Buy Used, Buy Safe: External And Structural Checks To Make When Buying A Used Camper
by George Mason
If you're in the market for a camper or RV, buying used can save you a considerable amount of money, but it's important to check your potential home away from home for several things before you commit to a purchase to prevent your leisurely escape from turning into a money pit.
While you may be okay with some mild to moderate wear and tear on the camper you're considering, depending on the price, it's important to inspect the unit thoroughly for any major structural damage.
The Frame
Inspect the outside frame and welding if the frame is welded. Make sure you don't see any obvious cracks or weak points in welded beams. Anything more than a few very small rust spots is a good indication to turn your search toward a different camper. Most of the time, rust damage will only get worse over time and can lead to expensive external repairs. If the camper has siding, make sure the panels aren't loose.
All Entrances
Open and close all of the windows and entrance doors to make sure they're working smoothly and don't have any loose seals or signs of damage.
The Interior
Inspect the interior for any structural problems. These mostly manifest as water stains on the ceiling or walls, indicating prior moisture damage or soft spots on the floor.
The Axles
Check the axles to make sure they are properly aligned. The axles should line up at a 90-degree angle. If they're not, you'll most likely still be able to tow the camper, but the camper tires will start to waver and won't be aligned properly with the vehicle you're towing the camper with, which leads to excessive tire wear at best and blowouts at worst.
The Roof
Inspect the roof of the camper carefully. Just like roofs on houses, camper roofs require periodic maintenance, most often in the form of reapplying sealant to the edges and cleaning the roof regularly. If the previous owners have maintained the roof well, you shouldn't notice any patches of missing sealant and no holes or excessive wear on top of the roof itself that could cause a leak.
Gas Lines
Have a technician inspect the propane lines before purchasing a used camper. Most campers have a gas detector near the floor somewhere in the interior, but if there is an outside leak under the unit where the propane lines are exposed, the interior gas detector may not catch it. Even a small outside leak will cause you to use more propane than necessary and may affect the function of the interior appliances.
For more information, contact local professionals like Crowder RV Center, Inc.
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About Me
When I started traveling a lot for work, I realized that my older vehicle might not make the grade as far as performance went. My car was old, outdated, and needed a lot of repairs. It was frustrating to deal with issues on the road, but unfortunately, I came across more than just a few. This blog is here for anyone who needs to improve their car's performance. By reading these articles, you might be able to hone in on problems that are ruining your vehicle, make the necessary steps to make things right, and protect yourself while you are traveling for work.