Mail

[jimfitzedd]

My wife and I are exploring the ramifications of full time RVing when our last child is out of high school. I have a couple of questions if anyone could help me out.
1. If we put our stuff in storage, and don't have a physical address, is this ok. Do we have to have a physical address on drivers licenses, etc.
2. What about mail. Where does it go and how do we get it.
I guess I'm looking for a quick primer on full time RVing. Thanks. Jim Fitz

[jimfitzedd]

My wife and I are exploring the ramifications of full time RVing when our last child is out of high school. I have a couple of questions if anyone could help me out.
1. If we put our stuff in storage, and don't have a physical address, is this ok. Do we have to have a physical address on drivers licenses, etc.
2. What about mail. Where does it go and how do we get it.
I guess I'm looking for a quick primer on full time RVing. Thanks. Jim Fitz

[Route 66]

First, welcome to iRV2. You'll find lots of friendly help here.

Most of us fulltimers use a mail forwarding service. Many if not all states recognize mail forwarding services as a legal address, as PO boxes are not legal addresses.

The address of the forwarding service along with your box number is your legal address.

That's the address that appears on your drivers license, vehicle registration, bills, subscriptions, etc., and where our "friends" at the IRS know where to find you.

Mail accumulates in your mail box, and once every week or two you call your service and have your mail sent to you at a local post office usually, or a campground if they will accept it.

When on the road most of us have mail sent to the nearest Post Office as General Delivery.

A few days after you have your mail forwarded, go to the Post Office and ask for General Delivery mail for you. I believe the Post Office will hold it 30 days, then they return it to the forwarding service if you don't pick it up.

Your next big decision is what state do you want to "reside" in. Most fulltimers use either Florida, South Dakota, or Texas because of favorable taxes in those states, and since you can "reside" in any state, you need to research which state is most favorable to you, in relation to taxes medical coverage, etc.

The Escapees RV Club is an excellent group for fulltimers, and if you choose Texas as your new domicile, the Escapees mail service is second to none.

HERE is a link to the part of the Escapees web site that will answer many of your questions about becoming a Texan. The same general info would apply to any state you choose.

[rebelsbeach]

Here are the Escapee rates...I find it easier to rent a box in the UPS store, use it as my address and have the mail forwarded to me periodically for the cost of shipping and a $2 fee.

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>Escapee Mail Forwarding Service Rates
Category A
Annual Fee = $85
Postage Deposit = $50
Enrollment Fee = $15
Cancellation Fee = $35
For a Total of $185
* All mail received is forwarded first-class
* Rarely receives packages (Limit 12 per year)
* Seldom needs special services (1 per month. Each additional service is 50 cents)

Category B
Annual Fee = $105
Postage Deposit = $50
Enrollment Fee = $15
Cancellation fee = $35
For a Total of $205
* Request certain classes of mail
* Frequent packages (up to 20)
* Occasional special services (1 per week free. Each additional service is 50 cents.)
* Receive 1st class mail only, or recieve 1st class and only certain classes of mail such as magazines, newspapers, newsletters, or catalogs.

Category C
Annual Fee = $125
Postage Deposit = $50
Enrollment Fee = $15
Cancellation Fee = $35
For a Total of $225
* Requests special mail sorting
* Large volume of packages (20 or more)
* Requires mail tub due to volume[/list]

[Moder2]

I agree with Bob.

I Like the UPS Store. Derek and I were in a situation where we didn't want to "Give Up" WI as our residence state, so we choose to go with the UPS Store for our forwarding.

The Store we picked was a new one, whose employee's never heard of "Full-timer" or using the store as a permanent address. We had a few bumps in the beginning, but now the system works well.

I arranged to have it forwarded once a week while we are "Landed" and simply call them to "Hold" when we are in between spots. We have gotten to the point were they do some sorting for us, but that was after much negotiation with the manager, and after sending them a letter to say it was OK for them to open our mail. When reviewing our budget for last year, I spent much more than I thought we would on Mail forwarding. Now all our junk mail is sorted and left behind.

As far as the address, We took the box out before we sold our house, then changed our address after. I do remember Julie telling me that you "needed a physical address" to have a P.O. box, and at the time I told her, "I do right now, and when I don't, you won't need to know" and she was happy with that answer...

With all that said, as soon as we find time and opportunity, we will be switching to South Dakota. WI has pretty high state income taxes, and we really see no need to remain WI residents.

John

[Wallaby Dan]

There is a couple of other Mail Forwarding services you may find convenient. The Good Sam club, FMCA and some of the vehicles clubs like Coachmen have clubs and Mail forwarding. Worth checking out! Welcome to the forum and another lifestyle!

[Lorna]

We use Mail Call out of Cleveland TN. We were TN residents before going full-time (had a house in Marion County) and plan on buying another place in TN. Cleveland (Bradley County) is 2 counties over from where we lived (Hamilton County / Chattanooga was between). The area is close to where we were living in NC and that makes it convenient to tag new vehicles. Even when we get a home base again in TN, we will still keep Mail Call because having a home base doesn't mean we aren't going to be spending large blocks of time elsewhere. Currently we have been renewing our Driver's license online but I suspect that will stop at some point.

[traveling427]

If you haven't heard of Earth Class Mail, you should definitely check them out? We have been traveling for years and we were having mail forwarded which became a hassle and very EXPENSIVE. With this service, you manage your mail all online! They can scan it, recycle, shred, archive and even forward the things you actually need. SUPER easy and convenient! It has taken the ease out of being away from "home". Great service for folks like us! We stop to check email and mail in one stop without having to worry about where we are picking the mail up from. I can't wait for their junk mail handling feature!

Check them out: www.earthclassmail.com