Motorhome PDI & Pre-Purchase Inspection (Class A • B • C)
Buying or taking delivery of a motorhome? A thorough pre-delivery inspection (PDI) or pre-purchase RV inspection catches leaks, wiring faults, frame/suspension wear, and slide problems before they become expensive.
Traveling RV Technicians (TRVT) performs mobile motorhome inspections for Class A, Class B, and Class C coaches—gas and diesel. We verify chassis & powertrain, 120-volt/12-volt electrical, charging & batteries, plumbing & LP, HVAC/appliances, roof & slides, leveling/jacks, and safety systems. You get a photo-rich report with red/yellow/green priorities you can use for warranty or negotiation.
Scope & Method (What we test—end to end)
We run a structured, road-tested checklist:
Electrical 120V: pedestal test (30 amp/50 amp), EMS/surge status, polarity/ground, GFCI function, transfer switch operation, breaker panel labeling.
Electrical 12V: battery test (SOC/SOH), converter/alternator/solar charging, fuse map, voltage drop under load.
Chassis: engine/transmission, cooling, belts, hoses, leaks; brakes/tires/suspension.
House systems: water pump & city water, water heater (tank & tankless), LP system pressure/leak-down, A/C and furnace performance, refrigerator.
Body: roof, slides, seals, windows, awnings, compartments.
Deliverable: a clear report with photos, measurements, and a punch-list you can act on.
Chassis & Powertrain (Gas & Diesel)
We verify reliability where trips are won or lost:
Gas (Ford F-53 6.8L/7.3L, Chevy 8.1, Ford E-450/E-350, Transit): scan for codes, inspect coils/plugs, cooling, throttle, and Tow/Haul function.
Diesel pusher (Freightliner/Spartan): Cummins ISB/ISC/ISL checks, Allison 1000/2000/3000/4000 shift quality, exhaust brake and air system performance.
Class B vans (Sprinter 3.0L, ProMaster, Transit EcoBoost): DEF/DPF data, transmission temp, boost/vacuum, service intervals.
Fluids: engine oil, coolant, ATF, brake fluid; seep/leak identification. Optional oil analysis package on request.
Cooling: fan clutch/e-fans, CAC/DPF stack, radiator fin condition, thermostats.
Charging: alternator output vs house charge path (B2B or isolator relay).
Leveling, Jacks & Stabilization
We test and tune landing and leveling systems:
Hydraulic jacks (HWH, Lippert) and electric jack systems: extend/retract, leaks, footpads, re-sync, error codes.
Auto-level calibration, controller voltage checks, and manual mode verification.
Frame tie-ins, cross-bracing, and storage bay clearances so nothing binds.
120V/12V House Power, Inverter/Charger & EMS
Power must be safe and stable under load:
Pedestal and power cord condition; adapter checks; hot-skin safety test.
Converter/charger output and charge profile; inverter/charger transfer (Xantrex, Victron, Magnum).
Battery bank (flooded/AGM/LiFePO₄) capacity check, BMS status, and cabling/terminal torque.
EMS/surge (Progressive Industries/Hughes) readings, error history, and proper grounding.
Labeling at power distribution centers and breaker panel for easy isolation.
Batteries, Solar & DC Distribution
We confirm off-grid capability without guesswork:
Controller type (MPPT/PWM), array wiring, and real-world solar charge rate.
Shunt-based battery monitors, alternator charge strategy, DC-to-DC chargers, and house/chassis isolation.
Fuse sizing, wire gauge, and voltage regulation so loads don’t brown out lights or trip breakers.
Plumbing, Water Quality & LP Gas
Quiet, clean water at steady pressure:
City water test with pressure regulator (45–60 PSI), pump hold test, flow at furthest faucet.
Water heater: Suburban anode/flush; Atwood/Dometic checks; Truma AquaGo/Girard tankless ignition/min-flow and mix-valve stability.
PEX leaks, accumulator sizing, traps/vents (P-trap/HepvO, AAV) for odor control.
LP gas: regulator 11″ w.c., lock-up, leak-down, appliance flame quality; CO/LP detector date and test.
HVAC & Appliances (Real-world temperatures)
Comfort systems verified under load:
Air conditioners (Coleman-Mach, Dometic/Furrion): 18–22°F delta-T, duct sealing, return filters.
Furnace: ignition, flame, safeties, duct balance to bath/bed.
Refrigerators: 12-volt compressor—pull-down time and amp draw; absorption (Dometic/Norcold)—LP/120V stack temps and door seals.
Generator (Cummins Onan 4k–12.5k): start/charge, load test, Hz/voltage stability, hour log and service interval.
Microwaves/convection, washer/dryer, fireplaces—function and amp checks.
Hydronic heat (Aqua-Hot/Oasis) where equipped: burner/electric, glycol level, leak inspection.
Roof, Slides, Windows & Body Sealing
Water is the #1 value killer—we hunt it down:
Roof field (TPO/EPDM/FRP), skylights, fans, antennas; correct sealants and Eternabond use.
Slide-outs (Schwintek, rack-and-pinion, hydraulic): timing, roller paths, seal sweep, reveals, topper condition.
Windows/doors: frame torque, failed dual-pane fogging flagged for glass replacement (no “defog” gimmicks).
Compartment seals, beltline/rail trim, underbody penetrations, and windshield seal at the cap.