camai7
Tucson, AZ
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Joined: 08/03/2005
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Can anyone comment on the pros and cons of purchasing a new motorhome through an LLC established in Montana for purposes of avoinding sales tax. I have been told it is perfectly legal but naturally am a little suspicious.
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Sailingnuts
San Jose, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/04/2004
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I think this one is really important. Just do it!!!!
For Safety's Sake:
Paramedics will turn to a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity. You can make their job much easier with a simple idea that they are trying to get everyone to adopt: ICE.
ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the name and phone number of the person that the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time and have your loved ones contacted quickly. It only takes a few moments of your time to do. Paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it immediately. ICE your cell phone NOW!
Please pass this one along
All the best,
RVingnuts
2022 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH Cummins ISL9 450 HP
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude
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Lyme
AZ
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Joined: 11/22/2003
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JohnnyT, you wrote a great instructional guide and your personal experience served to illustrate its efficacy. Nicely done.
Two of my choices (constraints) limit my ability to buy the perfect motorhome, if such a thing exists. No. 1, Budget prevents me from buying new so I can't factory order what we think we want. No. 2, we prefer twin beds and there aren't that many used MHs that have them.
In some ways it is easier for us by having these constraints. We know up front that our choices are limited so we don't have to kick as many tires to find one that will make-do for us; and we know our selection will not be perfect so we don't have that self-induced pressure to get the absolutely correct combination of features. All of our MH purchases have been compromises, and there is comfort in knowing that MH perfection is beyond our control.
Having said that, I too derive much pleasure from trying to get as many of the variables lined up as possible so that we make the best possible choice. The final factor is always gut feeling, however. The emotional response to the "feel' of a motorhome is what makes it our "home" while we are on the road.
Lyme
The ignorant believe that what they see is how it is. The wise understand that what they see is how they are. (Ellen Grace Obrien)
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Wojo
Southeast Wisconsin
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Joined: 03/14/2004
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Looking at two new units. Winnebago Sightseer/Sunova 30B
Unit 1. Doesn't have outside entertainment center nor shower. Shower could be added but not sure that the entertainment center can be.
Interior color is excellent and local dealer.
Unit 2. Second unit is located 4 hours away. Unit does not have thermo pane windows, nor heat pump and color is not what I would normally order.
Help! Is a heat pump and thermo pane windows that good of a deal? After all you pay the same when at the campsite for heat or air conditioning.
Last, I love the floor plan but not the color on unit 2.
Husband wants the outside entertainment center and not sure the heat pump and thermopane windows should be a deal breaker.
USNR BMC
Just the wife and I
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JohnnyT
On The Road
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Joined: 07/15/2003
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Wojo, I would suggest that you post your questions in the form of a new thread so you will get the visibility and insight of the the full forum. My take is that I prefer the heat pump and would not buy a coach without dual pane windows if I had a choice.
JohnnyT
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Lyme
AZ
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Joined: 11/22/2003
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Wojo, I agree with your reasoning about heat pumps and dual pane windows. But, if they are part of the package deal, why not? We have never had either and have still enjoyed our 20 years of happy RVing.There's a difference between nice and neccessary...
Lyme
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Lyman
Colorado Springs, CO
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Joined: 08/08/2005
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Sailingnuts: Consumer reports may rate someday, but your best bet is to look at every one you think you might want and read up on the maintenance problems of those particular units for the last few years.
Arlosmith: 79 Pace Arrow 27' for 5K. Toad is a 2003 Indian Chief for 27K. Nice pair, actually. The PA can sleep 10 easily so for a bunch of bikers who just need a bathroom, shower, place to leave their gear and sleep/eat, it was great. Ladies get tired of riding on the bikes, they can drive up in the RV while the guys ride.
Kristen: 1990 to 1992 Jayco 5th wheel with slides. Problem is your F150 won't pull it. You might be very happy in an Airstream though, if you can find one of the silver ones cheap. I'd stick with a bumper/frame hitch on your truck. And don't exceed the tongue weight recommended for your truck's towing capacity. Ford can tell you the exact specs, and you can have the dealer measure on a scale the actual empty (except for water) toungue weight of the trailer you choose.
Ennis: Tell the dealer to bite you, and walk. Unless your heart is definitely set on that one unit, try this. 2000 Pace Arrow Vision 36B. 36.5 ft vs. the 32ft. of the 05, but get this. Same floorplan, includes a washer/dryer, you will use the extra space, and be happier (unless you just have to have a tub). Instead of 105K to 126K, you're looking at 68K to 72K, and the original owner has likely fixed any known issues. The 14K for your TravelLite Trailer may or may not be a good deal. Depends on the year of it, and whether the dealer is really using it to your benefit or his on the price of the unit.
UReady. Both the Pace Arrow I had (79) and the one I traded it in for (2000 Pace Arrow Vision) are going to be fine in Alaska during the summer. I lived in Fairbanks for 5 years in the Air Force, and many people have the RV's up there. Currently I'm living full time in my 2000 in Colorado Springs, and the weather is similar as typical Anchorage winter weather (even got to -20 wind chill last winter here. Windows are double pane, but I still put up inslation panels. This year I may even skirt the unit. To keep the interior about 70 degrees, I go through 20 gallons (100 pounder is 48.00) of propane every 10 -12 days during the winters here. I could save propane by using space heaters but won't run them when I'm not home (I work daily Mon - Fri).
