Category: RV Tips

Cheap Travel Trailers – Should You Buy One?

This article is about cheap travel trailers. And whether it’s a good idea to buy a new one or not.

And some ideas on how to make sure that you buy a better quality product.

Of course, RVs come in all sizes, configurations, and even price ranges. And really that’s a good thing!

Because it allows us as consumers to choose what works best for us. For our particular circumstances.

Watch my video on cheap travel trailers

So we can choose an RV that fits the way we like to travel and camp. And for our own budget as well.

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A Very Important Truth About RVs

But here’s a simple truth about RVs that’s very important to understand. And interestingly, it applies to a lot of things in life outside of this industry.

It’s a very simple statement really. And that is that you generally get what you pay for. That’s true of RVs and of so many other things in life.

You often get what you pay for when buying cheap travel trailers
You often get what you pay for when buying cheap travel trailers

So what that means with RVs is that if you spend more in the RV market, you generally should expect better overall RV build quality.

Also, better customer support from the manufacturer and so on.

The Purpose Of Most Cheap Travel Trailers

But many travel trailers are built to be the entry-level segment of the RV industry.

Of course, that’s really not true of all travel trailers. Because certainly, there are higher end ones like Airstream and other brands like that.

But generally speaking, a lot of travel trailers are built to be more affordable by more people.

And therefore, they’re the entry level segment of the towable RV category.

The Advantages Of Buying Cheap Travel Trailers

So then, that means that you can experience RVing without breaking the bank.

And it brings the RV experience to many people who couldn’t afford it otherwise.

Also, if you’re new to RVing, it’s a great way to learn more before you buy something more expensive.

The Disadvantages Of Buying Cheap Travel Trailers

But here’s the flip side of that scenario. It also means that you’re going to see a lot more examples of poor fit and finish in this area.

Also, you’re going to see lower quality building materials too.

And you’re going to see less attention to good building methods, and so on. Now the question is, is all of that really so bad? Not really!

Because it can be okay if you plan to use that low-cost travel trailer just a few times a year.

But if you’re going to spend an extended amount of time in it, you’re probably going to wear it out pretty fast.

However, if you only use it a few times a year, as many people do, then it may be just fine for you.

The Problem With Many New Travel Trailers These Days

But I personally don’t like what I am seeing coming out of the RV factories right now. Especially in the low-cost travel trailer segment.

Now we all know that the Covid pandemic affected RV manufacturers in a big way.

But of course, it also affected a lot of other industries out there too.

The Covid pandemic Affected the quality of RV builders a lot
The Covid pandemic affected the quality of RV builders a lot

And one of the big problems RV builders faced was with their workforce. It was very difficult to keep experienced people working on the production line.

So as a result of that, we saw a lot of poor quality control coming out of RV factories.

And we saw a lot of build problems. Things that you would not normally see before Covid.

And unfortunately this was happening all across the RV industry too.

I, fact, I would say that there wasn’t hardly any RV manufacturer that wasn’t touched by the pandemic in a negative way.

But we are a couple of years down the line from the pandemic’s effects now.

And some improvement has been made as the industry strives to get back on its feet again.

However, there are still issues with low quality building procedures. Especially in the low-cost travel trailer category too.

What Kind Of Travel Trailers Are We Talking About Here?

Now let me be clear about what I’m talking about here. I’m not really referring to teardrop trailers. You know, very small ones.

Or single person RVs. They do not make up a huge segment of the travel trailer category.

What I’m really talking about are travel trailers that are designed for couples. Or maybe even a small family.

This is the kind of cheap travel trailers that I am discussing
This is the kind of cheap travel trailers that I am discussing

These kind of travel trailers would start around 17 feet or so, and go up from there.

And the build quality that I’m seeing in these kind of travel trailers borders on atrocious in many cases now.

So having said all that, we get back to the question of whether you should buy a cheap travel trailer these days, or not?

Should You Buy A New Cheap Travel Trailer Then?

So should you buy a new cheap travel trailer that has been designed to be an entry-level unit?

