How to buy an RV in the United States for a road trip.
Buying or renting an RV in the US for a road trip is on many Australians bucket list. I wanted to do my road trip for a minimum of one year. I started my research a couple of years ago, working out the costs of renting versus buying.
Before I get into renting or buying a vehicle I thoroughly recommend getting a US bank account. You will need your current Visa, a US address and money to deposit into the account. For me it was reasonably easy. Not all banks will do this. I went with Bank of America because they had branches throughout the United States and online banking. I got a debit card only.
Also the next step is to arrange a long term B2 Visa in your own country. This was a fairly long process including the Visa application form, an interview at a US Consulate and paying out around $300. I applied for a 5 year visa but was only given a 12 month visa, valid from the day I had the interview. This did not guarantee 12 months on arrival, as at the border control I was given 6 months but the ability to extend it just before the 6 months was up. I will note this in a later blog when I have to go through that process.
Chapter 1:
Renting:
First, I looked into renting long term from one of the many RV companies like Cruise America or El Monte. I found the longest try outs rent for is 6 months. That worked out around US$30,000! More than I could afford or wanted to pay. However with that you don't are any mechanical worries, well limited if you breakdown they promise to fix or replace the motorhome, within a reasonable time.
Another rental idea is through a company that puts you in contact with private people not using their RV that you can rent from. Generally, they are for shorter lengths of time, for example a month.
Also there are extra charges like extra mileage, accessories like cooking and linen packs which are not included in the basic charges.
Buying:
Next I looked into buying an RV. If I was going to rent for US$30,000 and only for 6 months, I would look into buying and paying up to US$30,000 to buy my own rig. This is where the challenge was.
I didn't know which kind of rig I really wanted, or more importantly what I needed. I researched sales throughout the United States on RV Trader, EBAY and other sites looking at different types of RV's under 24ft, because I was generally travelling alone on my road trip, I mainly needed one bed but definitely a bathroom with shower and toilet. I also wanted an onboard generator to allow me to dry camp (boondocking) from time to time.
I checked out van conversions, B+ motorhomes, Class C motorhomes, and truck campers. Each has pros and cons. Let me explain each type of Rig.
Van Conversions: They are also known as a Class B. Usually Transit or Sprinter vans that have been converted with a small bathroom and kitchen on each side of the van, with a double bed at the back where the rear doors open up. There are many different designs and a van can be custom built to your own requirements, at a price. My favourite van conversion can be seen on YouTube at "Wild by the Mile". Her van conversion is the most amazing I have ever seen and she is pretty entertaining as well.
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| Class B+ |
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| Class B |
These are becoming the most popular for solo or couples travelling on a road trip. More and more designs and rigs are coming onto the market. Imported bodies from Europe include Hymer and Mercedes.
They are usually very economical getting between 15-20 miles a gallon. Bearing in mind, the US gallon is 3.4 litres, that is similar mileage to a sedan or SUV driving in normal conditions.
Generally they include a factory built bathroom including a toilet, wash basin and shower. They are compact, small and pretty tight for large people. A compact kitchen with a small sink, 2 burner stove and small refrigerator, with or without a freezer. A dinette with scissor sofas that fold down at night into a double or small queen size bed. This size is perfect for one or two people, anymore it would be tight to get around inside. The inside height is comfortable for anyone under 6ft, any taller and you would be hitting the ceiling. Storage is limited usually in overhead cupboards and limited exterior storage space. Both the Class B and B+ models have an exterior height of around 8' 6" including the airconditioner on the roof.
The other advantage of the Class B and B+ is parking and the ability to go into more remote places. You can normally park in most usual car spaces in the street and shopping centre car parks for stealth parking. Also the ability to go off road and turn in a tighter turning circle. Some newer models are also lifted higher for off roading.
If you want to see reviews of the best small RV's check out:
www.gonewiththewynns.com/best-small-rv
Class C:
These motorhomes have more inside space and storage depending on the length of the rig. The 20ft usually has a bed over the cabin, meaning you need to climb up into the bed usually with a ladder or on the dinette. This bed has limited head space, around 18"-24" above the mattress. Sitting up in bed is almost impossible without hitting your head on the ceiling. The dinette does fold down to a twin size single bed, depending on the layout. Different configurations are available where the bed is in the rear, which changes the location of the bathroom, thus making it smaller. Where the bed is over the cabin, the bathroom can be at the rear and the shower/toilet is a little larger. Usually the kitchen is alongside the rear bathroom with a larger refrigerator.
The 24ft Class C often has a corner bed at the rear with a reasonable size bathroom in the other corner. A reasonable size kitchen with 2-4 burners, a larger refrigerator, often with a decent size freezer, a larger dinette to seat 4 people, that also folds down to another double bed, sleeping 4 people.
The 32ft motorhome is just the larger version of the 24ft but may include 2 bunks, a larger bathroom and living area with fold down sofas and seating for 6 people at the dinette. There are numerous designs with or without slides. Slides increase the interior dining, living or bedroom spaces. They close while you are driving and extend out up to 3ft each side.
