The RV industry needs a complete overhaul and has for decades...if there were more rv inspectors the used rv world would change overnight. The manufacturers are ultimately to blame for a lot of it because they slap them together with no concern beyond the year warranty. This for the dealers ensures when they sell extended warranties their service department will be paying all the bills for the dealership for decades to come. Its all setup this way to benefit dealers and everyone else gets screwed. Keep sharing your expertise guys it is sorely needed to turn the tides, Liked and Subbed!
As a retired Realtor of many years, I would never buy a home without a proper house, termite, or radon inspection! Good to know there are RV inspectors!
Its good to know the food and meat inspectors as you never know when one of those cows with mad cow disease will get by them and delivered to a supermarket near you. When was the last time you seen a meat inspector ?
@@rh7163 USDA meat inspections are a definite state mandatory process of the beef industry. There was that one cow from Tennessee recently that had the sporadic variant of the CJD but it was the rare form that happens naturally. We don't consume brain and spinal cord from goats or cattle because that's where the disease is concentrated. Muscle meats 🥩 are deemed safe to eat, even in the UK where BSE still lingers.
@@rh7163 I know this is waaay off Rv topic but I have a curiosity about those obscure diseases and wanted to reply. Now eating beef butchered from south of the border is russian roulette imo. But still as long as no brain or spinal cord is mixed in your "mostly" safe from even imported beef.
Worked at a Thor dealer 3 years ago, they needed alot of warranty work before they left the lot. Was shocked at how badly they are made. Those slideouts are what nightmares are made of.
@@blueoxontherun9188 Cool man, only left because I dreaded every time I saw a new thor hauled into the lot up here in Nova Scotia. They did sell leisure travel vans from Manitoba that were of exceptional quality and in high demand. I'm fixing up an older airstream for a friend thats nice to work on, and also a little vintage boler trailer that go for insane money now. Thanks for the well made video, nicely done!
RV story Here’s a sad story: I just bought my NEW Thor Windsport 35M from LaMesa RV in Tucson, AZ which was RIDDLED with obvious damage and problems that I noticed during the RUSHED pre-delivery inspection. My appointment was set by them for 2:00 PM on a Friday (on 11 Aug 23). I flew from Alabama that morning, and my salesman picked me up at the airport (8 minutes away from the dealership). I was off to a good start. I arrived at the dealership earlier than my appointment time, so I had to wait a while. They gave me free bottled water (Costco brand)…another nice touch that doesn’t cost them much. When I met with the pre-delivery inspector and rode out to the RV, within seconds, I saw a three-foot scratch in the paint job. I was told they had just noticed it that morning, but the warranty would cover it. In my mind, I called BS but continued to be polite. They were surprised that I wanted to climb the ladder to look at the roof. There, I found quite a bit of bubbling, where the roof cover had separated from the layer below. Boy, would I have liked to know this before flying out. Keep in mind that I am new to RV’ing…I had never even driven an RV, nor was I offered a test drive prior to my purchase. The emotions were high, and I was being rushed. No kidding, at the end of my three hours, they locked the gate behind me as I drove the RV out of the dealership (my first time driving an RV). I had to pull over two blocks away to figure out how to drive it. Back to my story… I noticed small imperfections on the outside, including a peeling pin stripe (I thought these didn’t have pin striping), rock chips in the paint, etc. if this had been a local purchase, I might have walked away at this point, but I was stranded since I had flown across the country one-way. Upon entering the RV, I immediately noticed the strip that holds the carpet down at the top of the stairs was bent (sticking up approximately 1/8 of an inch)…a tripping hazard. Within the first minute, I noticed a three-inch cut in the leatherette skirt of the driver’s seat. Who missed this? It was so obvious. When I sat in the driver’s seat, it heavily leaned to the right, and the inspector agreed. Prior to my arrival, they had to fix a hole in the floor and replaced the vinyl flooring, so I assume the did not put the seat back in correctly. I had to drive with it like that for more than 1600 miles. I am a disabled vet with spine issues, and my back was killing me!!! With a glance at the flooring, I found a 6-inch cut on the passenger side floor, along with a screw under the linoleum and other minor imperfections. They literally just laid the new vinyl over the old vinyl, so I could feel the hole that was still there. On a very trivial note, I discovered the mosquito problem after driving down the road. I killed at least 10 mosquitoes, but not before they left their mark on me. I was eager to try the stereo system. I love my music. The inspector initially had the music on very low, and then he cranked it high. Again, I was being rushed, so it wasn’t until I had left the dealership that I realized one of the speakers was blown And had a lot of crackling. This was on the passenger side where he was sitting during the inspection. Furthermore, while inspecting the stereo speaker, I noticed the passenger curtain that was hooked to a small board, which is supposed to be bolted into the ceiling, was stripped out and hanging down. I pushed up on the small board, but it fell right back down. Here’s yet another item that I need to fix . This is a brand new motorhome, right? I am shaking my head in disbelief and disappointment. I pointed out goo or glue along the baseboard, near the floor, where the technicians had left a mess from installing the vinyl flooring prior to my arrival. The glue or goo had dirt, so it was quite obvious. At least they cleaned that off prior to me driving away. Everything else, I was told I had to submit for warranty fixes. This is time that I do not have out of my busy schedule. When I sat on the three-person couch, I immediately could tell that it was not bolted down. The inspector sat with me, and then looked at the back of the couch, and agreed that the bolts were not bolted