Buying an RV - Frightening or Fulfilling?

If you have never attended a large RV show or visited a mega RV dealer you are in for a big surprise. The first thing you’ll notice right off is, “There are so many choices, where do I begin?” Did you know this is the number one reason why people put off buying a RV? They are overwhelmed with all the choices and become frustrated, don’t let this happen to you!

The second biggest reason people decide not to buy an RV is that they don’t know who they can trust. It’s not uncommon to hear your RV salesperson say something like, “This manufacturer builds the best models".  After you have visited a number of dealers it’s like a broken record.  Everybody thinks their brands are the best in the industry.  Here's a typical line, "Four Winds has the BEST motorhomes.  There's a reason all of the rental RVs you see on the road are made by Four Winds.... Dependability!!"  By the way, we fell for this line and bought a Four Winds.  It turned out the reason they were on the road as rentals is because they are cheap, assembly line products.  Follow the dollar, and you'll almost always find the real answer.

Take your time...and Follow these Instructions:

1.  Decide what type of RV you want.   You can choose gas or diesel.  Diesel gives you better mileage, but a noisier unit and higher purchase price.   You can get the luxury of a Class A (with the great driving views) or the maneuverability of a Class C (but with less overall space).  Travel trailers can be intense to pull and wear the driver out.   We recently almost got hit with shrapnel from a trailer being pulled past us in a campground when the left wheels hit a big rock on a curve and tore off one of the tires and some of casing.  You can avoid the sway of trailers with a fifth wheel, where the weight of the trailer is over the truck's rear axle.  Just make sure you have enough power to pull it.   (As a note of interest, Bob's great-grandpa Bryant Olds invented the 5th wheel.)  Or you can go for the fun of a towable toy hauler.  The biggest question is:  "What do you want to do with your RV?"  If it's going to sit in a trailer park, a trailer could be ideal...especially since it's designed all on one level and easy to get in and out of.

 

This might be all you need, so why buy more?



We met a great couple laughing about how they bought this trailer
and "hid" it from the condo association in their garage.



Taj-ma-Winnebago

2.  Look at how different manufacturers compare to one another.  This may seem time consuming, but an RV is a big enough investment to merit doing your homework.  (Your mother would approve.)  Some top makers are Fleetwood, Winnebago, Monaco, National, Country Coach, Skyline, Forest River, R-Vision and Thor.  Don't rely on "looks" or floor plan to make your decision.  Get in a model and test how everything works.  We even set up the couch and table beds before buying.  Some buyers don't know you can (and should) test drive the unit.  Try driving into a shopping center to see how you like parking it and definitely get it on the freeway to hear how sound it is.

3.  Gather as much information as possible about the RVs under consideration.  Look at the special features, condition and any other important aspects of the RV that matter the most to you.  When comparing models, be sure to factor in any and all extra features.

4.  Check out the prices online and at lots for the model you are interested in.  You can look on ebay for completed sales or check Craigs List in different localities.  Prices in other states may surprise you.  We found the new model we wanted for $60,000 in Iowa that was selling for $90,000 in most every other state.  We called dealers across the country and found prices varied.  We thought Florida must have the best deal, but their prices were among the highest.   You may find an extraordinary price elsewhere, but you will forfeit the personal customer service from your seller.  We have had quite a few little problems with our 31K from Motor Sportland, but the salesman we bought through has taken care of every one of them...and even thrown in a free RV wash here and there. 

5.  Look at the tax burden or benefits that different models may bring you. Think of motor fuel tax, sales tax and individual income tax.  If you register your RV in a state other than your own for tax benefits, be careful.  We just moved to Florida but were given this advice by a tax attorney:  "If you still maintain a church membership in SLC, have burial plots in SLC, and all your children live in SLC, you should expect the SLC tax folks to argue that the external factors are inconsistent with your claimed move to Florida."

Planning Tip: Be consistent. If you claim you've left a state, don't go back to get a resident fishing or hunting license in your former home state.  We know of some hefty fines for doing this very thing! Ditto on library cards (hold one in the state in which you reside, not the state you moved out of), and so on.

One of the first steps in your state tax planning is to figure out the starting line. Which state currently thinks you live primarily there?  Learn the rules as to how you can end that tax relationship and keep detailed records supporting your tax home state.

Tax Reduction Planning Tip: Make sure you land in your new tax home. Perhaps your first stop should be in your new tax home state, where you spend enough time and set up enough connections to make it your new home state for income tax purposes. Buy burial plots (really!)   Join a church or lodge or other organization.  Go to the dentist.  Get a local library card.  Open a bank account and move your accounts.  Hire a CPA to handle your tax returns.

