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12 Questions to Ask Before Buying A Used RV

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Here is what we learned to ask before buying any used RV.

When we bought our first RV, “Franklin”, back in 2014, we were less than equipped to be RV shopping. In fact, before buying Franklin, we only looked at one other Class C motorhome.

The other used RV threw up a lot of red flags. It had blatant water damage, had been in storage for years, and the man selling it couldn’t answer our questions easily. We knew these were bad signs, but other than calling Heath’s grandpa every five minutes for advice, we couldn’t find a clear answer for what questions to ask and what we should know before buying an RV.

Finding a good used RV can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Here are 12 questions and tips to consider before buying a used RV.

1. Does the person showing you the RV actually own it?

First and foremost, make sure your contact is actually the owner of the RV. The first Class C motorhome we looked at was shown to us by the father of the man who owned the rig. He didn’t know any answers to our questions nor did he have any control over the cost of the RV. He wasn’t able to tell us how it was stored, how often it had been driven, or show us any of the maintenance records.

Unless the owner is deceased or you’re buying from a used RV dealer, make sure you are able to ask questions about the RV directly with the owner.

Pro tip: A great place to search for used RVs is RenovatedRVsforSale.com. It’s a marketplace for renovated RVs that was started by our friend Ashley. Each listing has been verified that you are buying directly from the RV owner (and you can find some gorgeously renovated RVs like the photo below).

2. How many people have owned this RV, and how often have they driven it?

We were the fourth owners of Franklin. An older man bought him new, then a younger guy owned him for less than two years, then a family of four used it for regular camping trips. We purchased the rig from the family after they relocated from California to Texas.

Here’s how we knew this was a good sign:

A) the rig had made it from California to Texas and was still running, and

B) the owners have kids, which meant they would perhaps be more careful in maintaining a rig trusted to drive their little ones across the country.

Plus, judging from our conversations, it was apparent that they used the rig multiple times a year. This meant it was most likely regularly serviced. When buying a used RV, lower mileage isn’t necessarily a good thing. When someone is driving an RV fairly often it means it’s being kept up and maintained. Lower mileage when buying a used RV could mean it’s been sitting in an empty lot somewhere and you can wind up with a lot of issues.

3. Do they have maintenance records?

Maintenance records are the holy grail of buying a used RV. We were instantly told that the transmission was replaced in 2012 and that the cab of the RV sustained major leak damage and was fully replaced.

Every previous owner of the RV had meticulously documented all of the maintenance records. This showed us that they were responsible enough to have things fixed (as well as keep the records) and gave us confidence knowing things had been kept up.

4. How many miles are on the tires? When were they last replaced?

If you attain maintenance records from the previous owner, you can probably learn this easily.

This is especially important if you’re looking at buying a used Class A RV. Class A rigs have extremely expensive tires and replacing them is akin to a college tuition. This summer, we noticed that due to an alignment issue and our front two tires were wearing unevenly. They needed to be replaced immediately. Fortunately, this was all under warranty because the bill came to a whopping $300 PER TIRE. Ugh. Check the tires carefully! This is less of an issue with Class C’s, B’s, or trailers that have similar tires to trucks.

Even if you don’t know much about tires, checking the tread is quite easy. Do they look worn out and have sun damage? If so, they probably don’t have much life left in them. Do some research on how much it would cost to replace all necessary tires and then ask for that amount discounted from the price of the RV.

5. Check EVERYWHERE for water damage.

Inspect the roof and around all windows. Press on the walls and feel for soft spots that may indicate previous or continuous water damage. Water damage–in my opinion–is the number one reason not to buy a used RV. If it has water damage, save yourself now and do not buy it.

The reason why? Often times it’s hard to see exactly how bad the water damage is until you start digging into the wall. One little soft spot could actually be much more damage than you realize.

After buying our RV, we found a soft spot in the bottom left corner of a window, back behind the dining room chair. It was impossible to spot since the chair consistently blocked this area, but after a major rainstorm in Nebraska, we noticed a small puddle of water on the floor. This leak became a constant headache for us and a major lesson in properly sealing the RV. (We highly recommend all RVers travel with Eternabond tape, the sealant of the gods.)

