Hiya people After graduating what is basically the danish edition of High School this summer me and some friends have decided to work for 6 months and put the money towards a 12 week trip in an RV in the States. We are four friends each expecting to put around 12-15,000 dollars towards this journey. Renting an RV costs in the region of 30-40,000 dollars for the 12 weeks we'll be away so we have looked at buying an RV, and selling it on when we have finished our journey. We are looking at Class A RV's at around 30-32 feet from around '88 to '96 and you seem to be able to get a decent one (with a reliable engine!) for around 8,000 dollars. With insurance and the like we expect to pay around 15,000 dollars in total for the RV. We want to buy the RV from a reputable dealer to ensure it is working properly and the insurance is taken care of for us. As far as I've understood it's possible to drive an RV on a normal B-license as long as it isn't for commercial purposes (which this will not be). Have any of you had experiences with doing this sort of thing? And can you give some pointers as to potential pitfalls to avoid?
Well accounting for around 20-25,000 dollars in total for the RV for fuel, replacement parts and the like it's not gonna be a massively wild trip. It's not a "spend it all" spree we just don't want to get caught with a broken down RV and no return tickets home! Edit: This is the kind of RV we're currently looking at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992...RVs_Campers&hash=item35bb0583aa#ht_716wt_1165
Personally as an American, and having done so, I really would recommend against. I would look into a decent passenger van instead. Sure RV have some advantages, but a lot of disadvantages. Dealing with them in urban areas is a massive hassle, and camp sites that have hook up are usually a lot more expensive and not as nice as tent sites. Gas is horrendously expensive as well in comparison as they get terrible mileage. If you get a real guzzler, there is your 15K right there depending on how much of the US you plan on visiting due to driving distances. Gas prices are high and 10mi/gal for a big older RV is not too atypical. You can still sleep 4 in a van in a pinch. It is much easier to drive and you have much less restriction and ease finding city parking in normal lots. The most gorgeous camping in US is mostly hike in anyway. Many RV camp sites are slab ghettos with another rv a few meters away on 3 sides. Sleeping in your RV in a non camp site can get you in trouble in some places, especially in cities as police like to pretend its same as vagrancy or trespass. Too bad public transport and rail system is so poor after you leave the east coast.
Out of interest, how does the whole insurance shebang work when you buy a vehicle in a foreign country when not living there?
It's quite complex, each company will be different to some degree and it will certainly not be easy to obtain insurance. Also, getting registration plates will be REALLY hard with a tourist visa and no 'permanent address' in the US.
Hmm that's a bummer. If we decide to go down the route of an SUV would it be easier to obtain the required insurance?
Not really. All vehicle registrations have the same general requirements in most states. The only thing that will make it really easy is a relative or friend with US residency that would be willing to put all of that in their name. Though that isn't exactly legal in the strict sense... sort of a grey area, but as long as they can corroborate that they 'lent' the vehicle to you, shouldn't be a problem.
One of the guys I'm planning to travel with does actually have some family in the states. Should be able to help out.
Well.. no. The trip itself will be in a years time so nothing is set in stone but we would like to start out in Florida, and work our way across to the west coast. Preferably Seattle.
That's good someone has some family in the states, should make things much easier if they are willing to help in that way. Just like anywhere, it depends on your interests what is interesting... If you want to see some stranger things roadsideamerica is a great place to check out. I did a trip once with only stuff from there as destinations, was pretty wild. Of course there is a lot of natural beauty in the US, mostly in the west like the Grand Canyon, Salt Flats, Redwood Forest, Yellowstone, etc. For major cities I always preferred the east coast. Just seems there is more interesting things to see and do, and club life has a better feel in my opinion.
Well none of us will be older than 20 at the time so clubbing will be pretty limited. I must say, having been both to the east and west coast, that I like the cities on the east coast more, but the natural beauty of roads like Highway 101 is not to be underestimated.
Well... age is not necessarily an issue, but can be a hindrance. A lot of places do 18+ (need an excuse to let the younger females in after all) entry and just provide a wrist band for the bar. It's usually not hard to get someone to be your 'waiter'.
Yellowstone is amazing, make that a stop if you can. Death Valley is also breathtaking, quite literally. My two favourite places of natural beauty have to be Yosemite and the Great Sand Dunes national park are simply awesome. Not much to do in the Dunes though other than get knackered hiking up the things.
You also need to see Las Vegas too dude. If not for any other reason than to see how totally OTT it is. I spent my birthday there in December last year and it blew me away
I'd recommend both the Mark Twain and Ozark National Forests if you're a fan of hiking! Also, Chicago.
