In many ways, inspecting a motorhome or caravan is less like a checklist exercise and more like an investigation. Over the years, I’ve come to think of it as detective work. Every van has a story. Some are straightforward. Others take a bit more digging. And occasionally, there are cases where the clues don’t line up at all – until they do.
Every Motorhome or Caravan Has a Story
When you walk into an RV for the first time, you’re seeing the version the seller wants you to see. Clean surfaces, tidy cupboards, maybe even a fresh polish or a bit of air freshener to set the mood.
But just like any good detective knows, the truth is rarely sitting out in the open.
A proper inspection is about reading between the lines. It’s about understanding how motorhomes are built, where they typically fail, and what subtle signs might indicate something bigger going on behind the scenes.
You’re not just asking, “Does this work?” You’re asking, “Why does this look like this?
Is that normal? What’s behind that panel?” And sometimes, most importantly:
“What’s being hidden?”
The Tools of the Trade
Every detective has their toolkit. Mine just happens to include things like moisture meters, thermal cameras, an adjustable ladder, battery load tester, and a good torch.
The moisture meter is often the first piece of equipment I’ll reach for. Water ingress is one of the biggest risks in any motorhome or caravan. It’s also one of the most expensive problems to fix if it’s been left unchecked.
The meter gives a reading that can indicate elevated moisture levels behind walls, ceilings, or floors. But – and this is important – it doesn’t tell the whole story on its own. That’s where experience comes in.
For example, I might get a high reading on a wall panel. On paper, that could suggest water ingress. But before jumping to conclusions, I need to gather more evidence. This is where the thermal camera becomes invaluable.
A thermal camera shows temperature differences across surfaces. If there’s moisture present, it often appears as a cooler area compared to the surrounding material. But sometimes, what looks like a “cold spot” isn’t moisture at all.
I’ve had cases where a high moisture reading turned out to be nothing more than a hidden metal beam or copper wiring behind the wall. Metal conducts temperature differently, and it can throw off both moisture meters and thermal readings if you don’t know what you’re looking at.
This is where the investigation mindset matters. One clue is never enough. You need corroborating evidence.
Following the Clues
Let me give you a real-world example. I was inspecting a motorhome that, at first glance, was in excellent condition. The interior was immaculate – no visible signs of damage, and the owner clearly took pride in keeping it clean.
But as I began my inspection, I picked up slightly elevated moisture readings in a corner near the rear wall. Not alarmingly high, but enough to raise an eyebrow.
Now, this is where many people might stop. Either they ignore it because it’s “not that bad” or they assume the worst and walk away. But as a detective, you don’t stop at the first clue.
I pulled out the thermal camera. The area didn’t show the typical cold signature you’d expect from moisture. That was interesting.
Next step: context. What’s on the other side of that wall? What’s above it? What’s below it?
I checked the exterior. No obvious cracks, no failed seals, nothing that immediately suggested a water entry point. So, I kept digging.
Eventually, after tracing the layout and considering how water might travel, I discovered a small issue with a roof fitting several metres away. It wasn’t leaking directly into the area where I’d taken the reading – but water had been tracking along an internal structure and settling in that corner.
Another example is when I inspected an American fifth wheeler where I was up looking at the roof and I noticed a Turner tape around a roof hatch. I noticed soft areas in the roof, extending around a metre each side of the hatch. So, I knew to look inside the RV for future damage, but before I even got that far, as I stepped off the ladder, I noticed some tiny 4-5mm splits in the paint on the exterior side walls of the van. Investigating further, I took a closer look at the side walls and with the reflection of the light I could see wobbles in the side panel that were not there from factory. These clues were pretty telling, and the inside of the fifth wheeler confirmed my suspicion – a four-to-five-metre section of the side wall was completely rotten.
That’s the kind of thing you only find through methodical investigation. Trial and elimination. Understanding how these vehicles are built and how water behaves once it gets in.
To the untrained eye, the motorhome looked perfect.To a trained inspector, it was a puzzle waiting to be solved.
The Importance of Experience
Anyone can buy a moisture meter. Anyone can download an app that claims to show thermal images. But tools don’t make a detective – experience does. Knowing how to interpret the data is everything.
A high reading doesn’t always mean a problem. A low reading doesn’t always mean you’re in the clear. It’s about patterns, consistency, and understanding the bigger picture.
For example, if I see elevated moisture readings around a window, I’ll immediately think about seal integrity. Around a roof vent, I’ll consider how that fitting has been installed and maintained.
But if I see a random high reading in the middle of a wall, I start asking different questions. Is there a structural element here? Wiring? Has there been a previous repair?
Each scenario requires a different line of investigation.
Eliminating the Red Herrings
In detective work, there’s a term for misleading clues: red herrings. Motorhome inspections have plenty of those.
A common one is cosmetic damage that looks worse than it is. A bit of staining on a ceiling panel might look alarming, but it could be from an old issue that’s been properly repaired.
On the flip side, everything might look spotless, but there could be serious issues lurking beneath the surface.
I’ve seen vans with freshly replaced wall panels that hide underlying structural problems. I’ve also seen older vans with visible wear that are actually in excellent condition structurally.
The key is not to be distracted by appearances.
Building the Case
By the time I finish an inspection, I’ve gathered a collection of evidence. Moisture readings, thermal images, visual observations, and a good amount of practical knowledge.
From there, it’s about building a clear, unbiased picture of the motorhome’s condition.
Not every case ends with a dramatic discovery. In fact, most don’t. Often, it’s about confirming that everything is as it should be or identifying minor issues that can be addressed before they become major problems.
But occasionally, there are findings that significantly impact the value – or even the safety – of the vehicle.
That’s why it’s so important to approach each inspection with the mindset of a detective. You’re not just ticking boxes. You’re piecing together a story.
I’ll give you another example. I once looked at a pop top caravan. The owner couldn’t understand why the relay to lift the top kept blowing. The relay was more than big enough for the design weight of the pop top. Further investigation with my German engineered moisture meter and thermal camera revealed that the polystyrene core of the pop top was saturated. What should have weighed about 50 kilos ended up at 150 kilos!
Why You Want an Experienced Detective on the Case
If you were dealing with a serious issue, you wouldn’t want just anyone to handle it. You’d want someone with experience, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of how things work.
The same applies when you’re buying a motorhome.
This is often a significant investment. It’s not just about the money – it’s about the experiences you’re planning to have. The trips, the memories, the freedom.
The last thing you want is for those plans to be derailed by hidden issues that could have been identified beforehand.
An experienced inspector brings more than just tools. Over 23 years in the motorhome industry I have built up an almost encyclopedic knowledge of all things motorhomes, RVs, and caravans. I know where to look, what to look for, and how to interpret what I find.
Based on my experience I know that a small clue can sometimes point to a much bigger issue – and that sometimes, what looks like a big problem is actually nothing to worry about.
The Final Verdict
At the end of the day, my role isn’t to tell you whether to buy a motorhome or not. It’s to give you the information you need to make an informed decision. Think of it as presenting the case.
Here’s the evidence. Here’s what it means. Here’s what you might expect down the track.
From there, it’s up to you.
Closing the Case
Every motorhome inspection is different. Some are straightforward. Others require a bit more digging. But they all have one thing in common: there’s always more going on than meets the eye.
So next time you’re looking at a motorhome and thinking, “It looks pretty good”, just remember – what you’re seeing is only part of the story. Behind the walls, under the floors, and inside the systems, there are clues waiting to be found. And like any good detective will tell you, it’s not about what’s obvious. It’s about what is hidden.
