Used TT + Truck -- buying from private seller??

Find a mobile RV Tech in your area. Pay them to inspect any RV you are considering. Even if you are buying from a dealer, arrange a private inspection.
Dealers are in business to sell you a unit. They are their first priority, not you. Anything a dealer tells you they will do, get it in writing.

Before you go too far with this, call around to the various RV places and see if anyone is going to give you a "certified" inspection. I'd be a little more concerned with what their inspection covers and what they will do to remedy a problem they didn't find and how long you have to find any problems they didn't find.

I expect you'll find someone to inspect it, but they probably won't stand behind their inspection - meaning they won't pay for anything they didn't find.

And remember an RV inspection is just like a house inspection. Some things might need to be fixed for real safety issues, but the rest of them are things leading up to the overall condition that the current owner will tell you are just wear and tear, fix them yourself if you want them fixed.

As for expense, it's your responsibility to transport the trailer for the inspection or pay the inspector to travel to the trailer, not the sellers.

And as for buying from a dealer, the only things you can expect them to fix or cover are things you find before you leave their lot - just the same as leaving a private sellers drive way. You'll have to buy some sort of aftermarket repair policy which they will be happy to sell you if you want further coverage.

I just bought a used trailer from a private seller last month and a used DP from a private seller four years ago. I generally prefer to deal with private sellers, but buy wherever you find the best deal.

Bill

well that one has been sold
bumpy

Welcome and good luck in your search.

The seller will not do anything to help you with any kind of an inspection. If you want it inspected you will need to take care of that yourself. To inspect, your guy will need to go to the seller's location. If you are purchasing from a dealership, the dealership will have it's own inspection in preparation for sale. And of course they will tell you everything checks out. You can believe them or not believe them. Buying used, sometimes you just never know until after you actually purchase and start using the RV.

In preparation for purchase, have the dealer (owner) plug in power, run water through all the systems, demonstrate the holding tanks, operate the furnace, refrigerator and water heater. You as the buyer, need to look for any signs of water leaks, crawl under the camper to inspect lines, cables, flooring, anything visible. Check tires, looks for cracks in the trailer frame, and question everything you see. You can do your own inspection. Just remember, if something does not look right, don't feel bad or feel intimated to just walk away and tell them to forget it.

There will be something you won't like about a used unit. You have to decide if this is something you can live with or not. Only you can make that decision.

If purchasing from a dealer, you do have easier avenues for financing, and getting assistance getting the tow vehicle set up with proper hitching.

Hope this helps. Good luck in your quest!

The first TT I bought was from a dealer. I did not have it inspected but after a couple of months I wish that I did. We found that the L/F corner of the roof had been leaking for quite a while. We ended up peeling back the roof and removing the water soaked rotten roof area. It was a big job, thankfully the walls weren't rotten. The dealer said "sorry", it was sold As-Is. The next TT I bought was brand new.
I think buying used is okay but you've got to have it inspected by someone that knows what they are looking for. Water leaks is the biggest issue on any trailer, even one that is only a couple of years old.

Just because you purchase from a dealer, doesn't mean there aren't problems.
Usually, all they verify, is that all the appliances, slides, etc, work when you leave the lot.

We would personally, rather buy from a private party, who usually has service records, and knows the history of it.

If you do your due diligence, and have someone you trust do an inspection, I wouldn't be worried about a private party sale, in fact, we would lean more in that direction.

buying used, from various threads here, basically you are buying something that the owner is unloading for a reason. reminds me of when the daughter bought a horse. tried to read the sellers body language but he was wearing a large pair of mirrored sun glasses and couldn't tell a thing. :)
bumpy

Ok people. Not everyone is selling because they have a problem. Some sell because they aren't traveling anymore for various personal reasons. Not everyone selling used is selling junk!

And plenty of dealers are selling junk, probably more so than a private party!

The beating to do is have it inspected, by you, a professional or a friend that knows a lot about RV's.

Good luck in your search.

I have sold RVs and vehicles because I want something bigger or better, not because they were worn out. Every used vehicle I have bought has given me good service for the money because I have had them checked out before I buy it. I agree that there is junk out there but being careful before the purchase can eliminate the risk. I'd rather let someone else take the big depreciation hit and buy it a couple years old.

A dealer doesn't do any "Due Diligence". When we were looking for our last RV, the worst units we saw were at dealers. Typically dealers don't do much if anything to rigs they get in trade or on auction. They wait for the purchaser to find the issues and then only fix what the purchaser points out to them before the sale. After the sale, forget it, unless there is a specific written warranty.

We eventually wound up buying from a private party. They had complete records back to the day it was rolled out of the factory. They could tell us where it had been and what they had to do to it. Our seller was very honest and even pointed out a couple of minor issues that I didn't see. I also paid $250 to have it inspected at an RV shop with a good reputation. The inspection included a chassis/drivetrain as well as a house/systems inspection and took about 4 hours. They also provided me with a printed report. I am pretty savvy mechanically and we have had 2 TTs before, but I also realize that sometimes my eyes can become clouded with the bling and the desire which may have me overlook something important. In our case there were no big surprises and we wound up making the deal. 2 seasons after we are still very happy with our purchase.

dodge guy wrote:
Ok people. Not everyone is selling because they have a problem. Some sell because they aren't traveling anymore for various personal reasons. Not everyone selling used is selling junk!
V's.

Good luck in your search.

all one needs to do is to follow this forum for a while and you will see plenty of lemons that are sold/traded off.
bumpy