DAF vs PDI — what each one covers
A DAF (Dealer Authorization Form) inspection happens when a unit first arrives at the dealership. Its job is to catch transit damage and factory issues early — while the problem clearly predates your ownership and is easiest to attribute to the manufacturer or carrier. A PDI (pre-delivery inspection) happens at the other end, just before the customer takes delivery, confirming the unit is right and surfacing anything that developed or was missed since arrival.
Both are inspections, but they are also documentation events. What you find, photograph, and record at each becomes the evidence behind the claims those findings turn into. Use this page as a bay reference — print it, or save it as a PDF straight from your browser (File then Print then Save as PDF), no app required.
Arrival checklist — the DAF inspection
Run the DAF before the unit is accepted into your inventory, ideally against the delivery paperwork and the carrier still present. The point is to document the as-received condition so transit and factory issues are on record from day one.
- Walk the exterior for transit damage — dents, scuffs, cracked panels, road debris impact
- Check the roof, seams, and seals for shipping damage before weather can complicate the story
- Cycle slide-outs and awnings to confirm they arrived aligned and functional
- Verify the unit matches the order, VIN, and build sheet — model, options, and included equipment
- Confirm no components are missing, loose, or disconnected in transit
- Photograph every finding with a context and close-up shot, tied to the VIN
- Log findings immediately so a DAF claim can be opened while the evidence is fresh
Pre-delivery checklist — the PDI
Run the PDI as the last checkpoint before the customer takes the keys. Test systems the way the customer will use them, and treat anything you find as a potential claim line rather than a quick fix to forget. Work through the unit system by system.
- Exterior and body — panels, doors, windows, storage bays, and trim for damage and fit
- Roof and seals — sealant condition, seams, vents, and any sign of water intrusion
- Slide-outs — extend and retract fully, checking alignment, seals, and mechanism operation
- Plumbing — fresh, grey, and black systems, water heater, pump, faucets, and toilet for leaks and flow
- Electrical — shore power, converter, battery, 12V and 120V circuits, lighting, and outlets
- Appliances — refrigerator, furnace, air conditioning, water heater, stove, and microwave under real operation
- Chassis and running gear — tires, wheels, brakes, suspension, lights, and hitch or landing gear
- Safety items — smoke, CO, and propane detectors, fire extinguisher, and required equipment
- Interior fit and finish — cabinetry, flooring, furnishings, and missing or damaged components
Document everything and tie findings to claims
An inspection only protects you if it leaves a record. A finding written as a one-word checkmark cannot support a claim; a finding with a clear description and the right photos can. Because manufacturers review claims per FRC line and require photos per line, the inspection is where that evidence should be captured in the first place.
- Record each finding with a plain cause-and-correction description, not a single word
- Capture context and close-up photos per finding so each becomes a supportable claim line
- Tie every finding to the correct manufacturer-specific FRC code from the start
- Route DAF findings to a DAF claim and PDI findings to warranty or PDI claims as appropriate
- Resolve or open a claim for every finding before delivery — do not hand a known issue to the customer
DAF at arrival, PDI before delivery — two inspections that bookend the unit’s time on your lot. Documented well, they are also the first draft of every claim those findings become.
Related
Keep going with the rest of the claims-recovery workflow.
