Although this is specific to T@Bs, this is the most comprehensive Checklist I have ever seen. A lot may apply to your Que.
Purchasing an RV is huge investment. Your new T@B RV will give you many years of service,
fun and relaxation. When purchasing a car or truck you make sure that everything works and you
understand how to properly operate the vehicle before leaving the dealership Right? Then one
should take the same care and scrutiny when purchasing an RV. The following checklist was
complied by several new and very satisfied T@B owners and by no means implies that T@B
RVs have manufacturing or quality issues. Quite the opposite! T@B RVs are of superior quality
and craftsmanship. They are produced after all by the same parent company, Thor Industries,
that produces the world renowned Airstream. We hope that when you take delivery of your new
T@B that it is in pristine condition. Just like automobiles, sometimes a factory line worker may
leave out one tiny fastener that makes the entire dashboard rattle. It happens. During transport
to the dealership a rock flies up and hits the vehicle. It happens. The interior has scratches or
marks from all the prospective buyers taking a look, pushing the buttons, closing/opening doors
and latches. This definitely happens. So whether you are a first time RVer or a seasoned
veteran we hope that you will enjoy your new RV and that this checklist will assist you in the
final inspection before taking final delivery of your new T@B by Thor.
Part I: The Outside Walk Around
The outside walk around should take between 45 minutes to complete. Add an additional 30 to
40 minutes if you purchased the optional awning. Schedule your delivery on a Monday or
Tuesday at the beginning of the business day. Why? If there are any issues that need to be
resolved, then there will be Thor Industries representative to take your or the dealers phone call.
THINGS TO BRING:
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Two/Three Nights Change of Clothes
Two/Three Day-Nights of Food and Cooking Utensils
Bring a pad and pen
Flashlight
Camera preferably digital with a viewing screen
Lighter
Small Household Night-Light Not an auto dimming or light sensitive model
Sales Documents
Snacks while a the dealership and on the road
Tow vehicle
List of Area Hotels/Motels with Vacancies
List of Area Full Service Campgrounds with Vacancies
Take Photographs of Any Item(s) That Need To Be Repaired.
Exterior Surface and T@B Emblems - Get a 12-15 foot ladder from the dealership. Carefully
check the clear coat finish on the entire RV. Check for surface smoothness and damage. The
surface should be smooth as glass without any imperfections. The T@B vinyl emblems/lettering
should have no bubbles or peeling.
Roof Vent - Check closely around the roof vent. Make sure that it is properly sealed. If you are
purchasing from a top notch dealership, then they should have already washed your new T@B
even if it was floor model. If so
STOP! Get off the ladder and take a quick detour inside to
make sure that there is no evidence that water has entered the cabin via the roof vent seals. No
water? Good. Go back outside.
Windows - Check closely around each window to make sure that it has been properly aligned and sealed. Check the Duo Pane Poly Plastic Windows for cracks, scratches or damage.
Other Exterior Seals Check the seals around the following areas:
Plastic Molding and Grab Handles They should be fastened securely to the frame and
all screws present with no cracks or misalignment.
LP / Electrical lines The lines that enter the cabin should be sealed.
Grey Water Outlet (forward) The cap should be in place with a small cord or chain
attached. The fixture sealed to the body on all four sides.
Electrical outlet (aft) The hinged camp should be in place and the fixture sealed to the
body. Make sure it closes snugly.
Refrigerator Vent (door side) It should be sealed on all four sides.
Cool Cat Vent (off side) It too should be sealed on all four sides.
Black Rubber Seals (inboard of the plastic molding, running the entire length of the RV) -
the rubber seal should be snug and without and cracks or separation from the frame.
Propane (LP) Check the propane compartment to ensure that it secured to the trailer tongue.
Open and close the lid and make sure that stays closed gently shake the lid to make sure that it
does not unlatch. While you are there do you know how to turn off the LP tank? Understand
the how to operate the main shut off valve. Your dealer should have already filled your LP tank
for you.
Battery and Electrical Systems Verify that the box is secured to the frame. The battery box lid
should have a strap is it present and functions? Verify that the battery cables are free of
damage. The cables should not be rubbing against the frame. You should have a fresh and fully
charged battery installed. Understand the type of battery provided and how to maintain it. To
ensure that the battery is functioning properly have the dealer disconnect the shore
power
watch and learn. Go inside. Turn on all three light fixtures and operate the Northern
Breeze Roof Vent Fan (if installed). Everything works? Good. Your battery is functioning
properly. Now we are going to ask the dealer to attach shore power again and disconnect the
battery
watch and learn. Go back inside. Now with your night-light, plug it into the outlet in the
galley. Then plug it into the outlet on the off side near floor level. Got a light? Good, your almost
done. Check the light fixtures again and the roof fan. Everything works. Super. Now you know
that your shore power is functioning properly. One more item
Ask the dealer to use a
hydrometer to test the specific gravity. This test will take no more than 5 minutes and you should
be careful not to get any battery acid on you or your clothing.
