In the RV world, the Westy is considered a Class "B". Basically a Van conversion. A class "C" is a van type chassis to which a motor home body is attached and the class "A" is the typical box or bus. Unfortunately, since the Westy is not factory equipped with sanitary systems, furnace, or shower, is does not get classified as an RV so it does not get the insurance or tax benefits of one.

RVs generally are not built like our vans and they all will leak at some point. They are built with lots of wood and the layer constructions of walls, roof, and floor make for lots of space for water damage. Many still use wood for the frame work, especially trailers. Imagine your house being exposed to an earth quake every time it is used and you can imagine what happens to a typical RV. Water damage and structural fatigue is the main reason you do not see many old RV's. That is why it is so important for those areas to be inspected carefully.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of jimt Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 2:56 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Vehicle inspections

Was just looking over some RV sites and found something interesting.

On prepurchase inspection of any RV class A to class C (westy) the first three points of the inspection were Roof (from inside) Floor (from underside)

Roof (leaks/corrosion at any entry points, roof seams, roof seals) Floors (leaks/corrosion at any exit points for facilities, floor seams, floor seals)

Condition of exterior paint and surfaces was next. Again it was for leaks and corrosion with seams and seals again. (dents and dings was later on the list)

Inspection of anything else was down the list. This same inspection pattern was reflected on a couple sites I went to that had inspection checklists.

I went out to my westy and just looked at it with just a floor and roof inspection. With a roof inspection I could probably know with a 80 percent chance the corrosion status of the vehicle. With a floor inspection from under the van again I could give about an 80 percent shot at the corrosion status.

A fail of roof or a fail of floor or a close call on more than one of the three areas and I may not even care if the engine or anything else on the vehicle worked at all.

........................................ jimt Planned insanity is best. Remember that sanity is optional. http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info) http://www.westydriver.com