Hello. My name is Joe Summers. Welcome to my website about purchasing a vehicle from new and used auto dealers. When it comes time to buy your next vehicle, it really pays to know what to expect. With clear expectations in mind, you can navigate the buying process with confidence and get a great deal on a clean, functional vehicle. Missteps in the process, however, can leave you with a serious case of buyer’s remorse and a vehicle that just doesn’t live up to your expectations. So, spend your time on my site to learn everything you need to know about purchasing a car from new and used auto dealers.
Things To Check For When Buying A Used RV
Recreational vehicles, much like cars, tend to lose value quickly once you drive them off the lot. As such, you can get a used RV much more affordably than you can get a new one for. However, you may want to be careful when making this purchase. Check over the following items before buying a used RV to ensure that you're getting the best deal you can.
Check the ceiling and walls for mold.
Once an RV starts growing mold, it is very hard to stop the mold growth process. You need to identify the source of the moisture that's coming in, address it, and also kill any existing mold. In the meantime, the mold will cause allergy symptoms, like sneezing and itching, whenever you're inside the RV. This is not what you want to be dealing with when you're camping. Carefully look over the used RV for signs of mold, which usually first appears on the ceiling or in the corners where the walls come together. Open up the cabinets and check inside of them for mold, too.
Make sure the floors are sturdy.
If the RV is less than five years old, the chances of floor trouble are very slim. But with older RVs, you need to be very careful about floor damage. Walk over the entire floor surface and pay close attention to any creaking noises. If the floor seems to sag at all, this is another sign that the floor may be weak in that spot. If the floor does seem weak in one area, ask the seller if you can peel back the carpet to take a closer look. If the floorboards beneath are rotting, you should either walk away or negotiate with the seller to have them replaced.
Look over the roof caulking.
You may not see any signs of leaks inside the RV yet, but if the roof caulking is not intact, there will be leaks soon. Climb onto a ladder and take a good look at any roof seams. Make sure they are all caulked closed. If the caulk seems to be cracking or peeling at all, that is a sign that it needs to be replaced before the RV sees any harsh weather. Pay special attention to the caulk around any vents or skylights, since caulk in these areas tends to go first.
Check the mileage.
Buying an RV with some mileage is actually a good thing. An RV that has traveled 30,000 or 40,000 miles and is still in good shape has proven that it's durable and built well. However, you may want to be careful about buying an RV with a lot of miles. At this point, the RV will start to need a lot of engine-related services. If the owner has had all of that service done already, then the RV is probably a good buy. But if the RV has had nothing more than oil changes and tire replacements and has a ton of miles on it, you might be buying something that's about to need a ton of work.
Ask for maintenance logs.
Another sign that you're about to buy a good RV is that the previous owner has maintenance logs and has changed the oil, rotated the tires, and replaced the brakes on schedule. If the owner is not able to produce maintenance logs, ask them about what services they've had performed or look up the VIN number.
Check for the items above so you can get a good deal on a used RV.
For more information, contact a car lot that has RV sales.