Hi Billy. I wouldn't buy an RV these days without getting it inspected first. You made a wise decision. Thanks for watching and sharing your experience!

Glad you think so Randy. Thanks for watching!

I appreciate that Gregory. Thanks for the positive feedback!

Glad it was helpful Tim!

Thanks Don. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

So nice of you to say William. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

So glad you think so. Thanks for both watching and leaving positive feedback too!

Glad it was helpful Yolanda. Thanks for watching!

Thanks so much George. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

So nice of you to say Ray. I'm glad that you found the video helpful!

I'm glad the video was helpful Kelly. Safe and happy RV travels to you!

Glad you enjoyed it Jerry. Thanks for leaving a nice comment!

Glad it was helpful Mark. I hope your RV journey is both safe and happy!

That would be a very smart way to go. Getting as much information about the true condition of an RV before spending many thousands of dollars for it is a wise thing to do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!

Inspections (at least here in Montana) have to be done in order to finance a house. Should not even be any question to me, about doing it for RV's and cars

You are so right Steve. Emotions can cloud a very important situation and lead you to make a decision that you could later regret. But the RV inspector helps bring an objective perspective into the sales process from an unbiased third-party professional. I hope the 2014 Tiffin Allegro RED works out for you. They are great coaches. But if it doesn't, no worries, because something else that's great will be along soon. Thanks for sharing your thought process on this subject here!

Hi Paul. Having a mechanic inspect the chassis and drivetrain closely is not a bad idea. But many RV buyers are also using fluid analysis to determine what kind of shape the inner workings of the drivetrain and other components are really in. You might want to take a look at this video I made on the subject - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l8h-pJaLna65eqM.html .I hope that helps.

Good question Doug. Let me first say that RV inspectors are not qualified mechanics, so our inspection of the engine and drivetrain components is limited. We essentially make sure that the engine starts and runs correctly without observable issues. We also verify the appearance of the engine and generator fluids as well. But if the prospective buyer wants a clear picture of the condition of these driving components, they should order a fluid analysis of all the motorhome fluids to make sure that no major issues are apparent in these areas.

@@RVInspectionAndCare Thanks!

Hi Mike. Actually I didn't leave it out accidentally. I plan on making another video about all the systems that RV inspectors test on an RV and I planned on discussing the different levels of certification in that video. So stay tuned, it's coming! :-)

RV Inspection And Care thank you

Ha!Ha! Getting certified as a Level 2 inspector is pretty involved, but new inspectors are always needed. There is just so much demand for good qualified inspectors these days as the RV market keeps getting hotter all the time. I probably wouldn't go through the whole process of certification just for a personal RV. But if you are considering a way to bring in income on the road in your RV, it's a viable thing to do.

@@RVInspectionAndCare I figure my mindset as an Aerospace QA Mgr would help.

Actually Roy, I plan on covering the different levels of RV certification in a followup video that discusses all the systems that RV inspectors test thoroughly. I thought about putting it in this video, but decided it would work best in the future one instead.

That's a good point. Thanks for mentioning it here.

That's a good question Modhatter. Most certified RV inspectors I know provide very clear information about what problems they encounter. This includes a thorough description of the problem and the recommended course of action to take on it. They will also often include a photo if it helps. And the issue is rated in terms of severity. But RV inspectors are often not RV service technicians. So if they provided cost estimates, it may not be as accurate as you would want. But armed with the clear information they provide in your detailed RV inspection report, it's an easy matter of making a few phone calls to local RV techs or service facilities to get correct estimates on the items needing attention.

Thanks for the suggestion Jeff. And thanks for watching!

Don't apologize Ron. I enjoyed your rant! :-) And I couldn't agree with you any more. Thanks for all of your contributions to the channel!

another question, for used pushers, in your opinion, what is the best or recommend for brand, less breakdowns, recalls, and generally long lasting, price not being a concern?

Hi Ray. Here is a video where I discuss the pros and cons of diesel pushers in general and it would also apply to tag axle DPs as well - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kM-Xd7uXyN_Gfps.html I hope that helps.

When we are talking about older DPs, the brand name doesn't mean as much as how well the coach has been maintained by its owner in my opinion. But some of the overall best brands in my estimation are Newmar, Tiffin, Monaco and Winnebago.

