Storage below the snow belt

[BartonT]

New to RVing. Previously a sailboat cruiser. I have bought a 36' ClassA. We have camped within a 3 hour radius of home (Ottawa, Canada) this summer and I am getting fairly comfortable with driving my motorhome. My plan/hope is to go south for the month of February BUT, I'm not comfortable with the idea of driving in winter from Ottawa to a warmer climate. I am thinking that maybe it would be better to drive south at the end of October and store the motorhome somewhere where the weather would be above freezing in February. Then, in Feb pick it up, travel to warmer areas, return it at the end of February and bring it back home in May. Not sure just how far south to look for storage. I'd appreciate any comments, suggestions, recommendations from anyone one with more experience than myself (I.e. Everyone lol). Thanks.

[colliehauler]

Personally I think that would be a good idea. I would not want to drive through snow and all the salt on the roads.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

We ALWAYS drove our Class C (and then a 5er for a couple of years), from Michigan down to FL in February. We'd usually watch the weather for a spate of mild weather, then head out; but sometimes you don't have that luxury. There's always the thought that you're subjecting your RV to road salt as you travel through the snowy states - but I'm not sure that subjecting your RV to months of Florida's sun (if you stored it), is any less damaging?

One year, we drove through an incredible ice storm in Tennessee - there were inches of ice on the roads. The Class C just rolled along - it handled better than a car, IMO. And we managed to get caught in the Great Atlanta Ice Storm of 2013 (apparently Georgia has never heard of road salt) and drove 40 miles of the slickest Black Ice I've ever seen - our 2-wheel drive pickup did fine with the weight of the 5er on the back. WE had no problems, but dodging the panicked locals who were careening out of control, was another matter....LOL! And I remember another year of 35-mph blizzard-like conditions in N Ohio; and the Class C just busted through the drifted snow. No drama - we sat high enough to see over the ground blizzard. I think the only conditions that would make us stay off the road would be high winds AND ice.

[UEL]

My insurer, Intact, just replied to my storage question stating that trailer would not be covered if left in storage in the USA when I return to Canada.
They told me I would have to register it in Florida and arrange coverage there.
Tom

[Community Alumni]

Thanks for posting. It's always good to get info directly and set aside misperceptions.

... Eric

[UEL]

Here is US CBP response to my leaving Canadian RV trailer in Florida. One year limit, then import or remove. In my case, there's no point in spending 5 months in Florida then 7 months storage down there with a mandatory removal. This is further complicated with the insurance issue in my case.


US CBP RESPONSE

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) INFO Center.

The trailer is only allowed to be in the USA for up to a year. If the trailer will stay over a year, you will need to import the trailer into the USA.

For additional information regarding importing a trailer into the USA, please visit: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/415/kw/trailer

If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call our toll-free number 877-CBP-5511 (877-227-5511). From outside the United States, please call 202-325-8000 – you may incur charges from your telephone service provider for this call. Our service hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern Time. We are closed on all U.S. federal holidays.

We hope our answers ease your entry into the United States. Please understand these answers are informational only, The CBP officer who speaks with you upon arrival determines the admissibility of goods and visitors.

Thank you again for contacting the CBP INFO Center.

Sincerely,

CBP INFO Center

[Community Alumni]

BartonT wrote:
Thanks for the mention of insurance. I had not thought about this. Though it has been several years, when I bought my last sailboat I kept it for three years in Claton, N.Y. It was insured by a Canadian Insurance company but this did not seem to be an issue. (However, I never had to make a claim of any kind).

Interesting comment about the registration. Ofcourse I do have my insurance and registration for the Motorhome, car and car dolly with me at all times but we crossed at Ogdensburg a few times this summer and aside from one occasion being pulled over for Tomato Terrorism (I didn't realize that tomatoes are fruitis non gratis) and a 2 minute search by a very apologetic US Costoms agent we have sailed through with little more than "where are you going? How long? Have a nice trip." .

For this winter we may just leave the RV in storage in Canada and fly south for a few weeks due to some non RV related issues but this forum certainly has been very helpful and informative.

Someone mentioned Myrtle Beach as a destination. How is the weather there over the winter? Any issues with below zero nights and freezing water lines?

