Forum Discussion

Tcalp's avatar
Tcalp
Explorer
Mar 12, 2015

Buying a used RV in USA as a Canadian

Hey All,

I'm looking to get myself an RV pretty soon, though, there seems to be much better offerings/pricing in the USA over Canada. I assume this is due to demand, and potentially the economy on some level. If figure it is likely best to buy a unit from the southern areas of the USA to prevent the units from sitting in the hard winters (freezing/thawing/etc) that regularly cause leeks/seal ruptures.

I am not really sure the best way to go about bringing it back to Canada and what the related costs would be. Is there a way to buy a unit in the USA and have certifications done in the USA // get license plates online/fax submission etc... ?

I am looking to pick something up in the 10-20K area, from those that have older units. Is it a reasonable investment still, or is everything practically falling apart at this point ? I don't mind putting a bit of labor in on cosmetics, but I am not a mechanic by any means.

If anyone has any dealers that you think I should look at / get in touch with , please feel free to suggest.
Class A

77 Replies

Show More
  • dieharder's avatar
    dieharder
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2015
    YZ wrote:
    GST and PST (HST) are determined from actual purchase price

    Not true with new trailers and I suspect with used rigs as well. I was told this buy a guy who bought new over the border. I have also seen folks go in with a low number receipt to avoid tax and get dinged..it is one of the ways the provinces make up for you buying in the lower 48. Your province may differ but I would be surprised..the DOT caught on to that trick years ago.. The one group of vehicles that they don't track the book values for are class 5 to 8 trucks.

    One of the larges trailer dealers in the states and a repair depot 10 minutes from me (in nova scotia) so you should check that..but if you do a private sale, then you are on your own and the warranty is probably over by then..

    Buy a quality trailer and you should have no problems..


    Sorry, but your guy is incorrect. It is accessed based on price of the vehicle from the venders invoice converted to Canadian dollars and also includes add-ons like extended warranties and such. If there was a trade in, for example, the declare value for taxes is the purchase price of the vehicle, not what was out-of-pocket after trade.
  • YZ's avatar
    YZ
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2015
    GST and PST (HST) are determined from actual purchase price

    Not true with new trailers and I suspect with used rigs as well. I was told this buy a guy who bought new over the border. I have also seen folks go in with a low number receipt to avoid tax and get dinged..it is one of the ways the provinces make up for you buying in the lower 48. Your province may differ but I would be surprised..the DOT caught on to that trick years ago.. The one group of vehicles that they don't track the book values for are class 5 to 8 trucks.

    One of the larges trailer dealers in the states and a repair depot 10 minutes from me (in nova scotia) so you should check that..but if you do a private sale, then you are on your own and the warranty is probably over by then..

    Buy a quality trailer and you should have no problems..
  • kayakcrazy's avatar
    kayakcrazy
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2015
    The other thing you have to consider is finding a dealer to service your unit if it is something you can't fix. Most dealers will only fix units that they sell or if they will fix your unit it will be at their convenience.
  • vic46's avatar
    vic46
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2015
    YZ wrote:
    We were planning the same thing until our dollar went south...

    At 25 cents on the buck, i am surprised that you will do any better down south..but I grant you the selection will be better ...

    Remember, when you drag it back, when you register it, you will be charged tax on it's blue book value rather than what you paid for it especially if it is lower...

    Some TVs cannot be imported into Canada... the RIV guidelines are very important..


    GST and PST (HST) are determined from actual purchase price expressed in Canadian dollars. The Blue Book is no better than the imagination of the folks that created it. The tax exigible is determined based on the actual transaction, not some mythical number determined from who knows what or where.

    The web site for Transport Canada's listing of importable motorized RV's follows:

    http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles/importation/usa/vafus/list2/Section5_1.htm/
  • YZ's avatar
    YZ
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2015
    We were planning the same thing until our dollar went south...

    At 25 cents on the buck, i am surprised that you will do any better down south..but I grant you the selection will be better ...

    Remember, when you drag it back, when you register it, you will be charged tax on it's blue book value rather than what you paid for it especially if it is lower...

    Some TVs cannot be imported into Canada... the RIV guidelines are very important..
  • dieharder's avatar
    dieharder
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2015
    All the reading you like on RIV.ca They are the authority on importing motor vehicles into Canada. You didn't specify if a TT or MH, but since you're posting in the Class A motorhome forum....
  • 2bzy2c's avatar
    2bzy2c
    Explorer II
    Mar 12, 2015
    10-20K may get you a decent gasser in the 2000-2004 range. If you are not much of a mechanic, then an RV of that vintage may not be your best purchase. RV's do have problems, some more than others. Some way more than others.

    I think you have to pay GST tax at the border, and I believe the RV has to have some sort of propane certification before bringing it into the county. Not too sure on that one, but I believe I heard something to that effect.

    Try this link for more info

About Motorhome Group

38,741 PostsLatest Activity: Aug 03, 2025