Each of the rigs have on board fresh water, black water and gas tanks. Most include a generator. Depending on the size of the rig, each of these tanks have different capacities. The refrigerators are often 3 way, that is, can be running on power, gas or by the house batteries. The house batteries run interior lights, the water pump and hot water heater when not "hooked up" to a power source. Each rig also has a microwave, and more often a convection microwave. This needs to be hooked up or use the generator to power up.
Both the grey (sinks) and black (toilet waste) tanks need to emptied regularly. If you are in an RV park, some have "full hookups" including water, electricity, and a dump station on the site. Others have a location within the park to dump your tanks. Always dump the black tank first, then follow with the grey tank.
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| class A |
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| fifth wheel |
There are large, huge Class A's and other versions of motorhomes like Travel Trailers, (Caravans in Australia) and Fifth Wheels. A fifth wheel is a large trailer that hooks onto the flatbed of a pickup truck. Some of all these above models usually include slides, some as many as 4 slides per unit. They are the size of a motorcoach bus, or with a towed small car on the back could be as long as 70ft, 30m long.
Chapter 2.
Now you have an idea what type of rig you want, you need to research what is available.
Note: At this time I was on a one month reconnaissance to look and buy an RV for my upcoming 12 month road trip a few months later.I wasn't sure which would suit me best, but I knew I wanted something small and economical. I decided to rent two different models from Cruise America. First I would rent a 19G 20ft Motorhome for two weeks, then possibility a 24ft for another 2 weeks.
I chose Cruise America because from time to time they sell off their 4-5 year old models, often with 120,000 miles plus for around US$30,000. They have them available at their many locations throughout the country. These units also include a limited warranty and possible buy back program.
This sounded like a reasonable deal.
However, after renting the 20ft, I could see a number of issues I wasn't happy with.
It wasn't comfortable for me to drive. It was wide, around 8'6" including the mirrors that extend out past the side of the motorhome. In fact my first ferry crossing, a half an hour after picking it up, I hit the mirrors on the inside lane and another driver hit the mirror on the drivers side. (Note to self, remember to pull in the mirrors before driving onto a ferry!) Luckily nothing was broken.
Driving it was like driving a box, with it swaying from side to side as I drove along.
Limited rear and side viewing made me uncomfortable with such a long and wide unit.
The bed, climbing up into the cab over bed was difficult. Getting down in the middle of the night was dangerous. Making up the dinette each day wasn't an option and the bed wasn't long enough for even me, at 5'3"!
It didn't get great mileage, it's weight alone seemed to suck it up. I took it back after 8 days, forfeiting the remaining days.
Registering your vehicle.
Now you have an idea of what type of rig you would like it's time to work out how to register it.
Depending on where, what state you buy the rig, used or new, you have to get it registered and pay the sales tax. I bought mine in Washington state, so I will tell you about my experience.
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My passport
My United States Visa
My international and Australian Drivers LICENCE
The Vehicle Certificate of Title
The Bill of Sale and sale receipt (obtained from the DMV office. The previous owner accompanied me to the office to report the sale. This certificate cost me $8.75)
Nada Guides Report (off the internet which shows the Suggested List Price and Average retail price to prove how much you paid for it. This is what determines the sales tax in each state.)
Washington address. (I was fortunate to be able to use a friends address.)
Unfortunately the DMV office in Gig Harbor didn't agree with this information which through me into a difficult situation, therefore I had to go to plan B, which turned out to be an expensive wasted trip to South Dakota for a week to try to organise registration there. Information I was given by the company, Americas Mailbox in Box Elder Sth Dakota, was inaccurate. I couldn't register it there as a foreigner. Another long process and unnecessary expenses and I walked (flew) away with nothing and the worry of not being able to register it. I stored my RV in a great RV Storage facility in Bellingham Washington, GOTCH COVERED RV STORAGE. I thoroughly recommend them, as well as Jake from LRT Services who winterized and de winterized my RV.
I returned to Australia with the worry of buying a vehicle that I couldn't register. However, I returned 5 months later to Washington. Jake suggested to go to a local private office for the DMV nearby to the storage place. I took all of the information required above and within 10 minutes I had my RV registered. After 5 months of worry it was done.
State taxes vary from state to state. In Washington it is about 4%. Therefore my RV cost me US$27,500 so the taxes and plates charges were a total of $2400. There are states like South Dakota where it is much cheaper but you don't have to drive the rig there. Please check the state you buy the rig in.
Next, as soon as possible after registering the vehicle you MUST insure it. I went to the closest AAA insurance company. After showing all of my documents above I was able to register it and purchase roadside assistance for around $1100. With roadside assistance I was given a discount off insurance and RV park and other discounts throughout the US.
So after its registered and insured you can be on your way.
If you require any more information and I can help please contact me at maztogo@yahoo.com.au
Disclaimer:
Please note; this information above is personal research and experience and should not be taken as definitive information suitable to you. Contact the Department of Immigration and local Department of Motor Vehicle Office, or Insurance company for any information.
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