Who Needs RV Service

Proper servicing of a Recreational Vehicle should be the most important part of an RV purchase. We see people in our Service Department all the time who just bought a unit privately and say "He seemed like an honest fellow". Now don't get me wrong, we should be able to put our kids through college with all the service work that's available. I don't think people realize what a reputable Dealer offers in terms of Service. A used RV is kind of like buying a used car and an old house, with an elaborate 12 volt system and Propane appliances. Used car buyers almost always get the vehicle inspected, but with RV's a pre-inspection is less likely. I'll give you a rundown on what we do to each RV we sell. First we inspect the charging system and batteries. We then move to the Propane system where we not only check for leaks but for appliance operation and ensure its up to current codes. If the Propane System is up to code and operational we apply a BC Propane Gas Inspection Decal, which is mandatory in British Columbia. Next we inspect the roof seams, vents, windows and doors for problems with the sealants. Inside the unit we will check the operation of all lights, switches, breakers and fuses. Now we add water and check pump operation and for leaks in the fixtures, tanks and water heater. If that's not enough, we check to make sure all cabinet catches and drawer guides are functional. Finished? Not yet- we still have to check the wheel bearings, brake operation, tires and exterior lights lights to ensure safety. All of this is performed for a towable unit, what about Motor homes? With Motor homes you can add automotive safety inspection, automotive repairs and servicing. We find our average cost to service towable units to be $1000 to $1500 and $2000 to $3000 for motorized units, if we don't find an appliance issue or leaks/dry rot. Once we have performed all the repairs and testing its now time for the most important part, the instructional demonstration. So many issues can be solved if the customer knows the proper method of operating their unit. To sum it up you should ensure your Dealer is prepared to perform all these tasks on your purchase. If you do buy privately, I highly recommend a RV Dealer inspection and Propane Re-certification.