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Frequently Asked Questions

In this section of our RV buying guide, Van.Life’s Class B New RV inspection list is the most comprehensive in the RV industry.

In this section of our RV buying guide, Van.Life's Class B New RV inspection list is the most comprehensive in the RV industry
Class B RV Buyers should not rely on their dealer to guide them through a thorough pre-delivery inspection

All RV dealer service departments are swamped and your brand new unit is not the service department’s priority

Buyers of a new Class B RV should extensively inspect their van before papers are signed–NOT AFTER! As a guide, all Class B RV New dealers perform a pre-delivery inspection or PDI for the buyer. Problem is that they only do a short predelivery inspection of 2-3 hours tops that would not get them past the first few day 1 steps on our inspection list. RV technicians report that dealerships press them to do PDIs even more quickly than 2-3 hours.

A dealer’s service department has more to do than free inspections for the sales department! In our estimation, most owner frustration could be eliminated if dealers would only thoroughly check the vans out before delivery. Things that should never see the light of day are revealed to the owner in the first hours of ownership. But by then, papers are signed, money has been transferred, the next service appointment is 6 weeks away, and the new owner is SOL. Despicable!

There will be problems; it’s how they’re dealt with that makes the difference between continued ownership excitement and disappointment and frustration.

The Van.Life New RV Pre-delivery Inspection list is a solution to the problem

The Van.Life RV Pre-delivery inspection list guides our service techs through a 5-day, 30-hour simulation of the buyer using their new Class B RV. We allow for an additional 2 days to correct any problems we find.

Our predelivery inspection is not a gimmick; it is not fluff. Van.Life GIVES you $4,000 worth of free shop time to prove to you that your new Class B RV works as it should. We install wireless voltage, amperage, and temperature sensors throughout the van and document everything we do and even give you an excel spreadsheet showing 10-minute interval readings of heater, air conditioner, fridge and freezer temperatures, battery voltages, and charge amperage taken over a 5-day period. 

You will not find a more thorough pre-inspection (PDI). We document things like pressure test of the propane system and simulate your use of the van for a week to ensure that anything prone to breaking will be discovered before you take possession of your van. 

Van.Life raises the bar for new RV buyer satisfaction

We believe that the RV industry has had a pass too long and crappy service has been a hallmark of the industry; there is no way people who pay the money they do for luxury Class B Vans should have to endure the poor service they do. Any new Class B RV purchased from Van.Life goes through this buying guide’s seven-day in-shop pre-delivery inspection list that takes a minimum of 30 man hours.

We publish our redelivery inspection here and challenge any new dealer to improve on our inspection regimen and offer the same “Carefree Pre-inspection” regimen to their customers. As a purchaser of a new Midwest Automotive Designs RV from Van.Life, we guarantee that all possible steps have been taken to ensure the most pleasurable ownership experience possible while still maintaining aggressive pricing.

Details of Van.Life’s New Class B RV pre-delivery inspection list

Van.Life’s Class B RV buying guide new RV inspection list is spelled out below for scrutinization by anyone. As a matter of fact, we invite any competitor to help us to improve on it and also challenge them to offer the same for the good of the industry and the experience of the customer. Estimated predelivery inspection time: 30 hours not including any repairs that are necessary.

DAY 1

  • Day 1 of of Van.Life’s Class B RV buying guide new RV inspection list
    • Fill fresh water tank.
    • Fill fuel and propane tanks.
    • Ensure all accessible interior electrical connections are properly torqued.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.
    • Plug into shore power.
    • Run hot water in sink and bath 5 minutes.
    • Install stopper and fill sink with water to ensure it does not leak.
    • Flush toilet.
    • Turn on refrigerator; install temperature probes in fridge and freezer and record temperature all day. Chart on excel spreadsheet for customer.
    • Boil hot water on stove.
    • Boil mug of water in microwave.
    • Run shower 15 minutes.
    • Make a pot of coffee using 120v receptacle.
    • Ensure all 120v receptacles work.
    • Test all USB receptacles.
    • Ensure all interior lights work.
    • Test awning.
    • Ensure outside lights work.
    • Test tv, stereo, and rear entertainment system works. Install missing optical cable.
    • Observe that firefly system has all expected functions active.
    • Ensure shades work as expected.
    • Test that bed or sofa work as expected.
    • Look for flaws in the upholstery.
    • Look for paint and body flaws.
    • Check all that all cabinets are aligned and latches work.
    • Ensure table is included in van and that table base is installed.
    • Ensure inverter and solar controller are programmed correctly for system.
    • Lift on rack.
    • Inspect all undercarriage parts and ensure nothing is out of place.
    • Use gas sniffer to inspect propane lines/connections on propane-equipped vehicles.
    • Pressure test on propane system (8” W.C. for 3 to 5 min.) using manometer at the grill quick connect.
    • Ensure all under van electrical terminations are tight.
    • Inspect all plumbing connections.
    • Ensure any generator, heater, or fuel-fired appliance exhaust systems vent adequately.
    • Perform carbon pile battery test on AGM batteries.
    • Run rooftop air conditioner all day. Install temperature probe in vent and continuously record temperature output.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.
    • Open windows at end of day. Check all screens for proper fit and operation. Run fantastic fan all night; run bathroom vent all night.

