6 Tips for Buying a Used RV - From a RV tech

Are you shopping for a used RV but worried about buying a lemon? As a certified RV repair technician, I’ve worked on a lot of used RVs (and owned 2 myself!) In this video I share my 6 tips for how RV shoppers can assess the quality of a used RV. I’ll teach you what to ask the seller and what to look for in signs of wear and tear.

[MrONHcP]

I love the idea of making videos about RV's quality but I'd like to make a suggestion. Instead of discussing the quality of RV brands based on popular demand in the comments, I'd love if you'd start this series by presenting a list of the RV manufacturers that have impressed you the most over the years. What features make these RV manufacturers / brands a better quality product than the average? If you prefer to go by popular demand, then I'd love to hear your thoughts on the following RV manufacturers: Outdoors RV, Arctic Fox (Northwood), Amber, Lance, Coachmen Freedom Express or Apex, Rockwood. Thanks!

[TrailToughTrailers]

Not meant as a "stick in the mud"... 7th tip... DON'T BUT AN RV!!! Okay that's a little strong, but this is why I said it. I retired 2 years back, but got bored after getting the Honey Do list complete, so I hired on as a RV Tech in training. I asked each of the other Techs who makes a good RV and each one said independently, "They are all JUNK, BUT you get to decide how much money you want to spend on your pile of junk!!!"

At first I thought they all had conspired to make that claim, BUT... after a year of working along side them I now understand their claim is pretty much true. Yes, some brands make better quality than others, but they all build similarly at each different level, Good, Better, Best.

Tiffin/others may make the "best" but.... they still use many products designed for RVs that are used in lower quality RVs.... OF COURSE the higher end brands use Corian C/tops rather than Formica type c/tops, and yes they may have a better model toilet, AC, Appliances, ETC.

So the point I have is.... if you had a TRULY "custom home" made, of course you would expect Corian tops, top of the line appliances, etc. BUT... if you looked closely and saw they had hollow core doors instead of solid wood, or fake wood vinyl flooring instead of real wood floors, or a low line of appliances... IF you had done your homework you would immediately see you were buying high and getting low.

Someone could say.... the they both are built out of the same wood construction, BUT many of us understand there are better grades of lumber, plywood, cabinet quality, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, electrical quality wait for it... QUALITY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP in the two different types of home builds, TRUE Custom vs. Tract Shacks.

So my point is... DO YOUR HOMEWORK and realize since about 2017-ish the labor quality in many builds are slapped together by few who care about quality. And with the covid crap years 2019-2023 the quality plunged to even lower depths do to a shortage of "qualified" labor (whatever that means).

Here's the last example. After observing the construction of many, many, MANY med to higher end models (NOT top of the line) I realized to upgrade the interior paneling from 1/8 thickness to 1/4 inch in a 30 ft travel trailer would add approximately 150 lbs +/- and the purchasing price difference to the Manufacturer would be trivial. The weight/price difference to go from CHEAP waferwood/OSB in floors, cabinets, elsewhere to a much better quality plywood would be similar as above.

Manufacturers in the low to high middle range seek out the CHEAPEST products that give the illusion of "quality" full well knowing most people do NOT do their homework and are easily mislead and taken advantage of.... in most industries they are known as SUCKERS and since they are born every minute, well... you get my point if you've read this far!!!

Lastly, when you see it say ULTRA LIGHT/SUPER LITE/EXTREME blah blah balh... that should scream back at YOU... ULTRA CHEAPLY MADE WITH CHEAPER/THINNER/JUNK LIGHTER WEIGHT materials. And if you do decide to buy a RV, remember... YOU get to decide how much money YOU want to spend on YOUR pile of junk!!!

[brianbiggs]

Great information !!! As a RV Technician, the very first thing I do is climb up top & check the roof . I find the majority of people get caught up in all the bells & whistles . If the roof hasn’t bee serviced on a regular basis, good by bells & whistles .

[sheilacraft]

Definitely would like to see another video (or two!) on what to look for in a used RV.

[patrickstiltner]

As a certified RV inspector and repair technician I totally agree with your video! Great job!

[packergirls]

We found that having a moisture indicator would have been great to have in buying our used RV. Wood rot was concealed very well but fortunately didn’t go into the floor. We check our 5th wheel regularly with this device.

[blj]

Your a great teacher… thanks for talent and knowledge!

[juliebaird]

YES! Please make another video with part 2 of how to tell if a used RV has high use or low use. Thanks.

[mwaynem]

I bought a 11 year old travel trailer last year and because of very helpful experts like you who are educating us consumers. I believe I got a good deal. I followed all but one of your guidelines and I'm happy with my purchase. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

[chuckpotter]

We have owned three fithwheels but always learning. We'd like to see additional videos on what to look for in used RVs, both towable and Class C. One issue I have seen a lot of are stress fractures and cracks on fifthwheels. It is such a widespread problem I don't know why MFGs do build them right the first time. Good call on inspecting the underside of slidouts and seals. In CO the UVs are killers for RVs. I always ask a selling owner "Where was this stored".

[tonylhirondelle]

I’d like to see you do a video about toy haulers which ones are lemons and which ones to buy

[Hikingchangedmylife]

We were thinking about an Alliance, Grand Design or Brinkley but after watching your videos we’re re-thinking the 5th wheel and going with an A class. Back to the drawing board 😂

[ifthen]

There are MANY insurance adjusters in the USA who respond to catastrophes quickly and often far from home. They need an RV that can be self-contained (since there is likely no power and often no water after a hurricane or tornado), secure, and mobile. It's also a nice bonus to have room for a spouse (and sometimes family), a pet, and a proper office with internet connectivity to process claims quickly. Using those guidelines to rate RVs and manufacturers would help a lot of people who are helping a lot of other people! :)

[JornKnuttila]

It is also worth noting that a low amount of hours on a generator can actually be problematic. If a generator doesn’t get used for months or years on end, you may have a pretty bad engine on your hands.

[bobmartens]

I bought a 2011 kz TT in 2019, 4 years later zero issues, just maintenance. Tires and new taps just because I wanted a newer look. 18, 000km and going strong😊

[ncgangcop]

Yes please part 2😎
I’d been interested in a series on best camper for retirees. Including price points and quality. We’d love to have an Airstream.. but that’s price prohibitive 😌 We have a 1/2 ton 01Silverado pick up truck that has a tow package and is well maintained 140k. Also may series on suggesting upgrades to tow vehicles that you may have seen that would make the vehicle more tow ready. Thank you!

[Gingerwalker.]

I am so glad I found your channel. We are hoping to live in a 5th wheel when we retire, for as long as we can. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Thank you for doing them.

[hillcountrygarage]

Is there a list available to download that an RV inspector would use to go over not only a used unit but also a new one of the things to look at and pay attention to? I’d love to see the series on which manufactures have the best quality as well as the least component issues. Your videos are so informative. Please keep it going. God bless.

[cindyrandyfinamore]

I first look at tire wear, especially in towables. Normal wear is expected, but uneven wear indicates relaxed axles (very common) or alignment issues.

[batshtcrazy]

YES! Please cover more of some of these issues. It's always good information to know, especially from a tech. And thanks a ton for all your vids.