Well, it’s your choice. And I cannot tell you what to do. Of course, that’s really the truth about almost everything in RVing.

But I can make some recommendations to help you be protected when you buy any RV.

And these recommendations will help you make wise decisions as you buy a newer cheap travel trailer.

So let’s start with my first suggestion. And it applies if you feel that you really have to buy a new RV.

Of course, there’s many good reasons for buying a new RV. So if you feel that’s really important to you, here is my first recommendation.

The Best Protection You Can Have When Buying Any RV

And that is that I feel that you really should have that RV inspected thoroughly before you buy it. Yes, even if it’s a new RV.

This is the kind of cheap travel trailers that I am discussing
Always get an RV inspected by a professional before buying it

Of course, people who buy travel trailers often feel that’s too much money for them to spend.

But how much money will you spend on fixing a poorly built RV though?

But there could be other situations that stand in the way of getting an RV inspection too.

For instance, the dealer may even deny an RV inspection for any RV you buy from them.

Or you may try to get an RV inspection, but there isn’t a lot of inspectors in your area.

Now if any one of those situations applies in your case, then it presents a challenge for you.

What If You Can’t Get An RV Inspection By A Pro?

But I’ve created a guidebook that can be helpful for you. To make sure that you are getting an RV that is as trouble-free as possible.

The guidebook will show you how to go through and inspect all the various parts of any RV.

And it will show you how to make sure that all the RV components are functioning correctly.

Also, it will have a checklist that goes along with the guidebook too.

That way you can make sure that you don’t miss anything important as you go.

You can find the guidebook for buying new RVs here. Or click on the image below.

My guidebook for buying new cheap travel trailers or any kind of RV
My guidebook for buying new cheap travel trailers or any kind of RV

Now let me be clear that this is not an equal substitute for an RV inspection from a professional. It’s just not.

But if you can’t get an inspection from a pro, then you can get a lot of really good information about that RV by performing a guided RV inspection yourself.

And if you follow the information in the guidebook you will get a good feel for that RV’s situation.

Whether it’s in good shape and ready for travel, or not. Just by doing an RV inspection yourself with guidance from a pro like me.

The Next Step That Is Critical For RV Buying Success

Now once you get the information on what is happening with that RV, what’s next?

I recommend that you then get the issues you found in your inspection fixed. And make sure you do that before you take delivery of the RV too.

So if you follow those guidelines on buying a new low-cost travel trailer, you can still do very well. And get an RV that you’ll be happy with.

Now let’s move to my second recommendation about cheap travel trailers.

Here’s Another Way To Buy Quality Cheap Travel Trailers

And that is that maybe it’s time that you consider a low-cost travel trailer that’s a little older instead.

Of course, we know that the Covid pandemic really came in around 2020.

And it lasted in force until the end of 2022. So maybe look for a travel trailer from 2019 and older.

Now there’s a lot of advantages to actually buying a used RV too.

Why Consider Buying A Used Cheap Travel Trailer?

For instance, you can consider buying a better quality RV if it’s used.

Because if you’re buying new, you’re paying premium money for that travel trailer.

And that means that you can only choose from so many brands if you are on a budget.

Also, many of those new cheap travel trailer brands are probably not going to be very high quality.

But if you choose from the used RV market instead, the situation changes.

And if you go back a few years, then you can start to work with better brands for the same money.

Consider buying a better quality used travel trailer instead
Consider buying a better quality used travel trailer instead

Now when it comes to cheap travel trailers, I highly recommend that you consider going back before the Covid years too.

Another Big Help When You Buy A Used Travel Trailer

Now I have also made a guidebook about used travel trailer brands.

And it can help you narrow down the brands that you really should be considering on the used market.

You can decide if you think that will help or not. But I highly recommend that you choose from the better RV brands if you want to be happy with your RV purchase.

Just click here to view my used travel trailer guidebook, or click on the image below.

My used travel trailer guide to the better RV brands
My used travel trailer guide to the better RV brands

Now one more thing to consider. And that is if you choose to download any of my guidebooks, I’ll be there to personally help you as well.

