How To Buy A Used RV
If you are on a tight budget and can't afford a new model RV you might consider buying a used
RV. Here are a few suggestions for finding a used, affordable RV camper:
•
Check newspaper listings. Look in the listings of your local or state daily paper's
classifieds. Most towns and cities have a free shoppers circular that is mostly classified
listings.
•
Check for any consignment lots in your area. RV owners who aren't interested in having
strangers to their home often will park their RV at a consignment lot.
•
Run a "want to buy" listing in the classified section of your local paper.
•
Watch for campers parked curbside, in driveways, or front yards with "For Sale" signs
posted on them.
•
Drive through local RV and Mobile Home Parks and watch for RV's with for sale signs
posted on them.
When you find an RV you are interested in purchasing, don't fall in love
with it and be too eager to buy. You could regret a hasty decision for a
long time. If you aren't familiar with the functioning of an RV, bring a friend
along who is. The chances are excellent that there will be one or more
(usually more) components not working that will have to be repaired.
Keep a notebook with you when you do an inspection and make note of every fault. You'll find
problems, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. RV's can be repaired and you'll use your
inspection checklist to negotiate a price on your terms.
It is a good idea to have the owner with you while you inspect the RV so that he or she can
observe your inspection notes. When you have completed your inspection you'll likely have a
lengthy list of repairs needed. This will be your leverage to make a low-ball offer on the trailer.
After all, you will either have to pay for the repairs or live with them as is.
If the RV owner doesn't accept your low offer, don't worry too much about it and go on to the
next RV. Give them your name and telephone number and tell them to call you if they change
their mind.
Let two or three weeks pass and call them back to see if they have sold the RV yet. They may
be very happy to hear from you and accept the offer you made. If you are really interested in
the RV, offer a slightly higher price this time. If they don't accept your offer, don't worry about it
and call them back in another three or four weeks.
Sooner or later, you're going to pick up a genuine bargain on an RV. You'll have possibly saved
quite a bit of money and in the process learned some negotiating skills.
Here is a suggested checklist of components you should test before you buy:
1. Does the trailer jack work?
2. Do the propane bottles need updating and inspection? This can be
costly if the bottles need to be replaced. Generally, if an RV propane
tank is older than twelve years, it will have to be reinspected every five
years. Also, it is mandatory that the propane tank have an OPD valve. If
you don't know what an OPD valve is, the official description is
"Overfilling Protection Device". If the top of the valve doesn't look like this picture, it will have to
be replaced.
3. Check the hoses leading away from the propane bottle for cracks and splits. You do not want
a leaking propane connection. Check the nut that screws into the propane tank. Is it worn? If
so, it may need to be replaced.
4. The LP Gas regulator is usually located just a few inches away from the propane tanks.
You'll see the hoses leading from the propane tanks into a device with one pipe at the bottom
of it that runs beneath the RV. Regulators begin to leak when they are approximately ten years
old. For your information, leaking propane is not a good thing. Don't hesitate to replace the
regulator if it is leaking.
5. Batteries are often dead, or not too far from dead, in an older RV. Check and make sure it
still works. If the bulbs inside burn bright, the battery(s) may still be in decent condition.
6. Does the converter still work? What's a converter? Well, it is a device that recharges your
battery and converts regular household electrical current from AC to DC allowing your 12-Volt
fixtures and appliances to operate. Test this by plugging in the electrical cord and unhooking
the battery (unhook the battery before you plug in the RV power cord to prevent electrocution).
If the 12-Volt lights and water pump still work, the converter is still working.
7. Do the stabilizers beneath the trailer still let up and down? You'll be glad to have stabilizers
when you park in an area with constant wind gusts like the south Texas coast.
8. Are the tires still in good condition? Check for cracks and splits and look at tread depth on all
tires.
9. It is absolutely mandatory that you understand the condition of the braking system. Have the
owner hook up the RV and allow you to tow for a short distance and test test the brakes. Brake
repairs are expensive. Your life and the safety of your vehicle and RV depend on the RV brakes
functioning properly every time.
10. Does the door step let up and down easily?
11. Can you open and close all outside compartments easily? Do the gaskets need to be
replaced? Worn or missing gaskets permit air and moisture to penetrate the RV.
12. Make sure that all the windows open and close easily. latches can rust shut. Are the
screens on the windows and vents rusted or torn?
13. Open and close roof vents and make sure that vent fans run properly.
14. Fire up the hot water heater and make sure it works.
15 Test the refrigerator on both the gas and electric settings. Repairs can be expensive and
you are going to want to use both the gas and electric options. Watch for frost beginning to
form in the freezer to confirm that it is cooling properly. Make sure the door will latch and lock
securely. When you are on the road, you don't want the fridge contents strewn through your
RV.
16. Check the furnace. Does it blow hot air? Don't wait until it's thirty degrees outside to find
out.
17. Crank up the air conditioner. Does it blow cold air? If it has a heating element does that
work as well?
18. Turn on the water tap without being hooked up to city water. Does the water pump work?
19. Check out the toilet. Does it flush properly.
20. Hook up the city water. Check for leaks inside and outside the RV.
21. Inquire about the condition of the waste water valves. Better yet, if the RV is hooked up to a
sewer drain, open and close the valves to make sure they work.
22. Check the cooking range and oven. Do all burners function? Does the oven burner
function?
23. Do all interior cabinets and drawers open and then latch securely? If not, you may have
your belongings scattered throughout your RV when you are in transit.
24. Check for soft spots on the floor, particularly in the bathroom area. The plywood may be
rotted through.
25. Is the flooring in good condition? How about interior walls?
26. Make sure curtains are not dry rotted. Can they be easily cleaned? Are the blinds still in
good condition?
27. External lights - Test the external running lights. If you tow at night, and it is very likely that
you will, you'll want to make sure that the rear tail lights are operable. Simply hook up to the
tow vehicle and turn on the headlights. You'll also want to make sure that the brake lights work,
that the right and left turn signal lights work, and that the backup lights work. If there is a
problem, it could be a faulty bulb, or the bulb fixture simply needs cleaning. Otherwise, you
may be faced with an electrical problem.
28. Test exhaust vent fans to make sure they work. Typically you will find them in the living
area, over the cooking range, and in the bathroom.
29. Does the TV antenna crank up and down easily? Better yet, find a hobby and skip TV.
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