DAY 2

  • Day 2 of Van.Life’s Class B RV buying guide new RV inspection list.
    • Close screens.
    • Ensure battery is fully charged from shore power. Document voltage on inspection report. Disconnect.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.
    • Move van outside.
    • Start generator.
    • Run hot water in sink and bath 5 minutes.
    • Run shower for 15 minutes. Ensure water drains as it should.
    • Flush toilet.
    • Use outdoor shower hot and cold water.
    • Continue to record refrigerator temperature all day. Chart on excel spreadsheet for customer.
    • Boil hot water on stove.
    • Boil mug of water in microwave.
    • Make a pot of coffee using 120v receptacle.
    • Run rooftop air conditioner all day. Check internal temperature at 11am, 2 pm, and 5pm.
    • Check solar charging and document solar voltage and amperage throughout the day on excel spreadsheet. Look for unexpected charge behavior.
    • Check generator charging and document generator charge voltage and amperage throughout the day on excel spreadsheet. Look for unexpected charge behavior.
    • Check battery voltage at end of day and record on inspection report.
    • Take fridge and freezer temp readings at end of day and document on inspection report.
    • At end of day, move van back into shop and plug into shore power.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.

DAY 3

  • Day 3 of Van.Life’s Class B RV buying guide new RV inspection list
    • Ensure battery is fully charged from shore power. Document voltage on inspection report. Disconnect.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.
    • Move van outside.
    • Run hot water in sink and bath 5 minutes on battery.
    • Run shower for 15 minutes. Ensure water drains as it should.
    • Flush toilet.
    • Continue to record refrigerator temperature all day. Chart on excel spreadsheet for customer.
    • Boil hot water on stove using battery; use engine to assist if battery bank insufficient to carry load.
    • Boil mug of water in microwave; use engine to assist if battery bank insufficient to carry load.
    • Make a pot of coffee using 120v receptacle powered by inverter and battery.
    • Use hair dryer on 1500w setting to drain battery to 50%.
    • Check internal controls to ensure everything works as it should on battery.
    • Allow engine to idle. Document battery voltage and charge amperage in one minute intervals on an excel spreadsheet for 8 hours. Look for unexpected charge behavior.
    • If air conditioner can run off batteries, run rooftop air conditioner all day.
    • Check battery voltage at end of day and record on inspection report.
    • Take fridge and freezer temp readings at end of day and document on inspection report.
    • At end of day, move van back into shop and plug into shore power.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.

DAY 4

  • Day 4 of Van.Life’s Class B RV buying guide new RV inspection list
    • Ensure battery is fully charged from shore power. Document voltage on inspection report. Disconnect.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.
    • Run hot water in sink and bath 5 minutes on battery.
    • Run shower for 15 minutes. Ensure water drains as it should.
    • Flush toilet.
    • Boil hot water on stove using battery; use engine to assist if battery bank insufficient to carry load.
    • Boil mug of water in microwave; use engine to assist if battery bank insufficient to carry load.
    • Make a pot of coffee using 120v receptacle powered by inverter and battery.
    • Open doors. Test heat at 90 degrees. Ensure the heater will run at least 3 hours as expected. Check every 30 minutes and document that heater is working as expected.
    • Continue to record refrigerator temperature all day. Chart on excel spreadsheet for customer.
    • Plug in to shore power at end of day.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.

DAY 5

  • Day 5 of Van.Life’s Class B RV buying guide new RV inspection list
    • Ensure battery is fully charged from shore power. Document voltage on inspection report. Disconnect.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.
    • Run hot water in sink and bath 5 minutes on battery.
    • Flush toilet.
    • Run shower for 15 minutes. Ensure water drains as it should.
    • Boil hot water on stove using battery; use engine to assist if battery bank insufficient to carry load.
    • Boil mug of water in microwave; use engine to assist if battery bank insufficient to carry load.
    • Make a pot of coffee using 120v receptacle powered by inverter and battery.
    • Continue to record refrigerator temperature all day. Chart on excel spreadsheet for customer.
    • Drive to dump point and ensure dump mechanism works as it should.
    • Road test with two technicians: one driving and other in rear listening for rattles. Document and fix.
    • Plug in to shore power at end of day.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.

DAY 6

  • Day 6 of Van.Life’s Class B RV buying guide new RV inspection list
    • Ensure battery is fully charged from shore power. Document voltage on inspection report. Disconnect.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.
    • Wash and detail for customer delivery. Look for any leaks at windows.
    • Make warranty repairs as necessary.
    • Plug in to shore power at end of day.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.

DAY 7

  • Day 7 of Van.Life’s Class B RV buying guide new RV inspection list
    • Ensure battery is fully charged from shore power. Document voltage on inspection report.
    • Cycle battery master switch on/off.
    • Make repairs as necessary.

Download Van.Life’s New Class B RV pre-delivery inspection list pdf

You can download a pdf of the preinspection regimen we follow by clicking here.

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