RV Inspection Preparation Guide

The best conditions to prepare for an RV inspection include ALL of the following pre-inspection requirements:  

1. The RV should be connected to water, electric, and sewer utilities, and the refrigerator turned on at least 12 hours before the inspection.  

2. The on-demand water tank should contain approximately 1/3 or more of water.  

3. The owner should remove all non-RV specific items from walkways and around the RV to facilitate easy access for all items on the RV inspection checklist.  

4. All owner and appliance manuals and keys should be made available to the inspector.  

5. The owner/seller should be present at the start of the inspection and, if possible, remain available throughout the inspection.  

6. The pre-inspection agreement and payment must be completed BEFORE the inspector arrives for the inspection.

A third-party inspection protects your investment, uncovers hidden problems, and gives you negotiating power. Here’s why you should insist on one. 

Objective, unbiased assessment - Independent inspectors don’t have a financial stake in the sale. Their only responsibility is to you, so their findings are more likely to be thorough and impartial than seller-provided reports. 

Professional expertise and standardized checks - Third-party inspectors follow established protocols tailored to pre-inspection requirements and use diagnostic tools that the average buyer or busy dealer may skip. They’re trained to spot issues that are easy to miss, from structural or mechanical concerns to improper repairs and safety hazards. 

Uncovers hidden or future problems - Sellers/Dealers may know about cosmetic issues but often overlook underlying defects. An independent inspection can reveal things that affect long-term reliability or require costly repairs, helping you avoid unexpected expenses later. To effectively prepare for your RV inspection, it's crucial to identify potential problem areas beforehand. 

Accurate valuation and negotiation leverage - A documented inspection report gives you factual grounds to renegotiate price, request repairs, or walk away. It’s objective evidence that balances the seller’s claims and helps you make a reasoned decision. 

Protection against fraud and misrepresentation - Some sellers may omit or downplay problems. A third-party inspection reduces the risk of fraud by verifying the condition and history of the item independently. 

Peace of mind and better decision making - Even if the inspection finds no issues, having a professional sign off increases confidence in your purchase. You’ll have a written record to reference if disputes arise after the sale, and utilizing an RV inspection checklist can further reinforce your decisions. 

Insurance and warranty considerations - Some warranties or insurance policies require an independent inspection or may offer better terms if one is performed. An inspection can also document pre-existing conditions before coverage begins. 

Consistency across different sellers and models - Using a neutral inspector gives you a consistent basis for comparing multiple options. That consistency matters when weighing trade-offs between price, condition, and expected future costs. 

When to insist on a third-party inspection: Always… a reputable seller/dealer should never have an issue with a third-party inspection. If they do, you should RUN away.

 All invoicing and payments are done through PayPal. A link to the invoice will be sent via email and you can use your credit card to make the payment. A PayPal account is not required for this service.