Hi all,We have been reseaching and researching but there must be people out there who have done what we intend and can give some good advice.We are New Zealander's and plan this November to arrive Los Angeles and purchase a 5th Wheel and pickup truck, kit it out and travel your beautiful country following the sunshine fulltime for the next 2 years.Need advice on best 5th wheel and pickup truck about 28 to 30' long with rear living room,quality construction up to $35k all up. Wanted a 2005 plus 5th wheel and pickup with less than 75,000 miles. Only for 2 people but reliable so we can put into storage as intend to use over next 6 to 8 years.Is California a good state to buy in. We intend to make South Dakota our residence and use it for vehicle registration, insurance and mail forwarding service. As foreign tourists we have no US income.There is so many 5th wheels I would like to single it down to a couple of models to focus on. Maybe there is a place to buy a combo setup all kitted out for like type people who travel in and out of America.Any assistance appreciated or advice on best way to structure a residence for legal and sales tax purposes.

You may have some challenges establishing a mailing address and obtaining vehicle registration and insurance. I suggest you call Paul Eidsness with Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls, SD at 605-332-3711 or 800-477-2664. If anyone can help you, he can. he has a website at www.alternativeresources.netRegarding purchasing in California, that may be a more expensive option than other states due to taxes. For a quality brand RV, look at Artic Fox. They are well know for quality RV's and outstanding customer service. Most will tell you that a diesel will give you the best option, but a larger gasoline engine will also provide good service. The three options you have for a truck are Chevrolet/GMC, Ford, and Dodge. All three are good choices, and it becomes a matter of brand choice for many. You will be well served by anyone. Just make sure you know that the vehicle will tow the RV, so choosing the RV first sometimes is a better strategy. Do not rely on the truck or RV salesman's information, as they often say anything to get you to buy. Do your own due diligence.

South Dakota is the best place to license and buy. California is probably the worst place you can choose. Met two couples last summer one from Germany one from your area. The Germans bought and osid for truck and trailer via internet. Had it ready and waiting for them when they landed. Made for an easy one year visa.

i agree fly into almost any state BUT Cal to buy

Well, there's certainly a lot of inventory in California...could be a good place to look.Per taxes on such purchases:If you buy a vehicle in California and IMMEDIATELY remove it from the State for registration elsewhere, no sales tax is due to California. Certain rules apply- read them carefully at this California DMV link. That only works, of course, if you have a State to register it in. I don't know how that goes for foreign nationals. Suggest you get that end worked out before proceeding.

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Full Timing Tourist Needs Advice | Good Sam Community

Endricken
Explorer
Jul 21, 2013
Houston TX is the home of PPL - the largest used consignment RV dealer in the US. Check out their website and see what you can find. Suggest offering at least 10% off any requested price.
Lots of Truck dealers too as I'm sure there are more pickups per capita in TX than anywhere else...
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013
I am still wayne_tw wrote:
You may have some challenges establishing a mailing address and obtaining vehicle registration and insurance. I suggest you call Paul Eidsness with Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls, SD at 605-332-3711 or 800-477-2664. If anyone can help you, he can. he has a website at www.alternativeresources.net

Regarding purchasing in California, that may be a more expensive option than other states due to taxes. For a quality brand RV, look at Artic Fox. They are well know for quality RV's and outstanding customer service. Most will tell you that a diesel will give you the best option, but a larger gasoline engine will also provide good service. The three options you have for a truck are Chevrolet/GMC, Ford, and Dodge. All three are good choices, and it becomes a matter of brand choice for many. You will be well served by anyone. Just make sure you know that the vehicle will tow the RV, so choosing the RV first sometimes is a better strategy. Do not rely on the truck or RV salesman's information, as they often say anything to get you to buy. Do your own due diligence.

"Explore" the various brands and floor plans of RVs on the internet.
Decide on what brands & floor plans you like.
You *can* negotiate over the 'net (I did, and live in the USA - purchased out-of-state)

Purchase from a CA dealer would be OK.... *IF* you take delivery out of state to avoid the 10% CA sales tax.

South Dakota makes registration easy, *BUT* SD has a 3% sales (excise) tax..:(

Otherwise, plenty of dealers in Montana and Oregon (*NO* Sales Tax) for whatever brand RV you want.
MT is very popular (lots of dealers) due to no sales tax.
Some folks use a MT LLC - Limited Liability Company for licensing -
(usually expensive MHs to avoid the sales tax).
Some states consider an LLC a tax loophole for their *residents* - which would not affect you.

