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AnneM's avatar
AnneM
Explorer
Jun 19, 2021

Can you buy in one state and register in another

We're moving to the US in July and plan on full-time RV'ing as soon as we can get a truck and a 5th wheel.
We're not US citizens but will have a long-stay work visa. Working from home, we figured we might as well make our home on the road.
Flying into Florida and that's where we'd want to set our domicile.
The plan is to go out to the northeast for hurricane season (and heat) and come back to Florida in November.

I have a LOT of questions and would hugely appreciate some help.

1. Assuming we get our SSN and a Florida driver's license, how difficult would it be to buy and register a heavy-duty truck + 5th wheel? As in, how long do you think it could take. Especially the registration part. Do we have to stick around for our license plates or can we get on the road right away?

2. Let's say we don't find the 5th wheel of our dreams in Florida. We're thinking maybe we can buy a truck there, and drive up to New England (staying in hotels on the way). Then find a rig up in the north, later in the summer. I'm thinking maybe now that covid is almost over, and winter will be coming soon, maybe more people will be selling up in the north?

If we do that, can we buy an RV in a New England state and register it in Florida? Would we have to drive back to Florida to do that? Or can we somehow remotely register the RV with a Florida DL? I assume buying insurance remotely shouldn't be an issue.

Any thoughts or tips on how, where and when to buy both pickup and rig would be very welcome!
  • AnneM wrote:
    We're moving to the US in July and plan on full-time RV'ing as soon as we can get a truck and a 5th wheel.
    We're not US citizens but will have a long-stay work visa. Working from home, we figured we might as well make our home on the road.
    Flying into Florida and that's where we'd want to set our domicile.
    The plan is to go out to the northeast for hurricane season (and heat) and come back to Florida in November.

    I have a LOT of questions and would hugely appreciate some help.

    1. Assuming we get our SSN and a Florida driver's license, how difficult would it be to buy and register a heavy-duty truck + 5th wheel? Dealer will file all the required paperwork for you As in, how long do you think it could take. Especially the registration part. Do we have to stick around for our license plates or can we get on the road right awayTypically dealer will issue you temporary plates so you can get right on the road.?

    2. Let's say we don't find the 5th wheel of our dreams in Florida. We're thinking maybe we can buy a truck there, and drive up to New England (staying in hotels on the way). Then find a rig up in the north, later in the summer. I'm thinking maybe now that covid is almost over, and winter will be coming soon, maybe more people will be selling up in the north?

    If we do that, can we buy an RV in a New England state and register it in Florida? Not sure about that. Try goggling the states "Secretary of State" office of the particular state you're thinking you might buy from. Would we have to drive back to Florida to do that? Or can we somehow remotely register the RV with a Florida DL? I assume buying insurance remotely shouldn't be an issue.

    Any thoughts or tips on how, where and when to buy both pickup and rig would be very welcome!
    currently both are in limited supply so expect to pay a premium and to not have as many choices.

    Answers in red
  • I don't know the ins-and-outs of long stay work visas. If it allows or requires you to establish a domicile, you'll serve yourself well by using FL. Look into getting mail services thru the Escapees group, which also gives you an address so you can title and register your vehicles in FL. The actual title and registration can be done the same day or next business day following purchase. I think it will be too difficult, maybe impossible, to buy up north and try to register in FL. You should probably get some professional advice on how to handle potential income taxes since you will be working in different states.
  • Talk to Scott at SBI ... he knows the ins and outs of Florida residence and travel. He is owner of a mail-forwarding company in Florida - a good one. You will need a mail service if you travel, and want all your license and registration documents in Florida.

    https://www.sbimailservice.com/
  • Florida is one of the best places to start. They have very few restriction in place regarding the virus which makes doing things there much easier. Florida also has a number of large RV sales locations which should make it easier to find the fifth wheel you want. Since you have internet access, check out Lazydays RV in Tampa

    Lazydays RV

    And also General RV near Tampa

    General RV Tampa

    Those are two of the largest dealers in the USA. They also have used RVs so maybe check those out also. There are others in Florida but that will give you a start.

    Regarding the legal requirements for purchasing, call one of the places listed above, or maybe someone living in Florida can comment. Should not be terribly difficult.

    Welcome to America! Hope you have a wonderful time here.