Yes, I’ll make myself personally available to you as you go through the RV buying process. And getting my help can be crucial to getting a good RV.

But when we’re talking about used RVs and travel trailers let me say this.

Conclusion

I’m a huge fan of getting a certified RV inspector to inspect it before you buy.

That’s because there’s a lot of things that can be hidden in a used RV that could be trouble.

So if at all possible hire a professional inspector to go through any RV you are considering to buy. And that way you’ll know what you’re buying!

Now I hope you’ll follow the suggestions I’ve provided here in this article.

For buying either a new cheap travel trailer. Or going back a few years and getting a little better brand and build quality on the used RV market.

If you follow the advice I’ve given you here, then buying a cheaper low-cost travel trailer does not mean that you have to be buying junk.

And then you’re not just accepting anything that the industry is throwing out of its factory doors.

Instead, you are prepared as an RV buyer. You’ll know what you’re doing as you’re going through the buying process.

And if you follow my advice, I am very confident that you really can buy a cheap travel trailer that you’re going to be happy with.

Not only now, but for many years to come as well.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

Cummins Onan RV Generators – Are They The Best You Can Buy?

This article is about Cummins Onan RV generators. Are they really as good as so many people claim?

And if you have one, how do you take care of it and maintain it to make it last?

Watch my video on Cummins Onan RV generators

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Why A Generator Is A Good Thing To Have

Now if you do a lot of boondocking, a generator is often considered to be essential equipment in your RV.

A generator is a great piece of equipment to have when boondocking
A generator is a great piece of equipment to have when boondocking

And that’s true even if you have a lot of solar equipment installed. Especially on some of the hotter days in the summertime.

That’s when you’re going to be very happy that you can run your roof air conditioners to stay comfortable.

And when you do, you’re going to need a generator to run them for any length of time.

Because there are periods where you could go days without much sunshine.

And when that happens the effectiveness of your solar power system is really diminished.

Do You Really Need A Generator In RV Parks?

But even if you mostly stay in RV parks and campgrounds, a generator can still be very helpful.

Cummins Onan RV generators can even be useful in RV parks too
Cummins Onan RV generators can even be useful in RV parks too

Especially in those times when the power goes out in the park or campground you are in.

In fact, we’ve had that happen a lot to us in our travels. And when it did, we were happy that we had a generator on hand.

Also, maybe you’re just traveling somewhere and you decide to stop and stay overnight. And you choose a spot that’s not in a park or campground.

Well then, a generator will make that so much more pleasant and comfortable.

What Size Generator Should You Have For Your RV?

Now for many RVers, if you have a 30 amp service in your RV, a portable inverter generator will work just fine for you.

Many 30 amp RVs can be served well by a portable inverter generator
Many 30 amp RVs can be served well by a portable inverter generator

But what about larger RVs? What about RVs like diesel pusher motorhomes? Or a Super C, or larger fifth wheels and so on?

Well, many of them have 50 amp electrical services installed in their RV.

So what happens if you want to run everything in that RV? Like you do when you’re hooked up to shore power?

In that case, you’re probably going to need a larger generator. One that’s capable of supplying the needs of a 50 amp RV.

Larger RVs are often served best by a larger Cummins Onan diesel generator
Larger RVs are often served best by a larger Cummins Onan diesel generator

And that is where Cummins Onan RV generators really shine.

What You Should Know About Cummins Onan RV Generators

So now let’s talk just a little bit about the company itself. Onan has been making generators since 1926.

And that means that they’re coming up on a hundred years of making generators.

Cummins bought them in 1986. So they have had ownership for almost 40 years now.

And at this point, Cummins Onan has 85 percent or so of the market share of generators in RVs. Wow, that is really an impressive statistic!

And these days, if you buy a new motorhome or a larger fifth wheel, the chances are that you’re going to find a Cummins Onan RV generator in it.

So the question is, why are they so popular? And why do manufacturers like them so much?

Well, let’s find out about the pros of Cummins Onan RV generators first.

Cummins Onan Generators – Pro #1

And the first pro is that they are relatively quiet. So what do I mean by relatively quiet?

