Forum Discussion

Bazoire's avatar
Bazoire
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014

Newbie from Scotland looking to Tour USA Canada

Hi,

We are based in Scotland and have been exploring our options about importing our motorhome A class Hymer 654 ( left hand drive)and spending a year on the road in the USA and Canada.

We have sorted shipping issues etc and are now solving the minor problems and have a few questions that some of you may be able to answer for us.

Over here and throughout Europe we have an automatic satellite dish with sat internet coverage 10mb download speed and are looking for companies who provide this service for Rv in the USA. Do you have any suggestions?

Roadside assistance - recommendation?
Insurance same.

We have thought about renting or buying then selling but like everyone else we are set up the way we want and it would be costly to achieve same.

We have travelled to the US and Canada many times and have visited many places but we figure this would be the best way of all to see your beautiful country.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Barry
Class A
  • Bazoire's avatar
    Bazoire
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2014
    Hi

    Really appreciating your replies.

    Shipping into Halifax which is far easier than US ports.

    FYI our internal power is all 12volt dc. we only have to use an adaptor to address the change from 11o to 240. We have both solar and a generator so plugging in is never a major problem

    Using phone and tethering may be the solution if 4g is available however we use our automatic internet for business so it is important to us. That said we may well have sold it first so less of an issue.

    Couldn't agree more about getting off the highways. We have seen a great deal of Europe and the UK away from the main roads and it's where the adventure really begins

    Thank you

    Barry
  • TomB_'s avatar
    TomB_
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2014
    Welcome to our country! Check out Geico insurance, & a couple of others to see who has the best rate for you. When you drive on our interstate system, you will see everything it has to offer in about 2 hours. To really see America, leave the interstate system behind & travel the back roads. The #1 place I go when I want to get away from it all is a place in West Virginia called Cass. The Green Bank Observatory requires a 90 mile bubble where there is no cell phone service of any kind. Cass is an old logging town turned museum. The steam trains are still climbing the mountain after more than a century. Just google Cass Scenic for all the information.

    Again, welcome & safe travels! :B
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Dec 11, 2014
    One thing I have not seen discussed yet is power? Your side of the pond generally has 220VAC for residential power. We use 120VAC. Are you going to have an appropriate transformer with you to step down the voltage? How about connections? Over here we normally use Neam rated plugs and receptacles. Over there you have a different standard. The other issue I see is water, sewer and power connections. Over here they are on the drivers side. Meaning the left side. Over there, at least in those countries that drive on the wrong side of the road the connections are not going to be in the right place. Just more food for thought.
  • hoopers's avatar
    hoopers
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2014
    hoopers wrote:
    For internet, I would consider just getting internet off a cell phone plan. Just use your phone as a hotspot. We do that all the time when we travel in our RV. You can look at coverage maps on each providers website. However, if you get into the back country, than cell might not work, but again check the coverage maps. Verizon and AT&T probably have the most coverage. Tmobile and Sprint might have less coverage, but they will be cheaper. If you have an iphone, than it may be ready to go already, depending which company you choose.
    For Satellite TV and internet, Dish has month to month contracts, so you can call or visit their website. Direct TV is another provider. But check and make sure your electronics are compatible, as you may have to purchase new equipment ($300-400 for everything). They will probably want you to buy a TV package too. Good luck!!!
    I found Good Sam to have cheap RV insurance compared to others. Geico is another company.
  • hoopers's avatar
    hoopers
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2014
    For internet, I would consider just getting internet off a cell phone plan. Just use your phone as a hotspot. We do that all the time when we travel in our RV. Verizon and AT&T probably have the most coverage. Tmobile and Sprint might have less coverage, but they will be cheaper. If you have an iphone, than it may be ready to go already, depending which company you choose.
    For Satellite TV and internet, Dish has month to month contracts, so you can call or visit their website. Direct TV is another provider. But check and make sure your electronics are compatible, as you may have to purchase new equipment ($300-400 for everything). They will probably want you to buy a TV package too. Good luck!!!
    I found Good Sam to have cheap RV insurance compared to others. Geico is another company.
  • Tripalot's avatar
    Tripalot
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2014
    J-Rooster wrote:
    Barry when your RV is shipped from Scotland don't have it shipped to any Washington State Ports! Just a heads up! Longshoreman are on a big time work slowdown and all incoming and outgoing freight is backed up. Have fun on your visit.


    Not likely he would be doing this - Washington is the wrong side of the country. Probably most economical would be to ship RV to Halifax or one of the US seaports such as Boston.
  • dahkota's avatar
    dahkota
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2014
    For internet, check dishnet. For us, using our cell phones tethered to our laptop works in many locations. Out in the middle of nowhere, we tend to have to do without. But, in the US, nowhere is getting harder and harder to find.

    For insurance, we went with Progressive. You can tailor your rates to what you need. Please be aware that prices and minimum requirements are completely based on your location. Our insurance was twice as high in Washington, DC as they are in Florida.

    A lot of People (including us) have Good Sam roadside assistance. Some hate it, some love it. Our hope is we never have to use it but it is good to have.

    Good luck with your trip!
    You might also check out Escapees and Passport America. We have found both of these clubs very useful.
  • J-Rooster's avatar
    J-Rooster
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2014
    Barry when your RV is shipped from Scotland don't have it shipped to any Washington State Ports! Just a heads up! Longshoreman are on a big time work slowdown and all incoming and outgoing freight is backed up. Have fun on your visit.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Dec 11, 2014
    We have friends from New Zealand that traveled here, bought a used Class A, and spend about 2-3 months out of the year touring the USA. When they go back to NZ, they just put the coach in to storage, and then start their new adventure where they left off on the last trip. Their plan is to sell the RV when they are finished touring the USA.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2014
    Can't help with your questions but I would like to say we welcome our Scottish cousins and I admire your sense of adventure.

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