The worst thing you can do is not have a plan of what you will do with your rv yearly. If you just need it as a place to sleep, buy the cheapest of the cheap. If you are going to live in it, buy the best and buy from the "best" dealership you can find! Every rv has problems. Your skill and pocketbook will determine its longevity. Great video!
Spot on Dewayne. Homework, Homework, get an inspection, then buy and enjoy! I love Rving, been doing it for 20yrs, it does require work to enjoy. Keep up the great content and safe travels to you, Sir.
Great video. I totally support getting an independent RV inspection from a certified inspector. One caveat: NEVER go with one that the dealer recommends. I have seen this a few times and none ended well. Also, the dealer will try and talk the buyer out of getting inspector as their is usually a hefty fee for a PDI baked into the sales contract. I have come to believe that in general, a dealer PDI is usually a means of padding the contract and is not designed to find problems which need to be fixed.There may be some exceptions, but finding dealers like that is difficult.
Those are all great points Robert. I completely agree about using an RV inspector provided or suggested by the dealer. That's like asking the fox to guard the hen house. Thanks for sharing all of those tips with us!
Good morning, Duane! GREAT video about buying mistakes! I really enjoyed watching it, and you are spot-on with everything you said! I was, however, reading through some of the comments to it and came across this one about not using an inspector suggested by the dealer. Like many NRVIA inspectors, I actually get quite a few referrals from dealerships that I have built a good rapport with. Do all of the RVs I inspect at them sell...? No. But they have come to trust the quality of the inspection process I perform, being an NRVIA inspector myself up here in the great Pacific NW, and they know that the inspection is strictly factual. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something here...? Thanks so much! Grant Carroll, GCRV Inspections. 👍@@RVInspectionAndCare
@@grantcarroll4495 Hi Grant. Thanks for bringing this point up. It was my mistake to lump all RV inspectors in the same bunch when they are recommended by a dealer. I should have said that if they are not NRVIA certified, then I would be very wary of them. I know that several NRVIA trained inspectors have a great relationship with dealers that is not biased in any way and they get regular recommendations from them. But that is often not true with other local inspectors that dealers recommend. That is what I should have said in my reply and I just didn't think it through as well as I should. Sorry about that.
Hit the nail on the head. I always wondered about my home inspection 20 years ago. 3600 sq. ft. house, inspected in less that a day. When a RV inspector takes 8 to 12 hrs. if not more per unit. Thanks Don
Hi Don. RVs are much more complicated than a standard home. They are a combination of both a vehicle with weight limits and a rolling home. So the inspection process just simply takes longer to get an accurate idea of what the true condition of the RV really is. If an inspector tells you that they only take a couple of hours or so to inspect an RV, my advice is to get a different inspector.
You are so right. We’ve spent 3 years researching what we think is going to be the RV that we will be purchasing. We’ve been to multiple Rv dealers to look at RV’s considering size, storage, floor plans and quality. We will be hiring a Rv inspector even though we will be purchasing a new Rv. We have purchased a tow vehicle after considering the maximum gross weight of the trailer we might purchase, the payload of the tow vehicle, all vehicles we looked had the towing capacity but it came down to pay load and gross vehicle weight. Thank you for your information.
Clearly, you are doing your homework James. And you are correct that payload capacity is often one of the most limiting factors in towing RVs. I have the feeling that you are going to make a very good decision when you buy the RV that matches your tow vehicle. Thanks for sharing your thought process here!
For me, feels like the worst mistake we made was getting 25% off msrp and then just adding all sorts of hard to cashin on 3rd pary warranties to make the total purchase price the same as msrp 😅😢
Well at least you did well on the RV price negotiation anyway. Not all service contract companies are the same. I usually recommend going with Wholesale Warranties online. They only deal with the best in the industry. But thanks for sharing your experience here Joel.
