If you want to buy a reliable RV or motorhome but you don’t exactly have too much dough for a brand new one, then checking out affordable pre-owned RVs for sale should be your best bet. In this case, it’s important that you check out the condition of the one you want to buy before signing on the dotted lines—always remember that because you couldn’t always find out how the previous owner used the RV, you’ll have to base your decision to buy or walk away on what you can see.
Check the Interiors
People who use their RVs for camping trips will naturally spend a lot more time in the cabin than in the driver’s seat, so it’s best to check the interiors for damage or signs of wear. Leaking roofs, creaking flooring, broken water lines, water-damaged cabinets and wooden fixtures and gas problems are just some of the many red flags you should watch out for.
Check Wheel Bearings
While it’s good to focus on the interiors, you should never neglect to check the vehicle part of your motorhome or RV, especially the wheels. Many people tend to do away with greasing the wheel bearings, thus inevitably leading to their vehicles breaking down in the middle of traveling on the highway or worse, in the middle of nowhere.
Mileage Problems
While low mileage is a benefit when it comes to your family car, the same doesn’t exactly apply to RVs, as AARP’s savings advisor Jeff Yeager writes:
“You might think that an RV with low mileage is a real plus, for example. Not necessarily. In his book, Bill Myers recommends looking for a used RV with at least 10,000 miles on it (and preferably not more than 35,000), since too few miles can be an indicator of a problem-prone vehicle or one that’s difficult to drive. Motorhomes that have been parked and unused will almost always require expensive service, Myers writes, including replacing fuel pumps, belts, batteries, tires and brakes, and rebuilding the carburetor on the generator.”
Subtle Red Flags
If your prospective RV seems to have a few screws too much, ones that don’t even follow the pattern of the rest, it’s a good sign that the roof has been flooded with enough stagnant water to sag. Moreover, look at the underside of your RV for any signs that the floor might have been patched up or welded.
A good way to ensure that you don’t end up with a lemon of an RV is to rely only on reputable sellers like Johnson RV. These companies ensure that every vehicle that passes through their sell my rv service is of good enough condition for you to buy.
(Source: Tips for Buying a Used RV, AARP)
