Buy Motorhome in the USA

Noddy1 · Member

Buy Motorhome in the USA

exa41 · Guru

Hi Eric and gail, we haven`t done the US thing but it seems logical to bye if you are going to spend so much time there . Probably nicer than renting a van and you know what you have and where it is , only problem I can see is battery condition and maintenance upkeep , love to do the same but missus hates the US but Canada is a different story.

marinepics · Veteran Member

Hi Noddy...
great idea....I haven't done it, but when I was last in California, there was a motorhome up for sale 2 doors away from our rellies place.
48,000 miles...everything that opens and shuts...generator on board, linked directly to the fuel tank, so no need to fill separately...
switch it on from inside...oven, full size fridge, shower, airconditioner etc, etc...and only $US5,000...amazing value...would have to be 30 to 40,000 in Oz...crazy...only concern was the 6L engine...they're all huge engine capacity over there...so fuel consumption would have to be a concern.
I would say, if you're comfortable with driving on the right, then go for it....I've wondered about it for several years now....I might do it if I had the moral and financial support of another couple to share it with...but most of my friends are into different things, or are tied to a mortgage...c'est la vie !!

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The issue with buying a MH in the USA (and Canada too, I believe) is that you can't own it unless you are a resident.
People find ways around this.
One is to have a friend there own it. Another is to buy a "company" in the USA (does not cost much) and have the company own the MH.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome

marinepics · Veteran Member

When we were considering the Motorhome we saw in California, I went down to the local vehicle rego office in Sta Maria, and they told me I could register it in my own name (as an Aussie) no problem...and there were quite a few storage places around where you could leave it, if you wanted to go home to Oz...but our visa was limited in time, and couldn't be extended, so we put the decision in the too hard basket.....what you can buy over there for $US10,000 though, is absolutely incredible....makes our motorhome prices in Australia seem ludicrous !! I think it comes down to the fact that a lot of yanks buy these vehicles to live in, and there are literally thousands of them for sale at any time.
By the way P@M, I love the big lizard on the side of your OKA.

Magyar Connection · Veteran Member

Hi Eric and Gail,

I purchased a new Windsport motorhome in the USA in 2010 (2011 model 31D) to use for 5 years. As it turned out, I have only used it for four (Norther) summers - 10-12 weeks each year and am just coming to the end of this year's trip. I figured that buying was a better proposition than renting and am happy with what we have done. After I return I will be putting it up for sale. I am lucky in that I have family over here and I have been able to store the motorhome inside when I have not been using it.

There are a lot of things to consider when buying in the USA and I am more than happy to fill you in on these matters. A number of other Aussies do exactly what you are contemplating. Certainly registration and insurance are important considerations. I return to Sydney on 11th October and am happy to talk by phone then if you think that will help.

I'm not sure what type of motorhome you are after but if you let me know I can give you some general guidance on prices, features etc. As a brief guide, new C Class motorhomes (petrol) start in the $60k region and A Class (petrol) around the $80K mark. Petrol motorhomes typically use the Ford 6.8 Ltr V10. Diesels are quite a step up in price and usually quality too. Of course the sky is the limit if you really want a luxury coach. Motorhomes do depreciate more than in Australia so a good second hand unit may well suit you.

I have attached a couple of photos which will give you an idea of our rig. Not suggesting that this is what you want, but it will give you an idea of what you get for an entry level A Class motorhome.

Happy to answer any questions you may have.

Regards, Tim

Noddy1 · Member

Many thanks to all that have replied to date, I have been doing a bit of research online and looking at used prices in the RV Trader which seems to be the main site used in the US, looks like you can buy at about a quarter of the price as what you pay in OZ. Of course that is in US dollars and unfortunately our dollar is going the wrong way at the moment, started falling as soon as we made a decision to do it, won't be until next year so here's hoping. We have a daughter and her husband and 3 grandchildren living in LA and we have been visiting them over the last 4 years, will be easier to see them occasionally when we are there. As stated in my post we have been 5 times and hired so I am now used to driving on the other side of the road, pretty much every thing is cheaper in the US so is more cost effective being self funded retirees to own there and spend more time there than in OZ. We have done a lot in OZ over the last 20 years in caravans and now our home on wheels and recon it is time for another adventure....before dementia....I have researched the ownership issue and as was suggested a Limited Liability Company...LLC set up in Montana for less than $300 will become the owner of the motorhome and address will be in Montana, this way also saves Sales tax which can be as high as 9% in some states, Rego is cheaper as well, all legal. I would like to have a talk to you Tim when you get back to OZ, send me your Mobile by email and I will give you a call a few days after you get back, we could even be interested in yours if the timing works.