I've actually been thinking of doing something similar by myself in the next few years, except instead of hiring/buying a car, I plan on cycling across the States (Florida -> Cali)
well, here's some info for you. I can only give it to you from a California perspective. California registration and insurance is easy, The state and insurers just want their money, they could care less if you are legally allowed to drive a vehicle. You can come here and spend your money purchasing, insuring and registering any car/vehicle you like. Whether you can drive it legally is your problem and between you and law enforcement. I have insured vehicles with no proof drivers license, as all vehicles must be insured before being allowed to be registered regardless of driving status. Make a call to AAA here in the U.S. to get the finer details of the state you plan on starting out from. Here's California DMVs info http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/vehreg.htm "If you obtain or purchase a vehicle from a private party, you must transfer the ownership within 10 days. Submit the following to the DMV: A properly endorsed and completed Certificate of Title or Application for Duplicate Title (REG 227). Smog certification provided by the seller, if required. Use tax payment, if required. Odometer Mileage Disclosure Statement, if applicable. Appropriate DMV fees." AAA will sell insurance as well as register vehicles if your a member, and I do recommend becoming a member of AAA( they'll also map, and plan routes for you with scenic diversions, for a fee) or Good Sam Club(they insure RVs as well) before you take this trip, so you'll have some breakdown help and coverage. Have you checked ... http://www.cruiseamerica.com/ or http://www.campertravelusa.com/ Seems like a lot less hassle and they can handle a lot of the insurance mumbo jumbo. O.K., now that that's all out of the way.., when you are traveling along the U.S southern route from Florida to Cali. (I10?) necessary detours... Of course New Orleans. After that, stop somewhere's in the deep south(Alabama, Georgia) to a hole in the wall, stick to your ribs, soul food place(be adventuresome and not meek, the locals love foreigners!). Learn why the south has more obese people per sq. foot than the rest of the country(damn good food!). From there, next, any Texas steak house, preferably one that have the giant steaks, that if you can eat it all you don't have to pay(F'yeah! 'merica!), cowboy hats, locals that look out the corner of thier eyes at them there strange talk'n folks and all!. Long drive through New Mexico, have to detour to Roswell just to say you saw it(tourist trap! don't waste to much money/time, take pics for memories and get out!! lol) Now to my favorite part of the country, South West/West Coast. Arizona, lots to do! Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, and the Meteor Crater all around the flagstaff area. Seasonal notes....Winter time, after a snow in flagstaff, F'n STUNNING!!!!!! Grand Canyon will be smoggy and obscure due to thermal inversions trapping warmer air lower ect. check on this, call ahead so your not disappointed with the views, (or lack of). Mid summertime is magical when the nights are 90F 2am, and giant green beetles flying about. Nevada Well, yeah, Lost Wages, I hate it, lost to much money there, everyone smokes in the casinos, yuk! Looks bitchen at night...move on! lol(yes I'm still bitter! ......F'nB'stards!(shakes fist)) From there, Cali... Death Valley to Higway 395. Take it north past Mono Lake along the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range up to Reno Nevada. A spectacular drive, lots to stop in on and explore! Reno NV., Lake Tahoe, across to San Fransico. South along Highway 1, the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to L.A. Do what you want there,..Hollywierd Sandiego ect. (not a fan of cities, LOVE outdoors and stuff!) Other notable things to do in the U.S. Salt Lake in Utah, go floating in it and clean brine shrimp out of your shorts for the rest of the day. South Dakota Black hills Mount Rushmore Another note for you young'ns. On Indian land, you pay no taxes for booze or cigarettes, much cheaper. Lastly, it's late so i'm going to wrap this up... When entering California, DON'T Bring Fruit or produce!1!!!!! Just toss it out along the AZ. highway while you drive. They will search a RV every time and rape you if they find anything!!!!!! bring guns, drugs, cheap cigs. for sale from the Indian reservations in AZ., just not fruit or vegs. Seriously, Californias central valley is a area the size of the U.K. and nothing but produce and agriculture, a bread basket of the U.S. They get funny at the state line border checkpoints, looking for fruit and veg with bugs and flys that can wipe out crops here. hope this helps, and have fun. I've done all the above, rented R.V.s and taken trips across the country, there's a lifetime of beauty to explore here! Oh yeah, how could I forget! While in Nevada, go to http://thegunstorelasvegas.com/ and spend a few hundy shooting full auto guns. It's a blast! (yeah corny, so what!)
