bluegrass
I have posted the PDI list a couple of places but here is a link to the last one I updated
kzfamilyforum.com/thread/2180/re-run-pdi-list-againBut here it is again for you an others, I updated it in May with a few things people had talked about
Post by Chuck on May 27, 2018 at 11:49am
Since I have been seeing allot of new owners on the form as of late I thought it might be worth bring the PDI
list to the top again since it was about 4 pages back, even thought many owners may read back in the pages
some only read the current page an move on ... So sorry if your think it's not important to you but some
new owners may benefit from such an avoid a problem down the road, if itt only helps one owner then I think
it's worth it
This list is for new or used 5th wheels an for the most part but it also in many case's applies to Travel Trailers (TT)....
I may have missed some things, let me know an I will add every so often an re-post or edit this post:)
Let me add something before you read the list, an I as other will tell you,
your dealer is the most an I mean the most
important part of buying your RV... Bad dealer, bad service, make sure your dealer will honor your warranty to it's
fullest, do not let them BS You, ask them how far out you will be told if you need service or warranty work ...
If they tell you no problem just bring it in an we will fix it, they are full of Bull !!!!
Most dealer's during the winter will be at times two or three weeks out, in the spring after the end of part of February
or early March you may be looking at 2 or 3 months depending on may brands of trailers they sell an how big of a dealer
they are.
Big dealerships, sometimes may mean slow, an little dealerships may be quick to repair but not all the time. Example my
selling dealer stated that it would be two months or more when I had a furnace problem, called the furnace company they
sent me to another RV dealer who was smaller an sold a different brands, furnace was fixed in a week...
So I can't say it enough, make sure you have a good dealer, an do not let slick willy BS you
into thinking they are great when they are not 
Safe Travels
Chuck & Hildi
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Very Important !!!!!Take a notepad an some painters blue tape along with a black thick marker pen when doing your PDI, this you can mark
either things that need repair or quick note on how to work something by taping a peace of paper to an appliance or
switchs an what they are for ...
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(On the outside)1. look at the trailer skin really close to make sure there is no bubbles an the decals are not peeling...
2. look directly at the wheels kneeing about 4ft away an looking toward the rear (thus if an axle is bent
you will see the tires out of line)
2. Look at date on tires an make sure they are current within the year or past year you are buying the
trailer (When I say current I mean within 5 or 6 months)
3. open an close door latches to the storage area's to make sure they close, when doing such check to
make sure the seals around the storage doors are not falling off or down or missing ...
4. Make sure your battery or batteries are up to date an connections/terminals are clean ...
5. When looking at the water panel make them explain how it functions an do not let them move on to
anything else until you are sure you know how your water system functions (take notes) ...
6. Make sure tech shows you how to operate the hot water system works, including the black or
possible a red rocker switch on the hot water tank ...
7. Make sure that the Tech explains all the pull functions of the fresh water an black water tanks
( If two or three pull handles make them explain which is which an do not move on till you are sure
you know of each)...
8. Bring a level, check the level of the trailer once setup an the LCI auto level states the trailer is level
using the auto leveling. If trailer is not level the ask the Tech to zero the leveling system using the LCI
manual ...
9. When the tech is explaining the leveling system in detail, do not let them (tech) operate the system
ask them to let you do it (sort of a hands on). Both the husband or wife should operate the leveling system
till you are happy you know how it works period
Note: Do not let them rush you on the operating of your leveling system !!!!!
10. If you have the One touch control by LCI open an close an open the slides multiple times before going
into the trailer so you know how to operate such an make sure they are opening an closing all the way an
operating correctly ... Walk around an go inside your trailer to check that the slides are defiantly
open all the way !!! ...
Note: If your trailer has a APP
Make sure they show you the APP if there is one for your trailer to operate the leveling system
an let them load it on your phone an make sure it works if there is one.
Make Sure you both of you know how it works by both opening an close slides, lights, awnings
multiple times till you are both happy you know how it works !!!!