6. Press all the buttons.

Turn on the engine (when applicable). Turn on every light. Check the clearance lights and brake lights outside. Turn on the generator (when applicable). Level the jacks. Turn on the hot water heater. Try the water pump. Turn on all the faucets. Test every feature to make sure they work. The last thing you want is to boondock one weekend and find out your water pump is broken.

7. Stand in the shower.

I’m actually serious on this one. I never showered in Franklin unless it was a necessity. The shower was way too small to be comfortable. Plus, my first shower experience was less than stellar and I hereby swore off the shower from then on. Stand in the shower and see if you can handle it. While it may sound vain now, you’ll be glad to have a rig with a good shower after three months out on the road, trust me. This is doubly important for tall people!

8. Check under the unit for damage, rust, etc.

On Franklin, we (mostly Heath, ahem) scraped our backend on so many sloped driveways that we busted the metal wheels designed to keep your back end from dragging. The wheels were nothing but semi-circles when we sold our RV. While not a deal-breaker for the buyer, be sure to take note of the undercarriage of the RV and how it’s been taken care of. Look for rust, cracks, blatantly broken wheels, etc.

9. Ask what animals have lived in the RV and for how long.

Heath is very allergic to cats, so this is a must for us. You can usually pick up on this from smells, but it’s imperative to ask if you have allergies. I also always ask about smokers, since I’m allergic to smoke.

10. Ask for a test drive.

Most owners will let you take the rig for a test drive. If they don’t, do not buy it. Major red flag. Take the rig on open roads (especially if this is your first time driving an RV!) and gun it. See how the rig handles various speeds, how it handles turns, braking, swerving, etc.

Plus, see how you handle driving it. Does it feel much too big for you, or something you can adjust to? If you plan on taking the rig to national parks with mountains, take it up a few hills and listen to the engine (specific to motorhomes). Does it get too hot or whine in protest?

Remember that the rig you test drive is likely empty and will be much heavier when it’s carrying all your belongings, family, and full water tanks.

Listen (or have whoever looks at the rig with you listen) for things that are rattling and moving while the rig moves. This can be frustrating. I do know one couple who purchased a Thor and had an entire cabinet detach from the ceiling and crash to the ground while they were driving. So listening to these noises can be important!

11. Ask for an inspection.

Worth every penny—and likely less than $200.

Ask the owner if you can have the rig professionally inspected before buying. We didn’t buy a truck camper because we made this request and were vehemently denied. If the owner isn’t hiding anything, they’ll likely acquiesce. This is good mostly for your peace of mind about buying a used RV. If your rig passes the third-party inspection, I’d say you’re ready to start negotiating on the price.

Related: a major red flag before buying a used RV off Craigslist

12. Can you extend the warranty?

Depending on the RV, you may be able to purchase an extended RV warranty for your used rig. I recommend a company called Wholesale Warranties who can get you a quote for extended coverage. This will be an additional cost, but it might be a good option for peace of mind and ultimately saving you money down the road on costly repairs. If you buy used from a dealership, they may offer warranties for purchase as well.

Looking for more RV life info? Here are a few articles you might like: 

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This post is an excerpt from my latest book, A Beginner’s Guide to Living in an RV: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Full-time RVing Across America. This book answers all your full-time RVing questions from how to get mail and internet on the road to how to pick the right RV for you.

Available on Amazon

18 Responses

  • Awesome and practical post. I like that you pointed out the shower issue. Lately, when exploring options at dealerships we’ll spend a decent amount of time in all areas of the RV. How does it feel? Where will we do homeshcool? Is the bathroom space manageable. All good points to consider before realizing it doesn’t work while out on the road. Love the new site by the way.

    • Haha yes trying out the shower and the comfort level of the couch are two of our big keys! And thanks, Lou! Still working out the kinks 🙂

  • […] 11 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Used RV […]

  • […] [Looking for tips for buying a used rig? Read 11 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Used RV] […]

  • […] 11 Questions to Ask Before Buying A Used RV – Heath and Alyssa […]

  • Where is it going to be parked when not in use? Is it legal on a city street in front of your house? Will it fit in a garage? Does your HOA allow an RV to be parked in the driveway or behind the house?
    Altho I bought my van from a private seller, I bought my trailer from a dealer because I found dealers more realistic about price and, they do a checkup. Not that all dealerships are that conscientious.

