Attacked on the highway: Rebuilding, lots of questions.

[stevennlv]

Hi everybody,

I am Steven and my wife is Nancy. We were here for a short bit a long time ago. We're back in hopes of starting a discussion with folks that are more experienced and knowledgeable than we are so that we can get some input and feedback to help us evaluate our options.

Long story short, we went semi-retired / full time work camper. We were into it about 3 months and headed to a winter work camper job when we were attacked on the interstate. In an episode of unprovoked road rage, another driver threw an object into our front driver side wheel well, shredded our tire and caused us to have a roll over wreck. Our truck and travel trailer were a total loss; as well as about half of our personal belongings.

We had pretty good insurance, things have not been worked out completely yet and of course there will be some monetary loss… but we will be made nearly whole. Close enough that we may have a chance to start over again and get back on the road. That is where we need some information to help us figure things out. Last time we got lucky, and with a lot of hard work, we were able to pick up a 20 year old “unicorn” truck at auction from a city in Idaho and a 20 year old single owner travel trailer which had been maintained in immaculate condition. I don't know if we can get that lucky again in finding older model stuff in great condition so now we are looking for information about getting a newer vehicle/rv/trailer on the cheap.

One of the options that we have is to go to safe harbor with relatives in Illinois. The other option is to go to Las Vegas, NV and stay for a couple of months and see if we can find a good deal to get back on the road.

Are there any big winter RV shows in Las Vegas, NV or nearby? We are looking at Vegas because it is a fairly central location in the southwest and is fairly close to Quartzite, AZ. We've both been in Vegas before and we have heard “urban myths” about how after conventions of various types the vendors will sell inventory super cheap instead of having to send it back home.

What we are curious about is if anyone has ever experienced this, is it true or just a myth? If it is true, what kind of savings could be found…. is it 5% off or 50% off? Something else that we want to throw into the mix of the discussion as well: We are not financial planners, but I keep my ear to the ground; there are some folks that supposedly know their stuff and claim we are heading for another big bust like 2009. Assuming that is true, to the folks that were involved in the market after the last bust, can you tell us if after the bust was it easier or harder to pick up an RV on the cheap. Were folks buying RVs to get into when they lost their homes or were they selling off RVs to try and save their homes?

One other thing, when we were setting up before we noticed that there were a lot of private sellers with nice big 5th wheels for sale cheap. We are assuming that is because you have to have a special vehicle to tow them, making them more of a unique item that only specific people could purchase. Because of our needs, we are not looking for anything huge...we actually prefer something less than 26' long. We have seen some smaller 5th wheels in that size. To handle a 5th wheel that size, should we be looking at 3/4 ton or 1 ton trucks? What is the ball-park price range to get a 5th wheel hitch installed and will *any* 3/4-1 ton trucks handle a 5th wheel or are there special requirements for a 5th wheel setup?

Last but not least, when we got started we were residents of Idaho and I structured everything so that Idaho would be our domiciliary state. I was just starting to learn about that subject and read that there would be advantages to changing our domiciliary state to Florida or South Dakota. As a hypothetical, since we are currently still legal residents of Idaho, if I purchase a vehicle in Nevada or Arizona, would I register the vehicle in the state of purchase or the domiciliary state? Or even though we are not currently legal residents of South Dakota or Florida is there a process where we could go ahead and change our domiciliary status to either one them and register it there? The reason that I had not made the change to the domiciliary state yet was because I had read, maybe incorrectly, that it was best for tax purposes to make these changes at the beginning of a new tax year. But since we are starting from scratch is that a move that should be made now if we are able to get back on the road?

We greatly appreciate any pointers on places to look, call and research whether it is websites or someone that you had dealt with directly.

Thanks.

[henkelphoto]

I live in Las Vegas. Many conventions do have great deals at the end of the conventions, especially with heave items (we've bought two gun safes for great prices at the end of the SHOT show), but I don't know of any large RV shows in Las Vegas. Johnny Walker and Camping World will have shows of their on-lot stock, sometimes at casinos, but I can't think of anything like Quartzite or Hershey. There was a combo dealer show in April of this year, but again, just the local dealers with on-lot stock.

[BennieH]

I would add a dashcam to your wishlist. That could've helped you get the jerks.

[Nutinelse2do]

First, I am very sorry for what happened to you. Integrity these days seems to be in short supply.

I wouldn't plan on the economy crashing anytime soon. This is just the beginning, like 2005 all over again. Money is free flowing again from lenders. The economy will crash again, and crash hard, but could be another 10 years... Who knows.

With a smaller 5th wheel, I would be very comfortable with a 3/4 ton truck for full time travel.

The Quartzite RV show has some deals, and in Winter, there are always smaller shows in Vegas, and Glendale, Az. The SW is a great place to pick up used 5'rs from retirees who are looking to move on. Check small dealers and keep an eye on CL, and consignment places. There are quite a few in the Phoenix/ Vegas area.

I'm sorry, I cannot answer regarding the registration, since I have never been in that position. My best guess would be call the MVD/ DMV in the State you plan on using as your domicile.

I do know, if you are an Idaho resident, you will not pay Az taxes. You will pay in your State of residence.

You might have better luck asking about that on the Escapees forum.

Best of luck to you. Hope it all works out with your insurance company.

[2gypsies1]

Regarding your domicile question...nowadays taxes aren't as important as getting medical insurance that you can travel with. Florida domicile is about the only one available for full-timers right now and things are constantly changing. If you're on Medicare you have no issues but if you have to purchase your own, think it out carefully.

http://www.rverinsurance.com/2017-health-insurance/

[pianotuna]

I think there may be steep discounts on the last day of any show where vendors have moved RV's from a long distance.