11. Makes sure all the lights in the storage area, tail an marker lights work an are there, make they
turn them on an show you they work (Storage light can be done on your walk around, marker an tail
lights can be done at hook up)...
12. make the tech show you have to extend an retract all awnings, make sure there is no cut's, holes etc
in the awnings while extended. (make sure they show you an let you operate all the switches for the
awnings) (Make sure they show you how to operate the LED lights in the awning)
13. Ask for a creeper an make sure that all the panels under the trailer a secure an not hanging down ..
Note: you will need the creeping later on when checking under trailer while water is running to see
if the is any water leaks ...
Note: While under trailer have tech show you what the drain tubes functions are an what they go to ...
14. Do not let them winterize your trailer before you get there to do you PDI, if at the end of
the camping season in your area have them winterize your trailer after you do your PDI ...
Note: they should not charge you to winterize your trailer after a PDI, this should be an automatic
function as a perk for buying such used or new either one...
15. If winterized before leaving the dealer make sure fresh water an hot water tanks are empty ! !
16. Make Tech show you how your propane system works an how to exchange tanks ....
17. Make sure that all the hatch door seals to your storage compartment are not falling down or off ...
Inside the trailer (slides open)
1. Check all walls for any bubbles or loose or water damage along with ceilings (brown spots may
mean water damage)...
2. Check all trim that it not loose or falling off or screws hanging out
3. Check all lights to make they are working including awning lights an again were all switchs are...
Note: if tech dozen't know what a switch is or it function have him or her find someone who knows
what that switches function is, (Do not take I do not know but I'll call you later with the answer,
say I'll wait till you find someone now while we are hear !! )
4. Check chairs for rips, holes an that there is all the cushions for all furniture....
NOTE: If your dinning room table doubles as a bed make them show you how to to arrange the
cushions into a bed, (don't let say it's easy to do) make them show you so you know everything
is there an the cushion fit correctly ...
5. check floor for softness or loose
6. Check the seals on the slides that they are against the wall an fulling open
7. have the tech slightly close each slide an inspect the inside slide seal for rips, holes etc
8. check all cabinet doors that they will open, close, an are straight an not have loose hinges
9. check all cabinet's that if shelf's are suppose to be there that in fact they are ...
10. Have tech show you how to operate dinning table an if it has a leaf or can be pulled away
from wall an then turned to seat four people ...
Note: see above for making such into a bed if your dinning table doubles as such ...
11. Make sure if there as sink covers for the kitchen sink they are there.
12. Make sure all water pipes are connected under all sinks an tight, have tech pull on them
while you look on.
13. Have tech turn on the hot water an make sure you get hot on electric an propane, don't take
no for an answer if he or she states we can do that right now because there is no water, tell
them to put water in the unit so you can test it.
14. Turn on all fossets an keep water run while you check under sinks for leaks an let it run for
4 or 5 minutes then check under trailer for water leaks ...
15. Have tech show you the slide assembly in the bed an how to get to the motor an slides.
16. Have tech show multiple times how to operate the Tv or Tv's if you have two both on cable
an on the trailer antenna an where the amplifier switch is for the TV's, if they do not know
tell them to find someone who tell you ...
17. check closest shelf's an make sure it is tight against wall's if there are such...
18. check all draw slide to make sure they are tight in the bedroom an also kitchen an living
area...
19. Make sure that the air conditioner or conditioners if two both work an blow cold air ...
20. make sure heater heats trailer to a comfortable room temperature, check heater will work
on propane as well as electric...
21. If you have solar charge port ask tech to show you the wiring locations an ask to have a
panel hooked up to see that the panel will work !
22. Check all emergency exit windows, that they are correctly fasened will not fall off when
opned. Open an close them a number of times to make sure !