Well honestly, smaller inverter generators may be quieter decibel wise.

However, when you run a Cummins Onan generator, you’ll notice that the tone that it puts out is very low.

So an inverter generator may have fewer decibels with the overall sound it creates.

But the sound that comes from the Cummins generator may not be as noticeable to most people.

So that’s why they are what I call relatively quiet.

Cummins Onan Pro #2

Now the second pro is about maintaining your Cummins Onan RV Generator.

And if you do, they are super reliable, and they will last an incredibly long time.

In fact, a Cummins Onan generator will probably outlast the RV that they are installed in. And that’s an amazing thing to be able to say!

Cummins Onan Pro #3 – What About Repairs?

Now the third pro is that if you have to work on them, parts are usually readily available.

Also, you can find repair facilities and technicians almost anywhere in the country.

Of course, there’s lots of Cummins facilities that you could use for service and repairs.

But there’s also quite a few independent facilities and repair techs that can work on Cummins Onan generators too.

So if you need a repair on your Cummins Onan generator, it shouldn’t be a major problem to find a service tech who can handle the job.

Cummins Onan Diesel Generators Pro #4 and 5

OK, our next pro is that they’re very flexible. They can come in diesel versions, gasoline versions, and even LP versions.

Cummins Onan RV generators come in a variety of sizes and versions
Cummins Onan RV generators come in a variety of sizes and versions

And that leads us into pro number five. That it is that they make it very convenient for you as an RV owner.

Because often, they have a remote start. And that means that you don’t have to go out and start the generator manually when you need power.

Especially like you very often have to do with many portable inverter generators.

Also, they’re usually able to run off the fuel that you already have in your RV.

So for instance, we have a diesel pusher motorhome. And our Cummins Onan generator runs off the diesel that’s in our fuel tank.

And as long as we’re above a quarter tank of fuel, it just keeps running along nicely.

So I don’t have to even think about carrying fuel for the generator. Not unless my motorhome’s fuel tank gets down to that quarter tank mark.

And that’s very convenient as many RVers struggle to find space for generator fuel.

Well, those are all good things about Cummins Onan RV generators.

Cummins Onan Diesel Generators Con #1

Now what about the cons? Well, the number one con of a Cummins Onan generator is that they are big. And they are also very heavy.

So that means that they can’t be moved around like a portable inverter generator.

And so, that is something you have to plan for if your generator was not installed at the factory.

Cummins Onan Con #2

Now the number two con is they usually need lots of space in your RV.

A Cummins Onan RV generator can be very large and require a lot of space
A Cummins Onan RV generator can be very large and require a lot of space

Now we all know that space and weight is at a premium in most any RV.

So you’ve got to find somewhere to put that Cummins Onan RV generator.

A spot where it will be in its permanent location from then on. And that can be a challenge in some rigs.

Cummins Onan RV Generator Con #3

OK, the third con is that they have to be exercised regularly. Yes, if you’re going to get good service out of them you need to use them.

And that is especially true of the diesel and gas versions that you often see in RVs.

Cummins Onan Con #4 – What About Cost?

OK, the final con we’re going to talk about is that they can be costly to replace.

Oh yes, even the smaller Cummins Onan RV generators will start around $3000.

And they can go up to almost $15,000 for the bigger units. For the 12,000 watt generators and so on.

But there is a flip side of that too. Because remember I said that usually they outlast the RV they’re installed in.

So you don’t have to replace them very often. However, if you do need to replace one, you definitely will have a serious expense then.

The Results Of My List Of Pros And Cons

Well, that’s my list of both the advantages and disadvantages of Cummins Onan generators.

So I invite you to just compare the pros and the cons that we’ve covered in this article.

And if you do, I think you’ll agree that Cummins Onan generators really are a great choice for many RVers.

There’s a lot of really good points on the positive side of this subject.

And I would say, there are more pros than there are cons for most RVers. Especially if you have a larger RV with lots of power hungry equipment.