@@RVInspectionAndCare thank you for sharing your knowledge with us too! I like your format and how you really consider the real-world implications and caveats that most spec-reading channels don't even know about. 🤗
@@joelcrow Thanks so much for the positive feedback Joel. I know that my channel is not everyone's cup of tea. But for those who like to hear an honest and straightforward presentation without a lot of fluff and silliness, it seems to work well for them. Subscribers like yourself are deeply appreciated here!
I think one of the mistakes for me is no keeping in mind the health changes that life can bring us. Now I may need to modify or buy another rv. There no rv videos on this subject. Thanks
If all RV buyers avoided the mistakes I mentioned in this video, there would be a LOT less complaints about their RV buying experience. Thanks for watching and leaving such a positive comment too. It's much appreciated!
I’m selling my plane to buy a class B van. When I bought the plane, I had a pre-purchase exam that saved me literally thousands of dollars. If it works when buying a plane, it sure ought to work buying an RV!
When you spend that much money on anything, whether it's a plane or an RV, it makes good sense to verify that there aren't any major hidden problems that you can't see. Thanks for mentioning your experience here!
Thank you Duane, another great common sense presentation. I often caution others looking to purchase their first RV or to upgrade their existing unit that … The cheapest RV to purchase can be the most expensive RV to own✌🏼
Sorry, but that is a little beyond my scope of expertise. You might ask that question on irv2.com and see what advice you get from RVers who have been through that decision making process.
Keystone is on my recommended list for higher quality 5th wheel brands. But always have the RV inspected first to catch any factory defects before closing the deal.
Can you offer your expertise and suggestions for an RV/travel trailer for 6 months at a time full time living please? We are considering this as an option as retirement income is fixed and limited. We'd like to be able to stay in a warmer climate in the winter and we have options already for the warmer months. Thank you for your videos and expertise!
Here is a video that I made on the subject of some of the better RV brands for full-time travel trailer living - ruclips.net/video/WRWzOg6ZJo4/видео.html I hope it helps.
Great video again Duane! I am an inspector like yourself and am constantly telling people, we are here to help them! I would like to post this video on my business FB page?
It's nice to hear from a fellow inspector. And sure, you can post my video on your business FB page. Thanks for asking and for leaving positive feedback!
I'm still an active RV inspector. But I have a lot on my plate these days, so my schedule is pretty tight. We are in AZ for a few months and then we head out on our travels cross-country and it's hard to say where we will be then.
It depends on how much experience you have with RV maintenance and repairs. Those who are familiar with RVs and their care can often determine whether the repairs were done satisfactorily or not on their own. But if you don't know much about RV repairs and care, it would be a good idea to pay the inspector to make a return trip to verify that the repairs made are satisfactory. I certainly would not trust the dealer's word about it. But the good news is that there will not be a need for a full inspection again. Just a small inspection that focuses on the issues that needed attention. So the cost will be much less.
Great advice! We’ve owned our 2nd Rv for 5 years now and will plan to hire a certified inspector when ready to buy our next one. If you have anyone to recommend for California, Los Angeles or Ventura areas, I would appreciate it.
Hi Tiger. I don't know anyone specific to recommend in those areas. But just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability. Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you. I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
So Duane, do RV dealers have to honor your request to have a certified inspection before completing the deal? If I tell them I want an inspection, at my expense, can they back out and sell it to someone else? How does this process usually work? Thank you in advance.
I am in the process of purchasing an rv 600 miles from me. I hired a certified inspector, put a deposit on the rv, with the written agreement that if it didnt pass, it would be refundable. There were half a dozen things that needed to be repaired, and the dealer immediately started that process. I will have a final inspection (by me) and if everything has been corrected, I will buy it.
No, RV dealers are not required to allow you to perform a 3rd party inspection before the sale. But IMO, if they are at all interested in making your buying experience a good one, they will allow it. As the other commenter here says, you can put a deposit on the RV you want with written acknowledgement that the sale is contingent on the results of the RV inspection report regarding issues that need repair. To me, if an RV dealer is not agreeable to that logical and reasonable request, it's best to find a different dealer to work with.
