New to R-Pod life

Torsion axles provide a smoother ride than spring axles with less bounce, so some shock absorption is built-in. They do require that you pay a bit more attention to your side-to-side loading so as not to overload one axle. I try to load heavier items on the passenger side to offset the weight of the slideout.

My understanding is that with the torsion axles, shock absorbers would not help. The fact that Lippert does not make such a shock absorber for torsion axles, but does make them for spring axles makes this point clear.

No such thing as 'brand new condition' when it comes to an RV.

In addition to the safety items described above, please get a ladder, clean, inspect, and repair/replace all the sealant on the roof. Then, check the sealant on the wall penetrations. The windows and hatches use a bulb gasket and shouldn't need anything. The door, equipment access panels, the slide-out gutter, and the where the rear section attaches all have sealant. This is supposed to be done every 90 days, and a minimum of every 6 months.

Look up underneath. How's it look? Is there any missing or torn barrier? Dripping water?

People should realize they bought a house that needs maintenance just like their permanent home, but it's worse because driving down the road is like putting it through a small earthquake. Things move and vibrate. Look in areas you don't normally occupy or notice such as under bunks and in the corners of your bathroom that aren't easily visible. Just like you should be looking in your basement, crawl space or attic once in a while at home.

Things the dealers/sellers typically don't tell you.

I have a slightly older 172; couldn't love it more! I don't know what you mean about the bathroom (I'd like to know) but did I use sticky velcro to secure the shower curtain at the door and keep the water inside.  I also removed paneling at the floor in front of the bunks and the dinette seats to use plastic storage bins to function like drawers for storage. If you won't be using the dinette as a bed (I don't) removing the dinette table and replacing with something smaller really opens up the space.