down. At least they fixed that before I left. Another oversight From a lack of quality control at the dealership. On a good note, when I asked for a starter kit, my salesman gave me one. It had a few items, including the snake for the black tank, some toilet paper, and a few other miscellaneous items. On a disappointing note, I asked for my gas tank to be full during the inspection. While signing all of the paperwork in the finance office, there was some pushback, with the finance guy, stating they normally don’t fill the tank and leave it at half way. He eventually agreed to fill it, but after asking someone to do it, I was told that everyone had left, since it was after 5 PM, and they were hurrying. He told me to fill it up when I left the dealership and send a receipt and that I would be reimbursed. After arriving back in Alabama, I sent the receipt ($106 bucks) but have yet to be reimbursed. The day after I arrived back to my house, it rained as it normally does, each day during this time of the year in Alabama. The following morning, I took my wife out to the RV, but we couldn’t enter the RV. The deadbolt was jammed. It’s possible the heat had done it, I went to work, and my wife continued to play with it, eventually, forcing it to become unlocked. When I went into the RV that evening, I saw two streams of water on the floor that aligned with the slide. Wow… a leaky RV. At this point, I wasn’t surprised. There were many more trivial items, but I’ll leave you with just one more. As I was driving, and on my third day on the road, the passenger side mirror became completely loose, swiveling with the wind. At that point, my entire right side was blind, since the camera is mounted to the mirror. I did not have tools with me. After my third stop, trying to find somebody with tools, I located a gas station with a hex screwdriver. This set me back an hour. Lessons learned : Everything I watched on RU-vid and read on the Internet seems to be true, regarding the RV industry. It appears that the quality coming from the manufacturer is terrible, including the leatherette furniture, the cabinets, which have stickers on them to make them look like fancy wood, and much more. With low quality, they arrive at the dealer, but the dealer is not going to spend money and time to fix these and get them up to standards. That will fall on the customer. Had I known all of this and believed all of this, I would’ve passed on owning an RV. I retired from the Air Force with 30 years of service, and I still work for the Air Force as a civilian with 35 years total. I can’t understand how a manager or business owner would utilize this business model. It’s quite embarrassing and tarnishes the industry. It seems our society is slipping a bit. Some people are lazy, don’t want to work, take shortcuts, etc. As a collective, I believe we are losing our values, work ethic, and morals. Imagine if my salesman had told me that when I picked it up, I would have all of these things to fix, including the leak, the gash in the chair, the crooked chair, the bubbling on the roof, the long, scratch, along the side, and much more. Do you really think I would’ve bought the RV? Of course not. Do you really think that LaMesa dealership in Tucson Arizona would have told me that over the phone, knowing that I probably won’t buy it? Of course not. Think twice about buying a Thor motorhome. The quality of the build is sub-par. Think twice about the dealership you go to, no matter how good the deal seems to be. If they set a late afternoon appointment on a Friday for you, decline it. The rush job to get you out of the dealer for a six-figure purchase almost seems dishonest. The sales industry has always been this way, and most of us are aware. I hope this long post helps you with others’ decisions. I highly encourage getting an inspection. I got one on a used RV that I almost bought prior to this one, saving me at least $20,000 due to a leaking roof, water in the ceiling, and much more. I tried to get one before flying out to Arizona for this brand new Thor, but everyone I called was booked. Get your inspection early!
Thank you for confirming what we thrive to make people aware of....they don't care...an inspection is free of charge!!! Put any amount on any parts, time, travel fess for nothing, lost of enjoyment and being screwed literally legally...under warranty my a...! I'm sad to hear these repetitive stories and I do have empathy for you and your ordeals. This is too common and we thrive on using our way of making people aware of the importance to invest in an inspector.
I didn't even know there was such a thing as RV inspectors when I bought my first RV ... I missed the obvious and I paid for it 😳... Thankfully, I was able to stabilize things and fully disclosed the previous damages and the repairs I made to the new owner. I was glad to be rid of it. Next unit will be scrutinized much more closely. If there's an inspector available I'll be sure to use their services 🌵
Heck, I hired a house inspector on a brand-new house before even moving forward in purchasing it in 2007. Folks were saying why would you need an inspection on a brand-new built home. Because of the stuff he found (15 items in total) I made the builder repair it all before closing and signing that check. Cost me $400 back then but saved me thousands $$$$ in future issues. Best money I ever spent IMO.
You saved this buyer a headache beyond words. Thank you for this. I'd say the biggest problem among RV buyers is the lack of education and research. Thank you for shedding more light on this subject. An uneducated consumer and their money will soon be parted. This RV is not worth anything unless someone wants a project, so it should be priced accordingly. Why do people spend this kind of money on an RV and then not do the maintenance? It's such a huge shame. When we were in the market, we ran across so many instances of maintenance neglect that it was disheartening. We ended up buying a much newer model than we initially wanted just to avoid the maintenance neglect problems. What is wrong with people?
and they might have gone a year or two without noticing any issues until something revealed itself. Then the nightmare begins. They probably wouldn't have even know it was pre-existing.
That's where we try to search for that Bone...watch this coming unit we just did in LA 😲 2023 Newmar SuperStar 6 months old. You'll like this one. Shouldn't have left the plant.
