Getting your RV Inspected in Arizona

Getting your RV Inspected in Arizona: Here’s What You Need To Know

Buying homes or vehicles are some of the most major financial decisions you’ll make during your lifetime. Purchasing an RV is just as substantial as purchasing your own home. When buying a home, having it inspected is an integral part of the process. Some states require cars and trucks to have state inspections. Since an RV is a combination of a home and a vehicle, why wouldn’t you have a thorough pre-purchase RV inspection prior to taking delivery?

We strongly advocate opting for a full RV inspection whether you plan to purchase from a private seller or through an RV dealer or RV consignment service. Having an independent RV inspection will save you in several ways.

By knowing the current condition of an RV, you may be able to more accurately estimate RV repair costs and negotiate the cost of RV repairs or even the RV purchase price. Not to mention saving you the frustration and headaches you may suffer if the recreational vehicle breaks down after you drive it off the lot or during your first adventure.

After a third-party RV inspection, you’ll have a detailed RV inspection report in hand and you can make an educated decision in the RV purchasing process. You’ll know what you are getting into, and the evidence will even help put you in a better bargaining position. At the very least, a pre-purchase RV inspection will save you from expensive and surely unpleasant surprises later down the road.

When the RV inspector points out issues or faults with the RV, you have the choice of opting out of that purchase or requesting certain RV repairs before you proceed with the RV purchase. A “punch list” can be created and will undoubtedly give you the upper edge in the negotiating process.

If you are the seller of an RV, then an RV inspection puts you in the superior position of bargaining for a good price. It will prove to the prospective RV buyers that your RV is in top shape, sound health and the good condition that you have advertised.

Sometimes banks and lending institutions will require an RV inspection to gauge the RV condition and analyze the risk of lending money to a potential RV buyer. When opting for an RV extended warranty or RV extended service contract, the RV warranty company sometimes requests an RV inspection before providing RV warranty coverage.

The RV Inspection Process

For the most thorough RV inspection process, full RV hook-ups will provide the most thorough RV inspection and allow the RV inspector to fully inspect all aspects of any motorhome or towable recreational vehicle. This is easily achieved at RV dealerships but can be a bit challenging when it comes to private RV sellers. In this case, RV campgrounds are an obvious choice to provide full RV hook ups and a level RV spot with ample space around the RV.

Whether an RV inspection takes place on a dealership’s RV delivery lot or in a RV seller’s driveway, the area should have adequate space to fully extend the RV slideout rooms and RV awnings. There should be enough room for a qualified RV inspector to move a separate ladder easily around the entire RV.

An RV inspection location should also allow a certified RV inspector to gain access to the RV roof since the RV roof is one of the most often areas where RV water intrusion can occur. Be wary of any RV inspection company that doesn’t inspect an RV roof, RV roof components or RV lap sealant.

Why Pick an Arizona RV Inspection Company

You’ve done the research, found an awesome recreational vehicle that fits your family’s needs and plan on getting a full RV inspection in Arizona. In addition to having many certified RV technicians and some of the most top-notch RV inspection services in the country, Arizona is a natural wonderland.

This could be the greatest excuse for tripping to the American Southwest and exploring the vibrant cities and quaint towns here. You can find unique and interesting places to RV in Arizona and discover some of the ideal RV campgrounds and locations to park your RV in Arizona and camp with your family.

Owning an RV means endless opportunities for grand outdoor adventures. When getting a complete RV inspection in Arizona, you can also discover the cities that are home to deserts, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, slot canyons, etc. that would make worthy destinations for RV adventures in Arizona.

RV Inspection Checklist

Now that you’ve made the smart decision to have a full RV inspection before your RV purchase, here are some general guidelines to ensure the RV inspection process goes smoothly:

