Limeys coming over?

[jackomet]

Hi,
We are an English couple who plan to retire this year and tour the USA & Canada
for 2/3 or more years, more or less Full-timing, returning to our home once/twice a year for a week or so, see kids (30 years plus) & friends etc. We have toured Europe via motorcycle & car/trailer but have not driven a 5th Wheel combination.
We have looked at various 5th Wheels over the last 12 months or so and have narrowed them down via customer reviews, RV clubs etc. & suitability.
We are looking to purchase an Excel 33TKE sometime in the August/September
time frame. We are currently waiting for an interview with the US Embassy in London to get "extended" travel visas, (Boy, is it hard trying to visit your country and spend lots of money) so we can stay more than the present 90 day restrictions.
We are also looking for a tow vehicle, probably a Ford F-3/450 or such (cash purchases, no credit involved), both units new or "fairly new".

Questions.
1. As we don't really care where we buy the units, we can fly into anywhere in the USA,
can anyone help by recommending a dealer that can provide both units and hitch, insurance
licenses etc. i.e. fully equipped, pay money, drive away?
2. We would be looking to one of the states with low/zero taxes but do you have to be an actual resident of the particular state, Montana, Oregon etc. to qualify?
3. Does anyone on here have any experience with UK/European citizens doing the above?
4. As the GVWR of the 33TKE is 17,500 lbs, I assume that a Ford F-350 auto, 6.3L TT diesel will be up to the task? Or any other recommendations?
5 Any questions I should have asked but have not?

Regards,
Jackomet

ps We have both visited America on many occasions & driven many miles (rental) there
so it's not a new experience, although we plan to get US drivers licenses asap, when
over there.

[jackomet]

Hi,
We are an English couple who plan to retire this year and tour the USA & Canada
for 2/3 or more years, more or less Full-timing, returning to our home once/twice a year for a week or so, see kids (30 years plus) & friends etc. We have toured Europe via motorcycle & car/trailer but have not driven a 5th Wheel combination.
We have looked at various 5th Wheels over the last 12 months or so and have narrowed them down via customer reviews, RV clubs etc. & suitability.
We are looking to purchase an Excel 33TKE sometime in the August/September
time frame. We are currently waiting for an interview with the US Embassy in London to get "extended" travel visas, (Boy, is it hard trying to visit your country and spend lots of money) so we can stay more than the present 90 day restrictions.
We are also looking for a tow vehicle, probably a Ford F-3/450 or such (cash purchases, no credit involved), both units new or "fairly new".

Questions.
1. As we don't really care where we buy the units, we can fly into anywhere in the USA,
can anyone help by recommending a dealer that can provide both units and hitch, insurance
licenses etc. i.e. fully equipped, pay money, drive away?
2. We would be looking to one of the states with low/zero taxes but do you have to be an actual resident of the particular state, Montana, Oregon etc. to qualify?
3. Does anyone on here have any experience with UK/European citizens doing the above?
4. As the GVWR of the 33TKE is 17,500 lbs, I assume that a Ford F-350 auto, 6.3L TT diesel will be up to the task? Or any other recommendations?
5 Any questions I should have asked but have not?

Regards,
Jackomet

ps We have both visited America on many occasions & driven many miles (rental) there
so it's not a new experience, although we plan to get US drivers licenses asap, when
over there.

[ChiefJohn]

Welcome 'Jackomet' to iRV2.com and the Excel Owner's Family Forum. You're our first potential Excel Family members from across the pond. I believe you will thoroughly enjoy your "Excel Experience" and touring the USA. I'm going to let our folks that spend more time on the road than we do to chime in and answer your questions.
John

[rockintom]

Hey jackomet,

Welcome to the forum. I think I like you already as you come from a country I'm a wee bit familiar with. Been there twice doing sight-seeing and family history research. My last name happen to be Clapham which as you may know is quite "limey" as you say! I love it. The name is quite uncommon over here but last time I looked in the London phonebook...I think it had 16 pages of Claphams! Anyhow.....

The 33 TKE will probably be our next unit. Love that floorplan, etc. As far as answering questions, the only comment I can make is if you choose the F350 truck make SURE you have the Trailer Towing package and the "Tow Boss" package. Mainly it has a 4.30 ratio rear axle and it will work fine with your size and weight trailer. I don't suggest any more or less axle ratio. Doubt if you'll load that 33ft TKE up to the 17,000 limit. Our 35ft is 17,300 with full tanks, etc. (maxed out) and we fulltime.

This info is coming from a staunch GM guy (retired GM)...but the Ford guys will chime in and agree with me, I think.

Best of luck and hope all this comes true for you and hope to meet you on the road someday. Keep us abreast of your progress. Later, rockintom

[LarryGodby]

Welcome to the forum Jackomet,

I guess I will plug the dealer I think is the greatest. RV Sales in Moriarty, NM about 35 miles east of Alburquerque.

Phone Number: 877-932-2400 (toll free)
Email: rvsales@rvsalesnm.com
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1788
Moriarty, NM 87035

Kathy and Kay are sisters that provide some of the best sales and service you could find, they also happen to be the largest seller of Excel trailers in the US.

I would bet if you told them what you were looking for they could find it for you. They know months in advance when people are looking to trade their rigs in and will contact you about what is available.

That time frame would be a great time to visit our Excel Club of Colorado fall campout in Creede, CO and a week later go to the Excel Club of New Mexico fall campout in Chama, NM.

You will enjoy your time over here, I couldn't think of a better way to visit than to do it in a RV.

[jackomet]

Thanks for the replies guys, or as we say over here "chaps", I really appreciate you taking the time.
The two dealers we have been looking at are RV sales Moriarty, NM and Eugene OR. The plan is to rent an apartment/condo for about a month while we sort out a rig and truck, get license etc. I notice that the dealer sticker price varies a lot on new rigs for the same model, I have been told "expect to pay about 70% of the sticker price", true?
Also, we will be arriving with zip wrt home stuff, utensils, pos & pans, bedding etc; I guess the best place to get these is.....?
We live on an island 500 x 100 miles, smaller than most states, can you imagine what it is going to be like for us visiting your huge, great country with all the stuff you have over there. We really can not wait.
Best, John & Tricia aka Mr & Mrs Jackomet

[Curtis Brown]

Jackomet,

It seems that most RV'ers find that WallMart is their friend. Especially the Super WallMarts. They carry food, household goods and (almost) everything else the RV'er needs. Also in the Pacific Northwest (Oregon/Washington/British Columbia) area Fred Meyer stores carry about the same variety of goods. They also generally have parking lots large enough to accommodate RV's.

[Loren]

Jackomet,
Sending you a belated welcome to irv2
We don't have a 5'er but I have been watching this thread with interest since we will be touring your country for a few days in May. We will be in London for 3 days to start a 16 day 'whirlwind' bus tour of Europe. I envy you your ability spend a year away from home and want to say welcome to this country.
Loren

[Rsteabag]

Hi to jackomet and welcome to the USA and have fun touring the country. I to also vote for RV Sales in Moriarty,NM. I went there from the east coast. You won't find a nicer person than Kay. They treat you like family.