RV Inspection

[jkxtreme]

Do any of you use an RV inspector when purchasing a new or used RV. I come from the boating/yachting world where we use a Marine surveyor/inspector to pull oil samples from the engines, look for water intrusion using infrared cameras, and structural integrity using I/R and thermal cameras.
Do we do any of this in the RV industry? Or maybe a better question is, should we have the rig inspected prior to purchase.

[AZ Traveler]

Glenn,

I have not done so. By taking my time and using a checklist I have been able to get a good feel for the rig.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by jkxtreme

Do any of you use an RV inspector when purchasing a new or used RV. I come from the boating/yachting world where we use a Marine surveyor/inspector to pull oil samples from the engines, look for water intrusion using infrared cameras, and structural integrity using I/R and thermal cameras.
Do we do any of this in the RV industry? Or maybe a better question is, should we have the rig inspected prior to purchase.

Unless you're qualified, it's highly recommended to use an inspector. There is a PDI check list in the files section. It's quite extensive.
Here it is.

[jkxtreme]

We have a 2023 Montana 3901RK. (good unit) I'm going to have a yacht surveyor bring his equipment to our trailer next week. I want him to use his equipment to look at the frame and fiberglass as well as the electrical circuits.
He will provide photos of what his equipment sees so I will post those pictures here. I trust this guy.. He's a Marine with an engineering degree and a couple decades experience in the yachting world.

[Bourbon County]

Keep in mind that a thermal cam detects temperature delta or differences. If you have had water intrusion and the water has been there for a long time, it will likely be the at ambient temp and won't show. If you're looking in a boat, the sea/lake water is usually colder than ambient and will show pretty easily. It would be a good test to go around the outside and spray it down with a water hose while he's inspecting.

When checking the electrical, it needs to have some load on it. Turn on everything you can and let it run for a few minutes ACs, electric water heater element, etc. For the general purpose receptacle circuits, plug in a portable heater or hair dryer to create some load. The LED lights probably don't create enough load to show much. While the AC is running, you might be able to find any large duct leaks although likely won't be able to access to repair. Do the same with the furnace, turn the AC off and start the furnace. You can also turn both off, close all windows and doors; turn the exhaust fan(s) on high and have him scan the windows and doors for air infiltration from inside. Once your water heater has heated up, turn on hot water at each tap and you should be able to see water lines inside walls. If the groundwater temp is cooler than ambient, do same on cold water system.

I don't know what instrument(s) he has to check the steel structure with; don't see this as a good application for thermal.

You should see some heating of wires, water pipes, etc; this is absolutely normal, don't get excited too soon. The thermal cam is only good to find the location of the heat, not necessarily show what the anomoly is, that requires further inspection method. Black electrical tape is your friend in marking the location, the inspector can see it on the thermal cam.

[Bourbon County]

I've never read one of the inspection check lists before, and don't know if the LP gas system is covered or not. You have a sensor inside, but don't know if you have a leak outside or not.

LP gas is heavier than air and will seek the lowest point available, that's why the sensor is located near the floor. The bay for the tanks normally has openings in the bottom; the furnace and water heater are located for the most part outside. Leaks here would likely find it's way to the ground; not really a safety hazard, but a potential unnecessary waste of gas. The stove is likely the only interior appliance that might leak. I don't know if you've ever seen a flammable gas detector or not. They aren't terribly expensive; if you happen to know an HVAC tech, they probably have one. I would open the valves on both tanks and check everywhere you can see a fitting. They're normally pretty sensitive and should alert you to LP presence from a pretty good distance; you can always start zeroing in to find the exact source of the leak.

[MandK]

Hello from a life long boater/cruiser also. The RVIA is NOT the ABYCA. There is very little if anything on an RV that comes even remotely close to ABYCA standards. We are comparing apples to oranges. Unless your surveyor is free, I would hire a certified RV inspector. But if you do use the surveyor, as long as you are going to post pictures, post one of the look on his face when he see what lives behind your basement walls.

[Derby6]

Originally Posted by jkxtreme

We have a 2023 Montana 3901RK. (good unit) I'm going to have a yacht surveyor bring his equipment to our trailer next week. I want him to use his equipment to look at the frame and fiberglass as well as the electrical circuits.
He will provide photos of what his equipment sees so I will post those pictures here. I trust this guy.. He's a Marine with an engineering degree and a couple decades experience in the yachting world.

Hope all goes well. I am in the camp I am not going to kill myself looking for issues...
Look hard enough you can always find something. You said its a good unit. I'd leave it at that.

[LERD]

If I can make a sugestion? Google NRVIA.ORG and find an inspector near you. It's an extremely involved process, and you will get a full report on your rig, with pictures and advice. It's completely impartial and factual. Look at as either piece of mind, or a negotiating tool. This is the RV that you want. Therefore, you won't be impartial enough to clearly assess its true condition.

[Jay & Bobbie]

Ditto,
MandK
LERD