Research and interview RV inspection companies.
Agree to and sign an RV inspection contract and pay the invoice so the RV inspection appointment is guaranteed.
Ask that all the RV manuals, RV maintenance records, RV keys and remote controls are readily available.
Ask that all personal possessions be removed from the RV cargo bays and cabinets/pantries.
Ensure that the appropriate 30 Amp or 50 Amp RV shore power supply is available. 15 Amp house power may damage RV components and is not recommended.
An RV-type refrigerator must be powered ON for at least 12 hours before the RV inspection process because RV absorption refrigerators need time to cool sufficiently.
It’s better to have a city water connection but if that’s not available, request that the on-board freshwater tank be filled to at least ½ full.
Accurate evaluation and testing of the RV propane system is critical so (LP) propane tanks must be at least half full.
RV wastewater systems like RV black tanks and RV grey water holding tanks should emptied and cleaned. RV sewer hook-ups are ideal but not always necessary.
If the prospective recreational vehicle has an RV generator onboard, it should be filled with the appropriate fuel for the testing process. This can include gas or diesel fuel from the engine or propane.
RV slides require testing and evaluating RV seals is vital to check for RV water damage so you need to confirm that there is sufficient room for the RV slideouts to fully extend during the RV inspection.
RV awnings will need space to be extended and retracted.

RV Inspection Cost

The cost of an RV inspection can vary based on several factors. Typically, the type of RV (Class A, Class B, Class C, fifth wheel or travel trailer) and the RV inspection location will determine the price you have to pay.

Generally, full RV inspection cost ranges between $400 to $1000 and sometimes more with full RV fluid analysis. The RV inspection price may also be based on the RV age and RV size. RV inspection trip charges may be added if the RV inspector must travel long distances or stay in a hotel or campground to accommodate the RV inspection process.

Attending an RV Inspection during the RV Inspection Process

Each RV inspection company has their own guidelines so be sure to inquire about attending an RV inspection during the interview process.

Typically, the RV inspection process may take anywhere between 4 to 8 hours and sometimes longer depending on the RV type and RV age. Most RV inspectors prefer to perform RV testing and RV evaluation with minimal distractions. This is extremely important so nothing is missed and should be taken into consideration.

Some RV inspectors allow the RV buyer or RV seller to be present only when the process is about to begin or at the very end. Some RV inspection companies require that the RV seller be present, and some prefer the RV buyer to show up near the end to explain their findings.

Almost all RV inspection companies offer New RV Owner Orientation and Verification of RV repairs once the RV inspection is complete and the repairs have been made. These RV services occur on a different date and even at a different location but are invaluable to newbie RVers who want a little more information than is given at an RV dealership “walk-through.”

In any case, when hiring an NRVIA certified RV inspection company, you can expect to receive a detailed RV inspection report. Results may vary but you can typically expect a written RV inspection report within 12-48 hours after the completed RV inspection process.

Each RV inspection company has their own guidelines so be sure to inquire about attending an RV inspection during the interview process.

Should I Hire an RV Inspection Service Near Me?

When you need to get your RV repaired, you probably head to My RV Resource and search the map for “RV repair near me.” When you need to get an RV inspected, it can sometimes be a vastly different process. You do lots of research about different RV brands and RV floorplans. When you finally find the RV of your dreams, chances are, you’re looking to purchase an RV that’s not close to your home.

It can be challenging to locate qualified RV inspectors in the exact location you’re looking to buy an RV. The reality is that there’s just not enough trained RV inspectors… YET. Rest assured, it’s not uncommon for RV inspectors to travel more than 100 miles to perform full RV inspections. When searching for NRVIA certified RV inspectors, you should expand the mileage range to cover a 250 mile radius of the RV inspection location. When interviewing prospective RV inspectors, be sure to ask what they charge for traveling.

RV Inspector Qualifications

Reputable RV inspection companies are small businesses run by trained RV professionals and their credentials will include NRVIA Certified Level 2 RV inspector status. Some NRVIA RV inspectors also possess an RVDA/RVIA registered technician certification and some carry RVIA/RVDA certified technician status as well.

You must not hesitate to ask the prospective RV inspectors for their RV certifications because it will help you determine whether they have the knowledge, experience, and training to conduct the full and thorough inspection for your RV as you are hoping.

The NRVIA certified RV inspectors will not only examine your RV but also test the many operating systems and expertly document their findings. Any carelessness or blind trust can lead you to RV technicians or corporations like Lemon Squad RV inspections or Premier RV Inspections who might not even check the RV roof during the inspection.

The only way to assure yourself that you will receive the most comprehensive RV inspection is to ask if the RV inspection company has been trained by the National RV Inspectors Association (NRVIA). This is the only RV inspector training program in the United States and these RV professionals adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice