Buying a Used Luxury Motorhome in Atlanta: 10 Questions

The Atlanta area has a big used motorhome market. Coaches come from dealers along I-75 and I-85, from private owners selling after retirement, and from estates. A used luxury coach can be an excellent value, but it can also come with years of deferred maintenance that the photos don't show.

An inspection tells you what's wrong with the coach right now. Good questions tell you how it got that way. Ask these before you put down a deposit.

1. Where was the coach stored?

Indoor, covered or open storage makes a huge difference to roofs, seals, tires and paint. A coach that sat uncovered in the Georgia sun for years will have aged faster than its mileage suggests.

2. How often was it used?

Low miles sound great, but coaches that rarely move can have more problems than ones used regularly: dried seals, stale fuel, generators with very few hours, and batteries that sat discharged.

3. Do you have service records?

Ask for receipts for chassis service, generator service, roof work and any appliance repairs. A folder of records is one of the best signs you'll get. "I did it all myself" isn't necessarily bad, but ask what was done and when.

4. When were the tires replaced?

Look at the date codes on every tire, including the inside duals. Tires that look new may be old. Replacing a full set on a large coach is a major expense that should be part of the price conversation.

5. Has it ever had a water leak?

Ask directly, and then look for yourself: soft spots in the floor, stains on the ceiling, around windows and slides, and inside cabinets. Water damage that was repaired properly isn't a deal breaker. Water damage nobody mentions is a different story.

6. Has the roof been resealed?

Roof sealant needs regular care. Ask when it was last inspected and resealed, and by whom. Then get on the roof or have someone do it.

7. Are there any systems that don't work right now?

Ask about every system: slides, leveling, generator, inverter, each A/C unit, the furnace or hydronic heat, the water heater, the refrigerator, the washer/dryer, the satellite and the entertainment system. Sellers often know about small issues and will tell you if you ask plainly.

8. Can I see everything run?

On the day you visit, ask to see the coach on shore power and on battery. Run every slide in and out, level the coach, start the generator and put a load on it, and run each A/C long enough to feel cold air. A seller who won't run something is telling you something.

9. Has it had any accidents or major repairs?

Ask about collisions, body repairs, engine or transmission work and electrical fires. Compare the answer with what you see in panel gaps, paint color and wiring.

10. Can I have it inspected before I buy?

This is the most important question. A seller with nothing to hide will usually agree to an independent inspection at their location or at a place you choose. If the answer is no, treat that as serious information.

What to do with the answers

Write the answers down and compare them with what you find. Inconsistencies matter more than any single problem. A seller who says the coach was always covered when the roof and decals say otherwise deserves a closer look.

Then get a professional pre-purchase inspection. An independent set of eyes on the roof, seals, slides, generator and electrical systems can turn a guess into a confident decision, or help you negotiate. If something specific worries you, like an intermittent electrical fault or a past leak, mention it so it gets diagnosed properly and the roof and seals get extra attention.

RV Action Express helps buyers around Atlanta, Cumming and North Georgia look closely at used luxury coaches. Call (866) 292-6838 or request service to plan an inspection.