300+ RV PDI Inspection Checklist (Updated 2022)

Table of Contents

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Download This Checklist!

We’ve developed an expanded, in-depth version of this checklist with over 300+ inspection points, inside and outside, front to back, for both motorhomes and towables!

It’s full of things to look out for and insider tips (such as downloading a decibel app on your smartphone to compare the loudness of different air conditioners).

It’s the most comprehensive RV PDI Inspection Checklist on the web. Download the expanded checklist at Etsy.com. Download it once – use it forever!

And it costs less than a cup of coffee. That’s cheap insurance against accidentally buying a lemon.

You can download the checklist PDF, no waiting, by clicking here. Thank you for helping to support this website and all the free information available at Changing Gears!

This checklist is intended as a guide for inspecting new and used RVs.

When buying a new RV, use this as your pre-delivery inspection (PDI) checklist. The dealer will provide their own pre-deliver inspection, but those tend to be less detailed and performed by someone other than you. In case you are not able to perform a detailed inspection before taking delivery, inspect the RV as soon after as possible, while still near the dealer to request warranty repairs.

When buying a used RV, consider running through this inspection checklist with several new RVs first, so that you will be able to spot problems on used units more easily.

Most items on this list can be inspected by an average person; for more specialized items such as brakes, engines, etc., consider having a qualified technician do the inspection.

Also see the RV Road Test: Motor Homes or RV Road Test: Trailers checklist.