Tires and Wheels Closely inspect the tires and understand the proper tire pressure.
Currently there are THREE different kinds of tires and rims for the T@B.
13 tires and rims ST 175/80D13 Tires Lug size is 11/16
Tire Pressure: 50 PSI / 340 KPA
15 tires with steel rims - 195/55R/15 Tires Lug size is 19MM
Tire Pressure: 44 PSI / 300 KPA
16 tires and rims 205/55R/16 Tires Lug size is 11/16
Tire Pressure: 44 PSI / 300 KPA
NOTE: A NHTSA RECALL was issued for T@B trailers with serial numbers ending in 700000 to
700123 ONLY! ON these units EQUIPPED with the OPTIONAL ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS,
INCORRECT WHEEL BOLTS WERE INSTALLED. See your dealer for details.
Chassis Inspection - Put on some coveralls and get a creeper from the shop, which is a flat
device with low wheels that allows you to lie on you back while scooting around under a vehicle.
Have the technician go with you and ask questions if you think anything looks out of place or
unfamiliar. Make sure that the sealants on the wheel wells are secure and sufficient.
Parking Break Operate the parking break according to the owners manual.
Top-Wind Jack Operate the jack with the assistance of the technician. It can be a bit tricky at
first to get the dolly wheel all the way up and locked in the notch. Get the owners manual out and
operate it with the technician watching. Also download and print a copy of the T@B TIPs from
the FILES SECTION of
www.groups.yahoo.com/tab-rv This document from Thor explains in
detail how to operate this system.
Stabilizer Jacks- Operate the jacks on level ground. Make sure the dolly wheel is down and
locked! There are four jacks on the T@B. To lower, use the provided crank. Cannot find the
crank? Look behind the sofa or in the closet. Ensure ease of operation.
Awning Option Attach the awning paying particular attention to how the awning slides into the
awning track. Make sure supports work well and are properly aligned. You should have five
black protectors and five turnbuckles on the fabric. Download and print the Instructions from
National Tent and Awning from the FILES SECTION of
www.groups.yahoo.com/tab-rv This
document explains in detail how to properly assemble the awning.
Electrical Hook-Up Connect the power cord to the T@B then to shore power and go inside
your are now ready for the Interior Inspection.
Part II: The Inside Fit and Finish
In general you are looking for things that are not finished correctly or could have been damaged
in transportation or by others inspecting your new RV.
Door and New Door Handle The T@B is equipped with a European designed door. To open,
simply put your right thumb over the lock and pull the handle gentle towards you. DO NOT pull to
the LEFT or the RIGHT on the handle! Check the white rubber seal/ gasket at the base and
around the door frame. Sometimes the bottom seal/gasket may be damaged those who have
been in and out of the T@B. The TAB TIPS document offers information on the older style
handle.
Cabinets and Shelves - Inspect all of the cabinets to insure that all the hinges and latches work
well. Return each cabinet to its closed position and then try to open it like road vibration might do.
Make sure that there are no water leaks behind and beneath the front cabinet under the sink.
Make sure that all the wiring and pipes that are visible are well fastened. Ensure that the shelves
above the windows are fasten to the frame and are level.
Lighting Again, operate every light switch and observe its function.
Table Make sure the laminate is on well and that the legs function properly. Your laminate
should match the counter top! Lower the table and make the bed with the appropriate cushions.
Counter Top - Inspect the counter top for alignment and fastening. Make sure that any trim
pieces are there and are in fact tight. Check for caulking quality everywhere there may be water.
Check the installation of sink and faucet.
Windows, Screens and Shades Ensure that the windows are seated properly in the frame and
all the black latches work and close the two windows tightly. Screens / Shades. Be very careful
they are delicate! The screens must be down to close the shades! Open and close both windows
and ensure that they stay open in several positions. To close the screen and shade system, pull
gently down on the screen handle until the bottom of the screen clicks into the notch on the end
of the side channels. The do the same with the shade. To open the system, pull down on the
shade to release it from the side channel notch
while still holding the handle guide it up until it
stops. Do the same with the screen. Note: To avoid damage to your T@B screen and
shades
Never travel with them down! Road vibrations will loosen them from the notches and
then they will violently open. This may cause damage to the screen, shade and slider system,
Floor Covering - Inspect the floor covering in all areas and corners to insure that it has been
properly fastened down with no air bubbles.
Wall Covering and Ceiling Covering - Check to make sure that all the wall/ceiling coverings
actually cover and join properly. Run your hand over all ceiling and wall coverings and report any
imperfections or bumps to the technician. There may be an issue with sealants, water entering
the cabin or in the foam core. Adhesives may also not have been applied fully or evenly.