Regards Eric

ROAD RUNNER · Veteran Member

My wife and I bought a Mazda 626 sedan from a dealer there a few years ago and traveled through about 7 states with a two man tent. I did have some slight problem insuring the car however a friend spoke for me and it all went through. The other issue was the registration. They dont know where Aust is and my certificate of title went to Salisbury England, then South Africa and finally someone in the Post Office sent it to my home in Adelaide. I was also about to be ripped off buying private. The seller could not produce a certificate of title and made all sorts of excuses so my advice is check ownership and Rego if buying private. Prior to buying the Mazda I asked the dealer if he would be interested in buying the car at the end of our holiday, yes he was all for it until I returned and offered me far less than it was worth. Another issue we had was crossing the border into Canada. It took some convincing to let us through as they don't like people taking vehicles bought from the USA into Canada and then sell them at a profit. Having said all that I have also been looking to buy a used camper and travel in a bit more comfort than a tent and we are a bit more street wise. I say go for it to anyone contemplating the States and Canada as we had the time of our lives there. I miss their service station hot dogs!
Regards Eddy ps dont bother trying to buy a mobile phone there, I thought it would be a cheaper option and went through hell including fingerprinting to have it registered then only to find the phone had little coverage so was useless

gollymolly · Senior Member

I have a friend who has purchased a 5th wheeler from the states and they are happy with it.

If you are interested I can find out where he purchased it from.

My only comment as I have been in it, that seems to have brown everything, curtains lounge etc.

Sue

gollymolly · Senior Member

Sorry you are looking for a motor home not a 5th wheeler

Reed · Senior Member

As Sue noted two posts up "... My only comment as I have been in it, that seems to have brown everything, curtains lounge etc..."

And almost all of the 5th wheelers are grey. It does not show up well in rain, snow, haze, fog etc. Wish they came in bright orange or yellow. Photo is of our former 5th wheel and pickup in Yucatan, three days before we wound up in a 70 car pileup at 8400' between Vera Cruz and Puebla, Mexico in white-out conditions.

We stay at this place in Yucatan since the only proviso for staying is to have dinner (which is excellent and inexpensive) and you can overnight for free.

Had 10 smaller vehicles run into our rear end in succession. Rig was totaled. Insurance took 15 months to clear and visit to Mexican consulate in Denver looks as if they will clear up previous Temporary Import Licenses (and get back the $1400 deposits to Mexican customs). Plan to return to Mexico, Belize and Guatemala and finally see the west coast of Mexico. Hope to make it to San Cristóbal de las Casas. The point to all this as Eric and Gail noted that there is so much to see in US and Canada, and Mexico.

We bought the exact same 5th wheel model (with some great improvements) and same 2006 6.6 l diesel 4 x 4 (dualie instead of single wheel and Chevie instead of GMC - they are the same vehicle). This vehicle has a 35 gallon tank and a 50 gallon auxilliary Transfer-Flow (fuel automatically pumps over at prescribed tankage). This is about 309 l. The vehicle gets 11 mpg pulling 5th wheel through the mountains.

Gasoline is about $3.70 US/gallon and diesel is now about the same. Diesel in Mexico is $2.75 US/gallon and is 500 ppm suflur. 2006 and earlier US diesel trucks were designed for this level of sulfur and later ones will have real problems with their exhaust control systems with this higher level of sulfur.

Reed and Elaine

SnowT · Guru

I Spent 3 month's in the US, and if I ever go Back instead of renting a RV I plan to Buy one... The Cost is far better..

Check this site as a suggestion to give you some ideas..

Motorhome Seller Texas

There are a few Other sites that have a huge number of List's.. I've lost my List og these site's..

Juergen

Psst As Long as the RV is Stored Correctly, you should not have any issues.. If the area has Cold Winter's you need to make sure that the RV is Winterized so the Plumbing Does not freeze..

TizTom · Veteran Member

Check eBay US for some absolute bargains.

Reed · Senior Member

All winterizing means is:

Drain the tanks
Clear the lines
Drain the hot water heater
Blow lines out with compressed air

Caravan usually has directions on how to do this. There are lots of how-to articles on line

tank. Drain and flush the gray- and black-water holding tanks. If the RV doesnt have a built-in flushing system, clean the black tank out with a wand. Drain the water heater. Open the pressure relief valve and remove the drain plug.

CAUTION: Never drain the water heater when its hot or under pressure. With no water hooked up to the RV and the water pump off, open a hot-water faucet to remove any pressure on the system. Allow the tank to cool before draining.

