Newbys just bought a 2000 Sportsmen 2403 ?

After many weeks at looking at used RVs, we finally settled on a 2000 Sportsmen 2403 by KZ.? We liked the layout with the easily accessed queen sized bed along with the fact that the unit was extremely clean.? ?We sealed the deal on Saturday and will bring it home in a couple of weeks.? We are not in a big hurry since Northern Illinois is still in the throws of old man winter.?

We bought from a dealer and the only warranty is that everything will be checked out and working when we pick it up.? They will give us a complete "walk through" on the unit.

Do any of you have suggestions on questions during the walk through and then, suggested upkeep or maintenance when we bring it home?

We are pretty new to the RV life and any suggestions will be appreciated.? Looking forward to a great summer.

Andy & Vivian

Andy & Vivian,

We have some information in our library that might help you. Click the Library button above and select Checklists. There are several checklists for buying/inspecting an RV. Hopefully, you haven't parted with all your money yet (?) because RV dealers are notorious for not fixing things found during a pre-delivery inspection. We have a number of such stories posted right here in the forum by forum members.

Also in the library are some Maintenance items. But feel free to ask any specific questions and we'll try to get them answered.

Do any of you have suggestions on questions during the walk through and then, suggested upkeep or maintenance when we bring it home?

Click to expand...

Yeah.? Tell the dealer to have the refrigerator on and completely cooled down and the water heater on and the water hot.? ?All this before you arrive.? ?Check the operation of both.? ?Check to see if the refer runs on gas and shorepower equally well.

Operate the microwave if any by boiling a cup of water.

Check the lighting and all switches for operation.

Check out the battery (s):? age and condition.? Over 5 years figure on replacing.

Check the age of the tires.? ?Tires over 5-7 years are iffy.? Over 7 are unsafe.? Tread wear is not relevant.? Trailer tires can have deep tread but over the hill due sheer age.

Try the knife valves on the waste tanks.? You should be able open and close them fairly easily.? Well sorta easily anyway.

Open any awnings.? ?Extend any slideouts.

Is your unit a travel trailer or a 5th wheel?

Don't let them rush you through the walk-thru - plan on spending hours, not minutes. Do all the things that Carl suggests, even though some of them may take some time and preparation. For example, opening and closing the holding tank valves suggests that either the tanks really are empty or that you are connected to a sewer dump hose.  Don't assume the tanks are empty - the "surprise" is very unpleasant!

If possible, stay over night in the rig on the dealer's lot.  Use the water system. Take a shower. Cook a meal. You will learn a lot more in 12-24 hours of actual use than in any walk-though. At the very least, do the walk-though in the morning, then spend several hours while still on the lot, reviewing and operating things yourself. You don't need a technician with you all the time, but you should have the ability to go ask questions and get further help. Don't close the paperwork until late afternoon, after you have satisifed yourself that everything works.

The dealer may be reluctant to go along with this procedure, but you don't want to leave the premises without at least identifying items that need repair and have a commitment to fix them. Failing that, extract an agreement that any non-working equipment reported within 24-48 hours will be repaired without charge, thus allowing you to do the same things at home.

Your "new" trailer is nearly six years old.  The tires are about shot, regardless of what they look like. Plan on replacing them before next season. Better yet, learn how to read tire date codes (see our Glossary in the Library) and check the actual manufacture date. If more than sizx years since the date of manufacture, you should replace the tires now rather than risk blowouts while traveling.  It is often difficult to tell when a trailer tire fails and you can drag it along on a flat for many miles, causinig further damage or even a fire.

Chances are the battery(s) are also shot at this age, unless they have already been replaced.