Planning Tip: Did we say to keep a log book?  Maintain a detailed and accurate calendar showing where you were, which days you worked and in which states.  Staple RV park receipts and receipts for gas and shopping to the calendar as they will prove where you were.  We have a folder of receipts from the first day we crossed into Florida. 

Your suggestions are welcome here.  I'm sure you're more experienced than I am and can help us all with the advice we need in this area.  Thanks for your help!

PAYING JOBS in Ocala National Forest

Yep…you can get a couple of thousand a month plus a free site and utilities. We met the Area Managers for the Alexander Springs area of the Ocala. What a nice setup! All of the hosts at Alexander Springs have a large concrete pad with a patio and new picnic table with FHU. The managers have a company truck and more electric carts than I knew existed.

Loop Trail around Springs

John Schultz (pictured with his cart) has a home “in town” and loves working in the park…even though he doesn’t take advantage of a free site. He gets between 30 to 40 hours a week (minimum wage) but can’t get enough of his “office”. It is perfectly decorated with palms, a gorgeous spring, and live turtles and gators. His favorite job is chasing black bears out of the park and removing rattle snakes and coral snakes.

Our Camp Mangers shared some of their Grief: Corporate does not seem to see the maintenance needs of a semi-tropical park and therefore does not see the need to provide adequate funds to meet the Forest Service contract requirements. Basically…the damage from mold, mildew, moisture and intense UV radiation deplete the budget before the year is over. These huge costs are ever present, even if no campers are present. The managers end up paying for things they must have to keep the park running out of their own pockets.

Then there are the “interesting” campers you can meet in the south….like the tenting mom who turned her drunk teenagers loose on the campground. When a host went to her tent to ask her to rope them in, she came out bare-breasted and berated the host with, “You stop staring at me.” He asked her to put some clothes on and went for backup. The manager got the job of sending them packing. They were arrested within a half mile of the park for drunk driving and taken to jail.  The frustrating part of confrontations with drinking campers is their belligerent claims that the host is prejudice. Most campers in this park are (to some degree) Hispanic, Cuban, or black. Happily, Bob and I were raised to realize we are all brothers and sisters…yes, equals…and “prejudice” was not even in our vocabulary. So it’s offensive to us when people on either side of the controversy start firing their “prejudice pistols”. The crux of the matter has nothing to do with color, it has to do with breaking the rules. Drinking in a public area is not allowed in the parks. And public intoxication is not only illegal, it’s insensitive to those wanting to focus on natural beauty and the sounds of wildlife. Belching, puking and uproarious communications mess with this picture.

Our manager is currently being sued for VERBAL ASSAULT because he told a woman she needed to clean up her camp. She had ignored all signs, literature and even the big billboard at the entrance warning campers they will be sharing the park with BEARS. This woman had left her garbage and food all about her camp, and of course the bear made a party of eating and playing with the goodies. Then her disregard of the rules somehow translated in her mind to: “Hey! I have the right to sue the manager for instructing me to clean up the ______ mess!”

Bob had to jump in with his story from earlier this year. A tenting camper set up on a busy weekend without paying for his site first. Our son was visiting our campground from Afghanistan…just for the day. Bob sold the campsite to someone who discovered the non-paying tenter…who flew into a rage when he had to move off the site. He followed Bob around for the rest of the afternoon threatening law suits. Bob showed him the signs at the entrance that said you had to pay before setting up, but he would not take personal responsibility. He became maniacal. Bob finally said, “Look, I’ve been patient with you so far. But you are giving me no reason to work with you.” He finally quieted down as Bob found another spot he could set up his tent. Then Bob was in trouble for not spending the time he should with our visiting son.

The story that tops them all for me is the Florida Federal Court Judge who was caught stealing wheels used to transport the campground canoes. When confronted by the campground manager, she was hugely offended and lashed out with: “I’ll have your job!” The manager laughed at that one and said it was hers. 
However, the manager did not laugh at the camper who was toting a rifle on his shoulder in camp.  Mr. Camper said it was his legal right, as he was going hunting.  He was absolutely correct.  Anyone can carry a weapon, right out in the open, in the campground.

On the up side: Almost every camper is a delight.   These happy campers are patiently waiting for John to bring them the perfect canoe for the Alexander Springs Run.  But sometimes you get one at just the wrong time who bothers you enough to give you some unforgettable memories.