IMO - check into an Oregon or MT residency.
(usually states have a dot gov website).

For the truck - depending on the size of the 5th wheel, you probably want a Ford - Chevy/GMC - or Dodge Diesel - 3/4 or one ton.

Same tax advantages (disadvantages) apply..:W

~
mclee47
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013
Jarallis wrote:
Thanks for tip on Mexico as we wanted to go there for a month or two. Need to investigate more now.
If we looked at buying setup in Texas is there preferred cities to target when flying in?

The center for RV residency in Texas is the small town of Livingston, where Escapees is located. The closest airport is Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), which is only about 70 miles south of Livingston.
Dayle1
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2013
Jarallis wrote:
Thanks for tip on Mexico as we wanted to go there for a month or two. Need to investigate more now.
If we looked at buying setup in Texas is there preferred cities to target when flying in?

Dallas-Ft. Worth is the biggest airport and metro area in Tx, then Houston. Then there is San Antonio, Austin and El Paso. While El Paso is much closer to the West Coast, the number of RV choices will be limited compared to the 200 mile triangle of DFW, Houston and SA.
Jarallis
Explorer
Jul 20, 2013
Thanks for tip on Mexico as we wanted to go there for a month or two. Need to investigate more now.
If we looked at buying setup in Texas is there preferred cities to target when flying in?
valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 18, 2013
It will take a little looking but $35k is very doable.

You can pick up a 5-8yr old 3/4ton truck for $10-15k in good shape. Add a $1000 to get a hitch added and that leaves you $20-25k for a 5th wheel which should buy a nice 5th wheel of a little newer age.

I would shy away from some of the "higher end" brands if you will be on the move. While well built, they tend to be lead lined (ie: overweight) and you won't find as many in the 28-30' range as they target people who park them for 3-6months at a time.
Buckeye_Chuck
Explorer
Jul 18, 2013
I would think hard and long about going into Mexico with all the drug cartel problems there. I don't know what you've heard in N.Z. but kidnappings and murder are on the increase in Mexico every day.
With that said, you may have problems finding a clean well kept fifth wheel and truck for $35k but not impossible. If you plan on being in the warmer areas of our beautiful country look into Keystone and Forest River products i.e. the latter. I like Ford trucks but G.M. and Dodge are close competition. As stated above pick out the camper first then get a truck that will have the ability to tow it.
hoopers
Explorer
Jul 18, 2013
Jarallis wrote:

Need advice on best 5th wheel and pickup truck about 28 to 30' long with rear living room,quality construction up to $35k all up. Wanted a 2005 plus 5th wheel and pickup with less than 75,000 miles. Only for 2 people but reliable so we can put into storage as intend to use over next 6 to 8 years.

I was a little confused as to your price target. 35K for everything may me a little low, if you want a newer truck, camper, hitch.

As to trucks, I think Ford had some issues with their engines 2006 and older. Dodge and Chevy might be a better choice. Finding good used diesel trucks can be a real challenge also. Lots of older Fords are available, because of all the engine issues they had. Specifically, it was the 6.0 liter diesel engines that gave Ford so many issues. I would stay away from the Ford 6.0 diesel.

As to fifth wheels, there are many many brands out there. The higher end brands are considered to be Hitchhiker, Carriage, Mobile Suites, Artic Fox, and a couple others.

After that, I would list Heartland, Jayco, and Keystone. Others?? One good thing about buying a used fifth wheel, many of the problems may have been fixed already by the first owner. Unfortunately, new fifth wheels (maybe not the upper end brands) in this country are known to come with many problems that have to be fixed by the owners.
Jarallis
Explorer
Jul 18, 2013
Thanks all for the valuable advice. Now we will target Arizona and setup a base address in Texas. We have checked temperatures and will spend winter in south or maybe a month or two in Mexico.
Again appreciate all your tips.
chipper
Explorer
Jul 17, 2013
valhalla360 wrote:
I would probably look in the Phoenix Arizona area.

Lots of retiree's go down there in the winter and some don't make the trip home so there are lots of units for sale and many are families just trying to get rid of them.

Florida would be a secondary option but with the humid environment, you have to be more careful for water damage.

I agree except Yuma Az would be my secondary place to look in the winter as r v dealers from all over the west bring their wares here. there are more r v dealers per mile than you can count.