@@blueoxontherun9188 What would then be an estimate for repairs? If this is considered a Project then the selling point obviously be less. In your expert opinion what would be the sell price for a vehicle like this?
😞 sorry, we are not specialized in renovations or refurbishment prices or time constraints. 😉 I'll hire a specialist for things out of my scope of knowledge 🤙
@@bookemdanoh1 Exactly what most ppl would want to know. Maybe at $100-150 Hr labor + materials, what I see here at Least $15K. This cant be too much different than a House repair costs. I might be off to the low side too due to a person trying this DIY" would need special tools and rigging to work on a Big rig like this. So $15K I'm sure is reasonable guess with my 'NO experience' on this here. This would be and Should be a scenario of "tell the Owner to get an estimate repairs cost from the shop that have ability to do these'.. Time loss offset you experience is no a factor.
I bought a brand-new straight off the lot Coleman pop-up camper, the largest with every bell and whistle they had to offer, owned it for 12 years. I won't bore you with the details but after 12 years owning my first camper the only advice I can honestly give anyone thinking about buying " ANY CAMPER IS DON'T "! You may as well invite family and friends to a backyard pit fire and set your hard-earned money on fire! No matter how much maintenance you do the re-sale value on this particular manufactured product is way below market value, they simply do not hold value over time! I do want to thank both of you for at least giving unsuspecting potential buyers the opportunity to utilize your services especially when buying used and I applaud you for that! Keep up the good work your services are badly needed!
We appreciate your support and totally understand your vision and experience 🙏 Can totally understand and agree 👍 We are there to awaken the potential buyers of the shady actions and process of potential sellers 😉 We appreciate you. Thanks for chiming in 😁
Bust on the RV. I am so glad that Ya'll showed this inspection once again how easy it is to be fooled by the lipstick on the pig. I believe that no matter how much below market the asking price is, this unit is not worth the headache and bank account drain.
Buying any RV without an inspection is a fools errand. On our first potential purchase the inspection revealed a long list of little things so we walked away. That list of little things was estimated at $15,000!!! Our second inspection was a pretty solid "go" that has brought us priceless joy and memories. So that $1200 inspection was money well spent.
If you don't hire an inspector or none in your area, use this video as a guide. Using a dealer to do the inspection is a joke because they're going to tell you they have a better deal on their lot. My grandson was a salesperson for a large local RV dealer, and he would tell me some horror stories. He no longer works there.
Did a "close to perfect" one 2 days ago...you'll see it in an upcoming video. People are not going to watch because it is a nice one tho 😆. There are solid units out there for sure
We are buying a brand new 2023 Cedar Creek and thanks to you guys we are getting it inspected before we drive (18 hrs) to pick it up. The cost is worth the peace of mind! Keep doing a great service!
beware, any new RV loses a TON of value like a snowball in hell the moment u drive it off the lot; and if u think your rv brand warranty will cover everything, you are in for a shock...thats why pple warn others not to buy new and when buying used, get an rv inspector. and when buying used, if the vendor says theyve never had a leak, theyre lying, they ALL leak at some point...
GREAT FEEDBACK... SEE BELOW... WE REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT: SAFE MOISTURE LEVELS: For a motorhome or towed trailer, the safe moisture level inside the walls typically ranges from 10% to 15%. This range is considered safe because it helps prevent issues like mold growth, rotting, and structural damage caused by excess moisture. Moisture readings above 15% indicate a higher risk of problems, and if the moisture levels exceed 20%, it becomes a significant cause for concern as it may indicate water intrusion and potential damage. It's important to regularly monitor and inspect the moisture levels in the walls of your motorhome or trailer, especially if you're in a humid or damp climate or have experienced water leaks in the past. Using a moisture reader device can be helpful in detecting any potential issues early on and taking necessary measures to prevent further damage. If you find consistently high moisture levels, it's recommended to consult a professional for a thorough inspection and proper mitigation. Amen Retired, Veteran
Thank you for your services sir 🙏 we appreciate you more than you can ever imagine ❤️🇱🇷 Thanks for bringing the light to our people. If it came from me, they would have doubted my numbers. In MHO you have it spot on. Thanks for chiming in 🙂
As a retired Licensed Home & Mobile Home Inspector, you better listen and pay attention to this video. Always hire an Inspector!! No what if's. Hire an Inspector! Carry on Blue Ox. Well done sir.
With all the horror stories I've seen about the RV market you couldn't get me to buy one, new or used, if I hit the lottery for a cool mil or more. Too much shoddy manufacturing processes. If I found out I had to spend a non refundable $1200 or more just to know I wasn't buying a ruined money pit that would just add to my refusal to be suckered even further.
I agree - if you are going to spend 50K to 500K on your dream, why not spend for an inspector to keep your dream from turning into a nightmare! I'm not sure what one costs right now, but it is worth it guys!!
If you're paying 700 to 900 for an inspection on a Class A...you're getting raked by a useless inspection...sorry if I insult your price range or little knowledge 😉 ...FYI you hire a tech for a service call at $150 to come see you, then $150- an hour !? If you think you can have an Inspection done, report delivered within 4 hours of work...you are missing a lot of items on that inspection and your report ! If you just want the satisfaction of having an inspection done period...just call Lemon Squad, it will cost you $400 for a car inspector certified 🤣
I'm not sure why i like watching your videos but I do. It's so refreshing to hear what you guys have to say about all the problems. Your comments got me to check out my own trailer to make sure it was not being messed up. Great stuff.
