So we ended up buying a 1997 Winnebago (25ft) in California.
What we learnt...
Registering the RV - once you're sure you are buying an RV get a mail forwarding address - you will need that to register the vehicle if you don't already have an address in the state/US - we definitely did not need any SSN or US drivers licence. We used Mailbox Exchange in La Habra (Charles was great to deal with).
Sales tax is based on the sales price - dealers will put this down as the actual price you pay - private sellers seemed less concerned. When its 9% of the price this can amounts many thousands of dollars.
Insurance - compared Progressive with Good Sam (which uses GMAC + 3 other agencies). The prices were pretty close but Good Sam seemed more understanding about how long we were travelling for and living in the RV, and they didn't care which state we stored the RV in over winter. Progressive did need to know where it was going to be stored - and at that time we really didn't know ourselves. Progressive include Roadside assist, whereas Good Sam charges $80 p.a. Good Sam seemed like a much better pick for an RV'er - so we went with Good Sam for insurance and Roadside assist.
Thanks for your help in this thread - signing off, and now on holidays!
