The biggest concern when buying a used Recreational Vehicle should be condition with regards to leak damage, more commonly known as Dry Rot. Dry Rot is often overlooked by buyers due to inexperience with RV units. More attention seems to be paid to things like floor plan, options or price. The single largest expense that can be incurred on a RV unit is rebuild work from water damage. Checking a unit for water damage is not as easy as you might think. Here are some pointers, but nothing can replace years of experience. People usually have a brief look at the ceiling, but you need to get your hands inside the cupboards to try to feel for soft spots in the walls and ceiling. You should step on every spot possible on the floor looking for soft areas. We are always wary of units with new flooring as it’s usually installed to cover up problems with the original floor. A common spot for leaks in Class C Motor homes and Truck Campers is the front corners and under the bunk mattress. Many cases of water damage are not visible from inside the unit. A careful inspection outside the unit is necessary. Check the roof for cracked or loose sealant, cuts in the membrane and missing vent stacks. Inspect all the moldings to ensure they are not loose and are sealed. Check the seals on the windows and accessory doors. Even with a very careful inspection, many things could be missed. As always we highly recommend a complete inspection from a reputable dealer. The cost of one or two hour’s labour for inspection could save thousands in repair work. The example photos are from a 2002 one owner travel trailer, that would be considered good quality.
