Buying a used RV can be a great way to save some money. Just like cars, RV’s depreciate as soon as they are bought new and driven off of the lot. Unlike cars, RV’s are often purchased and then not used, so you might be able to score a heck of a deal on an RV that has very little wear.

On the other hand, RV’s have a lot of parts which means that when you buy a used RV, there are a number of things you need to inspect out before getting out your checkbook. Some RV’s that aren’t used much by their owners have may have suffered neglect.

This comprehensive free guide will tell you what to look for when buying a used RV so you don’t make a bad investment. If you are looking for a good book beyond this guide, we recommend The Ultimate RV Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist : How To Inspect Your New RV.

Checking Out the Automotive Parts

When inspecting the RV, you should with the automotive parts to make sure they are in good order. If it can’t go anywhere because it doesn’t run or has been damaged, then you should just pass it up and move on to one that does.

Not all of the suggestions in this section apply to travel trailers and 5th wheels, but some do, so don’t skip over it if you aren’t getting a motorhome.

Pro Tip: It helps if you have a second person with you in order to watch for things you missed and help you with certain tasks during the inspection. Bring a couple of flashlights (headlamps work best) as well so you can peer into dark spots and get a good look up under the rig.

Ultra Pro Tip: If you are seriously thinking about buying an RV, get yourself an endoscope inspection tool. For less than $40 you can peek into all of the nooks and crannies that even the seller hasn’t seen!

ASK FOR MAINTENANCE RECORDS

Usually, a seller who is proud of his or her RV maintenance will volunteer these as soon as you come to look at the RV. People who either aren’t concerned or don’t keep good records may not think about it, but be sure to ask. Even if they produce a couple of slips of paper instead of a full binder, you might find good information on the mechanic’s notes. (If you are looking for a pre-printed log book, here’s a great one for keeping your own records.)

You might also consider asking if good maintenance records have been kept when deciding which RV’s you want to drive to see. This one factor may help narrow the pool and save you a lot of time and gas money.

When inspecting records, look for the frequency of oil changes – were they regular and according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, or were they done in a haphazard manner? Also, if the vehicle is around or over 60,000 miles, see if you can find out if the timing belt has been changed. If the vehicle is nearly 100,000 miles and the owner has never had this done, you may be looking at a job of $300-750, so factor this into your negotiations.

INSPECT THE TIRES AND DISC BRAKES

Check wear on tires, look for cracks in the sidewalls, and try to see if you can find any places where the tire has been plugged. Tires are made of rubber – just like rubber bands – and they age and rot the same way. Although tires are a much higher quality rubber, age is a significant factor, even if the tread is pristine. Generally, tires should be replaced every 6 years, regardless of wear. This time frame may be even less if the tires have been in a very hot climate or have spent any time near the coast as these factors will age the rubber even faster.

Use your hands to feel for cracks as it is possible to visually disguise them by using tire black. Ask when the tires were last replaced. Are all of the tires the same make and brand? Don’t forget to inspect the spare tire. This is money you will have to spend if it is not in good repair.

One quick way to tell the age of a tire is to look at the numbers and letters that are on the sidewall of the tire. There are a lot of things there, so snap a photo and go back to look at it later if you can’t tell right away. You are looking for the US DOT code which should be 4 digits long. The first two digits represent the week and the second two digits represent the year. For example, a tire with the code 0815 would have been made in August of 2015. Tires older than the year 2000 have a three digit code which is much harder to decipher. If the RV has tires dating prior to the year 2000, then it doesn’t really matter what that code says specifically. They should be replaced.

For a very good instructional video on how to interpret tire codes, check out this video at Edmunds.com. It will also show you whether or not your tires are rated for the load of the RV or if the owner tried to get away with purchasing a cheaper tire not rated for RV use to save a few bucks.

If there is any question about the tires, plan on replacing them and tell the seller that you will be doing this. You can use this as a strategy to negotiate your price.

On the front tires you may be able to see the disc brakes either through the spokes of the hubcaps or by climbing under the rig and looking at the wheel from behind. Disc brakes that have scoring have some damage, so be aware that you might have brake work ahead of you.