Step 2: Open all hot and cold faucets; dont forget the toilet valve and outside shower. Locate and open the low point water drain lines. Use the water pump to help force most of the water out of the system, but turn it off as soon as the system is drained, to prevent damaging the pump. Recap all drains and close all faucets.

Step 3: Bypass the water heater. If you do not have a bypass kit installed, the water heater will fill up with RV antifreeze before it goes through the water lines, wasting 6 or 10 gallons of antifreeze.

Step 4: Install a water pump converter kit, or disconnect the inlet side of the water pump (the line coming from the fresh-water holding tank) and connect tubing from the water pump inlet into a 1-gallon jug of RV antifreeze.

Step 5: Turn the water pump on and pressurize the system. Starting with the closest faucet to the pump, slowly open the hot and then cold valves until the red-colored RV antifreeze appears. Replace the antifreeze container as required. Repeat on all faucets from the closest to the farthest away. Dont forget the outside shower.

Step 6: Flush the toilet until antifreeze appears. Pour a cupful of antifreeze down each drain. Pour some RV antifreeze in the toilet and flush it into the holding tank to prevent any water in the tank from freezing. If your water heater has an electric heating element, turn it off. This will protect the element if the unit is plugged in while in storage. Make sure all faucets are closed.

Noddy1 · Member

Thanks again for all your replies, they have been very helpful. Maybe best to store it in southern California where it doesn't get really cold in winter. I think AT&T and Verison have the best cell phone coverage across the US. We think from a security point of view a motorhome is better than a caravan or 5th wheel if you free camp a bit, you can just drive away if there are undesirables outside. We have had issues in the past when we were camped on your own and it can be potentially dangerous if you have to get out of the caravan to get into your vehicle to leave. The US and Canada have a lot to offer in the way of scenery and a huge change to the outback in OZ, we had Bushtracker off road caravans for 11 years so have seen plenty of our outback, will be a different experience, looking forward to it
Kind Regards
Eric

Reed · Senior Member

Eric

Think the problems with undesirables in greater in eastern US than it is in western US or anywhere in Canada. The further out from civilization, the less the chance of running into hoodlums. We have been full time boondocking for seven years and have never felt threatened in western US or Canada. Have spent four winters in Mexico and really have not been terribly worried but have been a bit more cautious.

Your point that a motorhome does permit you to get away easier if things seem threatening is well taken.
Reed and Elaine

Noddy1 · Member

It is really a case of happy wife happy life, we have never had a problem other than kids hooning outside or banging on the caravan in the middle of the night, once she is awake she can't go back to sleep so it is best to move. Are you still in the US? would be interested to have a chat about Mexico, I would not have considered going there, do you do it alone or with another rig or 2. I can ring the US on Skype for about 2 cents a minute, only trouble is you pay for incoming calls on your cell, could audio Skype if that is better, no probs if not convenient
Regards
Eric

Reed · Senior Member

Eric

We are Gringos (USA) that have been full-timing for seven years to include one winter traveling through Baja (really just Los Angeles South) and three winters in Yucatan (to include jaunt to Belize and Guatemala - flew from Belize for four weeks in Costa Rica for birding/photography).

We travel by ourselves in Mexico. A lot of folks want to caravan (large group) but this has never been of interest to us. There are to many things we would want to do as we travel - and take a few days or a week to get to see an area.

I would suggest spending next trip in US to see Canadian NW and Alaska. Will be glad to discuss Mexico with you via e-mail or Skype. Will send you particulars via private message.

Have a few photos of our travels.

Calukmal is on Belize/Guatemala border in Yucatan. We think it almost as nice as Tikal

Xpu-Ha is where we have spent three winters and plan to do again this winter.

Son took this photo at Vedauwoo in Wyoming.This is one of thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of "dispersed" camping sites in the west. Thiat is, on federal land and at no cost. Two young bull moose fought for 45 minutes within 25 metres of our rig.

Reed and Elaine

Noddy1 · Member

I suspected you may have been from the US, guess you must have spent time in OZ to be on this Forum. Your camp fire setting brings back memories of our trips in the rented motorhome. Just googled XPU-HA, and the Mayan temples, can see why you would want to spend winter there, we have been in that area by Cruise ship a few years ago. Need to visit more of Wyoming, picked up a rental in Salt lake city a few years back but just drove north through Jackson Hole and into Yellowstone and Glacier National parks, so much to see and experience, times a running out. Look forward to giving you a Skype sometime
Regards
Eric