I suppose people can view the inspection fee as a "waste" if they have to do it several times before finding a good deal. We can all relate to that, I'm sure. But, overall, she spent money to save far more money and headaches on down the road. Sometimes I wonder if the sellers even know about the issues that are found?
We would all like to think the sellers don't know, but... in this case, it was like putting lipstick on a pig. The roof had green vegetation growing on it, while the inside was cleaned up for presentation. I'm sure, in many instances, sellers are oblivious. Another reason to have an inspection.😊
@@backtoasimplelife I meant in general. I did an inspection recently and wondered if the sellers knew all the issues that might put off a buyer. They mentioned certain things to the buyer but I really don't think they knew of some of the other issues. Struck me as the hook it up and go folks, and only used the trailer a few times. Health issues are reason for selling.
I have a builder friend who showed me this same thing on "discount houses".....instead of using proper construction techniques, various caulking materials are used to seal up voids and spaces because it's fast, cheap, and easy and saves lots of time. I have seen this "caulking scam" on some million dollar house roofs/skylights, and poke throughs on roofs where cheap or non existent flashings were just filled with junk caulk, and all pulled away and cracked from the weather changes - yet still passed home inspections. This crapola is common & everywhere.....
I helped my sister and brother - in -law replace their factory table and couch from their Discovery that they purchased new 5 years ago. We ran into the same thing with the wires and components under the couch. Everything was just thrown in there straight from the factory.
I bought my first Rv. it's an 89 and had no plans on going too far so wanted something old and cheap to learn on. ONE BIG THING I have learned is that once I buy my newer one, I will be getting an inspection
when I bought my first house, I thought I checked it over good... but paid 500 bucks for an inspector and was amazed at the things he fund..... even code violations.....
Really good video. I am planning to get an RV probably in the next year or 2. I never heard of an RV inspector. Really impressed with how you guys worked. That was all stuff that I would have missed. I think you just saved me from making some really big mistakes. I am definitly going to get an RV inspector when we go to buy one so I don't have to explain to my wife how I got screwed. Really easy to understand when you showed what the issues were.
🤣🤣🤣 I'm with you...the best way to not get blamed...🤣 hire a specialist, so she will actually say how smart you are 🤣 Remember how Tim(The tool man) always wanted to fix everything ? Don't be that guy right ?🤣
I bought two sailboats and always used a surveyor that spends the better part of the day going over every aspect, especially the hull while the boat is in the slings out of the water.
I don't plan on buying a camper until I have an inspector go through it! I hired an inspector to go through my house before I bought it and I am glad I did, better to have an expert do an inspection and be reassured there aren't any problems - you saved that woman 80k !!
Great job! You saved that buyer 80 grand. I wouldn't touch that rig for half the price. At the bottom end of Thor's line-up (where the ACE resides) they're already using the cheapest parts and materials available. And chances are that the people screwing your rig together have little to no experience whatsoever. They say you don't want to buy any vehicle that was made on a Monday or a Friday, but it's even worse when the guy who helped build it on Friday was hired Thursday afternoon.
Thanks some good info, and i love that little gadget you guys have. There should be a caveat to any rv, "store indoors when not in use"! Happy trails to you!
I did Home Inspections and was always amazed that people would buy a used or even a brand new house without getting an inspection. When I bought a used car I hired a mechanic to check out the major systems. If I were to buy a used RV The odds are I would catch quite a few issues that most wouldn’t and would have eliminated a number of possible units bur when it comes down to pulling the trigger on something north of $100k yeah I’m calling a second opinion in because $6-7 hundred dollars vs tearing apart and rebuilding a couple of slide units or wall panels. And I carry a kit of meters, and electrical system testers every where I go as well as a Flir camera. Keep on looking out for those who are in need.
Thank you for showing us the steps of your inspection! The possible buyer side stepped a huge problem thanks to your inspection. Also, we are learning how to take better care of our RV by seeing how bad seals can be a problem as well as other issues. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽😎
AS always Buyer beware. hire a inspector it will keep the dealer honest, and it will educate you on your rig. Go no go be ready to walk away. please do not sign any paper work until you read every word of it. then ask the inspector what they think. Then read it again and ask a lot of questions don't get pushed into something that will cost you thousands. take your time and hire a inspector
Don't own an American RV and would never want to own one since I live in Europe. But RU-vid's algorithm brought me here for some bizarre reason and my general curiosity made me watch. What I don't get is why these water penetration issues exist on a unit that's only five years old and doesn't appear to have been used all that much. Thor's website cites a base price for an ACE unit of around £180,000. At that price point, I would have thought they could use corrosion resistant fixings in places that are exposed to the weather. I would have also thought that they could have figured out a better way of preventing water penetration than apparently requiring the owner to annually recalk all exterior gaps as if the unit was an 18th century wooden sailing ship.
