The Ultimate Used RV Buying Checklist

When it comes to buying a used RV, nothing protects you more than a complete, detailed, no-shortcuts inspection checklist.

Most RV problems hide in places beginners never think to look. From water intrusion to failing slide-outs to electrical issues that only show up under load, a used RV can be a treasure… or an expensive mistake disguised as one.

This long-form guide provides the **most thorough used RV buying checklist online**, written in plain English and packed with real-world advice to help you evaluate any rig like a seasoned pro.

Print it. Save it to your phone. Bring it to every inspection.

“If sellers had to fill out this checklist themselves, half of them would lower the price before you even arrived.”

SECTION 1: START WITH THE BASICS — BEFORE TOUCHING A SINGLE SWITCH

Before you get excited by features or décor, begin with the basics.

1. Walk Around the RV Slowly

You’re looking for the big red flags:

- Uneven stance

- Fresh paint patches

- Dents or cracks

- Waves in fiberglass

- Rust beneath compartments

- Missing screws or caulking

- Signs of neglect

A well-loved RV looks cared for at first glance. A neglected RV looks tired, worn, or like it’s been “freshened up” a little too much.

2. Smell the RV From Outside

This sounds silly, but trust me:

- Sewer smell?

- Rot smell?

- Mold smell?

Your nose has a higher IQ than most sellers give it credit for.

“If something smells weird now, imagine it after sitting closed for a week in July.”

SECTION 2: ROOF INSPECTION — THE MOST IMPORTANT CHECK OF ALL

Nothing — absolutely nothing — destroys RVs faster than water intrusion. That’s why the roof is the first major inspection.

What to look for?…Soft Spots

Walk every inch. Press firmly with your feet and hands.

Soft = rot

Rot = expensive repairs

Cracked or Peeling Sealant

Check around:

- Vents

- AC units

- Edges

- Antennas

- Skylights

Cracked sealant is the #1 cause of hidden leaks.

Poor DIY Repairs

Eternabond is great… unless the seller used it like duct tape.

Roof Material Condition

Is it:

- Chalky?

- Dry?

- Peeling?

- Sunburned?

Neglect shows quickly.

“If the roof scares you, stop the inspection and walk away. The rest of the RV will only get worse.”

SECTION 3: SIDEWALLS, WINDOWS & DOORS — THE WATER DETECTIVES

The walls of an RV tell you everything about its history.

Check for:

- Bubbles

- Ripples

- Wavy reflections

- Softness around windows

- Brown stains near corners

- Gaps under trim

These are signs of delamination — a structural failure caused by water inside the walls.

Windows & Doors:

Open and close each one.

Check for:

- Difficulty latching

- Cracks

- Poor seals

- Moisture between panes

“A bubble in an RV wall is like a check-engine light in a car — ignore it at your own expense.”

SECTION 4: INTERIOR CONDITION — WHERE THE REAL STORY HIDES

The inside of an RV can be staged beautifully… or staged to hide something.

Start with the ceiling:

Look for:

- Stains

- Wrinkles

- Warping

- Discoloration

Any stain indicates water. Period.

Check the floors:

Walk everywhere, especially near:

- Bathroom

- Kitchen

- Slide-outs

- Bed platforms

- Front door

Soft floors = expensive repairs.

Walls:

Press around windows, under cabinets, inside closets, and under mattresses.

The Nose Test:

A musty smell = mold

A sweet smell = cover-up spray

A chemical smell = fresh paint (not good)

“RV ceilings tell the truth, RV floors confirm it.”

SECTION 5: ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS — DON’T SKIP ANYTHING

Electrical issues are some of the most expensive problems in used RVs. Test everything.

On Shore Power:

- AC

- Microwave

- Outlets

- Converter

- Lights

- Fridge on electric

On Battery Power:

- Lights

- Furnace fan

- Water pump

- 12V outlets

Generator:

Run it under load:

- AC + microwave at the same time

- Listen for hesitation

- Check for smoking or vibrating

“It works sometimes” means “it never works the day after you buy it.”

SECTION 6: PLUMBING SYSTEM CHECK — THE SILENT MONEY DRAIN

RV plumbing problems don’t always show themselves right away. Be thorough.

Test:

- Kitchen faucet

- Bathroom faucet

- Shower

- Toilet seal

- Water heater (electric + propane)

- Water pump cycling

- Gray and black tank valves

Check under every sink:

Look for:

- Moisture

- Mold

- Stains

- Loose fittings

“A small drip in an RV turns into a weekend-ruining puddle fast.”

SECTION 7: HVAC & APPLIANCES — THE BIG-TICKET ITEMS

These repairs can break your budget.

Test each one:

Air Conditioner:

Should blow cold within 3–5 minutes.

Furnace:

Should ignite quickly and blow warm.

Refrigerator:

Test both modes:

- Propane

- Electric

It can take hours to cool, but it should show temperature change.

Stove & Oven:

Light all burners. Test oven ignition.

Fans:

Bathroom and ceiling fans must run smooth.

“If the seller says, “We never use the oven,” it means “the oven doesn’t work.”

SECTION 8: SLIDE-OUTS & LEVELING SYSTEMS — THE MOVING PARTS THAT BREAK FIRST

Slides are amazing… until they fail.

Check for:

- Smooth operation

- No hesitation

- No crunching noises

- Seals in good condition

- Square alignment

Leveling System:

Hydraulic leaks?

Slow jacks?

Uneven extension?

These issues are expensive to fix.

“A noisy slide is the RV’s way of asking you to back out of the deal.”

SECTION 9: UNDERCARRIAGE, AXLES & TIRES — THE SAFETY CHECK

You MUST get on your knees and look underneath.

Look for:

- Rust

- Bent metal

- Leaks

- Hanging wires

- Cracked tanks

- Damage to stabilizers

Tires:

Check the DOT date.

Anything older than 6 years needs immediate replacement.

“RV tires lie — tread means nothing. Age is everything.”

SECTION 10: PAPERWORK — THE PART EVERYONE WANTS TO SKIP

Never skip the paperwork review.

Verify:

- Title

- VIN

- Registration

- Maintenance logs

- Warranty info

- Ownership history

- Recall notices

- Loan or lien status

If the seller “can’t find” the title? …Walk away.

“If the paperwork is messy, the RV’s life has been messy too.”

FINAL CHECKLIST SUMMARY — SAVE THIS PAGE FOREVER

Print it. Screenshot it. Tattoo it. Okay maybe not the last one.

A thorough inspection is what separates confident buyers from future repair victims.

This checklist covers:

- Roof

- Walls

- Interior

- Electrical

- Plumbing

- Appliances

- HVAC

- Slides

- Undercarriage

- Paperwork

“A great RV is found through patience. A bad RV is found through excitement.”

Choose wisely. Inspect thoroughly. And take this list with you every time.