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 had any control over the cost of the RV. He couldn’t 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 can 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, and 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. Lower mileage isn’t necessarily a good thing when buying a used RV. When someone is driving an RV fairly often, it means it’s being kept up and maintained. Lower mileage could mean it’s been sitting in an empty lot somewhere, and you can wind up with more issues.

3. Do they have maintenance records?

Maintenance records are the holy grail when 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 RV owner 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 college tuition. This summer, we noticed that our front tires were wearing unevenly due to an alignment issue. They needed to be replaced immediately. Fortunately, this was all under warranty because the bill cost a whopping $300 PER TIRE. Ugh. Check the tires carefully! This is less of an issue with Class Cs, Bs, or trailers with similar tires to trucks, which are still expensive, but not as costly as Class As.

Even if you know little 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 indicating previous or continuous water damage. In my opinion, water damage is the number one reason people do not buy a used RV. If it has water damage, save yourself now and do not buy it.

The reason why? It’s hard to see exactly how bad the water damage is until you start digging into the wall. One little soft spot can cause much more damage than you realize. The soft spot in this class revealed so much damage the entire loft had to be rebuilt.

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 it works. 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 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 note the RV’s undercarriage 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 asking if you have allergies is imperative.

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, turns, braking, swerving, etc.

Plus, see how you handle driving it. Does it feel too big for you, or can you adjust to it? 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 know one couple who purchased a Thor and had an entire cabinet detach from the ceiling and crash to the ground while driving. Listening to these noises can be important to catch anything unsecured in the RV.

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 when buying a used RV. If your rig passes the third-party inspection, I’d say you’re ready to start negotiating the price.

12. Can you extend the warranty?

Buying a Used RV Checklist ⬇️