Community Forums

RETLT · 07-22-2012, 02:34 AM

Hi All,

I'm retiring at the end of 2012.

My DW and I plan to buy a used MH to travel the country. I used to have a MH many years ago, a 1984 Pace Arrow, but I'm planning on buying a DP this time. We live in CA, about 60 miles east of L.A. We have four grown kids (mostly gone - on their own, college, military, etc.), and two grandkids. We won't be full-timers, but plan to take many trips, some longer and some shorter. Our goal is to see every state, at least once.

I have a question about the whole buying experience (DMV, taxes, etc.) If possible, I would appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction, as I haven't found any posts about that topic. Since this MH will cost a whole lot more than my 1984, I want to cut costs as much as I can. Thank you in advance.

Lued · 07-22-2012, 06:28 AM

I'll try,? Ca taxes are higher than a cats back.:( on the DMV , in March I bought a 2001 Monaco DP from a private owner in AZ , I put AZ Platte's on it, and paid no sales tax. (no sales tax on a private owner sale).

Good luck its a buyers market .

Bigd9 · 07-22-2012, 06:51 AM

Congratulations on your upcoming retirement

Just make sure you accomplish all of the little jobs around the house before your retire because you will surely be too busy after you retire to do them! When I retired we bought a DP and traveled all around this beautiful country. We had the best time of our lives.

MSHappyCampers · 07-22-2012, 10:50 AM

Welcome to IRV2, and congrats on the up-coming retirement! You'll find a ton of information here and a lot of great folks willing to share their knowledge with you. Have fun & God bless!

jpriest · 07-22-2012, 10:52 AM

Swansonia · 07-22-2012, 01:58 PM

Welcome...can't wait for retirement! My DH was all set to retire early next year, then he got a really nice pay raise...so he's postponing retirement and we gonna try to pay off our house... Unfortunately I have about 10 years left. Enjoy..and hope you find the perfect RV for your needs.

historyljc · 07-22-2012, 06:56 PM

Hi RETLT, welcome to the forum. Best way to save money is move out of California then buy.

RETLT · 07-22-2012, 10:04 PM

Thanks, everyone, for the welcoming remarks. Well, I don't plan on moving, as we want to be close to family, etc. That said, someone told me that if I buy my MH out of state and keep it out for at least three months, I can register it in CA afterward and pay no sales tax. I'm trying to confirm that. Any other advice in this area would be appreciated.

Kayjulia · 07-22-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by historyljc

Hi RETLT, welcome to the forum. Best way to save money is move out of California then buy.

you will find lots of information here it is almost like taking a seminar in RV'g.

I use Americas Mailbox in SD and noticed a lot of California plates being switched to South Dakota plates while I was there. I asked several and it was because of the higher fees in CA. I hear insurance is cheaper also. Give it some thought and research. JMO

Scarab0088 · 07-22-2012, 11:03 PM

Hey RETLT,

Unfortunatly, the Peoples Republic of California will try to collect sales and use tax on your rig unless you have it registered in another state in your name before bringing it to Cali.

The 3 month rule is about brand-new cars so that we all don't run to Oregon and buy cars there - 49 state EPA and tax free.

See:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/online/fee_calc/feecalcfaq.htm

I didn't understand the rules when I bought my RV in Texas. Texas issued me a 90 day temp license and when I brought it home, was HIT with a bill at the DMV equal to just under 8% of the purchase price. Not too bad on a used car, but on a $100,000 rig, that's almost $8,000!!!! And you can't finance that after purchase cost.

There's ways around this (put on your black-ops hat), like do you have family in Arizona (there's no gift tax on in-family transfers) or you may be able to use a military exception that is in the DMV rules...but you'll have to be creative.

If there is any doubt on your intestinal fortitute, then the DMV is ready and willing to take your money.

For me, they got me for my stupidity - Knowledge is power.

TheArnolds · 07-23-2012, 05:23 AM

I just paid $4500 to Ohio on my new MH ( based on the delta between my trade in value and the cost of our new MH). This will most likely be our last MH but if not I need to do it smarter next time!

Steve N Sal · 07-23-2012, 05:49 AM

Congrats on the upcoming retirement and welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy the site and the fine folks here.

Scarab0088 · 07-23-2012, 10:16 AM

Here's another point - the reason you see so many Arizona plates here in SoCal is that the DMV (being dutiful servants of the people) will collect an annual "property tax" on the MH for the county.

Sure, there are lots of 'Zonies here escaping the heat, but there are also some locals bending the rules.

They call it part of the Licence Fee, but for a MH, which is the standrard $38 license plus a % of the value of your rig - 0.51% of my rigs value - I think it's a county to county rate.

So, this opens the whole were do I have to register my MH topic...that's your call, 'cuz a MH is often used away from the owners residence, but Moon Unit Brown (our Esteemed Gov.) has plans for your Tax $$ so the state law says the RV should be registered were you have your drivers licence.

Sorry, but that's just the way it is in Taxifornia.

RETLT · 09-03-2012, 01:56 AM

Thank you everyone for your input, although I'm probably more confused about it than ever! I may buy it half and half with the in-laws, who live in AZ. That way, we could legally register it in AZ, from what I can decipher from some of your answers. We may even park it at their house part of the time to make sure we're legal.