We are arriving in LA from Australia & starting our travels there but was wondering where the best state to purchase a vehicle & TT is? For paying less tax & what ever else is involved?We realise it may be difficult for us to register these & get insurance as we are not US residence, so this is a consideration. I am making enquiries with 'Alternative Resources' in SD as to whether they can assist us. Does anyone have any other idea's?A quick look at a similar TT in various states, prices varied as much as $5000. In difference. Why? Is it because of different state taxes? or are taxes added to the purchase price afterwards. LA was the most expensive in my quick search. So where does everyone purchase there RV's? And if you live in one state is it easy to purchase from another?Renting is out of the question as we will be full time RVing for upto 7 months & will be bringing the TT back to Aus with us.Cheers Mik

Many people buy, license and register in South Dakota. Low fees is the main reason. Met a couple last year from Germany who were on a one year journey. Made their purchase via internet, so when they landed everything was ready and waiting for them. Thats also how they got a 1year visa instead of the usual 6 months. At the end of their year they had arranged to drop the truck and trailer at the dealer to sell for them.

the best prices on RV's, will be in the Midwest, since that's where the vast majority of RV's are manufactured.you'll see price differences of 20%-30%, between prices in the Midwest and the West Coast.the West Coast will be the highest in the country for new TT's, generally speaking. and due to that, used prices are generally higher since new ones cost so much more.we live in California and drove all the way to Chicago to buy our HTT, to save over $4000 on a trailer that had a retail price of $22k.we were able to get a brand new trailer, for what a 5 year-old and smaller one would have cost us in California.plus, registration fees/taxes in California are some of the highest in thc country.

Offered sale prices for RVs do not usually include taxes and fees (those will be added on during the sale). Price differences for the same TT may partly reflect options, will mostly reflect what the dealer thinks he can ask in the local market. You will find variations in price among dealers in a single state.Price differences for a "similar" TT might reflect that the models for which you are comparing prices are not so similar as you might think. Different manufacturers build TTs differently: structure, materials, build quality, so have different costs and different prices. Even within a single manufacturer, different model lines offering similar floor plans will reflect quality and cost differences, 50% to 100% not unusual. People who live in states with high sales taxes will try to buy and register a RV in a state that doesn't have sales taxes (Montana is a popular "no sales tax" state). People who live in states with high registration fees or annual property taxes will try to register vehicles in states without those taxes. The usual mechanism in both cases is to set up a legal entity in the low tax state to own the vehicle, which gets leased back to an individual who resides elsewhere.South Dakota is different. South Dakota is popular with full-time RVers who are trying to avoid paying state income taxes, and so domicile themselves in South Dakota, which does not have such a tax. South Dakota is more popular for this than some other no income tax states is because its laws enable domicile for people who are not physically resident, registration fees and vehicle taxes are reasonably low, license renewal and absentee voting are made easy, and it is possible to get medical insurance that covers one outside the state. But the easy legal climate also works in favor of solving vehicle registration problems for non-resident aliens.If we live in one state and want to purchase vehicles in another, how easy or difficult, and what are the added expenses, depends on the tax laws of each state and the reciprocal arrangements between the pair of states. Cross border vehicle purchases, to register in your home state, are usually easy. But some people live in one state, purchase in another to avoid a sales tax, and register outside their state of residence. Some people get caught by the state they live in, end up paying penalties in addition to the taxes. But as a non-resident, this should not matter for you. I suggest you think more about who, in what state, can make your plan possible, rather than trying to pin down the lowest purchase price or the lowest taxes and/or registration fees. An agency in South Dakota or Montana would be the most likely place to start, because the state tax driven market for these services points to those two states, depending on which tax the client is trying to avoid. Coming from Australia, your port of entry is probably California. While California might be one of the worst places for cost and red tape, even in California there are agencies that work out things like this for non-resident clients. Because of the amount of ex-pat traffic back and forth in the petroleum business, there is likely a legal firm or agent in Perth that has connections with an agent in LA or Houston that takes care of acquiring and registering vehicles for visitors, although my experience is that most cases are handled by leasing.