Your observations are right on . The problem with the industry in this country, is the lack of regulation for any RV manufacturers and their profits being higher then the cost of warranty claims. Since it doesn't affect their bottom dollars, they do not care at all. Consumers assume, wrongfully, because they pay high dollar for these vehicles, they have to be well built!? The lack of education is so another culprit to the industry used units where nobody was thought or told it required maintenance. Everyone imply it's just like a car, you just have to wash it ...🙄😶
In MHO an inspection cost absolutely nothing... every and any units we inspect, end up with enough issues, as minimal as they can be, to financially justify the cost. Or it becomes a negotiating tool now that you know the issues. Salesperson always tell you : no worries, it's under warranty. Just bring it back next time you're in town...how much does that cost you? Why not have it done right before you leave the premises!? BTW do not let them charge you this bogus $995 inspection they claim they do 🙄
As tough as it can be, I always check my emotions on any vehicle purchase. Jeep, truck, RV, boat…are just tools to assist me achieving a particular goal. Just as there are a variety of tools from cheap to high quality, I have reasonable expectations based on price point. A highly knowledgeable inspector with experience…invaluable. I bought a brand new RV without an inspection and was highly fortunate but what a gamble. Even with construction and maritime experience I will never buy another RV, new or used, without hiring an inspector.
I do the same....check every thing with my general common sense yet limited knowledge to sort out what I think is the best one...then I call a specialist in that particular field to have a better and more concise picture🙂
After seeing your videos, i will never buy an RV, new or used, without an inspection done by a competent RV inspector (like you guys). I would never get angry at an inspector for finding things, quite the opposite, they are saving me from a money pit.
I used to own a Thor citation Mercedes sprinter, the decals are about four years,seats cracks, they are make cheap, the floor vinyl comes up in around bathroom, always check roof. It has only 17,000 miles when I sold it.
We bought a 2005 Bounder 34M diesel in 2015 from a private party for $47k. It has had some issues, but nothing like that Thor. From what research I've done on RVs, I would never buy a Thor. They look nice, but are poorly constructed.
Bought a new coachmen trailer years ago,, all three tanks leaked, incoming water pipes leaked, the dometic fridge crapped out soon and had to be replaced, leaked ammonia.. all kinds of other little things I had to fix, and I repaired everything myself to make sure would never break again, the dealer went out of business the two weeks after I purchased it...
I had a home inspector and they found nothing, but when we moved in, all kinds of horrible things happened. When we tried to have legal recourse, the system is set up to protect the inspector. Every warranty I have purchased has been about the same. You two may be good at your jobs, but there are too many "car salesmen" in the inspector and warranty business. I've learned how to press on walls to see if they are molding or rotten, I can look under the hood at wires, crawl under cars to see if there are leaks, etc. I have spent way too much on these things when I could have put money into my bank account.
You are totally right. This industry is no different than any of those in terms of doubtful salespeople. Thus we try to stay humble and thrive to be better every day. Helping one RVer at the time with conviction, dedication and knowledge as we have their back.
I don't know if RV inspection is the same, but I do know that a lot of realtors have inspectors in their pocket. So anything they are selling passed inspection.
Exactly 💯 I hate when a salesperson refers us to a potential buyers of theirs.....hello !? we're "independent " and typically not appreciated for our services since we do not work in any way for them 😀 We typically are seen as a threat to blow the deal !🤣 People who knows and sends us on site, introduces us as "their inspection team"....not Blue Ox 🙂🤣
I would NOT SAY it's a maintenance situation, those problems are on the backs of the RV factory for improperly installing many things. POOR CONSTRUCTION UNFORTUNATELY is VERY COMMON in RV's, they are built to the poorest standards and sold
Also, p poor materials in comparison to material used years ago. Remember steel roofing? Aluminum siding? Somehow plastics became king in everything manufactured and it doesn't hold up to time, weather and UV rays.
I am not a huge fan of slides. I always see problems with them. Our camper is 45 feet and if I dont have enough room now there is something wrong. When I was young 28 feet was a big camper. Have you had experience with the Prevost slide seals? They inflate when the slide is fully open or closed. Do you find that makes a better seal than the standard ones? Also just curious, with a name like Pierre are you French? Etes vous Francais?
Don't mean to be a hater but when it's a Thor or Forest River... I would not even step inside. As you see under the bed it's a bad build; no quality. Also, low end "cheap" rigs tend not to be will maintained because people are on a tight budget and don't spend the extra time and money to maintain them. Just as you see, lube the lower slide tract but not the upper. I don't even think you need to lube the tract... I have my roof and seals inspected once a year by a mobile tech because they known what to look for and I don't. I had wooden yachts before motorhomes and surveys were required when buying/selling. I know the damage water can do. Banks should require an inspection before approving a loan. I bet you the seller of that motorhome has no idea how bad it is - but - will find a buyer and not disclose what you found.
@-chic Thor bought Tiffin; Winnebago bought Newmar. Hearing from some Tiffin folks in our FMCA club the quality has really dropped as they have pages of punch list items on their new 2020+ Buses. I've got a 2013 Tiffin and the quality is not so wonderful. The wonderful thing is the (cult following) Tiffin service center in Red Bay and Bob Tiffin authorizing repairs way out of warranty. However, that has been cut back by Thor now that Bob is stepping back. A mobile tech I use said to avoid the models that have Thor or Forest River on them - they are the worst. Other brands under Thor could be better... but not top notch. Years ago most of the items made for RV's were quality made in the USA. Now most of the parts are from China and Mexico and don't hold up. Combine that with poor build quality and lack of quality control at the factory and you have a rolling disaster. No way I'll move up as it's better to keep the problem I know then move into the unknown at a higher cost.
Since the industry isn't regulated lots of things get passed by. However, your point about an inspection before a loan is a good idea, but I suppose banks aren't losing enough money on RV loans to make it worthwhile.
