealer wisely you have nothing to worry about - just go and enjoy your rig and take all that Chicken Little "sky is falling" nonsense you read here on the forums as just that - nonsense. :R

Don't worry, you'll survive this just fine. :B

x2 on all of this.

9 months after buying a new TT and becomming a newbie i am still learning and rv maintenance has become a second hobby. dealer showed us the basics, rv.net and tons of pinterest and youtube searching has done the rest. dealer technicians we worked with answered any questions we had but told us that youtube should become your best friend. dont overthink it, don't sweat it, go camping and gain experience.

Dslr wrote:
I know most of the stuff will probably be small items here and there.

And if you're lucky that's all they will be - "small".

I read a couple posts about plumbing not being hooked up correctly. And some electrical issues.

Key words - a "couple" posts. You're worrying over nothing.

Is there anything you can really do for that or are you just left to figure it out during usage?

As a newbie you're not going to know what to look for anyway so why worry about it? Take the rig out a few times, note what you don't understand or what doesn't seem to work as you thought it should, then later ask your dealer's service manager if you're concerned. If you've chosen a dealer wisely you have nothing to worry about - just go and enjoy your rig and take all that Chicken Little "sky is falling" nonsense you read here on the forums as just that - nonsense. :R

Don't worry, you'll survive this just fine. :B

I know most of the stuff will probably be small items here and there. I read a couple posts about plumbing not being hooked up correctly. And some electrical issues. Is there anything you can really do for that or are you just left to figure it out during usage?

Dslr wrote:
As a newbie, is there any recommendations for the pre-buy inspection?

As a newbie there's no way you're going to remember everything so just accept the fact that you will come across issues your first few trips out and will likely want to have the dealer take a look at those issues later.