◆ Quebec buyer’s checklist

Buying a used RV in Quebec: 30 points to check

Three decades of inspections boiled down to one walkthrough. Bring a flashlight, a moisture meter and three hours.

Why a 30-point checklist?

Half the regrets we hear from RV buyers come from the same three failures: water damage hidden under cabinetry, slide-out mechanism wear, and chassis rust on towables. A 30-point inspection catches all three.

Exterior (10 points)

  1. Roof seals at every penetration (vents, AC, antennae). Look for caulk lifting, hairline cracks.
  2. Sidewall delamination — press with your palm; soft spots mean trouble.
  3. Slide-out gaskets and tracks.
  4. Tires, including spare. Check DOT date — over 7 years, replace regardless of tread.
  5. Frame and tongue (towables): rust, cracked welds, bent steel.
  6. Hitch coupling integrity.
  7. Underbelly: drooping, exposed wiring, evidence of rodent activity.
  8. LP tank certification date.
  9. Awning fabric and arms.
  10. Exterior compartment locks and seals.

Interior (10 points)

  1. Floor flex under load — stand and bounce gently near slide-outs.
  2. Ceiling discoloration around vents and AC.
  3. Cabinetry around windows: open every cabinet, check the back wall for staining.
  4. Moisture meter readings under 18% in wood, 5% in subfloor.
  5. Smell: musty = walk away.
  6. Refrigerator cools on both 12V and 120V (run it for an hour).
  7. Furnace, AC and water heater each cycle correctly.
  8. Slide-out runs full extension and retraction smoothly.
  9. Black tank odor or staining at the toilet base.
  10. Hot water reaches every faucet at full pressure.

Documents (10 points)

  1. Title — clean, not “rebuilt” or “salvage.”
  2. Vehicle history (CARFAX equivalent or Quebec SAAQ record).
  3. Past insurance claims — ask explicitly.
  4. Maintenance records (oil changes, wheel bearings, tank dumps).
  5. Warranty status (original or transferable extended).
  6. All keys and remotes accounted for.
  7. Awning, generator and slide-out manuals.
  8. Last inspection (motorized): SAAQ mechanical certification.
  9. Lien check via RDPRM (Quebec registry).
  10. Bill of sale signed and dated.

Walk away from any rig that fails on water, slide-outs or title. Everything else is negotiable.

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