RV Pre-Purchase Inspection / RV inspection form

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RV Inspection Form

The full RV pre-purchase checklist, ready to fill in at the RV. Pick the RV type, work through each section, and download the report when you are done.

Book an RV inspection Call 951-267-8500

RV inspection form. The checklist our inspectors fill in on a used RV: 198 points on a motorhome, 181 on a trailer. Mark each item Pass, Attention or Fail, add notes and readings, then download the report.

At a glance

Motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers
Moisture readings, LP leak test, tire DOT dates
Downloads as a PDF report or a CSV
Free, and nothing you type leaves your phone

What the form covers

Roof, seals and every opening, then the walls and floor for water that got past them
Slide-outs, awnings and leveling jacks run through their full travel
LP gas lines leak tested, and every gas appliance lit
Generator, house batteries, converter, inverter, solar and shore power
Fresh, grey and black tanks, the pump, the water heater, furnace, A/C and fridge
Smoke, CO and LP detectors tested and dated
On a motorhome, the engine, transmission, brakes and a road test. On a trailer, the hitch and brakes
Tire date codes, the frame, the VIN and open recalls

Found an RV and want it checked by someone with a moisture meter, a manometer and a scan tool? Book an RV pre-purchase inspection and we fill this in for you, wherever the RV is parked. You can read how it works on the RV pre-purchase inspection page, or use the 122 point car checklist for a car or pickup.

Progress0 / 198

0Pass

0Attention

0Fail

0N/A

RV and Inspection Details

Pick the RV type first. Sections that do not apply, like the hitch on a motorhome or the engine on a trailer, drop out of the form and the report.

RV type

Year

Make

Model and floor plan

Length

Odometer or hours

Where it was inspected

Seller or dealer

Inspected for

Inspector

Seller notes

KeyPass, good conditionAttention, needs a closer look or a repair soonFail, needs repair before you rely on itN/A, not fitted or not tested

Documents, VIN and Recalls0 / 10

Chassis VIN matches the title
Coach or trailer VIN label matches the paperwork
Title status, clean or branded
Open chassis recalls checked (NHTSA)
Open coach and appliance recalls checked
Weight label, GVWR and cargo capacity, present
Service and repair records reviewed
Owner manuals and appliance manuals
Keys for ignition, entry, compartments and hitch lock
Registration current

Readings

VIN (full)

Open recalls found

Exterior and Sidewalls0 / 12

Sidewall delamination, bubbles or waves
Front cap, cracks and seal
Rear cap, cracks and seal
Compartment doors, hinges and latches
Clearance, marker and running lights
Window frames and exterior seals
Entry door, lock and screen door
Entry steps, manual or power
Ladder and its mounts
Trim, moldings and sealant
Body damage and past repairs
Underbelly cover

Roof and Seals0 / 10

Roof membrane or fiberglass condition
Seams and edge sealant
Roof vents and fan covers
Skylights
A/C shroud and gasket
Antenna, satellite and solar mounts
Front and rear cap joints
Signs of past leaks or patches
Gutters and drip rails
Roof ladder attachment points

Readings

Roof material

Water Intrusion and Moisture0 / 9

Ceiling stains
Wall stains or wrinkled paneling
Soft spots in the floor
Cabinet corners and overhead bunks
Inside window corners
Bathroom floor and around the toilet
Under the sinks
Musty smell
Interior wall delamination

Readings

Moisture, front cap or cab-over

Moisture, rear wall corners

Moisture, around roof vents and skylights

Moisture, worst window corner

Moisture, slide-out corners

Moisture, entry door frame

Moisture, bath and toilet floor

Moisture, over the wheel wells

Meter used and mode

On a pin meter in wood mode, under 15 reads dry, 15 to 19 is worth a closer look and 20 or more is wet. Compare against a dry spot on the same RV.

Slide-Outs0 / 8

Every slide extends and retracts smoothly
Slide seals, wipers and bulb seals
Slide toppers
Slide floor and fascia
Slide mechanism, rack, cable or hydraulic
Manual override present
Slide sits square and level
Leaks at slide corners

Readings

Number of slide-outs

Awnings0 / 5

Patio awning fabric
Awning arms and hardware
Power or manual operation
Window and door awnings
Awning lights and wind sensor

Leveling and Stabilizers0 / 5

Leveling jacks operate
Hydraulic leaks
Stabilizer jacks
Tongue jack or landing gear
Auto-level controller

LP Gas System and Leak Test0 / 9

Tank or cylinder date and certification
Regulator
Hoses and pigtails
Supply lines and fittings
Leak test holds
LP leak detector works
Tank gauge
Shutoff valves
Every gas appliance lights

