1. Check everything that relates to your propane system. RV fires do happen and many times they're the result of a neglected propane system. Check the tanks, are they certified, or do they need to be recertified.  Check the hoses, and the regulator. I can't stress how important this is. You could be risking your investment and your life if you overlook even the simplest of problems in this area.

  2. Check the condition of the battery. The battery holds the charge that powers your lights and other items when you're not connected to electric power. Is it properly topped off with water, and does it hold a charge?

 3. Check to make sure the fridge works on both propane and electricity. It should automatically switch from electric to gas when you unplug your electric power. Repairs can be costly so run this little test before you finalize the purchase.

 4. Absolutely check the furnace and air conditioning equipment. These can be expensive units to repair, so make sure they have been checked over.

 5. Does the toilet hold water? If the RV has been sitting for a period of time the seal in the toilet will have dried out. Add a little water to the toilet and see if it holds water for more than 15 minutes. Keep in mind that the water in the toilet is what holds back the fumes trying to escape from the black water holding tank.

 6. Check for soft spots in the flooring, especially in the bathroom and kitchen areas. These could be symptoms of a much larger problem. The unit may have leaky supply pipes or drains that are causing the floor to rot. Also, check around the hot water tank area to see if water has leaked, causing damage to the floor.

 7. Check the exterior walls and roof of the RV. Look for holes that would let water in. Look around vents and inside corners to see if water has come in. If water has come in, it will show up in a yellow stain on the ceiling inside the trailer. If it is a hardwall, look to see if the fiberglass exterior has separated from the wall. This is called delaminating, and can be a serious and costly problem.

 8. If you are looking at purchasing a motor home, you have one more thing you need to look at.  In the Province of Alberta, all vehicles (including Motor Homes) have to go though a "Safety Inspection", before you can get it registered.  RV dealers have to put all motor homes though the inspection, and do any and all repairs needed.  This means your brakes, tires, and other mechanical safety items have to meet a minimum requirement.  The dealers have to do this, however, if you are buying privately, the person selling doesn't have to follow this.  Therefore, if buying privately, take it to a trusted mechanic, and have it checked over. Paying for the safety report will be a lot less expensive then finding out after you brought it. Now, even if the motor home passes the "safety inspection", it does not take into account things like motor, and transmission conditions, so have it checked out.

 9. Finally, do a THOROUGH walk-through. Open and close everything. Turn everything on and off. Be suspicious and take notes as you walk through the RV, and at least you'll go into the purchase with your head up. I'll leave you with one final thought. You'll never find the perfect used RV, but you can minimize the hidden expenses by following a few simple guide-lines.