Travel Trailer PDI & Pre-Purchase Inspection (Mobile Service)
Buying or taking delivery of a travel trailer? A thorough pre-delivery inspection (PDI) or pre-purchase inspection catches leaks, wiring faults, brake/bearing issues, and slide problems before they ruin a trip.
Traveling RV Technicians (TRVT) performs on-site travel-trailer inspections—new or used. We verify tow match & hitching, 120V/12V electrical, plumbing & LP, HVAC/appliances, roof/slides/sealing, and axles/brakes/tires. You get a photo-rich report with red/yellow/green priorities you can use for warranty or negotiation.
Tow Match, Tongue Weight & Hitch Setup
Safe towing starts here:
Tongue weight vs truck/SUV payload (aim ~10–15% of trailer weight).
GCWR/GVWR/GAWR math, receiver rating, and draw-bar height so the trailer tows level.
Weight-distribution hitch setup (bar rating, head tilt, L-brackets/chain links, torque).
Sway control (4-point, dual-cam, friction) checked for proper preload.
Brake controller function, breakaway switch, safety chains, and 7-way wiring strain relief.
Chassis, Axles, Suspension & Brakes
Highway safety and tire life depend on this:
Dexter/Lippert axle tags, camber, u-bolt torque, spring condition.
Equalizers/shackles/bushings (stock or upgrades like MORryde CRE/3000 or Road Armor); wet-bolt kits noted.
Electric drum brakes: magnet current draw, adjustment, wiring at backing plates.
Wheel bearings: endplay and service evidence.
Tires: size/load range, DOT dates, pressures, wear patterns (alignment clues).
120V/12V Electrical, Converter/Charger & EMS
Power proven under load:
Pedestal test (TT-30 30 amp / 14-50 50 amp), polarity/ground, hot-skin safety check.
EMS/surge protection (Progressive Industries/Hughes) status and history.
Breaker panel labeling, GFCI trip tests, outlet mapping.
Converter charger output (WFCO/Progressive Dynamics), battery test (SOC/SOH) for flooded/AGM/LiFePO₄.
Optional inverter/transfer check; solar controller (PWM/MPPT) reading and wiring quality.
Voltage drop checks on high-draw circuits (A/C, microwave).
Plumbing: City Water, Pump, Heaters & Tanks
Quiet water at steady pressure:
City water test with pressure regulator (target 45–60 PSI), hose gaskets, and check-valve integrity.
Pump hold test to reveal slow leaks; accumulator sizing to stop cycling.
Water heater (Suburban anode/flush; Atwood/Dometic checks) or Truma/Girard tankless min-flow and mix-valve stability.
PEX joints/manifolds, labeled shutoffs, and trap/vent performance (P-trap/HepvO, AAV).
Black/gray tank valves, black tank flush operation, and sensor accuracy (option to upgrade to SeeLevel).
LP Gas System (11″ w.c.) & Appliances
LP safety is non-negotiable:
Two-stage regulator set at 11″ water column, lock-up, and leak-down test.
Bubble-test at appliance connections; quick-connects routed away from heat.
Furnace, cooktop/oven, water heater ignition and flame quality.
Refrigerator: 12-V compressor (amp draw/pull-down) or absorption (LP/120V stack temps).
HVAC & Comfort
Real-world performance, not brochure numbers:
Air conditioner (Coleman-Mach/Dometic/Furrion) delta-T 18–22°F, return sealing, duct balance.
Thermostat operation and furnace duct balance to bath/bed.
Vent fan flow, backdraft dampers, and condensation control notes.
Roof, Slides, Walls & Sealing
Water is the #1 value killer:
Roof field (TPO/EPDM/FRP), skylights, vents, antenna, ladder/rail mounts; correct sealants and Eternabond where appropriate.
Sidewall/window/frame sealant, beltline and corner moldings; check for delamination.
Slide-outs (Schwintek, rack-and-pinion, hydraulic on larger units): timing, roller paths, seal sweep, topper condition; slide-floor edge swelling.
Awnings: fabric, roller springs, pitch, and drip control.
Interior, Safety Gear & Moisture Mapping
Everything you’ll touch—plus the hidden stuff:
Doors/locks, drawers/latches, furniture mounts, dinette/bed conversions.
Smoke/CO/LP detectors (date codes & tests), GFCI circuits, extinguisher rating/date, egress windows.
Moisture readings/IR scan at front/rear caps, slide corners, bath, and windows; soft-floor checks at wet areas.