Things to Look for During the Site Inspection

1. Always schedule your appointment during daylight hours. This is especially important if you are buying a used trailer. You need to see all of its flaws.
2. Before arriving, ask the seller to have everything charged, propane tank filled, etc. Make it clear you will want to test everything. Upon your arrival, if the seller has not prepped the trailer for showing (IE: have propane, battery charged, this can be a red flag)
3. If possible, take someone with you. A second pair of eyes is invaluable. Plus you will probably be carrying a hefty sum of cash if you are buying from a private party. At a minimum, let someone know where you are going and make sure they have the seller's name, address and phone number. If possible, only take a portion of the cash with you, leaving the rest some place close by. This will also prevent impulse buying.
4. When you first enter the trailer, what do you smell? The answer should be nothing...or at least....nothing offensive. Is it musty? This can be a sign of mildew = leak. Does it smell of tobacco smoke (when it was advertised as a non smoking unit?) Alternatively, is the unit overly perfumey? Are they trying to cover up a mildew smell? Do not ignore the smell test.
5. Ask the seller to demonstrate all the features. Consider taking pictures or video during a demo so you can remember the steps correctly.
6. If there is an awning, unroll it and check for tears and mildew.
7. Ask the same questions you asked over the phone and email AGAIN. Are there any leaks, are there any repairs on the horizon? The answers should match what was previously stated. LOOK in the person's eyes when asking them these questions. Make a mental note if the answers don't jive. Do not be afraid to press on a subject until you are 100% comfortable with the answer.
8. Make sure to climb onto the roof to look for rust and leaks.
9. Lift up all the cushions and inspect underneath. Had I paid closer attention to the wood underneath, I would have noticed the water stain (ding, ding, ding...yup, there was leak. See It's Raining, It's Leaking) See photo at bottom of post.
10. You might go as far as to borrow a hose so you can spray around the windows, vent and roof to see if there are any leaks; this is where it is extra helpful to have a friend along. One person can stand inside while the other is spraying. NOTE: I did not do either #6 or #7, but I wished I had. Because then I wouldn't have had the surprise expense of $430. It's not the money, it was the time wasted in repainting part of the interior that I hated most.
11. Be prepared to walk away if you're just not feeling it. A deal lost is not as bad as a BAD deal.
12. What is the overall condition of the unit? Even if something is old (like my dear La Palace) it can still be in good shape. Look at the stovetop, is there grease? Has the floors been vacuumed and mopped recently? Pride of ownership is a window into how people take care of their belongings. Ultimately, you should feel like the unit has been in good hands.
13. Be respectful! If you have a firm price in mind and it's clearly not even close to the asking price, let the seller know before you meet them. Do not waste their time and do not disrespect them by making a low ball offer after they've spent an hour showing you the trailer.

During the process of re-uphosltering the cushions. I noticed there were some water stains on the wood panels underneath the cushions. I didn't think anything of it at the time. Until a day later after a rain storm, I found a puddle of water on the dining room table and the bench. Look for these types of stains on wood during your inspection process.