A pre-owned RV is the affordable route into RVing. The biggest advantage is price: you get considerably more RV per dollar than you would buying new. What you give up is certainty about how it has been treated — and that is what a careful inspection and a good dealer are for.
What to look at
- Water damage. Soft spots in the floor, staining on the ceiling, a musty smell, and the condition of every seam and seal. Water damage is the most expensive fault an RV can have.
- The roof. Get up there. Look at the caulking around every vent, skylight and edge.
- Tires. Age matters more than tread on an RV. Check the date codes and look for dry rot.
- Appliances. Run the fridge on both propane and electric, light the furnace, run the water heater and the air conditioner.
- The plumbing. Fill the fresh tank and check every fitting for a leak. Check the black and grey valves work.
- Brakes, bearings and suspension on a towable; the drivetrain and service history on a motorhome.
What to ask
- How many owners has it had?
- Are there maintenance records?
- Has it been winterized every year?
- Have the tires ever been replaced?
- What work has the dealer already done on it?
Why buying from a dealer is different
A private sale is sold as it stands. At Stone’s RV every pre-owned unit goes through our inspection before it reaches the lot, the documentation exists, and financing and a warranty are options rather than impossibilities.
Browse our pre-owned inventory or come and see us — our sales team will walk you through any unit on the lot.
