Texas RV Inspection Report: 2023 DRV Full House LX 455

When a Luxury Fifth Wheel Goes Wrong

These RV owners were burned on their very first fifth wheel purchase. Unfortunately, their second RV did not turn out any better. Their 2023 DRV Full House LX 455 spent months sitting in repair facilities, first at the dealership and then back at the manufacturer. After being told the work was complete and the RV was ready for pickup, the owners decided not to trust another promise. They scheduled a professional RV inspection to verify the condition before accepting delivery. This is exactly the scenario where an independent RV inspection in Texas can save buyers from serious long term headaches.

Watch the full RV inspection report on YouTube

Meet Your Certified RV Inspector

My name is Michael Murphy, and I am a certified RV inspector and technician. I perform RV inspections across Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Houston, Dallas Fort Worth, Waco, Temple, Killeen, San Marcos, Round Rock, Georgetown, and surrounding areas. My job is to evaluate RVs so buyers and owners have clear, unbiased information before purchase or delivery. In this case, the RV had already been purchased nearly ten months prior, but the inspection was still critical.

The RV and the Original Failure

The 2023 DRV Full House LX 455 is a large luxury fifth wheel toy hauler. It measures nearly 46 feet long and weighs approximately 24,000 pounds fully loaded. The layout includes a rear garage, a central living and kitchen area with dual opposing slide outs, and a front master bedroom. The rear garage is almost 12 feet long and can include options such as fuel stations, its own air conditioner, tie downs, bunk beds, and more. This model also features three air conditioners, an electric fireplace, a high capacity furnace, and multiple residential style appliances.

Shortly after purchase, the owners took the RV on a single trip and experienced a major hydraulic failure. The RV would level normally, but when the slide rooms were extended, the exterior leveling jacks retracted unexpectedly. This is a serious operational defect on a large fifth wheel. The dealership could not diagnose the issue and ultimately sent the RV back to the manufacturer for repairs.

Why This RV Inspection Happened Out of State

Although we normally perform RV inspections throughout Texas, this inspection occurred while I was temporarily in Illinois visiting family. The RV was located in Indiana at the former Heartland manufacturing facility during a corporate transition involving DRV, Heartland, Jayco, and Thor. I drove to Indiana to help the client and inspect the RV at the manufacturer level, something many Texas RV buyers never realize is even an option.

The First Inspection and Immediate Failure

During the initial visit, the technicians explained the repairs they believed had resolved the hydraulic issue. It was clear that many labor hours had gone into the RV. However, as soon as I operated the leveling system during the RV inspection, the failure occurred exactly as the owners described. The hydraulic system malfunctioned again when the slides were extended. At that point, the inspection was halted, the client was notified, and the RV remained with the manufacturer.

A Second Inspection After Major Hydraulic Repairs

Weeks later, the client was contacted again and told the RV was ready for delivery. Before accepting it, they requested another RV inspection. This time, the inspection took place at a Jayco facility. The technicians stated that Lippert had replaced nearly the entire hydraulic system and tested it dozens of times. During this inspection, I confirmed that the hydraulic leveling and slide systems were finally operating correctly.

Manufacturer Warranty Reality

At this stage, the manufacturer made it clear that their warranty work was complete. Any additional defects discovered during the RV inspection would need to be handled by the client or the originating dealership. This is a common policy across the RV industry and one Texas RV buyers often misunderstand. Manufacturer warranties typically focus on major systems that cannot be repaired easily in the field, while dealerships handle smaller defects.

Roof, Slide, and Sealant Issues Found During the RV Inspection

The RV had a professionally applied spray on roof, which is an excellent upgrade when done correctly. However, the slide out roofs and sidewalls told a different story. The inspection revealed peeling butyl tape on every slide roof, decaying sealant on slide outs, and deteriorating seals where the slides close against the sidewalls. Additional failing sealant was found on the main exterior walls.

These are the kinds of issues RV inspectors focus on because even minor sealant failures can allow water intrusion. Water damage is one of the most destructive and expensive problems in RV ownership. Sealant warranties are often short, raising questions about responsibility when an RV sits at a dealership or manufacturer for months without owner access.

Electrical and Chassis Safety Problems

The RV inspection also uncovered a failure in the chassis lighting system. Turn signals were not functioning correctly, although brake lights still worked. It was unclear when this failure occurred or how long the RV may have been transported or driven without proper lighting. Electrical and lighting issues are common findings during RV inspections and can pose serious safety risks.

Interior Water Damage and Structural Concerns

Inside the RV, a leak was found under the kitchen sink. Small plumbing leaks like this are extremely common in RV inspections and often lead to major water damage over time if left unaddressed. Any water where it does not belong inside an RV can lead to mold, rot, and costly repairs.

Additional interior issues included loose trim, buckling flooring, and cosmetic damage beyond normal wear. While scratches and dings happen, loose components and flooring movement point to build quality or transport issues that should be corrected.

Life Safety Hazards Discovered

On the exterior, the generator exhaust was found to be broken, creating a serious safety concern. Even more alarming was a massive propane leak that was escaping so quickly it was difficult to measure. Propane leaks are among the most dangerous issues found during RV inspections, and they are surprisingly common even on new or lightly used RVs. A leak of this magnitude presents an immediate explosion risk.

A Common Story for RV Buyers

This RV had been used on a single trip before spending nearly ten months at a dealership and manufacturer facility. The owners never truly got to enjoy it. Months after the inspection, the RV was reportedly still at the manufacturer. Every issue found during the inspection was fixable, but none of them were unusual. Even high end luxury fifth wheels frequently have defects.

Why RV Inspections Save Texas Buyers Money

RV inspections are often described as free because the cost of avoided repairs usually exceeds the inspection fee. Even when measured only in time, stress, and frustration, the value of an RV inspection is enormous. Nearly all of the issues on this DRV Full House LX 455 could have been identified before purchase with a comprehensive pre purchase RV inspection.

RV Inspection Services Across Texas

If you are buying a new or used RV, accepting delivery, or dealing with unresolved repairs, an independent RV inspection is one of the smartest decisions you can make. We provide RV inspection services throughout Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Houston, Dallas Fort Worth, Waco, Temple, Killeen, San Marcos, Round Rock, Georgetown, and surrounding communities.

To book an RV inspection in Texas, visit cozycamperatx.com.

To find a certified RV inspector or RV technician near you anywhere in the country, visit rvhelp.com.

Always get an RV inspection before you buy, even when purchasing from a high end luxury RV manufacturer.