Let me congratulate you for being a smart and savvy RV buyer, MsShep. Far too few RV buyers follow your example, and that's one reason why we have so many complaints from RV owners. I hope all the repairs are done to your satisfaction. Thanks for sharing your experience here!
It depends. There are custom RV builders out there. But they usually are on the higher end of the price range. What type of RV are you most interested in?
Were looking into a class c , best ive found was about 85000 no slides , plan to take sofa out and replace with a single recliner for my friend . Hes not one to sleep on a bed anymore @@RVInspectionAndCare
The worst thing you can do is not have a plan of what you will do with your rv yearly. If you just need it as a place to sleep, buy the cheapest of the cheap. If you are going to live in it, buy the best and buy from the "best" dealership you can find! Every rv has problems. Your skill and pocketbook will determine its longevity. Great video!
Good points Henry. Thanks for sharing them here!
Spot on Dewayne. Homework, Homework, get an inspection, then buy and enjoy! I love Rving, been doing it for 20yrs, it does require work to enjoy. Keep up the great content and safe travels to you, Sir.
Thanks a ton Marty. I appreciate your very insightful comment. All the best to you for your RV travels!
Great video. I totally support getting an independent RV inspection from a certified inspector. One caveat: NEVER go with one that the dealer recommends. I have seen this a few times and none ended well. Also, the dealer will try and talk the buyer out of getting inspector as their is usually a hefty fee for a PDI baked into the sales contract. I have come to believe that in general, a dealer PDI is usually a means of padding the contract and is not designed to find problems which need to be fixed.There may be some exceptions, but finding dealers like that is difficult.
Those are all great points Robert. I completely agree about using an RV inspector provided or suggested by the dealer. That's like asking the fox to guard the hen house. Thanks for sharing all of those tips with us!
Good morning, Duane! GREAT video about buying mistakes! I really enjoyed watching it, and you are spot-on with everything you said! I was, however, reading through some of the comments to it and came across this one about not using an inspector suggested by the dealer. Like many NRVIA inspectors, I actually get quite a few referrals from dealerships that I have built a good rapport with. Do all of the RVs I inspect at them sell...? No. But they have come to trust the quality of the inspection process I perform, being an NRVIA inspector myself up here in the great Pacific NW, and they know that the inspection is strictly factual. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something here...? Thanks so much! Grant Carroll, GCRV Inspections. 👍@@RVInspectionAndCare
@@grantcarroll4495 Hi Grant. Thanks for bringing this point up. It was my mistake to lump all RV inspectors in the same bunch when they are recommended by a dealer. I should have said that if they are not NRVIA certified, then I would be very wary of them. I know that several NRVIA trained inspectors have a great relationship with dealers that is not biased in any way and they get regular recommendations from them. But that is often not true with other local inspectors that dealers recommend. That is what I should have said in my reply and I just didn't think it through as well as I should. Sorry about that.
Hit the nail on the head. I always wondered about my home inspection 20 years ago. 3600 sq. ft. house, inspected in less that a day. When a RV inspector takes 8 to 12 hrs. if not more per unit. Thanks Don
Hi Don. RVs are much more complicated than a standard home. They are a combination of both a vehicle with weight limits and a rolling home. So the inspection process just simply takes longer to get an accurate idea of what the true condition of the RV really is. If an inspector tells you that they only take a couple of hours or so to inspect an RV, my advice is to get a different inspector.
You are so right. We’ve spent 3 years researching what we think is going to be the RV that we will be purchasing. We’ve been to multiple Rv dealers to look at RV’s considering size, storage, floor plans and quality. We will be hiring a Rv inspector even though we will be purchasing a new Rv. We have purchased a tow vehicle after considering the maximum gross weight of the trailer we might purchase, the payload of the tow vehicle, all vehicles we looked had the towing capacity but it came down to pay load and gross vehicle weight. Thank you for your information.
