Whenever you make a large purchase, you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. Hiring an RV inspector can be a great way to ensure you don’t buy a lemon or get the short end of the deal. However, RV inspectors aren’t perfect, and you might waste your money.
Today, we’ll share five reasons you should ignore the advice you’ve heard and not hire an inspector. Let’s jump in.
What Is an RV Inspector?
An RV inspector looks over recreational vehicles for damages, mechanical issues, and anything wrong with the rig. Many buyers choose to hire an RV inspector to go through the various systems in an RV to ensure they work correctly. They’ll often offer multiple levels of inspections that can range from an hour or two for a basic package to ones that last several hours.
Inspectors can catch issues or potential issues that an untrained eye might overlook. These trained professionals know what to look for and the most common problems RV owners experience.
How Do You Inspect an RV Before Buying It?
Even if you buy a brand new RV, it can still have problems. Many manufacturers do a PDI (pre-delivery inspection) before sending rigs from the factory to dealerships. Most dealerships will then do another PDI before completing the transaction.
However, things get missed or overlooked. Inspecting an RV yourself will provide another set of eyes looking for issues.
Whether you do an inspection or hire a professional, verify that all major systems are functioning and in good working order. Test all of the bells and whistles. You should open and close slides, extend and retract awnings, and bring a phone charger that you can use to test all of the outlets in the camper.
You want to look for any issues or potential ones that you’ll have to deal with once you complete the transaction. Consider it a significant red flag if the seller or dealer has problems with you having an inspection performed on the RV you’re considering. The knowledge you gain from the assessment could save you a lot of money.
5 Reasons Not to Hire an RV Inspector
While many say that hiring an RV inspector is a wise choice, that’s not always the case. Here are five reasons we think you shouldn’t hire an RV inspector.
1. The Cost of Inspection Is Too High
RV inspections aren’t cheap, and some inspectors can have crazy expensive packages. In some cases, the price can exceed the actual cost of the issues it might reveal.
An inspector can’t guarantee that they’ll find any problems. If that’s the case, you’ll pay a large sum for nothing. Just because they charge a premium price doesn’t always mean they deliver premium results.
If you do decide to have an inspection, make sure you hire someone with credentials, experience, and maybe even a few references you can check.
2. You Can Already Pay for the Fixes
Hiring an RV inspector might waste your money if you can afford to pay for the fixes you might encounter. RV inspections are a wise choice for those on a budget or who don’t have discretionary money.
However, if your bank account can absorb a few major repairs, you can pass on an RV inspection.
3. You Trust the RV Dealership Has Done a Comprehensive Inspection
Almost all reputable dealerships will perform an inspection before they allow you to tow or drive the rig off their lot. Some dealerships can catch issues that the manufacturer missed or that occurred during transit better than others.
If you trust that your dealer did an adequate job inspecting the various components of your RV, paying for an additional inspection might waste your money.
4. You Have an Extended Warranty
An extended warranty can assure you that you don’t have to foot the bill if something major does occur. If you buy a new RV, many issues that pop up in the first year typically fall under the manufacturer’s warranty. In most cases, you won’t have to pay a single penny for any manufacturing or appliance defect problems.
Remember that RV service centers have a reputation for being very slow. Repairs can take weeks or even months to complete. While your RV sits in the service center’s storage lot, you miss out on opportunities to travel.
You’ll also have to pay for fuel to tow your RV to and from the service center. Sometimes it’s better to fix the issue yourself than spend time without your rig.
HOT TIP
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5. You’re an RV Inspector or Mechanic
If you want to own an RV, you’ll need some technical skills and knowledge. If you’ve already received training as an RV inspector or a mechanic, hiring someone isn’t worth it. They may not inspect the rig as thoroughly as you can.
You can better use your time and money to purchase tools or other materials to perform the inspection yourself in some situations. Knowing how the various systems of an RV work can go a long way and help you avoid paying for an inspector.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an RV Inspector?
RV inspections typically range from $150 to over $1500. Rates for an inspector will vary from one to another, but the more education and experience, the more you should expect to pay.
Inspections also vary based on the type and size of an RV. A motorized RV will require an examination of the motor, transmission, and engine.
Additionally, larger rigs will likely have more extensive electrical systems, bathrooms, and multiple slides to examine, which will take longer. If you do hire an inspector, make sure you provide accurate information so they can give you an accurate estimate.
Is Hiring an RV Inspector Worth It?
Hiring an RV inspector can become a considerable expense. However, in some cases hiring an inspector can save you a lot of money if they can catch a significant issue.
Once you sign on the dotted line and become the RV owner, you’ll have to take on the repairs. Finding any problems before you buy can help you make an informed decision.
However, if you have training about RVs and their unique systems, you could do it yourself. Because most RV owners don’t have the knowledge or experience to inspect an RV, we strongly recommend hiring a professional RV inspector. Just ensure you hire an inspector who will do a thorough job.
Have you had a positive experience hiring an RV inspector?
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