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NRVIA INSPECTORS: Purchasing Piece of Mind

NRVIA Certified Inspectors - Piece of mind when you purchase

Overview

Here’s the scenario:  After weeks or months of searching, you find the PERFECT RV that fits your lifestyle and budget.  You drop down the down payment or are about ready to sign at the dealer.  Do you know enough about RV’s to determine whether your dream rig is road-worthy?  Have you gone through it with the proverbial “fine-tooth comb” to locate and identify missing parts, water damage, electrical hazards, mechanical issues?

The second you sign for the RV, all these issues are now your problem.  You may discover an issue later and return to the dealer while the RV is under warranty, but now you are using your warranty time to correct issues that existed before you owned the vehicle.

The best solution is to invest a few additional dollars into hiring a industry association certified, NRVIA inspector to go through the RV and determine what, if anything, needs to be repaired or corrected.  This crucial inspection provides you the information you need to know whether to go forward or to walk away.

The bottom line is that NO ONE throughout your RV purchase will advocate for you.  Not the seller, not the sales guy at the dealership, not the RV Service technician.  No one.  Using a certified inspector brings in an advocate on your side.

Inspector, screenshot, #drivebytourists,
Excerpt of the report prepared for my new 2022 Tiburon 24RW in May 2021.

What is an NRVIA inspector and why do I need one?

There are two common trains of thought from RVer’s regarding RV mechanical problems.  The first goes something like this, “A used RV already has all the bugs worked out, so I don’t need an inspection“.  The other is, “This is a new RV.  It just came from the factory, so it doesn’t need an inspection“. Both of these statements are wrong. USED RV’s A used RV may have many problems.  Some may have been taken care of by the previous owner. Some problems may have been ignored or hidden. Some, or all maintenance records may be made available to you.  Others may not.  You just never know what condition this used RV was left in.  Since the RV is usually sold “AS IS”, then it’s imperative to know what you’re getting into before turning over your cash for a potential money pit. NEW RV’s A new RV most definitely needs a professional inspection.  This is especially true since it’s you against the dealer and the manufacturer.  In this battle, there is no one advocating for the buyer.  Just because it is freshly off the line doesn’t mean that it’s perfect and ready to hit the road.  Afterall, RV’s are not put together on a robot operated assembly line. When we purchased our new Sprinter Class C, we belonged to a Facebook group of Tiburon & Delano owners.  Because it was a brand new product line, every member was a first time buyer.  The list of items that needed attention was impressive:
  • Slideouts shearing wirin harnesses
  • House windows falling out while driving down the highway
  • Miswired trailer harnesses
  • Motors of all sorts: slideouts, awning, steps.  All needed replacing
  • Tire valves that wouldn’t let air out or in
You need a professional on your side to fight for you. Without a professional inspector, it’s just you and the dealers representative going through the RV together. Do you know enough about the industry to catch all that the installed incorrectly?  I know I don’t.

NRVIA Industry Certified Technicians

The National Recreational Vehicle Industry Association certifies inspectors throughout the country.  

This inspector won’t argue your case for you to the dealer, nor will he tell you  that you should or shouldn’t buy a certain RV.  He will let you know the facts and provide a written report detailing all the defects found during the inspection.  Then it’s up to you to decide.

Find an inspector in your area at the NRVIA’s “Find An RV Inspector” web site.

 

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