⭐ Problem #1: Hidden Water Damage — The Most Expensive RV Repair of All

💧 Why Water Damage Is the #1 Deal-Breaker in RVs

Water intrusion is the silent killer of RVs.It’s not dramatic like a blowout or a fire. It’s slow. Quiet. Hidden. And by the time most buyers notice it… it’s already a multi-thousand-dollar repair.

The most common areas where water damage hides:

Roof edges
Slide-out seals
Around windows
Under beds
Behind the shower
Under bathroom floors
In the underbelly
Behind exterior storage compartments
Inside cabinets on outside walls

Most new RV buyers have NO idea how to spot this.

But as an inspector?

This is the first thing I look for — because it’s the problem that ruins campers.

💸 What Water Damage Actually Costs

Repairs can include:

Roof replacement: $2,500–$12,000
Wall delamination repair: $4,000–$10,000+
Slide-out rebuild: $2,000–$8,000
Subfloor replacement: $800–$5,000
Mold remediation: $500–$4,000

If water has reached structural components, the cost skyrockets.

This is why many sellers avoid mentioning water issues.

Dealers? Some will tell you “it just needs resealed” — even when the wall structure is compromised.

🧰 How Inspectors Catch Water Damage That Buyers Miss

A certified inspection includes:

✔ Moisture meter readings

These detect water behind walls, under floors, and in areas invisible to the eye.

✔ Roof membrane and sealant analysis

We know how to read sealant failure, cracking, shrinkage, UV exposure, and soft spots.

✔ Testing slide seals & compression

Bad slide seals = guaranteed water intrusion.

✔ Inspecting every inch of the interior

Soft spots, discoloration, wallpaper bubbling, swollen wood, delamination — these are all red flags.

✔ Undercarriage evaluation

Even "enclosed" underbellies often hide soaked insulation and rotten flooring.

✔ Thermal imaging (when available)

Helps identify temperature differences caused by trapped moisture.

You cannot overstate this:

👉 Water damage is the #1 reason people regret buying their RV.

And in 90% of cases, buyers never noticed it themselves.

🔧 Real Example From Nebraska

A family from Elkhorn bought a travel trailer that “looked perfect.”

Two weeks later, the bunkhouse walls started pulling away from the frame.

Cause: Water intrusion at the roof seam for years.

Repair estimate: $9,400.

Seller claimed: “We never noticed anything.”

A certified inspection would have caught it instantly.

⭐ Problem #2: Electrical Hazards & Wiring Problems — Safety Risks + Expensive Repairs

RV electrical systems are not simple.

They’re a mix of:

120V shore power
12V battery power
Converters
Breakers
Fuses
GFCIs
Transfer switches
Inverters
AC compressors
Thermostats
Refrigerator control boards
Slide motors
Furnace blowers
Lighting circuits

It’s one of the top areas where dangerous, expensive problems hide.

⚠️ Why Electrical Issues Are So Costly and Dangerous

When I find electrical problems during inspections, they usually fall into these categories:

🚫 1. Miswired 30 amp or 50 amp plugs

Causes:

melting
fires
fried converters
destroyed appliances

🚫 2. Overloaded circuits

Previous owners adding random devices, lights, or 12V lines incorrectly.

🚫 3. Bad DIY battery wiring

This is a big one — and a serious fire hazard.

🚫 4. Failing AC units

Running too hotPulling too many ampsNot cooling correctly

AC replacement costs:

$700–$2,300 depending on model

🚫 5. Converters that are barely charging batteries

Leading to dead batteries, failing slides, and blown fuses.

Converter replacement cost:

$250–$800

🚫 6. Hidden wired-in household extension cords

Yes. People do this. No. It’s not safe. At all.

🚫 7. Shorts from rodent damage

Common across Nebraska and Iowa.

🚫 8. Burnt breaker panels

Especially on older rigs or poorly maintained ones.

🧪 What Inspectors Test Electrically

During a full inspection, the electrical system undergoes:

✔ Polarity tests

Ensures the pedestal won’t fry your rig.