Cummins Onan RV Generators Maintenance

OK, now let’s talk a little bit about maintenance. So how do you keep these big generators going?

And the number one thing I talked about earlier is to exercise them. And that means you have to use them regularly to keep them in good shape.

A Cummins Onan diesel generator will need to be exercised regularly
A Cummins Onan diesel generator will need to be exercised regularly

In fact, about once a month you need to crank up that generator and run it.

In addition to that, you need to put it under an electrical load too. So what do I mean by that?

Well, you need an electrical draw that’s pulling a lot of power to exercise them properly. And that will make the generator really work.

Now to do that, you could turn on an air conditioner or two in the RV.

And if you do that, you’ll definitely get that generator working. But you could also use the electric element in your water heater too.

Or electric hair dryers. You know, things along that line that pull a lot of electrical current.

Yes, you need to get that generator up and really humming along to exercise it properly.

And if you do that for a couple of hours or so, then you can turn those items off and let it cool down.

Once again, this should be done about once a month when you’re not using the generator regularly.

Cummins Onan Maintenance Schedule

Now the next thing you need to do to maintain them is watch the maintenance schedules.

Especially for things like oil filters, air filters and spark arrestors. All of those need to be given attention fairly regularly.

So whatever your manual from Cummins Onan tells you to do for your generator, follow that very carefully.

And then there are also some items that need to be taken care of on a basis that’s a little bit longer.

Things like flushing the coolant and changing your fuel filter, and so on. You need to be religious about caring for those things on time.

Do not neglect a Cummins Onan RV generator. Instead, make sure that you take care of it throughout its life of service.

And replace the items that need to be replaced as they come up. Also, keep a record of what you’ve done and stay on schedule.

If you maintain your generator properly, you can expect it to work well for many years.

Who Should Maintain Your Cummins Onan Generator?

Now some of the tasks that you can do on Cummins Onan generators can actually be done by do-it-yourselfers.

And that means all of you guys out there that know your way around engines.

So if you love tools and working on things, well there’s nothing super difficult about maintaining a Cummins Onan Generator for you.

But for the vast majority of the rest of us? Probably, maintaining and repairing your Cummins Onan generator is best done by qualified repair techs instead.

Ones that are familiar with Cummins Onan repair and maintenance needs.

In fact, there’s a few things that even I don’t try to tackle when it comes to my RV.

Now I’ll do a lot of the things that have to be done for maintenance. But when it comes to the chassis and the generator, I’m going to let the pros do it instead.

Of course, that’s just my personal decision about performing maintenance on my generator. But it’s up to you to decide how you want to do it.

Conclusion

OK, here’s my final statement on Cummins Onan RV generators.

Personally, I love our 7500 watt diesel generator. It has worked so well and it has been so reliable for us in our travels.

In fact, we haven’t had the first problem with it in our ownership of the RV.

So for me, I personally believe that Cummins Onan generators really are just as good as so many people claim they are.

And I highly recommend them to others who need a plentiful and reliable source of power for their RV.

As always, have safe and happy travels my friends!

RV Inspection Costs – How Much Should RV Inspectors Charge?

This article is going to be talking about RV inspection costs. And how much an RV inspector doing an RV inspection for you should cost.

Of course, RV buying reached a fever pitch during the Covid pandemic of 2020-2022. There’s no question about that.

And more RVs were sold then than almost any other time in history.

But lots of the new RVs sold during that time had serious issues and flaws in them.

In fact, I made a video just a little while back that tried to explain the factors that went into that situation. You can view that video here.

In that video, I tried to answer why all of that happened from an industry perspective.

So if you get a chance to go through it, I’m sure it would be helpful.

But here we are well after the pandemic with all those issues that have taken place in the RV industry.

And it seems that many RV buyers still don’t want to use RV inspectors.

Watch my video about how much RV inspections should cost

Instead, they seem to be more than willing to take the risk of the condition of an RV fully on themselves as they go through the buying process.

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Why Are There Lots Of Unhappy RV Buyers?

But then, unfortunately they often have problems with the RV they’ve bought.

And then they go online and complain loud and long about the problems they are dealing with.

