RV Pre-Inspection Requirements

We at Andersen RV Services appreciate your business and look forward to providing you with the most advanced RV inspection available in today’s RV market. Below are the requirements for RV Setup

Hookups and Setup

So that we may provide you with a thorough inspection, your RV will need to be hooked up to all of the utilities - fresh water, electricity, and sewer, during the inspection. Andersen RV Services will be unable to perform tests relating to non-present hookups. However, if the fresh water tank is at least half full, we will be able to test internal freshwater functions (pumps, sinks, toilets, etc.).

The RV will need to be located in an area that is flat enough to allow the RV to be levelled correctly. It will also need to have enough room around it to allow us to extend and retract all the slideouts, awnings and allow us to walk completely around the unit to perform the inspection.

Also, note that a Hot Skin Test cannot be performed if there is no shore power connection. Any tests not performed, due to lack of hookups, will be noted accordingly, in the inspection report.

Dewinterization

Winterized RVs must be de-winterized before inspection. Andersen RV Services cannot provide dewinterization services during an inspection.

Refrigerators

RV absorption refrigerators take at least 12 hours to cool. Therefore, if the RV in question has an absorption refrigerator (an RV refrigerator), the absorption refrigerator must have been in operation for at least 12 hours, prior to the start of the inspection, in order for an accurate temperature reading to be taken in the freezer and the refrigerator compartments.

Residential refrigerators must have been in operation for at least four hours, prior to the start of the inspection

Important: If the above requirements are not met, we will NOT be able to complete portions of the inspection that require hookups of water, electricity or sewer, or that require the refrigerator to be pre-cooled. Any such issues will be noted in the inspection report.

Generator

We require enough fuel to power the generator for all the required inspections. This is typically a minimum of ⅓ tank of fuel (gas, diesel or propane). If the fuel level is below the required amount at the start of the inspection, it will not be possible to perform generator-related tests. If such tests cannot be completed, they will be noted in the inspection report.

Roof

Please note that roof inspection is one of the most important parts of an RV inspection, as it gives hints to the inspector about where to look for other problems. However, the roof cannot be inspected when it is raining, when lightning has been spotted or when there is snow/ice on the roof. For this reason, an inspection date may be postponed by rain or other inclement weather.

Propane

A propane tank with an appropriate amount of propane to test the components in the RV must be available. Components like stove burners, exterior grills, water heaters and heaters require propane and cannot be tested if no propane is available. If such tests cannot be completed they will be noted in the inspection report.

Due to regulatory requirements, a propane leak test may only be performed at the stove burner connections or an external propane hookup. While most RV stovetops allow access to those connections, some (mostly newer) stovetops are manufactured in such a way as to restrict access to those connections. If the style of stovetop restricts access to the burner connections, Andersen RV Services will not perform the propane leak test. In such a case, the inspection report will note that the propane system should be tested for leaks by a propane-qualified technician.

Batteries

The house battery controls most of the systems in the RV. Without a working house battery, the inspector cannot inspect many appliances and most of the safety components of the RV. A working house battery and, in the case of motorized RVs, a working chassis battery, should be installed prior to the inspection. If a working house battery is not installed, inspection points that cannot be completed will be noted in the inspection report.

Air Conditioning and Heating

On extreme temperature days, the efficiency of either the air conditioner or furnace function may not be able to be determined. On extremely hot days, the interior of the RV may not be able to be cooled enough to trigger the furnace thermostat. On extremely cold days, the interior may not be able to be warmed enough to trigger the air conditioner thermostat. If such tests cannot be completed, they will be noted in the inspection report.

Fluid Analysis

Andersen RV Services also offers fluid analyses, which can be pre-purchased, and samples will be taken at the time of the inspection. The various fluid analysis includes (depending on the configuration of the RV), engine oil, engine coolant, transmission fluid, generator oil, and generator coolant. A fluid sample will not be taken if the fluid in question is low. Any such omission will be noted in the inspection report and the client will be rebated the cost of that analysis.