I know I'm kind of jumping the gun here a little... I tend to overthink things and plan out too far in advance. Then again, if we're blessed with a quick sale (house listed today), it won't be that far out...
I have my eye on what seems to be a great 5'er + truck combo but it's located about 3000 miles away (I'm in NJ, the rig is in SoCal). Since it's used, I want to have an inspection done by a certified RVIA inspector (btw, can they also inspect a Ford F-350 or does that have to be done separately by an auto mechanic who specializes in diesels?)
Anyway, my question is whether I personally need to be present for the inspection? My concern is that airfare is not cheap and if it turns out that something is wrong and the sale doesn't go through, I'd still be out a few thousand $ just to get out there. My thoughts were perhaps to find a fellow Dreamer who lives or is camping near there at the time and pay them a few $ to go on our behalf. Maybe even communicate with us live via Skype.
Do you think that's a good plan, or should I just take the risk and lose the airfare as a worst case scenario? Oh, that would also have to include transporting my 3 cats on the plane, as I still haven't found them a new home, and I don't have anyone who could keep them while we're gone for a month or more (the plan, if we buy the rig, would be to stay out there for about a week learning to drive it, getting used to it, possibly doing the add-ons there (like a generator and/or solar panels, although that could possibly wait as we probably won't be boondocking right away), then driving to FL where we'll visit some relatives and do all the paperwork needed to establish our domicile (including registering the vehicles and getting our new drivers licenses).
TRAILERKING said
05:06 PM Mar 27, 2014
cherylbrv wrote:
I have my eye on what seems to be a great 5'er + truck combo but it's located about 3000 miles away (I'm in NJ, the rig is in SoCal). Since it's used, I want to have an inspection done by a certified RVIA inspector (btw, can they also inspect a Ford F-350 or does that have to be done separately by an auto mechanic who specializes in diesels?)
Anyway, my question is whether I personally need to be present for the inspection? My concern is that airfare is not cheap and if it turns out that something is wrong and the sale doesn't go through, I'd still be out a few thousand $ just to get out there.
RV inspection done by an RVIA but the truck should be done at an automotive specialist(preferably a dealer). No way should it cost "A few thousand" to fly there. Cost me $180.00 per person to go from up here to Orlando(that's about 2,800 miles). Fly there and you are in control of where you're throwing your money. If don't like what you see then you're just out flight expense.
WestWardHo said
06:03 PM Mar 27, 2014
Cheryl,
No Certified RV inspectors will not also inspect your truck and they strongly prefer you not be there because it's intensive and the buyer's presence would likely slow down the inspection. If you've ever been there for a home inspection, you'll find they'll politely give you one or two word answers but until you receive the written report, complete with photos you likely won't have your answers. However I believe a "rush" inspection report is possible for extra, of course.
I'm going to PM you but that seems such a log way to go to find your dream set up, just my concern for you.
Sherry
NOWYO said
07:49 PM Mar 28, 2014
I'm not yet ready to buy, but when I am, I have decided that it will be worth the airfare to look at what I'm buying than to trust anyone else. I'm quirky that way. After all, if your dropping thousands of dollars on a home you intend to live in, what's a few hundred bucks for airfare?
I know I'm kind of jumping the gun here a little... I tend to overthink things and plan out too far in advance. Then again, if we're blessed with a quick sale (house listed today), it won't be that far out...
I have my eye on what seems to be a great 5'er + truck combo but it's located about 3000 miles away (I'm in NJ, the rig is in SoCal). Since it's used, I want to have an inspection done by a certified RVIA inspector (btw, can they also inspect a Ford F-350 or does that have to be done separately by an auto mechanic who specializes in diesels?)
Anyway, my question is whether I personally need to be present for the inspection? My concern is that airfare is not cheap and if it turns out that something is wrong and the sale doesn't go through, I'd still be out a few thousand $ just to get out there. My thoughts were perhaps to find a fellow Dreamer who lives or is camping near there at the time and pay them a few $ to go on our behalf. Maybe even communicate with us live via Skype.
Do you think that's a good plan, or should I just take the risk and lose the airfare as a worst case scenario? Oh, that would also have to include transporting my 3 cats on the plane, as I still haven't found them a new home, and I don't have anyone who could keep them while we're gone for a month or more (the plan, if we buy the rig, would be to stay out there for about a week learning to drive it, getting used to it, possibly doing the add-ons there (like a generator and/or solar panels, although that could possibly wait as we probably won't be boondocking right away), then driving to FL where we'll visit some relatives and do all the paperwork needed to establish our domicile (including registering the vehicles and getting our new drivers licenses).
RV inspection done by an RVIA but the truck should be done at an automotive specialist(preferably a dealer). No way should it cost "A few thousand" to fly there. Cost me $180.00 per person to go from up here to Orlando(that's about 2,800 miles). Fly there and you are in control of where you're throwing your money. If don't like what you see then you're just out flight expense.
No Certified RV inspectors will not also inspect your truck and they strongly prefer you not be there because it's intensive and the buyer's presence would likely slow down the inspection. If you've ever been there for a home inspection, you'll find they'll politely give you one or two word answers but until you receive the written report, complete with photos you likely won't have your answers. However I believe a "rush" inspection report is possible for extra, of course.
I'm going to PM you but that seems such a log way to go to find your dream set up, just my concern for you.
Sherry