Picking up your New Trailer

This is more of a notes section of things to watch for. The dealership will have someone do a final walkthrough with you and touch on everything. Well you hope they show everything. Really, make them show everything. I have done this walkthrough on 3 of ours and 1 for our daughter. No two have been the same. Two separate times a the trailer wasn’t even washed. Once no one ever showed to help us hook up. Now I know how to and that’s fine, but it really isn’t fine. That’s just poor service. Once, the cords were still all hooked up when I went to hook. No one was even around. We could have actually grabbed anyone of 4 different trailers and left. No joke. To list a few more missed issues, a bent non operating septic drain gate, a drawer falling apart, a blind hanging wrong and non operational. There is almost always trim that needs to be reattached. We have had several door issues on the interior either hinges or latches or both. One did not even have propane tanks under the cover. An exterior door that actually had to be reordered because this one barely shut due to poor factory install. The dealership never even noticed. Honestly any number of things can be looked over and or missed. At the pace they walk you through, lot’s can be missed very easily so take your time.

Don’t hesitate to hire an independent inspector for the final walkthru. This is becoming more normal and routine for many.

On the final walkthru, grab your phone. Take video of the what they are showing. How to light the stove. How to run all the switches on the wall and when to use which switch. How to operate the fridge. Whatever it is that you feel you could use a refresher later on, video it now. You will forget better than half of you are being showed. It just happens.

Checklist Outside

Don’t be afraid to get on your knees and inspect wiring around the axles. Make sure everything looks hooked up right and is working

Look underneath for anything that looks out of the ordinary, wiring dangling, gas lines not set right or the gas hook up in the back un usable, yes that’s been a thing. needed to be taken off and reattached so it would operate correctly.

Check for rusting parts anywhere outside. (we missed a set of front fold steps rusting bad) they walked through the back entrance stairs and they are aluminum. The front set, iron and did’t get opened up. My fault.

Make sure the batteries are charged.

Make sure the Propane tanks are filled and working. ( this shouldn’t be an issue because they should show you how to light the stove and oven and heat).

Confirm the AC works properly and so does the thermostat

Check for blemishes, decal issues, heavy scratches and any other exterior issues. ( walk the exterior slow, look carefully, don’t be a rushed).

They should test all the lights when you hook up, but remember above I mentioned on one trailer no one was even around when we hooked so I did this myself. Of course this something you should check every time you hook anyway.

Don’t be afraid to get on the roof and look around. The trailer we have now, leaked within months of buying it. Wasn’t bad but when I got on the roof. I ordered caulk immediately. The caulk job was terrible and looked rushed. I won’t buy another without getting on the roof.

Double check tires for any visible issues. Should be new but that’s going to be the case on a used unit. Trailer tires should be changed out anywhere from 4 to 6 years out. Just because tread may be fine, the tire itself looses it’s integrity with time, weather and such.

Check the condition of the awning especially on a used unit.

On the Interior

Check everything is the short answer. Fine toothed comb as they say.

Make sure doors close and latch

Do all the drawers slide properly and latch

Do the blind operate correctly

Work all the light switches and each light individually

faucets work right and no leaking below at least not today. (follow up on this with maintenance later cause they will leak later, it’s just part of it, bouncing down the road loosens fittings)

Shower works and drains

Is the fridge and freezer cold

The stove and oven light up with no issue

Check the floor for any major defects. ( this is easily looked over since we are walking on it, but one good cleaning at home and you will be furious the first time you find something that needs work and really shouldn’t have)

I will say check all the trim to make sure it is all properly attached. ( trim will come loose, either on the first drive home or somewhere down the traveling timeline. It will come loose and you will need a brad nailer to tack it back up) but at least make sure for today it looks good.

Don’t let the dealership pass anything off. Things are never perfect with a camper. They are work at times but for today let the work be on them not you.