Clearly, you are doing your homework James. And you are correct that payload capacity is often one of the most limiting factors in towing RVs. I have the feeling that you are going to make a very good decision when you buy the RV that matches your tow vehicle. Thanks for sharing your thought process here!
Thanks!
Thanks to you too. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
For me, feels like the worst mistake we made was getting 25% off msrp and then just adding all sorts of hard to cashin on 3rd pary warranties to make the total purchase price the same as msrp 😅😢
Well at least you did well on the RV price negotiation anyway. Not all service contract companies are the same. I usually recommend going with Wholesale Warranties online. They only deal with the best in the industry. But thanks for sharing your experience here Joel.
@@RVInspectionAndCare thank you for sharing your knowledge with us too! I like your format and how you really consider the real-world implications and caveats that most spec-reading channels don't even know about. 🤗
@@joelcrow Thanks so much for the positive feedback Joel. I know that my channel is not everyone's cup of tea. But for those who like to hear an honest and straightforward presentation without a lot of fluff and silliness, it seems to work well for them. Subscribers like yourself are deeply appreciated here!
I think one of the mistakes for me is no keeping in mind the health changes that life can bring us. Now I may need to modify or buy another rv. There no rv videos on this subject. Thanks
That's another good point Carmen. I hope to make a video soon about health issues for RVers.
Well done. And great analogy to home inspection. I hope more interested buyers watch your videos and take heed. Be well
If all RV buyers avoided the mistakes I mentioned in this video, there would be a LOT less complaints about their RV buying experience. Thanks for watching and leaving such a positive comment too. It's much appreciated!
Very good advice, if new to RVing follow his tips!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video Craig. And thanks for the recommendation!
I’m selling my plane to buy a class B van. When I bought the plane, I had a pre-purchase exam that saved me literally thousands of dollars. If it works when buying a plane, it sure ought to work buying an RV!
When you spend that much money on anything, whether it's a plane or an RV, it makes good sense to verify that there aren't any major hidden problems that you can't see. Thanks for mentioning your experience here!
Thank you Duane, another great common sense presentation. I often caution others looking to purchase their first RV or to upgrade their existing unit that … The cheapest RV to purchase can be the most expensive RV to own✌🏼
I love that phrase Jim. "The cheapest RV to purchase can be the most expensive to own". You nailed it on that one. Thanks for leaving a great comment!
Thank you for the video.
I'm glad you enjoyed it Brad. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for all this wonderful info! :)
You are so welcome Marci. I'm glad it was helpful!
Really appreciate your advice!
Glad it was helpful John. Thanks for leaving such a positive comment!
Thanks for your video. What's the going rate for an inspector?
Hi Bert. It depends on the size and kind of RV. But this video should give you a pretty good idea - ruclips.net/video/epTXDS96kZE/видео.html
What state would you recommend buying out of ? Pennsylvania is where we live with plans of going to florida
Sorry, but that is a little beyond my scope of expertise. You might ask that question on irv2.com and see what advice you get from RVers who have been through that decision making process.
Great video Duane, Thanks
So glad that you enjoyed it Gabriel. Thanks for leaving some positive feedback. It's much appreciated!
Thank you for your videos. Can you give me your opinion on the " Keystone Cougar 23MLS 5th wheel" We are looking at a 2024 . Thank you
Keystone is on my recommended list for higher quality 5th wheel brands. But always have the RV inspected first to catch any factory defects before closing the deal.
Great video, thanks for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed it. Have safe and happy travels!
Can you offer your expertise and suggestions for an RV/travel trailer for 6 months at a time full time living please? We are considering this as an option as retirement income is fixed and limited. We'd like to be able to stay in a warmer climate in the winter and we have options already for the warmer months. Thank you for your videos and expertise!
Here is a video that I made on the subject of some of the better RV brands for full-time travel trailer living - ruclips.net/video/WRWzOg6ZJo4/видео.html I hope it helps.