Readings

Leak test, pressure at start

Leak test, pressure after 3 minutes

Tank or cylinder date

Generator0 / 8

Starts from cold
Runs steady under load
Exhaust and exhaust leaks
Oil level and condition
Fuel leaks
Mounts and cradle
Remote start panel
Transfer switch picks it up

Readings

Generator hours

Volts under load

Frequency under load

Load applied

House Batteries, Converter, Inverter and Solar0 / 11

Battery type, age and hold-downs
Terminals and corrosion
Battery disconnect switch
Converter and charger
Inverter
Solar panels
Solar charge controller
12V lights
12V fans and vents
Fuse and breaker panel
Battery monitor

Readings

Battery voltage at rest

Voltage on shore power (charging)

Inverter output

Battery date code

Shore Power and 120V0 / 8

Shore cord and plug, 30A or 50A
Pedestal polarity checked
Surge protector or EMS
Main breaker panel
Outlets
GFCI outlets trip and reset
Automatic transfer switch
Hot-skin test on the body

Readings

Service

Volts at an outlet

Fresh Water and Plumbing0 / 11

Fresh tank, no leaks
Water pump
City water inlet and regulator
Faucets and sinks
Shower or tub
Toilet flushes and seals
Plumbing under the sinks
Low-point drains
Water filter
Winterizing bypass
Outside shower

Grey and Black Tanks0 / 7

Black tank valve
Grey tank valves
Dump outlet and cap
Tank level sensors
Black tank flush
Tank supports and straps
Tank vents, no odor inside

Water Heater0 / 6

Lights on LP
Heats on electric
Pressure relief valve
Tank and anode rod
Outside door and vent
Bypass valves

Readings

Hot water at the tap

Furnace0 / 5

Lights and runs
Blower
Ducts and registers
Exhaust vent
Thermostat

Readings

Supply air temperature

Air Conditioning0 / 6

Every roof unit cools
Heat pump mode
Filters
Thermostat and zones
Condensate drains outside
Noise and vibration

Readings

A/C return air

A/C supply air

Refrigerator0 / 6

Cools on LP
Cools on 120V
Door seals
Freezer
Outside vent and burner area clean
Ice maker

Readings

Fridge temperature after the run

Appliances0 / 8

Cooktop burners
Oven
Microwave or convection oven
Range hood fan
Washer and dryer
TV and entertainment
Fireplace
Dishwasher

Safety and Detectors0 / 7

Smoke alarm tests
CO alarm tests
LP detector tests
Fire extinguisher charged
Emergency exit window opens
Seat belts at every travel seat
Breakaway switch on a trailer

Readings

Smoke alarm date

CO alarm date

LP detector date

Interior0 / 9

Floors and floor covering
Walls and ceiling
Cabinets, drawers and latches
Furniture, beds and mattress
Window shades
Interior lights
Entry door lock from inside
Odors, pests and rodent signs
Interior steps

Chassis, Engine and Drivetrain0 / 16

Engine oil level and condition
Coolant level and condition
Belts and hoses
Transmission fluid and shifting
Oil, coolant and fuel leaks
Exhaust system
Engine starts from cold
Scan for stored codes (OBD)
Dash warning lights
Radiator and charge air cooler
Air system and dryer on air brakes
Chassis batteries
Fuel system
Steering and suspension
Driveshaft and U-joints
Rear hitch receiver and wiring for a towed car

Readings

Odometer

Engine hours

Codes found

Brakes and Wheel Ends0 / 7

Service brakes
Parking brake
Brake lines and hoses
Air brakes, if fitted
Electric trailer brakes
Brake controller in the tow vehicle
Wheel bearings and hubs

Hitch and Towing0 / 8

Coupler or kingpin
Safety chains
Breakaway cable and battery
7-way plug and wiring
A-frame or pin box
Weight distribution and sway control
Tongue jack or landing gear
Lights work when hooked up

Truck Camper Mounting0 / 5

Tie-downs and turnbuckles
Camper jacks
Electrical connection to the truck
Cab-over support and seal
Truck fit and payload

Frame and Undercarriage0 / 6

Frame rails, rust and cracks
Welds
Axles, springs and equalizers
Shackles and hangers
Frame extensions
Spare tire carrier

Road Test0 / 9 passed

Tires and DOT DatesAge from the DOT code

The last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year it was made, so 2319 is week 23 of 2019. RV tires usually age out before they wear out, and most makers say replace them at 5 to 7 years whatever the tread looks like.

Position	DOT date	Age	Tread	PSI
Left front		–
Right front		–
Left rear outer		–
Left rear inner		–
Right rear outer		–
Right rear inner		–
Spare		–

Position	DOT date	Age	Tread	PSI
Left axle 1		–
Right axle 1		–
Left axle 2		–
Right axle 2		–
Left axle 3		–
Right axle 3		–
Spare		–

Brand, size and load range

Additional Comments

Inspector Sign-Off

RV professionally inspected and reported by

Inspector name

Inspector no.