I sympathize with your comment Monica. Quality control at the manufacturers is not very good these days. But a good RV inspection is still essential as you said.

Hi Jerry. Certified RV inspectors are not usually mechanics. So they can't really inspect the engine and drivetrain as thoroughly as they do the house part of the RV, although they are trained to perform a careful visual exterior inspection. But I have found that if you perform a fluid analysis on the engine oil and coolant, the transmission fluid, and the generator oil and coolant, you will get a very thorough report of the condition of those components. And that way you can make a more informed decision about buying that RV. Many inspectors are willing to perform the fluid analysis for you too. Of course, you can also hire a mechanic to look the engine and drivetrain over too, but I find that the fluid analysis provides a more in depth look into the true inside condition of the RV mechanical components.

Here is a link to information that may be helpful for you - iselinc.com/interpret-oil-analysis-report/

I am not a big fan of NADA prices for RVs Mark. I prefer to find out what the market says that the value is for a coach right now. To do that I use RVTrader.com and RVT.com to search for the brand and model I'm looking at. Or if none are available I look for a comparable brand and model in that year. Then I search nationwide, not just in my area. I throw out the high and low end prices and look for an average price as the starting point for negotiation. Keep in mind that if the RV has been exceptionally well cared for, the price may be higher and still be worth it. I hope that helps.

I know it sounds strange to inspect a new RV Ramiro. But the truth is that the RV industry does not have the best quality control standards in place at the manufacturer these days. So lots of new RVs are going out to the RV dealers with a whole laundry list of items that need repair. Usually the RV dealer will just sell the unit and expect the buyer to bring the RV back as they find the issues. But this process can take many visits to the dealer over a year or more and is frustrating for RV owners. So if you have the new RV inspected before you take ownership, you can present the report to the dealer and have them fix everything on the list under warranty at the same time and save a lot of back and forth and frustration. I get a lot of requests for new RV inspections just for these reasons.

Wow, great info! Especially on expensive RVs , you are spending $250,000+, and extra $900 is well worth it!

One other thing about new RV's is that over the past couple of years, with supply chain issues and shortages of parts, some manufacturers have substituted other parts and, quite frankly, the units are as good as the people building them. Same for new houses. Plus, if a new RV has been sitting on a lot, baking in the sun, it can still have issues. This is called "lot rot." RV inspections are done to see if there are potential issues and also for peace of mind when there aren't any. I hope that helps.

They can, if you also pay them to return after the repairs have been made and inspect only the items that were fixed. A lot of people are starting to do that because many dealers just tell customers they fixed the problems to get them out of their hair when they actually did little if anything at all. So either you can check up on what they did yourself or you can pay the inspector to do it. Whichever works best for you. But I highly advise you not to take delivery of any RV before all the issues have been fixed to your satisfaction.

Hi Larry. Arranging for an RV inspection should be the last step before the actual purchase. So you need to narrow down your search to the RV that you are serious about buying. Then before the purchase is completed have the inspector make sure that it is a good value without hidden problems. If the inspector finds some issues that need repair, negotiate with the seller for the cost of the repairs. In many cases, you will save more than the cost of the inspection itself by doing it that way.

Thank you Sir! I know quite a few Dealerships require a 10% deposit (negotiable of course) if you are a serious buyer in order for them to hold the rig for you (I am looking at a 2020 Leisure Travel UnityIB). I was just wondering if I should have it inspected prior to putting the deposit down, or wait until the actual delivery BEFORE I sign the final paperwork? Thank you again for your time. I really enjoy your channel and have recommended it to others!!

Hi Larry. I'm sorry but I didn't see your question in this comment until today. It's a good question too. There is often going to be a challenge in some cases with getting a proper inspection on an RV when all the dealer wants is to sell the unit and move on to the next customer. And that is especially true now when RVs are selling like hotcakes. But I personally would not buy any RV, especially a used one, without an inspection from a qualified inspector. If the dealer is adamant about a deposit to show your good faith interest in the RV, I would be OK with that if he is willing to sign a waiver that releases the deposit to me if I decide not to buy because of something that was found during the inspection. If the dealer is not willing to do that I move on. There are lots of great RVs for sale and it's not a good idea to get so emotionally attached to one particular RV that you fail to do your due diligence in buying it. I hope that helps.

@@RVInspectionAndCare thank you!! Really appreciate the advice!! Stay safe!!

I am always amazed at people who know very little about what they are talking about and yet feel the need to make comments that disparage other people who do. I don't normally respond to negative comments, but in this case I will make an exception. I don't feel qualified to visit a YT channel hosted by a home inspector and make comments that contradict what they have to say. That's for one simple reason - I am not a home inspector and I have not gone through any certification process to become a home inspector. But I have gone through the most stringent certification process for RV inspections (NRVIA) that I know of. In our classes we were taught that RV inspections are completely different from anything else you may inspect. That's because RVs are not just homes. They are also not just vehicles, although many of them are based on commercial type vehicle platforms. RVs are in fact both a home and a vehicle. There are multiple sources of power and water. There is a leveling system that no home possesses. There is an engine, drivetrain, suspension and tires that is not found in any home. The appliances often work off of multiple power sources, all of which must be inspected. The sealants in use are often unique to a combination home/vehicle that goes down the road being shaken as it goes. And I could go on and on about the differences between RV inspections and home inspections. In other words, there is a lot more going on in an RV inspection than just an inspection of the home itself. And it is very different from what you normally find in most residential houses. It is true that we don't tear the walls apart in an RV inspection. And I never said that we do. But most problems behind the walls manifest themselves in other ways that can be detected in the inspection. It is not true that we tell the customer whether or not they should buy the RV we just inspected. That is something that we strictly avoid. We simply provide them with the facts about what we found during the inspection and they can decide for themselves what they wish to do about the purchase. It is also not true that RV inspectors specialize in certain types of RVs. At least not the vast majority of RV inspectors that I know. We inspect Class As, Bs, Cs, travel trailers, fifth wheels, truck campers, etc. And every inspection can be quite different from the last one. We inspect large RVs and small ones. New and used RVs. Those that are built by quality manufacturers and those that are not. In fact, a typical inspection by my wife and myself takes us 5-6 hours, or 10-12 hours between us. That does not include the time we spend before the inspection doing research on that RV online. It also does not include the time preparing a very detailed report and then going over that report with the customer and answering all of their questions. It would be nice to only spend a couple of hours on an inspection. But our inspections are very thorough and involved. They often involve technologies that are ever changing in the design and build of these complicated machines. If you are reading this response as a subscriber, I encourage you not to listen to those who do not know what they are talking about. An RV inspection will not be a perfect inspection that finds every possible issue that could be a problem in an RV. But it will be the most complete picture of the actual condition of that RV that I know of. Get an RV inspection by a certified NRVIA RV inspector (and it doesn't have to be me). You will be glad that you did!

Never talk to the inspector infront of the dealer. 😮

Just visit nrvia.org and click on the button for "Find An RV Inspector". On the next page check the map to find the certified RV inspectors in the area of the RV's location. Any NRVIA certified inspector is trained to provide a high quality inspection.

It depends on what you consider "not inexpensive". If having to spend large sums of money on hidden issues that most RV buyers will never know about when they buy an RV is a risk that you are willing to take, then yes, an RV inspection is too expensive for you. But in my experience, the inspection often pays for itself in the problems found. That's because those items can often help the buyer negotiate a lower price because of the repairs that need to be made. But even if the inspection report reveals that the RV is a money pit with all sorts of problems that need to be fixed, it could literally save you many thousands in repairs not counting the frustration and anxiety of owning an RV that is a constant headache. And as far as liability is concerned, do home inspectors warranty that nothing will go wrong with your house when you buy it? Neither do RV inspectors.

I just looked at the NRVIA map and you are right that there aren't many RV inspectors in that area. So in that case, I recommend that you email them at Info@nrvia.org or call them at 855-472-9948, and let them know that you want an NRVIA inspection but can't find someone in that area. They will put out a request to all inspectors to see if someone is willing to travel for the inspection. And many NRVIA inspectors will do that if there is no other way to get the inspection handled. I hope that works for you!

@@RVInspectionAndCare I called, they put out the word, and the calls are coming in already. Thank you.