    • Hey there!

      We full-time, so our RV is always in use. However for part-timers, there are plentiful RV storage options or RV parks that offer storage.

      Laws and HOA rules are different in every town, so you’ll need to check with your local law enforcement for those details.

    • This is an excellent point. I once rented a house in Reno and took several months to get completely moved in. Last to come was my RV, which I parked in the driveway, and the HOA had a fit! Gave me a week to get it moved. The landlord apologized profusely but could do nothing, it was in his HOA contract but he had put it in my lease. I ended up storing it at his house, inconvenient for both of us.

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  • My wife and I are considering full-timing in a 5th wheel. Never owned a truck or RV but I am very handy. I can replace brakes, tires/wheels, oil, filters, gaskets, fluids, etc., without too much difficulty. I know a bit about everything (electronics included) and if I don’t, I Google it and figure it out. We currently reside in CA and I have a stable full-time job that would limit our mobility. That being said, I like my job and I typically have about 1 to 1.5 months off in the year. The cost of living in CA is quite high so I am wondering if full-timing in an 5th wheel makes financial sense. We don’t plan to move around that much however we do plan on taking about 4 trips (week long) every year and perhaps a few short (3 day) getaway trips to the beach or mountains every so often. Because of this, I figured a 5th wheel makes a lot more sense as I would rather have an additional usable vehicle (truck) and more space in the unit. Another caveat to our situation is that I own a adventure motorcycle which I do not plan to sell and would either have to park inside the 5th wheel (toy hauler) or tow behind the 5th wheel. We are considering a lightly used 5th wheel (2015-2017) or toy hauler. We are also considering financing both a used truck and the used 5th wheel (from a private party) and hope to keep everything under $100k after all is done (including any modifications/options). My wife really wants a washer and dryer and I would prefer a small garage (Montana 381TH) and a generator but these wouldn’t be deal breakers if we could tow the motorcycle behind the 5th wheel. Are we on the right track or are we just being unrealistic? I am 26 and she is 27 years old (happily married 5+ years).

    • Hey Vic! Sounds like y’all are going about this all the right way! I would favor the garage and generator over a washer+dryer, just because anywhere you go will have laundry services and the units in trailers are always so small.

      Definitely stick with your plan of getting something a few years old. We always recommend getting RVs that are at least two years old. I think with your budget, you can easily get what you’re looking for.

      Best of luck to you two!

  • […] Here’s a full list of things to consider before buying a used RV. […]

  • […] Here is a great article about what questions to ask when you’re purchasing a used RV. […]

  • […] https://heathandalyssa.com/buying-a-used-rv/ […]

  • […] 11 Questions to Ask Before Buying A Used RV – Heath & Alyssa – Here is what we learned to ask before buying any used RV. When we bought our first RV, "Franklin", two and a half years ago, we were less than equipped to be RV shopping. In fact, before buying Franklin, we only looked at one other Class C motorhome. The other used RV threw up a lot of red flags. […]

  • […] 11 Questions to Ask Before Buying A Used RV – Heath & Alyssa – Home RV Life 11 Questions to Ask Before Buying A Used RV. RV Life. 11 Questions to Ask Before Buying A Used RV. October 11, 2016 by Alyssa Padgett . Share Tweet Get Our Newsletter.. This is less of an issue with Class C’s, B’s, or trailers that have similar tires to trucks. […]

  • […] inside the RV, take a deep sniff. Do you smell mold, moisture or ammonia? This could mean the RV has water damage. Check around windows and along the ceiling. If the RV has been recently painted on the inside, ask […]

  • It was really helpful when you said to check the roof and windows for water damage. My husband and I are wanting to look into finding a pre-owned RV to get for our camping trip coming up in a couple of weeks, and we want to make sure that we find the right one for us. We’ll make sure to keep this information in mind as we search for an RV to get.

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