logistics of buying used rig out of state-help

[deborah12060]

Hi guys,

I think I'm getting somewhere but need experienced minds to review the plan. As I mentioned the other day, I have found this used rig.; the 1996 Ford F450. The owner has agreed to take it to a place called "Tom's RV and Trailer" in
Independence, Mo., where the motor home aspect will be assessed. I have spoken with Tom's and given them my credit card for their assessment of the systems. Then, Tom's will take it to "Mid Way Ford", a few miles away where the engine
performance test will be performed. Each place is charging about $250.00 for their assessments.

If the engine passes the performance test, I will attempt to get a warranty with "National Truck Protection". NTP uses
Mid Way Ford for their assessments anyway, according to Tom's so that's killing two birds with one stone.

The owner sent me two more pictures of this sorry looking rig. Ugh, it's so faded (black) with this awful race car stuff on the sides. Almost the stuff of a Dramamine, but then, I feel that way about most of the look of motor home's exterior. My purchase has to be about practicality and not aesthetics. There is so much I have to do to any rig to have it fit my needs and being pretty is not one of them, though, should this all happen, I think I have little choice but to call her "black beauty". The pictures the owner has sent look good on the interior though none of them show the couch or dinette. He's a rather grumpy fellow and it's clear I'm not going to get him to get pictures of that. He's sent a number of the kitchen, bathroom and front and it all looks good save for the sorry purple/pink carpet which, has to go. Tom's said they would take more interior shots on the evaluation and send them to me via e-mail. I'm planning to take both the dinette (probably) and for sure, the couch out anyway so I'm not sure that so much matters though their absence is unsettling (like, what if they are trashed which would implicate the vehicles over all care perhaps).

so, my questions are:
.I want to get this warranty, right? What might this cost, does anyone know?
.What does a GPS system cost and who puts that in? Does the motor home place do it or do I take it to like a Best
Buy and they do?
.Do I register the vehicle once in MO. and then have to do it all again in N.Y. state where I live. Ugh. I'll get the insurance card here in N.Y. state but I sure hate to spend the double money on plates. See any way around this?
Do I dare buy this rig site unseen (though assessed), get it registered here in New York State and then fly down with the plates and registration and drive it home?

Any help would be, once again, appreciated.

Deborah

[Redetotry]

I don't own an RV but, that said any vehicle of that age is IMO just a repair waiting to happen. I would only go see it by making a small deposit to hold it, with the deal being, if it is what they claim and you are happy with it after driving it ,THEN you will make full payment.

[retiredhappy]

Oh Deborah. Are you sure this is the rig for you? If they didn't take care of the outside what makes you think they took care of the inside? Also, that seems like a lot of money to have it checked out. Also, a l996 unit is 16 years old. The bumper-to-bumper warranty I had wouldn't cover a unit over 5 years old. How did you find this rig? If the present owner is hesitant to send you pictures BE VERY CAREFUL. Grumpy or not, if he wants to sell, he should be happy to send photos. How many miles are on it? A truck warrant usually doesn't cover the RV and that's where most stuff goes wrong - frig, heater, AC, inverter, water pump, etc, etc. How much are they asking for this rig? I hate to rain on your parade but it seems to have quite a few "caution" signs.

As for GPS units, check out Ebay. I'[ve bought my last three GPS units on Ebay. They plug into your cig lighter - don't need "installing"

[Forestgal]

I don't usually chime in on topics like this, but I guess my only question is, what's the rush? If I'm reading things correctly, you're in the Northeast. Surely there'll be something that comes up eventually that you can actually see.

I know of another woman who purchased an older Class A sight unseen and it's been one problem after another for her. She'd get one thing taken care of, only to have something else go wrong.

None of us want to burst your bubble, but we also don't want to see you unhappy with your purchase either.

Laura

[Bethers]

I bought out-of-state, but not as far as you - although distance is distance. First, if the inspections go in your favor, you get him to allow you to give a REFUNDABLE deposit based on you coming to pick it up and pay the rest. Now, this shouldn't be refundable for just anything - but for the things you've asked about - keep him honest.

That said - double think the warranty. Generally on the older rigs those warranties are quite expensive. I don't believe in them - but put aside that money - in an interest bearing account and add to it yearly for the things that you might need to fix. And more if you want/can. Make it your own warranty. That's my suggestion - but you do as you feel best.

