Buying a used motor home checklist:

There are a great deal of things to take into consideration when buying any used vehicle, and the list expands when it comes to motor homes. Here we will give you an overview into the kinds of things you should look out for when looking to buy a used motorhome.

• Batteries:

Normally you will find two groups of batteries in a motor home:  house batteries, to provide power to the living area, and the batteries for the vehicle itself. The charge in the vehicle batteries should be sufficient enough to start the engine with very little effort from cold and after a prolonged period of idleness.

• Oil:

Check the color of the oil and its consistency. If the oil appears to be burned, it’s a clear sign that there is some kind of problem with the engine that could be very costly to fix. If the oil is gooey and thick, with a white foamy appearance. this might be an indicator that something has been added to the oil in an attempt to seal up leaks in the engine gaskets.

• Brakes:

It is of vital importance to test the brakes thoroughly when taking a test drive. Make sure that they feel responsive and take into account that the motor home will be more difficult to stop when loaded with your family and possessions.

• Rust:

Be sure to inspect the whole frame of the vehicle for signs of rust, as any rust found on a motor home is a sure indicator that it is fast approaching the end of its life. Be especially carefully of bubbling under the paintwork – this often indicates rust that has been painted over. If you discover the vehicle has a rust problem, it is up to you to decide how much time and money would be involved in attempting to repair it. Remember that any work you do will probably require painting over as well. If the motor home you purchase has spent the vast majority of its time in a hot, dry climate you can almost eliminate the possibility of rust taking hold.