Newbie looking to buy a 2021 2670MK – how important is an inspection?

[orental]

Hi, my wife and I have done a lot of research, we've been to a few RV shows and have decided that the Imagine 2670MK is the model for us. A used 2021 is currently available near us, and it's being sold privately. We're planning to see it this Saturday. I have a couple of questions that I would really appreciate some advice on.

1. How important is it to have a comprehensive inspection done by a trained RV inspector before buying an RV? We'll look at the travel trailer carefully, and check that everything is in working order, but are we foolish if we leave it at that and don't have a pre-purchase inspection done?

2. This one is probably tougher to answer, but is it reasonable to ask someone who's selling privately for an inspection pre-sale? Or do most people sell their RVs "as is"? I called a dealership close to where the RV owner lives and was told it takes a few days to a week for the inspection. I'm not sure the current owner would be willing to give up his RV for a week, just so we can inspect it.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Oren

 

[Tom Traveler]

Hi, my wife and I have done a lot of research, we've been to a few RV shows and have decided that the Imagine 2670MK is the model for us. A used 2021 is currently available near us, and it's being sold privately. We're planning to see it this Saturday. I have a couple of questions that I would really appreciate some advice on.

1. How important is it to have a comprehensive inspection done by a trained RV inspector before buying an RV? We'll look at the travel trailer carefully, and check that everything is in working order, but are we foolish if we leave it at that and don't have a pre-purchase inspection done?

2. This one is probably tougher to answer, but is it reasonable to ask someone who's selling privately for an inspection pre-sale? Or do most people sell their RVs "as is"? I called a dealership close to where the RV owner lives and was told it takes a few days to a week for the inspection. I'm not sure the current owner would be willing to give up his RV for a week, just so we can inspect it.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Oren

Unless you are very experienced with RVs and know what to look for, I would hire an inspector. We had a comprehensive professional inspection done before we purchased our Solitude. The inspector took about four hours. If you live in a reasonably sized city, search for RV inspectors on the Internet. They should be able to do the inspection in a half a day, at its location, and have the report for you the next day. I don’t think I would trust a dealership to do it.

If the seller doesn’t want to allow an inspection pre-sale, that would be a red flag to me. I wouldn’t buy the RV. I’m sure he wants to sell it “as is” but you need to know what “as is” is.

 

[NB Canada]

Hi, my wife and I have done a lot of research, we've been to a few RV shows and have decided that the Imagine 2670MK is the model for us. A used 2021 is currently available near us, and it's being sold privately. We're planning to see it this Saturday. I have a couple of questions that I would really appreciate some advice on.

1. How important is it to have a comprehensive inspection done by a trained RV inspector before buying an RV? We'll look at the travel trailer carefully, and check that everything is in working order, but are we foolish if we leave it at that and don't have a pre-purchase inspection done?

2. This one is probably tougher to answer, but is it reasonable to ask someone who's selling privately for an inspection pre-sale? Or do most people sell their RVs "as is"? I called a dealership close to where the RV owner lives and was told it takes a few days to a week for the inspection. I'm not sure the current owner would be willing to give up his RV for a week, just so we can inspect it.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Oren

I personally would never spend all that money to have someone look at stuff
There is a very high possibility that even a very good honest inspector will overlook things
Many things can’t be seen without a major tear down and that wouldn’t be possible
What do they charge? 500? 750? Higher? No way

More importantly that is a big trailer that notoriously tows very poorly
It is well within 3/4 ton truck range
What are you planning to tow it with?

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

1. How important is it to have a comprehensive inspection done by a trained RV inspector before buying an RV?

Really depends on the kind of person you are and/or your 'fixit' abilities. If you are a fixit kind of guy, you know what you are looking for, the clues so to speak of covered up damage or repairs out of the ordinary.Do it yourself. Or....If you are the kind of guy to have a dealer fix everything for you...hire an inspector.
Personally I'm with nb canada, I'm not going to pay an inspector to look for telltale water stains and worn out tires. If they are like house inspectors....they aren't even responsible for something you find after purchase.

 

[orental]

I personally would never spend all that money to have someone look at stuff
There is a very high possibility that even a very good honest inspector will overlook things
Many things can’t be seen without a major tear down and that wouldn’t be possible
What do they charge? 500? 750? Higher? No way

More importantly that is a big trailer that notoriously tows very poorly
It is well within 3/4 ton truck range
What are you planning to tow it with?

Hi NB Canada!