@@blueoxontherun9188 but that won't apply to those who pay cash. I'd rather see higher standards applied to the manufacturers, nip the problem at the source. IMO
Yep hire an inspector, I bought a new trailer a couple of years ago, hired an inspector. He only found a couple of minor issues. Gave me the peace of mind to tow it 800 miles home. No issues to date.
I've seen the same thing with homes. Sellers who refuse to admit problems even after they're pointed out by inspector. Just dishonest. In the case of RVs I can believe that some sellers don't know all of the problems. But that makes no difference if you buy the junk.
First time entering would be my keen sense of smell. Then id go straight for the goodies, window sills and ceiling vents. Then on to the floor and plumbing.
Just prior to covid, I was interested in the rv world. My jeep was limited as to what it could pull. Researched suitable platforms & checked out the various forums for those rigs. More than anything else, I found that RV folks tolerate lousy engineering, fabrication, & construction. I bought a motorcycle.
I call it convid because the whole thing was really just an excuse to get the ball rolling on their Great Reset plan basically. Depopulation, close small businesses down, limit travel, personal choice and freedom.
Really good and informative video. I've heard through YT videos that RV's are not well made and that it's a mater of time before they leak, which causes mold and other types of damages. Your video is just another confirmation of that. Thanks for Sharing. Your work is valuable.
looking at the roof of this unit, it looks like a 5 year old did the caulking/sealing around the ACs, skylines, etc. Bouncing across USA roads is going to be rough on RVs.
For the same reason people who sell houses are dishonest what I don’t understand is why when I bought the house I have it was advertised as having central heat and air being twice the size it was having a half acre and it turns out that it has a .21 of an acre and it didn’t even have heat. It had a air-conditioning but not heat so I ended up having to buy a heater on Amazon for the living room and I use electric heaters in the bedroom and in the bathroom in the winter, I tell you people won’t tell you everything when a lot of money is involved
Depending on the meter used, you have to learn the difference between frames and voids. Usually between 5 - 10....to 25 - 35. Over that, you need to figure why it is higher 😉
@@blueoxontherun9188may I suggest u don’t continue filming in a soaked RV, like on the couch to finish off your final chit chat session. And start wearing a mask inside to inspect, film, then do a record voice over of what your doing, if in fact these RV’s are causing u issues! 🙄
Hell yeah they are 🤢! We are looking into masks for real...it's just hard to know and realize "when" you are nailed with airborne fungus....I've got weak lungs to start. Laurel takes more time to feel it then I do...
@@blueoxontherun9188 Some people are allergic to mold so will of course have a reaction when exposed. I had allergy testing done years ago and I know I have allergies to mold. Florida has a lot of airborne mold because of the hot humid environment to begin with. You might be fine with N95 masks because they are rated for fine particulates. When I worked as a nurse here in Canada that is what we wore for protection against tuberculosis and viral infections. It was also recommended for the smoke from the forest fires for sensitive populations. Take care.
Is it equally wise to get inspection on a brand new rv on a lot? No telling how long a "new" rv has been sitting or if the manufacturers cut corners or if something has been damaged or knocked loose during shipping.
Wow, that's horrible. Someone will wind up buying this with out an inspection and regret it. I do not understand how someone can be so dishonest and screw someone over so bad. That's sad.
Those people take the attitude that it's up to the seller to look it over and if they don't see the problem, that's their fault. Too many people like that in our world. They want to get rid of their problem by passing it onto someone else. At least some people will be honest and someone who knows how to fix things will take it. No reason to be deceitful.
We should be careful not to assume that the seller knows the extent of the flaws of the RV. Perhaps a good inspection on behalf of the seller might be a better option. The seller would be better informed of what it was that they we trying to sell. Asking the seller to provide the inspection should be the norm.
If you can park your RV in a pole barn when not used... It will probably last 10 more years..... Honestly RVs are a big waste of money I think people that have RVs have more money than they do brains.
Just like buying a boat, you get a survey or you are in for nasty surprises. Looking at these RVs the design, and materials seem to be inadequate in many ways.
Don't be fooled if a seller seems honest and even points out a defect or damage. There can still be more that you did not ask about! Now question...how often should you have your RVs roof inspected and seals touched up? What about complete replacement of roof seales? Thank you!
Great video guys and I do understand how things can get tricky if you don't know. When we bought our first house even after the inspection I still found problems and lucky for me none major but still there were problems. Inspections are well worth it as you both have shown.
@@blueoxontherun9188 Excellent advise! What will be the average inspection charge for the Dallas/Fort Worth TX area and do you have any recommendations?
You will have to do your due diligence and research. We did a few videos on hiring an inspector. Invaluable information to screen your potential future inspector. Remember, we are all independent businesses and comfort of knowledge on what we perform. This is not a Cookie Cutter Industry with a proforma questionnaire regulated ! All are different.
How are, specifically home inspections, "worth it" if the inspector is in the pocket of your agent and conveniently fails to note serious problems that the home buyer should obviously know about? My last home had an attached garage where the rafter slope was incorrectly built, resulting in an actual dip the last 6" of the slope to make it line up with the guttering. Water sat there over the years, seeped under the shingles and rotted out the roof decking and the ends of the rafters. To sell the house we had to tear out all the damaged areas and sister in new rafters at the correct slope then re roof over the rafters. The dip was so obvious nobody that went up on that roof could have failed to notice it but our inspection report said nothing about it at all. My bet is that a lot of home inspectors will fail to note serious problems that would shoot a home sale down because they don't want to get a reputation for causing home sales to collapse. Again, prove me wrong.