22. make sure your trailer is level when hooked up to your truck, average height for a 5th
wheel should be 6 to 7 inches from bed rail to bottom of the trailer when hooked. For TT
the trailer should be level as much as possible but your tow vehicle may have a slit sag
in the rear but not very much an should be as close level with your TT as possible ...
23. Take your time, the shortest your PDI should take is 4 hours, do not let them rush you.
Remember when you pull off the lot it's yours ! ! !. So make them fix any an everything before
you sign or give them any major money, if they say they cann't till you have sign the paperwork
tell them then you will just have to look elsewhere for a trailer ...
Believe me they won't let you get far, maybe past the door to see if you are really going to
walk. If they do not track you down before you get to you car then they didn't want to
sell you a trailer anyway
24. Makes sure all the lights in the storage area, tail an marker lights work an are there, make they
turn them on an show you they work (Storage light can be done on your walk around, marker an tail
light can be done at hook up)...
25. Make the tech show you have to extend an retract all awnings, make sure there is cut's, holes etc
in the awnings while extended. (make sure they show you an let you operate all the switches for the
awnings)
26. Make sure ladder on the back of trailer is solid an have tech show you how to raise an lower the
bottom are of the ladder if it's a two part ladder ...
26.a. If a TT make sure ladder is solid if no ladder ask why an is it safe for anyone to be on trailer roof ..
27. Ask for a creeper an make sure that all the panels under the trailer a secure an not hanging down ..
Note: you will need the creeping later on when checking under trailer while water is running to see
if the is any water leaks ...
28. Do not let them winterize your trailer before you get there to do you PDI, if at the end of
the camping season in your area have them winterize your trailer after you do your PDI ...
Note: they should not charge you to winterize your trailer after a PDI, this should be an automatic
function as a perk for buying such used or new either one...
29. If winterized before leaving the dealer make sure fresh water an hot water tanks are empty ! !
(
Inside the trailer (Slides open)
1. Check all walls for any bubbles or loose or water damage along with ceilings (brown spots may
mean water damage)...
2. Check all trim that it not loose or falling off or screws hanging out
3. Check all lights to make they are working including awning lights an again were all switchs are...
Note: if tech dozen't know what a switch is or it fubction have him or her find someone who knows
what that switches function is, (Do not take I do not know but I'll call you later with the answer,
say I'll wait till you find someone now while we are hear !! )
4. Check chair for rips, holes an that there is all the cushions for all furniture
5. check floor for softness or loose
6. Check the seals on the slides that they are against the wall an fulling open
7. have the tech slightly close each slide an inspect the inside slide seal for rips, holes etc
8. check all cabinet doors that they will open, close, an are straight an not have loose hinges
9. check all cabinet's that if shelf's are suppose to be there that in fact they are ...
10. Have tech show you how to operate dinning table an if it has a leaf or can be pulled away
from wall an then turned to seat four people ...
11. Make sure if there as sink covers for the kitchen sink they are there.
12. Make sure all water pipes are connected under all sinks an tight, have tech pull on them
while you look on.
13. Have tech turn on the hot water an make sure you get hot on electric an propane, don't take
no for an answer if he or she states we can do that right now because there is no water, tell
them to put water in the unit so you can test it.
14. Turn on all fossets an keep water run while you check under sinks for leaks an let it run for
4 or 5 minutes then check under trailer for water leaks ...
15. Have tech show you the slide assembly in the bed an how to get to the motor an slides.
16. Have tech show multiple times how to operate the Tv or Tv's if you have two both on cable
an on the trailer antenna an where the amplifier switch is for the TV's, if they do not know
tell them to find someone who tell you ...
17. check closest shelf's an make sure it is tight against wall's if there are such...
18. check all draw slide to make sure they are tight in the bedroom an also kitchen an living
area...
19. Make sure that the air conditioner or conditioners if two both work an blow cold air ...
20. Have dealer turn on ICE maker either day before if it summer an the morning before
if it's winter in an effort make sure if you have a residential fridge the ice maker works an
makes Ice
21. make sure heater heats trailer to a comfortable room temperature, check heater will work
on propane as well as electric...