Signature

Date

Download the Report

Every item, note and reading goes into the report. Download opens it ready to save as a PDF or print. Your answers stay on this device until you clear them.

Common questions

What goes on an RV inspection checklist?

Two halves. The house: roof and seals, water damage, slide-outs, the LP gas system, generator, batteries, shore power, plumbing and tanks, water heater, furnace, air conditioning, fridge, appliances and the safety detectors. The vehicle: on a motorhome the engine, transmission, brakes and a road test, and on a trailer the hitch, brakes and running gear. Tires, frame and the paperwork round it out.

Can I use this RV inspection form myself?

Yes. It is free, it works on a phone at the RV, and it makes the same report ours does. What a walk-through cannot do is read a moisture meter, run a manometer on the LP lines or scan a motorhome engine for stored codes. That is what you are paying an inspector for.

How do I save the report as a PDF?

Press Download as PDF. The report opens in a new tab with the print window up. Pick Save as PDF as the printer. On an iPhone, use Print from the Share menu, then Save to Files.

Does the form send my answers anywhere?

No. What you type stays in this browser on this device, so a dropped signal at the RV does not lose it. Clear all wipes it.

What moisture meter reading is too high in an RV?

On a pin meter set to wood, under 15 percent reads dry, 15 to 19 is worth a closer look and 20 or more is wet. Readings vary by meter and material, so compare against a dry spot on the same RV, and check the corners, roof openings and slide-outs where leaks start.

How old is too old for RV tires?

Most tire makers say replace RV tires at 5 to 7 years, whatever the tread looks like. The last four digits of the DOT code give the week and year it was made. The form works out the age for you.

How do you leak test an RV propane system?

A manometer goes on the system at the regulator outlet or a test port. With every appliance off, it should hold its pressure for three minutes with no drop. Any drop means a leak to find before the LP is used.

How much does it cost to have PPI Auto inspect the RV?

We quote RVs on the call, because a small trailer and a diesel pusher are different jobs. Across the U.S. most RV pre-purchase inspections run $300 to $1,500.

Our RV partners

Buying the RV is one step. These are the people we work with for the rest of it.

WeRV

An RV rental agency in Hemet, California that also sells private-party RVs and runs RV inspections. WeRV RV rentals and sales in Hemet

RV Travel Agency

Plans the whole RV trip: books the campsite, picks the pad, builds the days and supplies the rig. RV Travel Agency trip planning

RV Shop Desk

Software for RV rental businesses: bookings, agreements and billing from a phone, with the website built in. RV Shop Desk software for RV rental businesses

Real RVs, photos by WeRV

What the form walks you through

Real RVs from WeRV's rental fleet, in the order the checklist takes them.

Starcraft travel trailer with its side slide-out fully extended — Slide-outs: run each slide all the way out, then look at the seals and the floor under it. Photo: WeRV

Inside a travel trailer looking down its length past the kitchen, sofa and slide-out — Walls and floor: walk the full length and feel for soft spots, most of all at the slide and the door. Photo: WeRV

Gas cooktop and stainless sink in a travel trailer kitchen — LP gas and appliances: every burner on the stove gets lit. Photo: WeRV

Open refrigerator with empty shelves in a small travel trailer — Fridge: run it on gas and on power, and make sure it gets cold on both. Photo: WeRV

Travel trailer bathroom with a corner shower, toilet and vanity sink — Plumbing: run the faucets, flush the toilet and look underneath for drips. Photo: WeRV

Driver and passenger seats and dashboard of a Class A motorhome seen from the living area — Motorhome only: the cab, gauges and controls before the road test. Photo: WeRV

Photos: WeRV, an RV rental agency in Hemet, California, shown with their permission. These are RVs from WeRV's rental fleet, not vehicles we inspected. Plates are blurred.

Our own photos

From our RV work

Our own photos from motorhome jobs. This is the engine and chassis half of the form.

Serpentine belt and idler pulley under the engine cover of a Rialta motorhome, circled in red — The belt idler on a 2001 Rialta motorhome, circled where it was failing

Alternator and serpentine belt lit by a flashlight under a motorhome engine cover — The Rialta's alternator sits under the engine cover. It gets a flashlight, not a glance

Corrugated air intake hose and aging lines under the chassis of a 1990 Dolphin motorhome — Under a 1990 Dolphin motorhome, the intake hose and the old lines around it

Coolant and heater pipes with a snapped plastic fitting on an older motorhome engine — A coolant fitting snapped off on the Dolphin. Old plastic fittings break at this age

These are our own photos from Supercanic motorhome jobs in the Inland Empire, California: a 2001 Rialta in Riverside and a 1990 Dolphin in San Jacinto.

Want us to fill it in?

We inspect RVs in all 50 states. Call and we quote it on the spot.

Call 951-267-8500