RV Trek’s Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Where did you earn your certifications?

What are the points of inspection?

  • Depending upon the RV, there can be up to 800 points of inspection (“POI”). Outdoor POI’s include, roof condition, seals, exterior walls and caps, cargo doors, outdoor kitchens, outdoor entertainment systems, awnings, chassis, tires, suspension, underbelly, tires, electrical system, propane systems, water panels, safety systems, fresh, gray and black tanks, leveling, stabilizers, onboard generator, batteries, converter, and inverter.

  • Indoor POI’s include appliances, interior condition, lighting, furniture condition, signs of water intrusion, vents, fans, windows, flooring, indoor plumbing, electrical panels, electrical outlets, control panels, slideouts, and a range of driver systems in motorized coaches.

  • Optional fluid analysis for motorhome engines, transmission, and coolant.

  • Optional generator fluid analysis including oil and coolant

  • For a complete listing of our standards of practice and points of inspection, please visit the NRVIA Website

Do you have guidance on chassis inspections?

  • NRVIA standards of practice primarily focus on the house side of an RV. We inspect visible and accessible areas of the chassis and provide fluid analysis, but by no means is this considered a comprehensive chassis inspection. Enhanced chassis inspections requires different skillsets and certifications. These areas are outside the scope of a conventional RV inspection.

  • For clients requiring specialized focus on the chassis, we recommend an a supplemental chassis inspection performed by an authorized service center. We recommend contacting a Freightliner, Spartan, or other applicable service provider for more information.

  • We recommend a chassis inspection on older motorhomes, or when fluid analysis flags items that require further evaluation on the engine, transmission, or cooling system.

Do I need to attend the inspection?

  • No, our clients are not required to attend the inspection, but you are welcome to stop by for an hour to see what we do and ask questions. We do not recommend staying for the entire day. Please keep in mind our inspectors need to focus on the inspection so you receive a thorough inspection and quality report.

  • We specialize in working wit clients who are far the inspection location, often out of state. Your RV Trek inspector acts as your eyes and ears, so we call you at Noon and after the inspection to share our observations. You will never be left wondering about the progress of the inspection.

What action items do I have before the inspection?

  • We provide a detailed pre-inspection readiness checklist, so you can work with your seller to ensure the RV ready for inspection day.

  • Pre-inspection requirements require full connections to shore power, water, and sewer.

  • Some appliances, such as refrigerator and air conditioning need to be run at least twelve hours before the inspection

What is your inspection payment, cancellation, and refund policy?

  • Written cancellation notifications must be received via email to [email protected] a minimum of twenty-four hours before the inspection start date and time. We refund the inspection fee less $100 cancellation fee within three business days. Please allow additional time for refunds to appear on your credit card statement.

  • We recognize extraordinary circumstances can occur less than twenty-four hours prior to an inspection. Examples include a purchase agreement falling through, your RV of interest being sold to another individual, or cancelled purchase due to the discovery of a major defect prior to inspection. In such cases, we work with our customers on a case by case basis.

  • Some inspections must be ended early due to the discovery of major material defects that are “non-starters” to our clients. In such cases, the inspector immediately contacts the client and describes the findings. Should a decision to end the inspection prior to noon on inspection day, RV Trek provides a 50% refund.

How long do inspections take?

  • Plan on the inspection lasting a full day. The exact time depends upon the type of RV and the inspection package selected.

How long does it take to receive an inspection report?

  • Inspection reports are delivered through an online portal within twenty-four hours of completing the physical inspection.

What is contained in an inspection report?

  • An RV inspection report contains points of inspection, component condition, and your inspector’s notes, comments, observations, and recommendations.

  • Depending upon your chosen inspection package you will receive up to 100 photographs and videos with annotations when needed. Some inspection reports approach nearly 100 pages of quality content to assist you with your purchase decision.

  • The inspection report is delivered electronically via a secure portal. Your report is downloadable in PDF format.

  • Our clients frequently state the report contains everything they need to know to make an informed buying decision.

Do I need a fluid analysis for a motorhome?

  • A fluid analysis is like a blood test to determine the condition of the engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and generator. We recommend this service particularly for used motorhomes and generators. On new RV’s, a fluid analysis is a great way to obtain a baseline for future fluid tests.

  • RV’s a fluid analysis can find hidden defects! Fluids are tested for contaminants, wear metals, and other fluid properties. We have seen instances where the lab information helps our customers to avoid a risky and expensive problem, or to simply know when to change their fluids when the maintenance history is not well known.

  • For best results we recommend having a minimum of 3,000 miles on the engine fluids and at least 300 hours on a generator prior to testing.

  • Please note some RV’s have sealed or obstructed oil and transmission fluid systems that prevent fluid sampling. We do not charge for unsuccessful fluid extraction attempts.

How long will take to receive fluid analysis lab results?

  • The fluid analysis report turnaround time averages three business days, however, it can take up to seven business days if the lab has an order backlog.

  • If your RV purchase is contingent upon fluid lab results, we recommend adding this contingency to the purchase agreement with the seller.

Do you provide inspections on new and used RV’s?

  • RV Trek offers inspections on both new and used RV’s. We perform pre-purchase inspections for buyers and pre-sale inspections for sellers. Regardless of whether you are purchasing a new or used RV, you receive the same points of inspection and an independent evaluation of the RV’s current condition.

Will you perform an inspection at a dealer?

  • Yes! Many dealerships are very accommodating to independent inspectors. On rare occasions when dealerships put up roadblocks to an independent inspection, a customer call often solves the issue. Remember, reputable dealerships want to earn your business, so if you want an independent inspection then please let them know your expectations.

Do you perform inspections at National Indoor RV Centers (“NIRVC”)?

  • NIRVC is a national high-end motorhome dealership chain that only permits vetted and authorized inspectors on their property. RV Trek is listed on their approved list of inspectors. NIRVC only approves inspectors that consistently deliver a high quality service to our mutual clients.

  • RV Trek has no affiliation with NIRVC. We do not accept commissions and never participate in any kind of quid pro quo agreement with this or any company.

  • RV Trek remains completely non-biased in all our inspections. NIRVC never attempts to influence our inspections no matter what our observations uncover.

Do you share the inspection report with a dealership, private seller, or broker?

  • RV Trek will not share the inspection report with a dealership, private seller, or broker without your written consent.

How far will you travel to perform an inspection?

  • Our inspection service area includes all of the Southeast. We charge a mobile service fee for inspections greater than 50 miles from our location. With advance notice we offer VIP services where your inspector travels to any destination in the continental United States to evaluate an RV of your choice.

What if a seller will not allow, limit, or obstruct an inspection?

  • Reputable dealers and private sellers rarely have objections with an independent inspection.

  • If a seller has concerns about liability, RV Trek gladly provides electronic proof of commercial liability insurance upon request.

  • As a consumer, we believe you have a right to be confident in your purchase. If a seller throws out roadblocks to an inspection and pressures you to buy now, we recommend taking a break and carefully evaluate whether the seller is working in your interest.

  • We recommend protecting your purchase by insisting upon a sales agreement containing a contingency requiring an independent RV inspection and a 100% refundable hold deposit.

  • A small number of dealerships attempt to charge their clients an hourly fee to “supervise” an inspection. We find this business practice a disservice and obstructive to our clients. RV Trek will not perform inspections at these dealerships.

  • Remember, you are the customer and you have the right to purchase from any seller you choose.