Sacré Pierre va! I feel bad for all those US customers having to buy leaking RVs and having to inspect them in the dealer's parking lot... They are all leaking by design and poor craftsmanship, you are in a fantastic business, you will never lack of crappy material to inspect...
Discovered your channel and am doing a lot of catch up as I do most of my rv maintenance. I try hard to do all the right things as we travel 3 - 5 months out of the year. I have a hearing disability and have to listen to all RU-vids via streaming directly into my hearing aids. Many times in each video , mostly when Pierre talks, only one channel is on. This makes it very hard for me to understand. Yes, this is my problem, but if you could help me by always broadcasting to both channels, it would be so appreciated. Just love your videos.
Thank you. If you listen to your videos with stereo headphones on you’ll hear exactly what I’m talking about. The majority of people are probably saying “ what’s this guy talking about”. 🤣
Facebook listing. "2018 Thor Ace 30.3 used but like new. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with it NO water damage, ready to go camping for years." Also my favorite part when they throw the " I'm a person of faith and will never do nobody wrong" BS 😂😂. Awesome job guys.
I agree that we are paying for your knowledge and that you block out a time frame to do this, however if I am paying for the full inspection even if it's a bust from the roof and moisture I would still want the full inspection. If you call me and say roof or walls are bad after a partial inspection and you recommend that I don't purchase that's ok. If you didn't complete the full inspection and full report then I do expect a different price.
An Once of Prevention is " Worth " a " Pound of Cure " ! I would walk away from this one. And I would Thank these Inspectors / that have kept the buyer from puchasing someone Elses probems !
ALWAYS have an expert assess whatever it is you're buying. RV, house, car, whatever. If it's a big purchase, hire an expert because you're emotionally invested, excited, and likely not an expert in telling if your purchase is as glorious as it seems. Long term, it can save you a fortune. Either in not needing to do repairs, or in potentially lowered insurance rates.
people need to learn that when they pay for other people to perform services that they cannot do themselves. That they're paying for experience and expertise. Not time. -From a master, hybrid automotive technician
Sorry if offend some people, yet I can't change my personality. I can't fake being different. I would forget how I did it last time 🤣 Trust me, I mean well tho! I'm a giver, not a taker and known to be a Papa Bear protecting my people!
Want to know how to buy a good RV guaranteed? Easy, DON'T BUY ONE PERIOD. The sad fact is that the majority of RV's made today are GARBAGE, they're designed to look ever so pretty on the outside, while the substandard construction and cheapo engineering decisions made in the design process all add up to a sparkly pile of pig manure that falls apart in no time at all. Think about it for a moment, on any given day an RV may get up to 75 MPH on the highway. That's HURRICANE FORCE WINDS. Hit a pothole on the road at speed, and you've just experienced the equivalent of a 6.0 earthquake on the Richter scale. And that's just in a single day. Now imagine any structure exposed to these forces day after day, week after week, year after year. Now that you're imagining the ideal structure to be able to actually handle these CONTINUAL forces on a daily basis, get a good picture in your head of what is needed to deal with this, and then go look at how the average RV is actually constructed. Once you're done laughing yourself sick, you'll know exactly what to do with an RV, which is to stay far, far away.
I certainly think it's worth the money to have someone check it out with the potential buyer. They can point out what they found so the buyer will have a clue what lies beneath. I saw a video on a camper where the damage was hidden behind the closet wall and on the roof but who goes on the roof? Who goes into a closet to get a good look? You open the door, see a place to hang clothing and close the door. I cannot image investing 80gs into that camper only to find out its basically rotting under it all. It must have had major issues when it was brand new for it to be that damaged in a short time.
As a general rule of thumb RVs are JUNK. Save your money from buying one and from hiring these guys (no offense to you guys). Just get a tent or rent a hotel room you'll save a lot that way.
True. compare cost uses ,nites pervyr. mine cost 5 thou foevthree yr.s, 8-10 trips of afew days. But u know what Min.Win.s are good q.and Tybwas soo depenDable! He is a Tioga. I loved having a back up home inncase od emerg. but hated tryingbto keep him covered cas a,2,000 anything will leak!
Properly maintained an Airstream will last for decades. We have one and get to travel without screwing with airports, rental cars & hotels. As a 2 million miler on Delta I hope to never have to go to the airport again now that I’m retired. Different strokes…
I bought my trailer from a local dealer that's been there for years, before I grew up. I purchased my trailer because my job was on the road. I have had that thing for 15 years. Awnings and tires are the most I've put into it. I was making $100 a day per diem at the time. I could stay by a lake for $300 a month with full hook ups. Even though I got everything out of it, it has now become a burden. The registration is $100 a year and I spend more time winterizing, dewinterizing and basic maintenance then I do camping in it. 😂
Wow. I learned so much from this video. I am thinking about buying an RV ….I don’t think I will consider a used RV. Can’t imagine what the mechanical looks like
You just saved this buyer from having a horrible experience with RVing and your inspection was money well spent. She would have had a money pit and likely ran from RVing in a few years and never returned. However, for those who have been RVing for years they likely know what to look for and a moisture meter is $30. If you maintain your RV properly you know what to look for. So, to say it's foolish to not get an inspection really only applies to those unfamiliar or if the rig is far away. Same applies to boat buying.