Water Pump Ask your technician to fill the water holding tank. Now you can test the function of
the water pump. When turning on the faucet on, you should hear it pump running, even up to a
minute to create enough pressure in the system. If the pump does not shut off, then there is a
problem. Now is the time to fix a noisy pump if it is vibrating or making any irritating sounds.
The water pump pressure can be adjusted to reduce pump noise. A Phillips head adjustment
screw is located on the bottom of the pump. Again, refer to the TAB TIPS information mentioned
previously for more information on adjusting the water pump.
Furnace - Now its time to understand the operation of the thermostat that controls heating. Turn
the furnace on and set a temperature demand at least 10 degrees hotter than ambient
temperature. In about 30 seconds, you should hear the furnace fan come on. Shortly thereafter
you should hear the click of the igniter and the sound of the burner. If not then there is a problem.
Let the furnace blow and you should get hot air at about 110 degrees coming out of the vent. Now
turn the furnace down and the hot air will gradually turn cooler and the fan will eventually stop
after the furnace has cooled sufficiently. During this process have your smeller (nose) working for
any smell of material getting too hot, or exhaust coming out.
Propane and Carbon Monoxide Alarms - Now is a good time to check the function of these
alarms. The technician should have a small canister of gas that can be sprayed at the alarm to
test its operation. Have them perform this test while you witness and learn.
Refrigerator Option Norcold Model 3163 refrigerator works on Propane (LP), 12 volt or 110v
electric. Understand the controls and the status lights. To test the LP function is very
IMPORTANT to run the unit for 5-6 minutes on either 110v or 12v power before switching to LP!
SEE OWNERS MANUAL! Set the temperature at the highest cooling setting, because setting it to
lowest will typically cause the coils to collect moisture and ice up. Come back in about 15 minutes
to feel that the coil is actually starting to cool. TAB TIPS has more information
Air Conditioner/Heat Pump Option CoolCat. Refer to the owners manual and fire it up
before leaving the dealership! Ensure that no water is entering the cabin.
Vent Fan Simple. Check to make sure it has no funny noises in either the exhaust mode or
intake mode at all speeds. Ensure that it is seated properly and does not vibrate. Also check
around the vent opening for any possible water damage from being on the lot.
Propane Stove Make sure that the knobs are in the OFF position. Next, go outside and turn on
your LP tank. This is where you lighter come in. Turn on one burner of the stovetop and light it.
Turn on the other burner to verify that there is enough propane flow to operate the refrigerator
and both burners.
Sink Fill the sink with water and make sue that there are no leaks underneath the cabinet.
By now, you will have a list of things that you feel need correcting, but it will be then the end of
the day, so plan on camping in the dealership lot for the night. This will give you a chance to
further test the house functions. Prepare yourself waiting until these things are corrected and
don't be tempted by the maintenance or sales person to sign the acceptance paperwork just yet.
Part III: Acceptance and Shake Down Cruise
If there were any issues then the dealership should begin repairs overnight. Find your nearest
hotel/motel and have a nice evening meal
it was a long day.
Ask the marketing people to give you a list of the things to see in the area, so that with your tow
vehicle you will be able to entertain yourself for the day while your RV is in the shop. You can
spend the day waiting in the customer area, but there's only so much visiting you can do with the
other customers that are there getting work done. Some sharing with other RV owners is valuable
especially if you get reminded to test something that you forgot.
The next day the technicians will bring your RV back to the parking lot or leave in the
maintenance garage. You will begin to repeat the testing of the things that were on the "fix" list. If
everything meets your satisfaction then go onto the next step. If you find more things to be
corrected, more time will be required by the technicians on the third day to do those repairs.
Tow Vehicle Some dealerships will install the correct hitch and wiring hardware on your tow
vehicle (of course at an extra cost). Even if you have towing equipment installed on your vehicle
you must learn how to properly hitch your new T@B to your vehicle.
ACCEPTANCE - When you are satisfied that all systems are "go" then sign the acceptance
papers that the dealer will anxiously provide for you. You are now ready to take your "shake
down" cruise.
1-2 Day Shake Down Cruise Your first camping experience should be within 50 miles of the
dealership. That way, if any other issues arise you will not have far to go for answers or repairs.
You should bring enough kitchen equipment, food and clothing. There is no better way to test the
living facilities and equipment than to actually use them. Don't be tempted to go out to eat, even
though you've had another tough day.
While you are camped it is a good time to read all the manuals that will have been provided by
the technician. This will allow you to review all the knowledge you have from all the testing that
you have done the previous day(s).
Happy and Safe Trails in your New T@B!
Hoping someone here can give us some info on things to look for in the pre-delivery inspection. We haven't owned a travel trailer in about 15 years...we had a "vintage" 1964 Shasta at that time, so this will be very different!