There are lots of complaints about RV buying on social media
There are lots of complaints about RV buying on social media

Often the target of their anger in many cases is RV manufacturers. And to be sure, RV manufacturers deserve a lot of the anger and resentment that they are getting.

But here’s the truth that isn’t often part of the discussion. And that is that RV inspectors can prevent a lot of that angst you hear online.

They can save you money, frustration, and time in the buying process.

They can save anxiety that could be spent while your RV is in the shop being repaired after you buy it.

That is, instead of being with you and being used for having fun RV adventures.

But of course, if RV inspections were free, well everybody would do it, right?

What Should An RV Inspection Do For You?

So when you hire an RV inspector what you’re doing is you’re paying a trained professional to test every system in that RV.

From the top of the RV all the way to the bottom. So how much is that worth? Well, let’s talk about that.

Now these days I see that there are lots of independent RV inspectors out there.

What About RV Inspection Costs That Are Really Cheap?

Ones that only charge about $200 – $300 for their inspection. And is that a proper inspection?

Well, let’s compare RV inspectors to another group of trained professionals in the RV industry.

And that is mobile RV technicians. How much do they usually charge to come to you like an RV inspector would to diagnose and repair your problem?

RV repair technicians are trained professionals
RV repair technicians are trained professionals

Generally speaking, my experience is that they’re going to charge about $150 – $170 an hour for their labor.

And at that rate, what if an RV inspector was to charge you $300 for the entire inspection?

Well, that means they have only been able to spend about 2 hours on the entire inspection.

That is, if they’re going to try make a profit like a mobile RV repair tech does.

And that includes their travel time. It also includes getting their report together and sending it to you after the inspection.

And it includes making themselves available to help answer any questions you have about the inspection report.

How Much Time Does It Take To Inspect An RV Properly?

So here’s my experience in this matter. Even the simplest of RVs will take much longer to thoroughly inspect than just 2 hours.

In fact, lets just take a look at travel trailers. Since they probably are the simplest type of RV to actually go through and inspect.

RV inspection costs - travel trailers
RV inspection costs – travel trailers

However, even a travel trailer is going to take a good inspector 5 – 6 hours to go through and inspect from top to bottom.

But remember, that’s just one end of the spectrum. All the way at the other end you have large diesel pusher RVs.

And they have lots of big and complicated systems in them. As well as lots of amenities and luxuries that have to be tested too.

RV inspection costs - diesel pusher Class A RVs
RV inspection costs – diesel pusher Class A RVs

So how long do they take to inspect? In my experience, they can take 10 to 12 hours or even more to go through them thoroughly.

That is if you want to perform a quality inspection. And again, that doesn’t include travel time for the inspector back and forth.

Or research that’s done in advance of the inspection to learn more about the coach in advance.

And a lot of us RV inspectors research RVs before we actually go out and inspect them.

Then it also doesn’t count the report that you put together and check for accuracy. Because nobody wants a report with mistakes in it.

And it doesn’t count the time spent with the customer to answer all of their questions about the report either.

The Truth About Really Cheap RV Inspection Costs

So here’s my question. How can someone afford to charge $200 – $300 for a full RV inspection and make any kind of profit on it?

That is, if it’s a quality inspection and they’re doing it thoroughly?

Well the truth is this. When someone charges you that little, it often means that the inspection is very limited in its scope.

It just cannot be as thorough as the average certified NRVIA inspector would perform.

Now is that what you as an RV buyer want? Is it more important to you to pay as little as you possibly can at this critical step in the RV buying process?

How Do RV Inspections Compare To Home Inspections?

Well you know, it always surprises me that some people will buy homes for $150K – $300K or more.

And they would never even consider doing so without hiring a home inspector.

Getting a home inspection is a common thing to do before buying
Getting a home inspection is a common thing to do before buying

They want him to go through and make sure of the condition of the home they want to buy.

And yet, they will buy an RV for the same amount of money and not even consider hiring an RV inspector.

But here’s the truth. RVs cost too much to be able to buy them with such limited information about their true condition.

