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Why You Need an RV Inspection: A Case of a Ladder Installed Incorrectly

Owning an RV comes with a lot of joys, from the freedom of the open road to the convenience of having a home wherever you go. However, with this lifestyle comes the responsibility of ensuring that your RV is safe, functional, and in proper working condition. One crucial way to do this is by getting an RV inspection. At My RV Inspection, we specialize in giving you peace of mind before you set off on your journey, making sure your RV is in tip-top shape and free from any hidden dangers.

In today’s Weekly One Reason To Get An RV Inspection, I want to share a recent inspection experience that highlights just how essential these inspections are. This particular case involved a brand-new RV that had a dangerously installed ladder—one of the many reasons why an RV inspection can save you from potential hazards.

The Importance of RV Inspections

Before diving into the specific issue with the ladder, let’s talk about why getting an RV inspection is essential. At My RV Inspection, we emphasize the importance of pre-purchase inspections. It’s always better to identify issues before you make a significant investment. Unfortunately, many RVs—especially new ones fresh from the manufacturer—can have overlooked or improperly addressed defects.

An RV inspection helps you catch these problems early on. Whether you’re buying new or used, having a professional look over your RV ensures that you are not inheriting someone else’s mistakes or paying for repairs down the line that could have been easily avoided.

This recent case we encountered serves as a perfect example.

RV Ladder Mounted Incorrectly: A Dangerous Oversight

During an inspection of a brand-new RV, we found an alarming issue with the ladder installed on the back of the vehicle. At first glance, the ladder appeared to be mounted securely, but after a closer look, we discovered that the ladder mount was installed upside down. This may not seem like a huge deal, but the reality is far more dangerous than it sounds. Here’s why:

  • Incorrect Mounting Can Lead to Serious Accidents
    In this case, the screws holding the ladder were placed on the bottom of the mount instead of the top. When weight is applied to the ladder, the top part of the mount pulls away from the RV, drastically reducing the stability of the ladder. Had the screws been installed at the top, the mount would have pressed toward the RV when weight was applied, offering more stability and a safer experience for anyone climbing the ladder.

  • Loose and Misaligned
    In addition to being installed upside down, the ladder mounts weren’t even flush with the RV’s exterior wall. This misalignment caused the ladder itself to lean slightly to one side. As I did more measurements, it became clear that the ladder was crooked, and the bottom mount was not centered with the top mount. Even on a brand-new RV, this is a recipe for disaster.

The Hazards of a Faulty Ladder

RV ladders are notorious for becoming loose over time, even when installed correctly. Imagine what could happen if you stepped onto a ladder that was improperly mounted. In the worst-case scenario, the ladder could detach from the RV while you’re climbing it. And as you can imagine, a fall from the top of an RV could result in severe injuries or even be fatal.

With this particular RV, we found that if the bottom mount were to break or detach due to the improper installation, the person using the ladder would likely fall. And here’s the kicker—the issue would have been incredibly easy to fix had it been caught earlier. Unfortunately, the RV owners got the RV inspection after purchasing it and noticing a few other problems. This oversight could have been easily addressed by the dealership if the issue had been identified before the sale.

The Bigger Picture: Pre-Purchase Inspections

One of the key takeaways from this experience is the importance of getting an RV inspection before you purchase your RV. In this case, the buyers had already taken their new RV home and then noticed some minor issues, which led them to call us for an inspection. By the time we identified the incorrectly mounted ladder and other defects, the RV had already been driven off the lot.

Had the inspection been done before the purchase, the owners could have had the ladder fixed immediately, without any extra hassle. This is one of the major advantages of pre-purchase RV inspections—we help you avoid having to go back to the dealership for repairs after the fact, and we save you from potential dangers like the one we encountered with this ladder.

Here’s why pre-purchase inspections are crucial:

  • Catch Problems Early
    Whether the issue is a faulty ladder, electrical problems, or something else, an inspection ensures that any issues are addressed before they become dangerous or costly.

  • Negotiate Repairs or Pricing
    If we identify issues during the inspection, you can use that information to negotiate with the dealer. Whether you get them to repair the problem before delivery or negotiate a lower price so you can handle the repairs on your own, an inspection gives you leverage.

  • Peace of Mind
    When you’re about to make a significant investment like purchasing an RV, you want to be sure you’re making the right decision. An inspection provides peace of mind, knowing that your RV is safe, functional, and ready to hit the road.

Additional Issues Found

The ladder wasn’t the only issue we found with this RV. In fact, by the time we had inspected the vehicle for just a couple of hours, we had already found over 15 problems. And this was all before 10 o’clock in the morning!

Many RV buyers mistakenly believe that because their RV is new, it’s going to be flawless. However, this isn’t always the case. RV manufacturers are under immense pressure to produce and deliver vehicles quickly, which can lead to oversights and mistakes. That’s why having an independent RV inspector examine your RV is always a good idea.

Conclusion: Get Your RV Inspected

At My RV Inspection, we can’t stress enough the importance of getting your RV inspected, especially before you make a purchase. Whether it’s a new or used RV, we’ve seen too many instances where a simple inspection could have saved the owner time, money, and even potential injury.

If you’re in the market for an RV, make sure to check out My RV Resource, where you can find certified RV inspectors, mobile technicians, repair shops, dealerships, and more. Our platform is like the Yellow Pages for RV service providers, helping you find anything you need, wherever you are.

Remember, an RV inspection today could save you from a costly repair—or a dangerous accident tomorrow.

Safe travels!

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Jason Carletti

Jason Carletti is an NRVIA Master Certified RV Inspector. He has won the NRVIA Service Excellence Award and was named NRVIA member of the month in March of 2018. He writes and vlogs about important things to look out for when purchasing an RV, crazy things that he has seen when inspecting RVs for clients, and RV maintenance, repairs, tips, and tricks.

About My RV Inspection

NRVIA Master Certified RV Inspection Florida

My RV Inspection is the highest rated RV Inspection Service in Central Florida.  We separate ourselves from the competition by having 2 NRVIA Level 2 Certified Inspectors. We spend more time inspecting your RV than any other RV Inspection company in Florida(even the ones that only have 1 RV Inspector checking out the RV).  We don’t just show up and leave 2 or 3 hours later.  We spend as much time as it takes to make sure we are not missing things.  We have well over 100 reviews on Google and a 5 Star Rating.

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