Have you checked on how much modification will be necessary after you get back to OZ to prepare a RVIA standard trailer to be legal (and registered) there.Just to start: I know from Aussie membert of the Titanium Owner's Forum that the entire electrical system has to be rewired and an access door has to be cut in on what we call the Driver's side (this often requires extensive interior revisions) and there may be more.Just something to consider.

I wonder about getting a trailer custom made so it can have the door on the driver's side, and be able to be rewired for 220 with ease once back in OZ, perhaps with conduit for all 120VAC wires so they can be easily replaced if necessary. Plus, with it being custom made, the door can be on the UK side, as opposed to the continental curb side. This way, it will not be awkward to use on the left-hand driving roads when back.I don't know any custom travel trailer makers, but horse trailer companies can do this. For toy haulers, DuneSport has been mentioned.

Where to purchase vehicle & TT | Good Sam Community

aussie1
Explorer
Jul 08, 2013
Sorry for late reply, we only intend on bringing back the TT not the vehicle & I found a company that operates out of LA & Brisbane that convert before it leaves the US. Basic packages start at $5000 & includes door on rear or other side, electrics, LPG etc. all for Aussie specs. they also can ship back to Aus, but looked quite expensive in this area. You're $25000 must of been for converting car yeah?
Actually Shadow cruiser are building 4 different style TT's for the Aussie market & ship them to a dealer on East coast of Aus, all ready to go for Aussie market. I'm quietly hoping to get my hands on one of these before it gets another $50000 added to the price tag when shipped to Aus. That's right they retail here for $88,000.
We will be looking into the visa's soon, thanks for the heads up. We do intend to spend time in Canada on East & West coast but don't think it will be for more than 30 days at a time.
I will PM you soon, I have many questions.
Thanks Mik

Hi Mik
I will wait for the PM but just to give you food for thought - no the $25000 for conversion was in Aust. just for the TT. The conversion of the Lariat would also be $25000 but done in the US.
Also you have actually have to plan to be out of the US for at least 30 days to get your I94 retained by the Canada or Mexico border people so that you can get a new one for an additional 6 months when you return. I suggest you also look into a five year entry visa rather than just the usual 12 months. Not a lot more expensive but certainly cheaper than having to apply for a new one if you return again.
Cheers
B-52G
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
Try this website. www.rvstobuy.com. we bought ours there and he was tell me that he sells all over the country. He sell a lot of TT to people from Canada. He has some real good prices. I tagged andpayed taxes in Missouri and they are not bad. Good luck.
Mik68
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013
aussie1 wrote:
Hi Mik68
My OH and I currently own a fifth wheel and TV in the USA (in storage in Phoenix). We have done two 12 month trips and plan on returning for another one.
We also planned on bringing a TT back to Australia and were quoted $25000 (3 years ago) for the conversion so we canned the idea. I would be really interested in who in going to do your conversion.
Also there can be some problems with entry visas so just be aware that staying for longer than 6 months may be difficult unless you plan on leaving and travelling into Canada or Mexico for more than 30 days.
We have licensed and insured our vehicles in Texas and use Escapees as an address and mail forwarding service. Without a residential address you are unable to license and insure vehicles.
Also, if you own the vehicles for less than 12 months you may also have to pay GST into Australia - might be worth checking on that if you haven't already done so.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Oh and by the way - we are in Perth too.
Cheers