✔ Voltage tests

Checks for low-voltage situations (common at older campgrounds).

✔ Amp draw tests

Especially on AC units, refrigerators, and microwaves.

✔ Converter performance tests

Ensures batteries are being charged properly.

✔ Battery health evaluation

Voltage, Age, Sulfation, Load capability

✔ Breaker testing

Checks heat, wear, and proper tripping.

✔ Visual inspection of every connection point

Loose wires = fires.

✔ Appliance function tests

Including refrigerator on electric and propane.

⭐ Problem #3: Structural Issues — Soft Floors, Delamination, Axles, Tires, and Bearing Wear

This is the problem category buyers fear the most — and rightfully so.

Structural and running-gear damage are dangerous, expensive, and usually hidden.

🏚️ Soft Floors & Delamination

Soft floors mean:

water intrusion
rot
dangerous walking surfaces
compromised framing

Repair costs:

$1,000–$6,000 depending on severity

Delamination means:

wall separation
glue failure
structural weakness
heat/UV damage
water intrusion

Repair costs:

$2,000–$10,000+Most insurance companies won't cover it.

🚛 Axle, Bearing, and Tire Problems

These are some of the most dangerous failures while traveling:

❗ Tire blowouts

Cost: $200–$400 per tire.

Damage blowouts cause: $1,000–$5,000 underbelly repairs

❗ Worn bearings

If bearings seize, the wheel can detach.

Repair cost: $500–$1,500

❗ Bent axles

Often from overloaded rigs.

Repair cost: $800–$2,500

❗ Brakes worn down to metal

Shockingly common.

Repair: $400–$1,200

❗ Frame rust and cracking

Especially on Midwest and older rigs.

🧰 What Inspectors Look For Structurally

✔ Floor stability

✔ Delamination signs

✔ Frame condition

✔ Slide-out floors

✔ Underbelly insulation moisture

✔ Axle alignment

✔ Suspension wear

✔ Leaf spring condition

✔ Brake function

✔ Tire DOT dates & cracks

✔ Bearing heat readings

⭐ Bonus Problem: Propane Leaks & Failing Appliances

While not in the top 3 for total cost, this is a major safety issue.

RV inspectors perform:

Manometer leak-down tests
Regulator pressure checks
Burner inspections
Furnace function tests
Water heater combustion checks

Furnace replacement: $800–$2,000

Fridge replacement: $1,200–$4,000

Water heater: $600–$1,500

⭐ Why These 3 Problems Matter — and How They Save You Thousands

Because RV inspections don’t just catch issues — they give you negotiating power.

When an inspection report lists:

$3,200 in water damage
$1,100 in tires
$2,000 in appliance issues
$1,500 in structural concerns

You now have real evidence to:

✔ Renegotiate price

✔ Request repairs

✔ Walk away from a bad RV

✔ Make a safe purchase

✔ Plan future maintenance

✔ Avoid emotional, financial, and safety disasters

Most buyers save $1,000–$5,000, sometimes much more.

Some avoid buying a total lemon worth thousands less than asking price.

⭐ 3 Ways an Inspection Pays for Itself — Every Time

1. You avoid buying an RV with major hidden damage.

This alone can save $5,000–$20,000.

2. You negotiate like a pro.

Dealers give big discounts when presented with certified findings.

3. You learn the real condition of your RV.

Knowledge = prevention = long-lasting RV.

Protect Yourself Before You Buy

A certified RV inspection is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make as a buyer.

Rolling Rabbit RV Repair offers:

Full certified RV inspections
Tire, brake & axle checks
Water damage detection
Electrical & propane testing
Chassis inspections
Roof & sealant evaluations
70–140+ photos
Prioritized safety report
Repair estimates

Serving the Omaha metro, Papillion, Bellevue, Gretna, Elkhorn, Council Bluffs, and surrounding areas.

👉 Schedule Your RV Inspection Today

Protect your family.

Protect your wallet.

Protect your investment.

The Truth Behind the Most Expensive RV Surprises — and How a Certified Inspection Protects Your Wallet