Almost all motor homes and RVs have some type of propane system. It is important that you check the motor home’s propane system for leaks or any other visible irregularities before purchase. According to the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), the water heater and furnace should light up easily when turned on. If either system doesn't stay lit, it is a red flag. On the other hand, a furnace or water heater may go out because of lack of recent use. If this happens, investigate the problem further. A faulty propane system could result in a fire that could put you and your family in danger.
TheCampingSource.com suggests that you check the house batteries for quantity and condition. According to RV America Insurance, there can be up to six house batteries and they are important because they provide all the power to your motor home when it is not hooked up to shore power. The batteries should be deep cycle batteries as opposed to automotive batteries. Corrosion is an obvious sign that the batteries are in bad condition. According to FMCA, you may also want to put on safety gear (gloves and glasses) and check the water level of the batteries to ensure they are at the recommended level. These batteries are usually expensive to replace.
You should always test drive a motor home before purchasing it. ChangingGears.com suggests that you take a technician along on the test drive if you are not familiar with how the vehicle is supposed to function and sound. A test drive checklist for a motor home should include checking things like external lighting (headlights, fog lights, tail lights), the defrosters, mirrors and brakes.
Plumbing is another very important system when it comes to buying a motor home. Test all the water faucets to ensure they are working. Be sure to look at the water tank and survey for any leaks, big or small. Rvbasics.com states, “If the RV has been sitting for a period of time the seal in the toilet will have dried out.” If this is the case, you can still test the toilet by pouring water in it. If the water remains in the bowl longer than 15 minutes then the toilet is free of any problems.
The engine can be a difficult thing to inspect if you do not have a mechanical background. TheCampingSource.com says that the motor home or RV is unacceptable if the engine does not start on the first try.