Sorry for late reply, we only intend on bringing back the TT not the vehicle & I found a company that operates out of LA & Brisbane that convert before it leaves the US. Basic packages start at $5000 & includes door on rear or other side, electrics, LPG etc. all for Aussie specs. they also can ship back to Aus, but looked quite expensive in this area. You're $25000 must of been for converting car yeah?
Actually Shadow cruiser are building 4 different style TT's for the Aussie market & ship them to a dealer on East coast of Aus, all ready to go for Aussie market. I'm quietly hoping to get my hands on one of these before it gets another $50000 added to the price tag when shipped to Aus. That's right they retail here for $88,000.
We will be looking into the visa's soon, thanks for the heads up. We do intend to spend time in Canada on East & West coast but don't think it will be for more than 30 days at a time.
I will PM you soon, I have many questions.
Thanks Mik
aussie1
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
Hi Mik68
My OH and I currently own a fifth wheel and TV in the USA (in storage in Phoenix). We have done two 12 month trips and plan on returning for another one.
We also planned on bringing a TT back to Australia and were quoted $25000 (3 years ago) for the conversion so we canned the idea. I would be really interested in who in going to do your conversion.
Also there can be some problems with entry visas so just be aware that staying for longer than 6 months may be difficult unless you plan on leaving and travelling into Canada or Mexico for more than 30 days.
We have licensed and insured our vehicles in Texas and use Escapees as an address and mail forwarding service. Without a residential address you are unable to license and insure vehicles.
Also, if you own the vehicles for less than 12 months you may also have to pay GST into Australia - might be worth checking on that if you haven't already done so.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Oh and by the way - we are in Perth too.
Cheers
Mik68
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Mike.t. I'm starting to wonder if you work for a rental co.
I will only be bringing back the TT & hopefully a late 60's american muscle car, 'not' the tow vehicle.
I have looked into renting a TT & tow vehicle for 6 plus months & it worked out to be more than buying brand new. So as you can see bringing it home for $7500 & necessary conversions, door, electrics, LPG etc around $5000, ill still be in front. Not only that, a brand new Similar TT in Oz will set you back $80,000 to $100,000.
mike_t
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
I understand your thoughts. However with the tow vehicle being a "Left Hand Driver" doesn't seem to fit to well while driving in Australia. Why not rent. Enjoy your travels and buy what you want back in your country. An American made vehicle could be quite expensive to repair.
Mik68
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
mike.t wrote:

Bringing it back? And your worried about taxes. I guess purchase it close enough to where your departure site will be so as not to have to drive cross country. Happy motoring

Precisely why we want to save as much as we can on purchase price & taxes.
The savings could pay for our costs to bring it home. Roughly $7,500.
I'm a blue collar worker & have worked very hard & saved for many years to do this once in a life time holiday with the kids.:D
mike_t
Explorer
Jun 25, 2013
Mik68 wrote:
We are arriving in LA from Australia & starting our travels there but was wondering where the best state to purchase a vehicle & TT is? For paying less tax & what ever else is involved?
We realise it may be difficult for us to register these & get insurance as we are not US residence, so this is a consideration. I am making enquiries with 'Alternative Resources' in SD as to whether they can assist us. Does anyone have any other idea's?
A quick look at a similar TT in various states, prices varied as much as $5000. In difference. Why? Is it because of different state taxes? or are taxes added to the purchase price afterwards. LA was the most expensive in my quick search. So where does everyone purchase there RV's? And if you live in one state is it easy to purchase from another?
Renting is out of the question as we will be full time RVing for upto 7 months & will be bringing the TT back to Aus with us.
Cheers Mik

Bringing it back? And your worried about taxes. I guess purchase it close enough to where your departure site will be so as not to have to drive cross country. Happy motoring
wintersun
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2013
It is a buyers' market for RV's and easy to save 25% compared to a new vehicle and you avoid having to take a RV back to the dealer for various items that might need fixing during the first months of use. A lot more to do wrong in an RV than a car.

Lower purchase price is going to be more important than saving on sales tax. Certain markets have a great many more used RV's from which to choose, like Phoenix, Arizona or even southern California. And advantage to California is that buying extra items for the RV there will be many more stores with RV related items than in any other area except perhaps Florida.

Of all the states I have traveled across the one I would not have minded missing out on at all was Texas.
Allworth
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2013
You will find easily accessible snow in the Colorado high country (above 10,000 feet) through early June //unless Global Warming gets worse!//.

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