You've convinced me of the need for inspections, but where do you suggest that RV owners go for repairs? Sounds like many RV warranties are useless, so why return to the dealer? Are local RV repair shops a better option? Or are the dealers still the best choice?
Hi I Fix RVs in Florida end I charge 300 to Inspect it , I opens the slide 3 times , end I have a UV light , to check it , also I check the A/C I am Certified , some times my customer said Can check one more today , I go end I don’t charged extra , since I know how to fix it , I know How to check it , I have a Scanner to , I was a Tech for Chevrolet . You do a good job , I am in Florida , have a good day. Yes is good to have a Inspector :
Very educational and entertaining video! Nice to see how the pros catch things. Would you know of any inspectors out our way in Arizona or point us to an organization to contact?
Check locally through the NRVIA and make sure to check our playlist with recommendations of how to interview an inspector ru-vid.com/group/PLE6c865sbAWbKvSz8Is_E58eH4m5gGAyI&si=HQznnI-eyQXPcMDR You can also reach out to us at www.blueoxrvinspection.com
I was just duped buying a brand new RV. It is a thirty foot Forest River Rogue. Holes in the floor , breakers keep kicking out , couches have holes in them.. The best one is that our Side X Side we were told that it would fit and even more so we were told that most four seaters would fit inside the toy hauler. No way a 4 seater will fit. Our 2 seater has to go in catty wompus and then it marks up the walls and damages the drawers. Finally we were told that we could not trade it back because NOW it is a used trailer . $ 45,000.00 later We bought this trailer in St. Helens Oregon….the name I think is RV FAMILY FUN .??
Sorry to hear about your story 😢 sadly, it is a common story tho. Make sure to spread the name around so other people avoid becoming the next victim. Exactly why we did this channel so people become aware of situations like yours and don't duplicate it...🙂
You didn't measure the unit to see if your SXS would fit? Feel for you but ya have to do some research before parting with your money. Salesmen will tell you anything to get a sale.
I have been reading that the quality of most new RVs has dropped steeply in the past few years, and that the only large rigs that are still well-built are the Tiffin, Nuemarr, and, of course, the beautiful and ungodly expensive Prevest Marathon & Liberty coaches. Thor (the worst), Forest River, Coachman, Jayco, and even Winnebago have been turning out junk that is falling apart even before it leaves the dealer's lot.
1: how much do you charge? 2: what is “ normal water readings in a rv wall. 3: would low usage in it’s self not say problem? 4: sad but the plastics used on a rv do fail for no reason other that just being on the roof.
I’ve own a lot of used campers from 17’, 19’, 21, 24,27’, 29’, and 35’’ bunkhouses all purchased used and guess what, when I sold each one of then for a lot more money than I paid for them. We went cross country 10,000 miles in the 17’ with me & my wife, two children and my mother-in-law 🎉😂❤ and the 19’, 21’, 24’, 27’, 29’, and 35’, we would keep them at beaches along the East coast every year from Maine to Florida and in between in the summer and fall and then move them to a ski mountain to ski in and out of them as they were tail side all winter long ❤🎉😊 great days a lot of fun was had by all. And by the way I inspected them all myself had one problem with the 17’ footer leak in the roof fixed with a pie pan and later with a 4x8 sheet of SS. NO MORE PROBLEM.
I just bought a 2022 5th wheel was brand new? Seems to be. I did enjoy your inspection and will definitely subscribe to your channel when new card arrives I actually learned about what I should maintain and watch for. I have 3 slides. & After seeing your inspection I'll re-chaulk the Windows. Thank you
I have a new RV on order and anticipate delivery next spring. I am going to hire an independent inspector to perform their own PDI before I accept delivery.
I spent 16 months working at a major RV dealer in Austin, Tx in 1980.. Think I know the diff.. also worked on semi's, Farm stuff, and I was an electronic repairmen. Point is: if it was made by man, it will fail most of the time... @@blueoxontherun9188
Great video that shows the. need for a quality inspection. As you asked around the outside of the unit, I couldn't help but notice the condition of the property and shed next to the motorhome, the property also reflects a lack of taking care of it, just like the failed preventative maintenance on the RV. What kind of a moisture meter is that? I would find that tool helpful to check the moisture content of rough sawn lumber I am air drying. Thanks for another great video.
That moisture meter works nice but how’s it work when it’s 2530 below zero how do you check your moisture then reason I’m asking is I’m looking at buying a used camper here within the month and no I won’t be getting inspector
many will say "I'll just buy new". Well, about those troubles. I've learned: When you want to RV, rent the thing. Don't buy a nightmare. The new ones are garbage. The old ones are garbage.
A friend had one. A 2016. His slide outs were the worse. He had to take a special trip back to the factory to get his slide outs fixed. Local RV dealers didn't have the skill set to fix it. I wouldn't buy an rv or trailer with slide outs. Plus, these are too big to navigate thru cities. My friend went up highway one in California. And the roads were so narrow and windy it was difficult from going into oncoming lanes. Doesn't all those styles of RV's built cheap If you have one bad. They are all bad!!
Thank you for such an informing video… you guys are great ! What Just curious, what is the name of the moisture meter that you use and where can I get one?