@@RVInspectionAndCare Thank you! Just what I was lookinging for! :) Thanks for the help and info!
Great video again Duane! I am an inspector like yourself and am constantly telling people, we are here to help them! I would like to post this video on my business FB page?
It's nice to hear from a fellow inspector. And sure, you can post my video on your business FB page. Thanks for asking and for leaving positive feedback!
Do you still do inspections and if so what is your general area you do inspections in (States)?
I'm still an active RV inspector. But I have a lot on my plate these days, so my schedule is pretty tight. We are in AZ for a few months and then we head out on our travels cross-country and it's hard to say where we will be then.
Great information!
Glad it was helpful Anthony. Thanks for watching!
Great show!
After the problems are addressed and supposedly fixed, am I to call the inspector back for a re-inspection?
It depends on how much experience you have with RV maintenance and repairs. Those who are familiar with RVs and their care can often determine whether the repairs were done satisfactorily or not on their own. But if you don't know much about RV repairs and care, it would be a good idea to pay the inspector to make a return trip to verify that the repairs made are satisfactory. I certainly would not trust the dealer's word about it. But the good news is that there will not be a need for a full inspection again. Just a small inspection that focuses on the issues that needed attention. So the cost will be much less.
@@RVInspectionAndCare thank you
Great advice! We’ve owned our 2nd Rv for 5 years now and will plan to hire a certified inspector when ready to buy our next one. If you have anyone to recommend for California, Los Angeles or Ventura areas, I would appreciate it.
Hi Tiger. I don't know anyone specific to recommend in those areas. But just visit nrvia.org and select "Find An Inspector". Then you can view all of the local inspectors on the map there and contact them about their availability. Any certified NRVIA inspector has the necessary training to provide a top quality RV inspection for you. I usually recommend choosing the one that you feel most comfortable with.
So Duane, do RV dealers have to honor your request to have a certified inspection before completing the deal? If I tell them I want an inspection, at my expense, can they back out and sell it to someone else? How does this process usually work? Thank you in advance.
I am in the process of purchasing an rv 600 miles from me. I hired a certified inspector, put a deposit on the rv, with the written agreement that if it didnt pass, it would be refundable. There were half a dozen things that needed to be repaired, and the dealer immediately started that process. I will have a final inspection (by me) and if everything has been corrected, I will buy it.
No, RV dealers are not required to allow you to perform a 3rd party inspection before the sale. But IMO, if they are at all interested in making your buying experience a good one, they will allow it. As the other commenter here says, you can put a deposit on the RV you want with written acknowledgement that the sale is contingent on the results of the RV inspection report regarding issues that need repair. To me, if an RV dealer is not agreeable to that logical and reasonable request, it's best to find a different dealer to work with.
Let me congratulate you for being a smart and savvy RV buyer, MsShep. Far too few RV buyers follow your example, and that's one reason why we have so many complaints from RV owners. I hope all the repairs are done to your satisfaction. Thanks for sharing your experience here!
HI Duane, I'm Lynn, new watcher. Hoping to be a first time buyer. I can't find what I want. How much would it cost to have one made?
It depends. There are custom RV builders out there. But they usually are on the higher end of the price range. What type of RV are you most interested in?
I guess I’m opposite, I’m focused on vehicle more then lifestyle , that’s my travel partners job
Sounds like you have a workable situation there. Thanks for watching!
Were looking into a class c , best ive found was about 85000 no slides , plan to take sofa out and replace with a single recliner for my friend . Hes not one to sleep on a bed anymore @@RVInspectionAndCare
I wouldn’t consider floor plan to be a superficial reason for buying an RV. You want to make sure it’s a good fit for how you’re going to use it.
As I said in the video, considering the floor plan is important. But it's more important to know that the RV you buy is a good one.
As bad as car dealers are,RV salesmen are worse
LOL. I have seen some pretty bad ones, that's for sure.