Tips on Checking out a winterized unit (private sale)

[Kevin80]

Hello everyone,

I am checking out a private unit this weekend (2016 White Hawk 28DSBH) and the unit has already been winterized. The owner will have it plugged in so I can check the appliances, but what about the holding tanks, water pump, ect??? Is there a way to check these?

The current owner sent me 20+ pics and the unit looks to be very well maintained but other than obvious water damage, is there anything specific I should look out for?

Thanks.

[jimp]

Take a powerful flashlight, and use it EVERYWHERE. Look in all the cabinets along the roof seam/joint for any indication of water leaks in kitchen & BR, same around the windows, doors, slides, bathroom cabinets/shower/toilet. Any soft or spongy spots in the floor, discolored wallpaper, mismatched flooring, wall to wall area rug hiding something? Tears/rips/splits in the flooring anywhere?

Ask the owner questions about how he did the winterization, and you can get a feeling for whether they did it right. You can always take it to dealer and get it done again, or DIY it again as well. Make sure everything works as intended, lights, faucets, etc., especially the furnance & AC, fridge, slide, everything. GL

[cekkk]

What jimp said. And I'd take it home and hook it up to your house's water and flush water through all outlets and look for problems. Run a few gallons into tanks, fill water heater too to see if it works properly.

You'll have to drain holding tanks with 5 gallon buckets but you will know whether you have problems to address. And afterwards when you winterize it yourself you'll have the comfort of knowing that was done right.

But that's just what I'd do so I didn't lose sleep until camping season.

[Midnightmoon]

It's going to be well above freezing in Albany for highs all weekend. Have the owner fill it with water and you can personally test all systems. If they are a serious seller, they will understand why you want to see that everything is in working order. It is extremely easy to winterize the unit again and you could even spring for the couple of $ worth of antifreeze it will take to do the job. And, you can help the seller winterize it so that you will be familiar with where the bypass valves, etc. are when you own it.

Coming from someone who has purchased a couple of used units over the years, I highly recommend that you don't take the seller's word for anything no matter how honest they appear. You have to see it for yourself.