22. If you have solar charge port ask tech to show you the wiring locations an ask to have a
panel hooked up to see that the panel will work !
23. Check all emergency exit windows, that they are correctly fastened will not fall off when
opened. Open an close them a number of times to make sure !
24. As Tech to sho you every please there is a fuse an what the amp-age of that fuse is, write
it down, take pictures, record do what ever it takes to remember where those fuses are ...
If Tech stated he/she or a Salesman doing the PDI states they don't know then state
"please find someone who can, we will wait" do not take no for an answer or we will get
back to you ... Simply state again "we will wait"
25. Take your time, the shortest your PDI should take is 4 hours, do not let them rush you.
Remember when you pull off the lot it's yours ! ! !. So make them fix any an everything before
you sign or give them any major money, if they say they cann't till you have sign the paperwork
tell them then you will just have to look elsewhere for a trailer ...
Believe me they won't let you get far, maybe past the door to see if you are really going to
walk. If they do not track you down before you get to you car then they didn't want to
sell you a trailer anyway
Hooking up to your new trailer:
5th Wheels1. Make she you have the right weight hitch for your trailer, rule of thumb is an average of 2k above
what the total weight of your trailer is, ie 14k the last you should have is 16K hitch ...
2. make sure your trailer is level when hooked up to your truck, average height for a 5th
wheel should be 6 to 7 inches from bed rail to bottom of the trailer when hooked. For TT
the trailer should be level as much as possible but your tow vehicle may have a slit sag
in the rear but not very much an should be as close level with your TT as possible ...
3. Make sure the proper type electrical cord from your 5th wheel to the camper has the correct plug
an test it by plugging in your trailer to your truck once hooked up even before raising you landing
feet/gear ...
Note: Make sure your electrical cord is not hanging down to the point it will catch on something
going down the road, if to long have the dealer shorten the cord but not to the point you can't make
a ninety degree turn when backing up ...
Add Note: Some but not all pickup trucks have the trailer plug in the bed of the truck, thus your
electrical cord or what is called a pig tail could be shortened up to the point it is not hanging
outside you truck ...But again make sure it is long enough that you can make sharp turns
while backing up an it will not catch on anything in the truck bed ...
4. Check all marker lights to make sure they are on along with turn signals are working by using your
four way flashers
Note: You might be able to check lights without hooking up to trailer an only back up to it but in
some but not all case's you need to be grounded to the truck or tow vehicle to complete the ground
from truck to trailer so lights will work ...Again this is not in all cases but it's just a good idea to
hook up to the trailer to make sure ...
5. Before rising the landing gear make sure your 5th wheel hitch is locked an pull against the trailer
while holding the trailer brake on !! There are two reasons for this one you should always check to make
sure you are hooked to trailer while langing gear is down so you will not drop trailer on the bed of your
truck ... The second is to make sure you are solidly hooked to trailer ....
Hooking up to your Travel Trailer (TT)1. Make sure you have the ball an right hitch weight disputation hitch for your trailer ...
2. Make sure your trailer is level when hooked up to your truck, For TT the trailer should be like a
5th wheel level as much as possible but your tow vehicle may have a slit sag
in the rear but not very much an should be as close level with your Tow vehicle as possible ...
3. Make sure the proper type electrical cord from your 5th wheel to the camper has the correct plug
an test it by plugging in your trailer to your truck once hooked up even before raising the landing
gear ...
Note: Make sure your electrical cord is not hanging down to the point it will catch on something
going down the road, if to long have the dealer shorten the cord but not to the point you can;t make
a ninety degree turn when backing up ...
4. Check all marker lights to make sure they are on along with turn signals are working by using your
four way flashers
Note: You might be able to check lights without hooking up to trailer an only back up to it but in
some but not all case's you need to be grounded to the truck or tow vehicle to complete the ground
from truck to trailer so lights will work
