Boat & RV Purchase Paperwork Checklist

What it should state. What's commonly not stated. What to ask before you sign.

You're about to sign purchase paperwork for a boat or RV. This page lists what complete paperwork states, the lines that are commonly not stated, and the questions worth asking before your name goes on it.

This is a reading checklist, not advice. Spend Defense doesn't tell you whether to sign — we make sure you've actually seen what's on the page, and what isn't.

What complete boat or RV paperwork states

Out-the-door total — the full amount including the unit, taxes, and every fee, as one number.
Unit identity — year, make, model, and VIN or hull identification number.
Dealer prep and freight — each listed as its own line with an amount.
Trade-in, payoff, and negative equity — the trade value, the payoff, and any negative equity, stated separately.
Add-ons, itemized — service contracts, appearance packages, and accessories, each with a price.
Title, registration, and doc fees — each fee named.
Walkthrough and defect reporting — the delivery inspection, and how long you have to report defects.
Financing terms — if financed: APR, term, and total of payments, on the loan paperwork.

What's commonly not stated

Negative equity — an amount owed on a trade can be rolled into the new deal without its own line.
Whether add-ons were optional — packages may appear pre-printed on the form.
Defect reporting window — how long you have to report problems after delivery is often not stated.
Long loan terms — boat and RV loans can run many years; the total of payments may sit on a separate page.

None of these gaps decide anything by themselves. They're the lines to ask about before you sign, not after.

Questions to ask before you sign

“Is this the out-the-door total, including all fees and taxes?”
“What are the dealer prep and freight charges?”
“How is my trade handled — value, payoff, and any negative equity?”
“Which add-ons are optional, and what does each cover?”
“How long do I have to report defects after delivery?”

Want a second set of eyes on the actual document?

Send us the paperwork before you sign. A Quick Check reads your document and shows you what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask — for $4.99 (up to 10 pages). Longer documents: Document Review $19, Premium Review $49.

Check my document →

We don't decide for you. We make sure nothing on the page — or missing from it — surprises you later.

FAQ

How much should a boat or RV cost out the door?

We don't price other people's units — the same model sells at different totals across dealers, seasons, and regions. What you can check is whether your paperwork states the out-the-door total, each fee by name, and your trade as separate numbers. If it doesn't, ask before signing.

What if something on this checklist is missing from my purchase paperwork?

Ask for it in writing before you sign. A missing prep line or defect window isn't a verdict on the dealer; it's an unknown in a large purchase. Getting it stated costs nothing at the desk and is much harder after delivery.

Can Spend Defense read my actual boat or RV paperwork?

Yes — that's the Quick Check. Send the document and you'll get back what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask, for $4.99 (up to 10 pages). A full purchase packet with financing often goes through the Document Review ($19, up to 25 pages).

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Spend Defense — we read the paperwork before you sign. We don't decide for you.