Especially since RVs are actually in many cases much more complex than just a home.

Because a home just sits in one place. And it doesn’t have multiple systems for water and power like RVs do, etc.

Also, it’s not capable of being both a home and a vehicle at the same time.

So inspecting RVs is far more complicated than inspecting the average sticks and bricks house.

What Do Certified NRVIA Inspectors Charge For An Inspection?

OK, let’s get to the big question now. The one that this article is leading to.

And that is, what does a full thorough inspection from a certified NRVIA inspector cost?

Well, the answer is that it varies greatly depending on who the inspector is.

And the reason for that is that the NRVIA trains and certifies inspectors. But they don’t employ them.

Instead, we are all self-employed business owners. And that means that we’re free to set our own inspection prices as we see fit.

So that means that you’re obviously going to find a range of prices being charged.

And it can vary considerably from one inspector to another. Depending on many factors, including what the market will bear in that particular area.

But let me give you some general guidelines to go by on RV inspection costs.

General Guidelines On RV Inspection Costs

So remember that we talked about travel trailers being the simplest RV to inspect, right?

Well, if they take about 5 – 6 hours to inspect, you can often find certified RV inspectors that will charge about $500 for that kind of RV.

But let’s go to the other end of the RV spectrum now. And I’m talking about those big diesel pushers now.

The ones with all those complicated systems. As well as lots of luxuries and amenities too.

So what can you expect to spend on that kind of inspection? Well first of all, know that they can take 10 to 12 hours or more to inspect fully.

As a result, you’re going to find certified RV inspectors that charge $1200 or more for inspecting them.

Is Hiring A Certified RV Inspector Worth It?

Now is it worth that kind of money? The answer to that question is that it’s up to you to decide.

It is worth it if you value the time, experience and training of a professional who’s doing a thorough job.

One who is going to give you a complete report that you can really use to make a good decision on whether to buy that RV or not.

In my opinion, the money that certified RV inspectors charge is actually a real bargain!

But it really is up to you to decide. However, I can say this with absolute confidence.

Remember all those folks that are complaining online over what they bought in the last 3 – 4 years or so?

Well, what if they had gotten a full and thorough RV inspection from a certified RV inspector?

In that case, their buying experience would almost certainly have been much better.

And they would not be complaining anywhere near as loudly and long on social media.

Yes, you would find much less complaints about RVs and RV manufacturers then as well.

And that’s because they would have known the true condition of the RV they were buying before they actually completed the sale.

Also, they would have been able to negotiate the RV repairs before the sale was completed.

So they could have avoided so much frustration, lost time and anger then.

Just by putting a certified RV inspector who is a trained professional into the buying process.

What Certified RV Inspector Should You Choose?

OK, let’s now take on the last question that I want to cover in this article.

And that is which certified inspector should you choose? Well, here is my recommendation on that subject.

Just simply visit nrvia.org. And on the home page you’re going to see a button for “Find an RV inspector”.

Click on the Find An RV Inspector button on the home page
Click on the Find An RV Inspector button on the home page

So select that button and on the next page you’ll see a nationwide map.

And it contains the locations of all the certified NRVIA inspectors across the country.

Then you can just zoom in to the area where your RV that you’re considering is located.

Choose from the RV inspectors listed in your area
Choose from the RV inspectors listed in your area

As you do, look for the inspectors in that area. And the website will give you their contact information.

So then you can contact them and find out about their availability for an RV inspection.

I also recommend that you talk to them about your needs and expectations for the inspection.

Now who should you choose? Well, my recommendation is to just choose the one you are most comfortable with overall.

And the honest truth is all NRVIA certified inspectors have been trained to provide a good quality inspection for you.

Conclusion

So after covering all of this information about RV inspection costs, here’s my question for you.

What kind of RV inspection do you really want? Do you want a thorough one? Or just a cheap and quick one instead?

RV inspection costs- what kind of RV inspection do you really want?
RV inspection costs- what kind of RV inspection do you really want?

It’s up to you to decide, and I hope you make the right choice.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

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