We've spent several past winters in Myrtle Beach. November is nice month with lots of 60-70 degree days. Typically December/January are in the high 40's and mid-50''s. Things start to warm up in February with some 60's and March can be 60's and some 70's. We've experienced lots of sun but typically windy. Winds can be cool off the ocean even on very warm days. We can usually wear shorts but often need a sweatshirt or light jacket.

We do get some freezing temperatures a half dozen or so nights per season where we need to let the water drip-run in the bathroom sink to prevent inlet hose from freezing. Not really an issue. We leave the grey tank open.

Sure beats winters in Montreal.

[BartonT]

Thanks for the mention of insurance. I had not thought about this. Though it has been several years, when I bought my last sailboat I kept it for three years in Claton, N.Y. It was insured by a Canadian Insurance company but this did not seem to be an issue. (However, I never had to make a claim of any kind).

Interesting comment about the registration. Ofcourse I do have my insurance and registration for the Motorhome, car and car dolly with me at all times but we crossed at Ogdensburg a few times this summer and aside from one occasion being pulled over for Tomato Terrorism (I didn't realize that tomatoes are fruitis non gratis) and a 2 minute search by a very apologetic US Costoms agent we have sailed through with little more than "where are you going? How long? Have a nice trip." .

For this winter we may just leave the RV in storage in Canada and fly south for a few weeks due to some non RV related issues but this forum certainly has been very helpful and informative.

Someone mentioned Myrtle Beach as a destination. How is the weather there over the winter? Any issues with below zero nights and freezing water lines?

[Community Alumni]

I used to bring it home in October and do a turn-around to empty our summer stuff and repack our winter Myrtle Beach stuff before heading south about a week later. This also restarted the 6-month insurance clock.

Starting last year we did not bring the trailer south for the winter nor will we do so this year. Family commitments only permit us to be away for about 6 weeks in the winter so we rent a villa in the campground for that time frame. Still get to be with all our friends who camp there all winter.

We've always been very clear with both US and Canadian Customs about our trailer being in the US each summer. When had our Class A there, we told them that we actually travel from our campsite to places within the US.

Some of our friends who winter in Myrtle Beach have been subject to a county residence fee. Apparently inspectors travel the campgrounds taking photos of vehicle tags. In the all years that we were there we never were subject to any fees. Not sure what their criteria was. I can't remember the amount but I recall it wasn't very much.

[UEL]

PackerBacker
Wondering if the US border issue is different in your case because you're constantly using a seasonal site in NY and, as you said, bringing it home in the fall.
Full disclosure and honesty with USCBP goes a long way.
They probably view this differently than 7 months storage in FL or GA.
I have asked for a clarification from US Customs to see if there has been a change in the regs. since my last storage inquiry 9 years ago.

[Community Alumni]

Even with Nexus cards, we always get asked for registrations of both trailer & truck. With the trailer, the cameras cannot pick up either.

[UEL]

Yes, I have also noticed the "where is the RV normally stored" on the policy. Perhaps an insurer with a large number of RV's in a particular storage facility may be concerned with a larger exposure in the event of bad storm or fire.
We crossed the border in September and US Customs demanded truck and trailer registration; friends have said this is now normal.

[Community Alumni]

Throughout the summer months, our trailer stays at our seasonal campsite in the NY Adiromdacks. We cross back & forth sometimes several times a week. Over the years we have had questions from both sides of the border about where are stayed and there has never been an issue with stating that our trailer is in the US. We bring in back in the fall.

We're obviously not alone doing this, we have several of our friends doing the same thing. I really do not understand the issues with the border. It's nothing we have ever experienced in the almost 11years and 3 different rv's that we done this with.

[almcc]

Just a couple of comments. First, I notice that our RV policy has wording that says something the the effect that "the RV is normally located at...", storing it in the US (for extended periods) would probably void the insurance, check your insurance fine print!

Second, on our border crossings into the US I note that the border officer has deliberately gone to the rear of our 5th wheel to write down the license plate number(because the camera wouldn't catch it) and enter it into the computer. Tells me that there would be a follow up if it didn't return now that the countries computers talk to each other.

[Community Alumni]

The 6 month limit is written within my insurance policy. Perhaps it's different between Quebec and Ontario insurers.

... Eric