Items to Take to Inspection
This inspection checklist
RV Road Test: Motor Homes or RV Road Test: Trailers checklist
Notebook and pen
Fifty foot tape measure
Calculator
Flashlight with fresh batteries
Screwdriver with Phillips and flathead tips
Pliers
Small mirror (for looking into hard-to-see areas)
Tire pressure gauge with 100 psi range
Tarp or creeper (for inspecting underside)
Rubber soled shoes (for better traction while walking on roof)
Work gloves
Rags (for checking fluid levels, wiping hands)
Wet towels (for cleaning hands)
Engine coolant test strip
OUTSIDE: WallsRightBackLeftFront
Surface condition
Signs of leaks
Seals and caulking
Trim
Doors & screens
Windows & screens
Vents
Hand rails
Awning mechanisms
Awning canvas
Awning wind sensor operation, ability to turn off
Lights
Mirrors
Steps
Connector covers & sockets
Fuel doors, locks, and caps
Slide external seals
Slide operation, motorized
Slide operation, manual crank
Slide locking mechanism
Slide covers (toppers)
Fold-outs & expansions
OUTSIDE: Roof
Surface condition
Corners and edges where walls attach
Signs of leaks
Seals and caulking
Vents and vent hoods
Skylights
Slide covers (toppers)
Air conditioners
Antennas and satellite dishes
Ladder condition and caulking where it attaches to RV
Solar panels
OUTSIDE: Underside
Fluid leaks
Frame condition, signs of damage or repair
Welds
Axles
Suspension
Electric brake wiring
Plumbing
Holding tanks (water, waste)
Underside enclosure and insulation
Straps holding pipes, hoses, wires
Leveling jacks (landing legs)
Stabilizing jacks
Drive shaft
Rear differential
Boots (enclosing various joints)
OUTSIDE: Storage Compartments
Overall condition
Signs of leaks
In lower compartments, look up to inspect floor condition
Shine flashlight into all openings, inspecting all visible components
Doors and seals
Lights
Sliding tray and locking mechanism
OUTSIDE: Wheels
Tire pressure
Tire tread
Tire walls
Tire date of manufacture:
Spare tire
Lug nut torque
Wheel rims
Brake function of each wheel
Brake pads
Brake rotor surface
OUTSIDE: Utilities
Power cable and connectors
RV batteries (house batteries)
RV battery disconnect switch
RV battery sliding tray secure
Cable TV connector
Telephone connector
Satellite dish connector
Fresh water hose and connectors
Outside shower
Outside faucet
Fresh water tank fill valve
Fresh water tank drain valve
Winterizing connector and valve (antifreeze)
Water heater tank drain valve
Sewer hose and connectors
Sewer hose storage tube or compartment
Gray tank dump valve
Black tank dump valve
Black tank pressure wash connector and valve
Generator hours:
Generator fluid levels
Generator operation
Generator noise level
Generator exhaust location
OUTSIDE: Propane
Propane bottle condition
Propane bottles and sliding tray secure
Tanks have OPD valves (triangular shape)
Connections, pipes, and hoses
Level or empty indicators
Automatic tank selector device
Regulator output pressure
OUTSIDE: Motor Home Engine Compartment
Engine oil
Engine coolant
Power steering fluid
Brake fluid
Transmission fluid
Windshield washer fluid
Hoses
Belts
Batteries
Leaks, fluid
Leaks, exhaust
Wiring
Air filter
Fuel filter
Engine oil analysis, take sample (ignore if oil was recently changed)
Engine coolant analysis, use test strip
Engine start
Exhaust color at start
Engine idle
Exhaust color after 5 minutes of idling
OUTSIDE: Trailer Coupling Components
Tongue or King Pin overall condition
Supplemental hitching equipment (sway bars, weight-distributing hitch, etc.)
Safety chains
Umbilical cord and connector
Breakaway switch and cable
Hitch receiver (on or under rear bumper)
Trailer wiring harness and plug (for pulling toad or trailer behind RV)
INSIDE: GeneralKitchenLiving
& Dine
BedroomBath
Floor plan (layout)
Necessities are accessible with slides in
Flooring
Stomp on floor to detect weak areas
Walls
Slide internal seals
Trim
Windows and screens
Drapes and shades
Door locks or latches
Cabinetry finish
Cabinetry hinges, slides, latches
Cabinetry interior
Remove drawers, inspect behind them
Ceiling
Press up on ceiling to detect sagging
Ceiling exhaust vents and fans
Furniture
Look under and behind movable furniture
Mattresses
Pull out and fold down beds
Rodent and pest presence or damage
INSIDE: Kitchen
Countertops
Counter top extensions
Sink
Seals and caulking around sink
Stove top, burners, igniters
Stove hood exhaust fan and vent cover
Oven and pilot light
Microwave oven
Coffee maker
Dish washer
Refrigerator works on all power sources (A/C, propane)
Freezer
Ice maker
Drinking water filter
INSIDE: Bathroom
Toilet flushes
Signs of leaks around toilet base
Look into black tank through toilet for hardened solid waste
Sink and fixtures
Shower and tub walls
Shower fixtures
Shower door and latch
Shower skylight
Washer and dryer connections (but no washer or dryer)
Washer and dryer
Washer hoses, indication of leaks
Dryer vent
Unscrew panels around and behind shower, inspect for leaks
INSIDE: Fresh Water Systems
Faucets work
Water heater works on A/C and propane
Water pump works
Water pump shuts off automatically soon after all faucets are closed
Water pump does not turn on occasionally when all faucets are closed and ice maker is turned off (if yes, then there may be a leak)
Water pump on/off switch
Fresh water tank level indicator
INSIDE: Waste Systems
Gray tank level indicator
Black tank level indicator
Sink and shower drains work
No foul odor inside RV when toilet not in use (unless toilet flush valve has been open for extended periods for inspection)
INSIDE: Heating & Cooling
Furnace controls
Furnace puts out hot air through all floor vents
Air conditioner controls
Air conditioners put out cool air through all ducted ceiling vents
Air conditioner filters
Electric heater or fireplace
Ceiling fans
Thermostat controlled vent fans (Fan Tastic Vent)
INSIDE: Entertainment Electronics
TV's
TV security straps
TV sliding tray locking mechanism
Audio equipment
Video equipment (VCR, DVD)
Video source switch box (antenna, VCR, DVD, satellite, etc.)
Antenna signal amplifier
TV antenna controls for raising, lowering, and rotating
Satellite dish controls for raising, lowering, and rotating
INSIDE: Electrical
Lights, 120 Volt A/C
Lights, 12 Volt DC
A/C outlets have power
GFCI breakers function
12 Volt DC ports have power
A/C supply to RV when connected to shore power
A/C supply to RV when generator is running
A/C supply to RV when inverter is running off batteries
DC supply to RV when connected to shore power
DC supply to RV when generator is running
DC supply to RV from batteries
DC supply to RV from tow vehicle via umbilical cord
Battery charging when connected to shore power
Battery charging when generator is running
Battery charging from tow vehicle via umbilical cord
Battery charging from solar panels
Automatic power switching between available systems (shore power, generator, inverter)
Location of fuse and breaker boxes
INSIDE: Safety Devices
Fire extinguisher
Smoke detector
Carbon Monoxide detector
Propane gas detector
Emergency exit windows
INSIDE: Motor Home Cockpit
Upholstery
Carpet
Cabinetry finish
Cabinetry hinges, slides, latches
Cabinetry interior
Items above cockpit secure (TV, etc.)
Door locks or latches
Windows and screens
Windshield cracks and chips
Drapes, shades, visors
Driver and passenger seat belts in cockpit
Passenger seat belts in living area (sofas, chairs)
Seat adjustments
Horn
Rear view mirrors and mirror adjustment controls
Rear view camera and monitor
Steering wheel adjustments
Instrument panel
Vehicle controls
Windshield wipers and washer
Air suspension controls
Exhaust brake controls
Secondary fuel tank switch-over controls
Leveling system controls
Trailer or toad brake controls and documentation
Entertainment system (radio, CD, tape, DVD, etc.)
CB radio and antenna
Navigation system (GPS)
Security system arm, disarm, and documentation
Beverage and snack holders
Storage compartments and keys
Step well cover
Dimensions & Capacities
External length (in):Fresh water tank 1 (gal):
Motor home wheelbase (in):Fresh water tank 2 (gal):
Motor home wheelbase ratio (%):Gray water tank 1 (gal):
External width, body (in):Gray water tank 2 (gal):
External width, total (in):Black water tank 1 (gal):
Top clearance (ft & in):Black water tank 2 (gal):
Length when towing (ft):Propane bottle size (gal):
Engine fuel tanks (gal):Number of propane bottles:
Weights
RatingsActual Scale Weights
GVWRGVW
GAWR 1GAW 1
GAWR 2GAW 2
GAWR 3GAW 3
GCVWRGCVW
Documentation
Title
MSRP sheet
RV manuals
Engine manuals
Appliance manuals
Maintenance records
Warranty documentation for all major components and appliances
Extended warranty documentation

Download This Checklist!

We’ve developed an expanded, in-depth version of this checklist with over 300+ inspection points, inside and outside, front to back, for both motorhomes and towables!

It’s full of things to look out for and insider tips (such as downloading a decibel app on your smartphone to compare the loudness of different air conditioners).

It’s the most comprehensive RV PDI Inspection Checklist on the web. Download the expanded checklist at Etsy.com. Download it once – use it forever!

And it costs less than a cup of coffee. That’s cheap insurance against accidentally buying a lemon.

You can download the checklist PDF, no waiting, right here. Thank you for helping to support this website and all the free information available at Changing Gears!

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Andy Herrick is a blogging nerd, #8 Enneagram, wannabe bread baker, INTJ, RV industry professional, and small business entrepreneur. He can be found hanging out with his lovely wife and family, skiing, cycling, climbing, hiking, and convincing anyone who will listen why dogs aren’t really that great of pets. Also, he runs this website.

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