@@winginitwithjohn8451 That's great to hear! They really try to do their best to make sure that you get a good inspection.

NRVIA certified RV inspectors don't appraise or value the RV they inspect. They simply examine the systems of the RV thoroughly and note what is functioning as intended and what is not.

Hi Bob. Sometimes there are challenges with finding an available certified RV inspector. This can be especially so in areas of the country where RVing is seasonal, like the southern states. And the NRVIA has been recently working on their locator service map specifically with the idea of allowing traveling inspectors to change their location on the map more freely and accurately. And the changes appear to be a much needed improvement. At any rate, I think you will see the issues you mentioned improve quite a bit in the future. Thanks for sharing your experience though.

One reason for the difference in cost is that some inspectors will take hundreds of photos and give you a report 75 pages long and others will give you a very short report with few photos. I'd be cautious about the low priced ones as you get what you pay for. There should also be a difference in price between the different types of RV's.

If you don't have much faith in home inspectors, you probably won't have much more faith in RV inspectors either Tom. As far as gauging their abilities, that's the whole idea of going through a certification process. So an NRVIA certified RV inspector has met a very high standard of criteria that means that they are well trained and qualified to perform a quality inspection. If you require more than that you will not be satisfied with almost anyone. And as far as getting a sample of a recent inspection report, we can't do that. That's because the report belongs to each inspection client only. And it would be a breach of confidence to share it with anyone else without their specific written approval. Finally, if you have a problem with trained and skilled people being paid more than $100/hour you will never be able to get your RV fixed at almost any repair shop as the going hourly rate there is often $150/hour or even more. I don't wish to offend you, but honestly if you started bringing up all of these negative viewpoints with me while discussing your inspection needs, I would personally suggest that you find someone else to do the inspection. The great thing about being an RV inspector is that we can decide who we wish to work with and who we choose to avoid.

@@RVInspectionAndCare what an excellent reply. I'm also NRVIA certified so I know you are correct. In addition, the reports are around 75 pages long with anywhere from 80 to over 100 photos. There are hundreds of items on our checklist, hence the amount of time taken in the inspection.

Once again, I disagree with this opinion. I would not want the payment for my skills and abilities to be regulated by government any more than a car mechanic, construction worker, plumber, or any other skilled profession should be subjected to that kind of oversight. If someone does not want to pay the price I charge for an RV inspection there are other inspectors who are free to charge less and get the business instead.

Thanks for watching and commenting too!

Sorry Argentum but I have to disagree with almost everything you said in this comment. You are entitled to your opinions but my viewpoint on this subject is very different from yours. Here are my points of disagreement - 1) The report that NRVIA inspectors provide is very detailed. It is not generic. And it is not pre-written. The vast majority of people buying RVs do not have technical or advanced knowledge about them, so the report has to transfer the technical know-how of the inspector into a multi-media form that is easily readable and understandable by the prospective buyer. And almost all of us use software that guides us through the inspection so nothing is missed. Our clients usually rave about the report they receive and the knowledge it imparts. 2) You paint the whole RV inspection industry with a very wide brush and insist that it is "rotten to its core and has terrible ethical problems". However the vast majority of RV inspectors I know are very competent and ethical. They want to produce a quality report that accurately describes the condition of the RV being inspected at the time of inspection and they succeed at doing that very well. 3) In contrast to RV inspectors that you view in such a poor light you seem to have an overly rosy viewpoint about RV repair technicians. My experience has actually been just the opposite. Whereas there are many fine and competent RV technicians that I have encountered, there is also a number of those who claim they are qualified to handle repair issues when they clearly are not. This is why many RV owners have to keep returning to dealerships and repair facilities to get the same problems fixed over and over again. I am not in any way saying that RV technicians as a whole are not competent. But I have encountered more issues with them than any of the inspectors I know. 4) As I said in this video, it is not the job of the RV inspector to decide whether or not an RV is a lemon, especially not basing it on some arbitrary score. It is simply our job to explain clearly what the issues are with that particular RV and how serious they may be. The prospective buyer can decide for themselves whether they wish to buy or not but at least they have a clear picture of what needs to be addressed to bring that RV up to acceptable standards.

Well then, try this video - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m9aEi6eEnpzPink.html