Thanks for the advice. You mentioned that it's a big trailer... I have a 2022 F150 V6 with a Max Towing Package. According to the spec, the max available towing is 14,000. Is the big enough? Also, can you elaborate on what you mean by "tows very poorly"?

 

[sande005]

Hi NB Canada!

Thanks for the advice. You mentioned that it's a big trailer... I have a 2022 F150 V6 with a Max Towing Package. According to the spec, the max available towing is 14,000. Is the big enough? Also, can you elaborate on what you mean by "tows very poorly"?

I'll jump in on this, also...
Amount it can pull is never a limiting factor. All modern trucks can pull a LOT. The first limit is your payload capacity - the most additional weight the truck can have loaded into it. Check you door sticker. This includes all passengers, driver weight above 150lbs, everything added since the factory (like dealer adds - mats, toppers, running boards, etc., etc.), things you add - tools, undercoating/bed coatings, french fries, etc. The tongue weight of the trailer, including the hitch. The hitch ball, etc.
The trailer itself loaded for camping (but not heavily loaded, and with no water/waste) will likely be 950-1000 lbs tongue weight by itself. (yeah, they advertise a lot less...)
Can't speak to newer, but older models were tail heavy, and very prone to trailer sway. That can be deadly, and can only be cured by either more tongue weight (hard to achieve) or a specifically designed hitch that prevents sway, and not just resists/reduces it. Most of us back then had to go to the ProPride/Hensley hitch, which is VERY expensive, and VERY heavy. More recent owners can comment as to how well (or not) GD has addressed that issue.
It is a lot of tail to wag the dog, so even without the sway, may make for uncomfortable driving without the oversized tires I have, heavier suspension, etc.

My truck is the rare "heavy duty payload" version, so exceeds most F-250's in specs. It is the minimum I would use for my trailer. A more normal F-150 will be at or over payload, and would give a poorer overall ride and handeling.

 

[Tom Traveler]

I personally would never spend all that money to have someone look at stuff
There is a very high possibility that even a very good honest inspector will overlook things
Many things can’t be seen without a major tear down and that wouldn’t be possible
What do they charge? 500? 750? Higher? No way

More importantly that is a big trailer that notoriously tows very poorly
It is well within 3/4 ton truck range
What are you planning to tow it with?

$350 for a very comprehensive inspection of a 43 ft 5er with 5 slides, generator, solar, etc. But, I agree it depends on your experience. There isn’t a thing on an RV that I couldn’t fix myself if I wanted to, but we had no experience with an RV prior to this purchase.

 

[NB Canada]

Hi NB Canada!

Thanks for the advice. You mentioned that it's a big trailer... I have a 2022 F150 V6 with a Max Towing Package. According to the spec, the max available towing is 14,000. Is the big enough? Also, can you elaborate on what you mean by "tows very poorly"?

Sorry to say you don’t have enough truck
As has been mentioned the tongue weight will and should be 1000 lbs plus to avoid a poor towing experience
This is hard to do with most of the weight behind the axles

Rear kitchen trailers shouldn’t even be made imo

You will be overloaded. If you don’t care go ahead , if you do,find a smaller trailer or upgrade the truck

Good luck

 

[Second Chance]

Thread moved to New To RV'ing, Purchase Questions & General Concerns.

Rob

 

[WhittleBurner]

Long as you are somewhat knowledgeable and familiar wit RVs we have some PDI forms to help you inspect it yourself. There are several forms you can download the PDF files from the link below
https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/showthread.php/10794-Pre-Delivery-Inspection-Forms-(Multiple)

 

[NB Canada]

Hi, my wife and I have done a lot of research, we've been to a few RV shows and have decided that the Imagine 2670MK is the model for us. A used 2021 is currently available near us, and it's being sold privately. We're planning to see it this Saturday. I have a couple of questions that I would really appreciate some advice on.

1. How important is it to have a comprehensive inspection done by a trained RV inspector before buying an RV? We'll look at the travel trailer carefully, and check that everything is in working order, but are we foolish if we leave it at that and don't have a pre-purchase inspection done?

2. This one is probably tougher to answer, but is it reasonable to ask someone who's selling privately for an inspection pre-sale? Or do most people sell their RVs "as is"? I called a dealership close to where the RV owner lives and was told it takes a few days to a week for the inspection. I'm not sure the current owner would be willing to give up his RV for a week, just so we can inspect it.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Oren

So did you make a purchase?