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rv:assessment [2022/05/04 00:21] princess_fluffypants [Do extensive research on exactly what you're looking at] |
rv:assessment [2023/08/25 21:36] princess_fluffypants |
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- | ====== Assessing a camper or other vehicle for possible purchase ====== | + | ====== Assessing a vehicle for possible purchase ====== |
- | ===== Do extensive research on exactly what you're looking at ===== | + | ===== Do extensive research on the exact vehicle |
You should go into every potential buying inspection knowing //more// about that specific model of vehicle than the seller does. Before you even go to look at a vehicle in person, you want to know things like: | You should go into every potential buying inspection knowing //more// about that specific model of vehicle than the seller does. Before you even go to look at a vehicle in person, you want to know things like: | ||
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* Owner forums for specific models can be // | * Owner forums for specific models can be // | ||
* What are the factory recommended service intervals? | * What are the factory recommended service intervals? | ||
- | * How often does the manufacturer recommend | + | * How often does the manufacturer recommend things like transmission fluid changes, serpentine belt replacement, |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Miles ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Not all miles are created equal. | ||
+ | |||
+ | As a //HUGE// over simplification for the chassis/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | * 0-10,000 miles | ||
+ | * Higher risk of manufacturing defects, failures or repairs needed due to build issues. | ||
+ | * 10, | ||
+ | * Usually the most trouble-free period, but also expensive to buy something used. | ||
+ | * 100, | ||
+ | * The sweet spot. Maintainence items will start to become more common, but most vehicles will still be pretty reliable. Depreciation has taken it's biggest bite so prices start to become quite reasonable. | ||
+ | * 150, | ||
+ | * Minor repairs will start to be needed, but the purchase prices can be low enough to make it worth it. See the [[rv: | ||
+ | * Having some mechanical abilities are useful to help tell the "Oh that's annoying but I can live with it" problems from the "shut down the engine immediately to prevent further damage" | ||
+ | * 200, | ||
+ | * Vans with this many miles can be //very// cheap if you are savvy, but this is also where miles can start to be a concern. | ||
+ | * If you're buying something with this mileage, you should be capable of doing minor to medium repairs yourself. | ||
+ | * Passenger vans are typically in better shape with higher mileage. Especially if you can find something that did a lot of highway driving (like airport shuttles), this many miles might not be //as// much of a problem. | ||
+ | * 300,000+ miles | ||
+ | * This is the danger zone, only experienced mechanics should be looking for vehicles in this range. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Mechanic' | ||
+ | |||
+ | If the vehicle still interests you after the above it is time for a **pre-sale inspection**. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The potential vehicle is taken to a preselected mechanic (who knows you're coming!) to have it professionally inspected. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If you're buying a factory-made RV, you'll want to take it to an RV specific repair shop to have it inspected by someone who specializes in RVs. These inspections take much longer and are more expensive, because they are checking many more systems. Expect to pay $150-200 and it might take a few hours. | ||
+ | |||
+ | If the seller balks at the inspection you might sweeten the deal by offering to provide him with a copy of the inspection. | ||
+ | |||
+ | On new or nearly-new vehicles the mechanic may find nothing interesting. | ||
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==== Ask the seller the right questions ==== | ==== Ask the seller the right questions ==== | ||
- | * Why are you selling it? | ||
* How long have you had it? | * How long have you had it? | ||
* What did you use it for? | * What did you use it for? | ||
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* Will I be able to see the title when I come to see the vehicle? | * Will I be able to see the title when I come to see the vehicle? | ||
* When and what recent repairs or maintenance has been done? | * When and what recent repairs or maintenance has been done? | ||
+ | * Why are you selling it? | ||
* Can I have it inspected by a mechanic? | * Can I have it inspected by a mechanic? | ||
If the answer to any of these questions is seems shady, complicated, | If the answer to any of these questions is seems shady, complicated, | ||
- | Tales of woe like these are red flags: | + | Tales of woe like these about the title are red flags: |
* "I don't have it" | * "I don't have it" | ||
- | * Translation: | + | * Translation: |
* "I have the title somewhere, I'll send it to you later" | * "I have the title somewhere, I'll send it to you later" | ||
* Translation: | * Translation: | ||
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==== rust ==== | ==== rust ==== | ||
- | Rust-free is better than rusted, but body panel rust is less serious than frame rust (for example). | + | Rust-free is better than rusted, but body panel rust is less serious than frame rust (for example). Your mechanic will be able to advise what is cosmetic and what is problematic. |
+ | |||
+ | See the page on [[rv: | ||
==== known issues ==== | ==== known issues ==== | ||
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- | ===== Miles ===== | ||
- | Not all miles are created equal. | ||
- | |||
- | As a //HUGE// over simplification for the chassis/ | ||
- | |||
- | * 0-10,000 miles | ||
- | * Higher risk of manufacturing defects, failures or repairs needed due to build issues. | ||
- | * 10, | ||
- | * Usually the most trouble-free period, but also still going to be the most expensive to buy something used. | ||
- | * 100, | ||
- | * The sweet spot for used purchases. Minor repairs will be occasional, but by this time the purchase price is typically low enough to make it worth it. See the [[rv: | ||
- | * 200, | ||
- | * This is where miles can start to be a concern. Typically if you're buying something with this mileage, you should be fairly mechanically inclined and capable of doing minor to medium repairs yourself. | ||
- | * Vans with this many miles can start to become //very// cheap if you are savvy. | ||
- | * Passenger vans (especially those used for airport shuttles or with lots of highway driving) are typically in better shape with these many miles. | ||
- | * 300,000+ miles | ||
- | * This is the danger zone for most vehicles, and only experienced mechanics who know what they' | ||
- | |||
- | ===== Mechanic' | ||
- | |||
- | If the vehicle still interests you after the above it is time for a **pre-sale inspection**. | ||
- | |||
- | The potential camper is taken to a preselected mechanic (who knows you're coming!) to have it professionally inspected. | ||
- | |||
- | If the seller balks at the inspection you might sweeten the deal by offering to provide him with a copy of the inspection. | ||
- | |||
- | On new or nearly-new vehicles the mechanic may find nothing interesting. | ||
==== non-local vehicles ==== | ==== non-local vehicles ==== |