Right place if you
Are under contract or about to be. Want leverage before final funds. Need moisture readings, not “looks fine from the ladder.” Buying private-party or out-of-state sight-unseen with a contingency.
Buying guide
Pre-purchase RV inspection (PPI) guide
Independent PPI before you buy — moisture meter, electrical load tests, roof/seals, and the costly finds a dealer walkthrough misses.
Active corridor: Montana · Wyoming · Idaho · Washington — case-by-case beyond.
Field notes
Buying an RV — new or used — without an independent inspection is the single most expensive mistake we see. A seller’s walkthrough and a dealer’s “multi-point inspection” are not the same as a third-party technician with no financial interest in the sale. The most expensive problems — water damage, electrical faults, chassis issues — are exactly the ones that do not show up on a casual walkthrough.
Who this is for
Maybe not yet if
You already closed and only need a punch list — that is still valuable, but leverage is gone. You only want a tire kick for a low-dollar project trailer — say so up front so the scope matches.
Why an independent PPI matters
No sale conflict
We do not earn commission on the coach. Findings are for you — walk, renegotiate, or escrow repairs.
Tools beat eyeballs
Moisture meters, load tests, and pressure checks catch active intrusion and electrical faults that idle demos hide.
New is not exempt
Factory units still ship with seal misses, wrong torque, and non-functional options. PPI is not only for used coaches.
Document the unit
Photos and notes become your baseline for warranty claims and future resale honesty.
What gets checked
Roof, seams, and seals
Moisture meter readings at penetrations and seams — not just a visual look from the ground. Lap sealant condition, caulk cracks, and prior patch quality.
Water damage indicators
Soft flooring, delaminating cabinets, musty odor, moisture readings behind panels and around slides.
Electrical system
Shore power path, converter/inverter operation, battery condition, and function test of circuits under load where practical.
Plumbing system
Pressure test, water heater operation, pump behavior, leaks at fittings, tank monitors that lie.
LP, appliances, HVAC
Safe lighting sequence, fridge modes, furnace ignition, A/C function — Dometic-aware where equipped.
Chassis, running gear, slides
Frame rust stories, tire age, brake/lighting basics, slide operation and seal condition — plus obvious underbelly issues.
Most common costly finds
- Water intrusion already active in the roof, floor, or slide-out seals — invisible without a moisture meter
- A converter or inverter that fails under load but works fine at idle
- A generator that starts but will not hold a load — impossible to catch without a real load test
- Undisclosed prior repairs or modifications that do not meet code or manufacturer guidance
- Soft floors and delam sold as “normal for the year”
- Battery banks that look pretty and test dead on capacity
Timing it right
Before funds clear
Schedule the inspection before final funds change hands, ideally with a contingency in the purchase agreement. A PPI after you have already paid gives information, but little leverage.
Access & power
Arrange seller/dealer access, shore power or generator time, and water if plumbing is in scope. Cold storage coaches may limit some tests — we will say what could not be verified.
What you receive
Findings prioritized by safety and cost, with photos. We do not sell the coach for you — we give you decision-grade facts.
After a bad finding
Walk, renegotiate, or escrow repairs. Prefer Text the report questions while the deal is still open.
DIY walkthrough vs professional PPI
Owner can screen
Smell must, press soft floors, note tire DOT dates, ask for service records, run every switch once. Useful triage — not a substitute for metered inspection.
Book UMRT PPI when
The purchase price justifies professional risk reduction. You are on the MT · WY · ID · WA corridor or need a case-by-case trip. See PPI service for booking.
FAQ
Does a dealer inspection replace PPI?
No. Dealer multi-points protect the dealer’s process. Independent PPI protects the buyer.
New coach — still worth it?
Yes. Seal misses and non-functional options show up on brand-new units more often than marketing admits.
Can you inspect out of corridor?
Active corridor is MT · WY · ID · WA. Beyond that is case-by-case — Prefer Text the city and timing.
Will you negotiate for me?
We document findings. Negotiation stays between you and the seller; many buyers use the report as leverage.
Related: PPI service · Roof troubleshooting · Electrical troubleshooting · Generator troubleshooting · All guides · Troubleshoot hub
Pricing teaser
Trip fee $75 within 30 miles, then $1.50/mi each way. Labor ~$150/hr (1-hour minimum, billed in 30-minute increments). Diagnostic $175 applied toward repair if you proceed.
Credentials (text): Victron Professional Certified Installer · weBoost Authorized Installer · Peplink Certified Associate · Dometic Professional Certified. Starlink = installs only (not a certified partner title).