Knowing the dealer or having something in common with them helps, too.
I ended up living in the 79 after the divorce. 8 months later, I'm window shopping for a bigger unit and run into an old harley salesman now working RV's. I'm riding Indian. My 79 (mind you he's never even seen it) is worth 12 - 1500.00 max (3.5 years after purchasing for 5K). He wants 75K for the 200 Pace Arrow Vision. I don't have a down except the 79. He gives me 7700.00 for the 79, raises the price on the 2000 to 77K and we start hunting for financing. I come up with it first, and it's a done deal. I drove it from their PDI point to my RV Park spot and parked it. Start it about every 20 days and let it run for a couple minutes. Insurance says I have to move it once a year. It's almost that time to run it around the park once.
By the way. You live in them full time and only Foremost and one other company will insure it. You live elsewhere and just drive it for vacations, everyone wants your money. And no insurance company can say why.
NOTE:*** Here's the real kicker for those of you thinking of selling your homes to get one and just travel. Without a primary residence, you cannot deduct the interest payments for the motor home on your income tax as a 2nd residence. Your RV becomes your primary residence and the IRS won't let you deduct. Whether a primary or secondary residence, your motor home payment is a secured loan, not a mortgage. Only as a secondary home can the interest payments be deducted.
2000 Pace Arrow Vision, 36B, 2 slides, Ford V10
2006 Audi A4 3.0L Quattro Cabriolet
2003 Indian Chief
Patriot Guard Rider
Iron Indian Rider
Indian Riders Group
American Legion
USAF, Retired
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Montanadreamer
Belfair, Washington
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Joined: 04/19/2003
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I, too, thought that was some great info. I just wish I had seen this before I got my rig.
I don't think I got a bad deal, but I probably could have done a little more "homework" before I signed the papers.
I don't know if anyone touched on this yet concerning the financing (I just spot-read some of these posts) and I learned this lesson when I bought my car a year before.
When it comes time to put down a down payment if you're financing, STICK TO WHAT YOU'RE WILLING TO PUT DOWN.
I haven't been on RV.NET for awhile but I think I have a post somewhere on what I did when it came time to get the financing.
The dealer wanted $2000 down that day. I told them I had a better idea. I will give them $1000 (because of the age of the motorhome and because I had a feeling they wanted it off the lot, seeing that there wasn't a whole lot of older used vehicles and they seem to be REALLY trying to sell me on this thing.
They tried three times to coax another thousand out of me and I told them three times I was walking off the lot. If they were'nt in any hurry to sell, I'm sure they'd have said "ok, hope to do business with you in the future" and let me walk.
Finally, the fourth time was a charm. I drove off with my RV and they only took a $1000 down for it. I'd probably still be renting an apartment if this didn't work so it was a gamble that paid off.
I was pretty pleased with myself.
I think I just came to the RV lot on a day when no one was making their sales quota. (all the salespeople were sitting at thier little outdoor plastic table bs'ing when I showed up - didn't even get up when I asked to see some of their vehicles.
Montana Dreamer
1986 Winnebago Chieftain 26ft
Chevy 454 7.4L V8 w/Rochester 4BBL
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Texasanne
TX
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Joined: 08/18/2005
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Thank you for writing such a comprehensive article on purchasing a motorhome. I'm so new on this subject that you might call me a pre-schooler. We've always traveled (US and worldwide) by flying, then renting a car and staying in hotels/motels. But my husband is allergic to so many things these days that even a top-notch hotel can have something in the air that sets him off. So, he said he wanted a motorhome so it would be "like home".
Now, we have NEVER been in a motorhome except to walk through one. People have tried to be helpful with suggestions from "get a 5th wheel to only buy a diesel pusher". I know nothing about repairs of any kind nor have I ever driven something like a bus. My husband thinks he'll be fine with the driving but he is no handy man.
We're retired with a moderate budget. We want to drive to National and State parks and enjoy the scenery, nature and walk around watching birds. I dream about going to places and staying a couple of months. Then coming home and catching up on household matters, getting my hair cut, going to the doctor and then hitting the road again. Is this realistic? Will we have nothing but headaches with maintainance and fuel going ever higher?
We are going to take the big leap by RENTING a motorhome. It's a 29' coach called an Admiral (no idea the manufacturer). I like the floorplan and the RV people charge a fortune for a security deposit so most people don't smoke or damage anything for fear of losing that deposit. So it should be smoke-free. We're going out for 2 weeks.
Anybody with time to write me and knowledge to share I would love to hear from you. I will spend the time it takes to research and ask questions and listen to answers.
By the way, Johnny T, what motorhome did yo eventually buy. I mean manufacturer and model, please. I'm curious what met your criteria.
Looking for information,
Texasanne
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QAQueen60
Houston, TX
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Joined: 08/27/2005
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We live in the Houston area, and are getting ready to buy our first RV (Class A). We've visited the website for PPL Motor Homes in Houston, and are impressed with their web page...lots of information and photos. Question is, has anyone had any experience with PPL, good or bad?
Thanks in advance...
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