In most states, they'll give you a temporary tag to get the vehicle home. When I purchased from a private party - I had 2 weeks (I think that was it) to get the rv home and licensed, etc. Just make sure to get a signed, valid bill of sale to carry with you. You will not have to register it before you go buy it - see my first comment. I do not recommend finishing the sale until you get there. Even if you have to give a non-refundable deposit - don't pay it all till you get there.

Why get a gps installed? Just purchase one (I have a TomTom) and use it. The good thing about mine - is I take it out and use it when going in someone else's vehicle if I want to. Also, remember, the DO MAKE MISTAKES. Do not believe that a gps takes the place of having a good atlas handy - and using the atlas to double-check routes. You don't want to know some of the places various gps and online direction places have tried to send me.

Good luck if this works out for you - and take a good look at the pictures your inspector sends - and ask both inspectors any questions they might be able to answer. You are paying them.

[Cedar518]

Aaarrgghh,..... I'd run like the wind,... in the opposite direction!

Sorry, but you asked!

[Liz]

Good advice, Beth. Everything I would have said. And when you do get there, check out all the systems....don't just take his word that they work.

[Pooker]

Like the others said - you aren't going to like our answers! First: my personal opinion is that I wouldn't buy a rig from long distance and I certainly wouldn't do that with a 16 year old one. RVs depreciate really fast for a reason - because they have a lot of things that can and do go wrong and they are bouncing along over some pretty sad surfaces. I'm not saying don't buy older. I'm just saying I'd want to go over it with a fine tooth comb in person and bring along someone who is mechanical. The money you are spending on having people check it out for you might be spent on a trip to see it in person.

Secondly: It sounds like you aren't "in love" with this rig. Why rush to buy something you don't love?

Third: I don't think you will find a warrantee company that will take on a rig this old. If you do, beware of all the ifs, ands, and buts of what they DON'T cover.

Fourth: There are dozens of models of gps systems on the market and they don't need installing. Get the one that has the features you want and need.

And, finally - I think just about every state allows you to drive a vehicle on the bill of sale until you get it to your home state and register it. If you haven't done so, you might want to check out where you stand on sales tax and some states charge you a much higher registration fee if you buy out of state and if the vehicle hasn't been registered some states charge you back fees.

There is a rig out there for you. We just don't want you to be hurt in the process.


Pooker

[fairlady1600]

After reading these opinions I guess I broke the golden rule of RV purchase.

I did have it checked out but even so, there was a fried 12 volt charger, a fried solar panel, I'm having the air conditioner on the roof replaced and there may be more problems yet unfound. Remember that is with a $200 inspection. Because of the low milage I was able to get a Good Sam warrantee for about $500 and a $250 deductible which covers alot of the RV systems. I'm working with them now on the Roof Air conditioner.

I understand your frustration having difficulties finding RV's in the North East. I would hesitate at buying an older unit sight unseen. Can you give a few more details on this rig?

What Class is it?
I would NOT give him a deposit until it was inspected by both the truck and Rv places
I had a budget of $40k which is why I low balled this dealer to 33,800 because I figured I might have expenses.
The dealer gave me a temp plate for 1 way travel and it took us 6 days to make it east.
Pictures can be deceiving!!!! I shoot cars for a living and I can make almost any car look good. The fact that he doesn't want to take alot of interior shots sounds highly suspicious to me.

Hope this helps

[JanetA]

WOW!
You girls bring a lot of "bewares" to light, which is good. I'm so sorry for those of you that have to 'trust' someone else's advice on whether a rig is GOOD or not. I am so fortunate that my son is a certified John Deere technician and a darn good auto mechanic as well, and diagnostician. I WILL have him with me when I find MY dream rig when my time comes,, if it does. (Please, God!)

I wish I could "loan" him to each and every one of you gals that need an expert opinion! SURELy there's somewhere, a checklist for all to go by for such delimmas. I do have MY rule that has proven to be my best asset..and that is this: when in doubt, DON'T! trust your gut and take your sweet time. etc etc etc. I know you all are thinking the same thing.

Best of luck, fairlady!!

(I guess I do have something to be thankful for, after all! )


Janet A