On 8/15/2019 at 1:33 AM, Wanderlustveteran said:

My next question is....  Should I choose a domicile ( I live in North Carolina)  before I purchase the rig?  I think maybe choosing another domicile would be easier and cheaper.  Does everyone usually choose another state when full time? 

I am not sure that we can say what the majority do, but it is wise to at least consider where you want to domicile and also both when and how. The 3 most popular states are TX. SD. & FL because none of those states have an time requirement to be legal, no state income tax, and all 3 accept your email service address for things like driver's license, vehicle registration and for insurance purposes. If you are Medicare elgible or do not need to buy health insurance it makes that choice far less difficult but if you do then probably FL will be your best bet. I prefer TX for several reasons but health insurance was not an issue for us, thanks to my former employer. I recommend that you read a few articles about domicile before you make that decision. I suggest this one and this one. 

It may be advantageous to set up your new domicile address at least before you buy the RV because of taxes and registration fees. You will need to do some comparing of those before you choose but it will likely cost less to register the RV only one time and then insure it in the chosen state. If you will not have an address in NC you will need to get one somewhere as you must have an address in the state you choose to register the vehicles in and not all states accept less than a physical structure home address. 

If you're going to finance then keep your present domicile. Banks will, most likely, finance easier with an established address.

  On 8/15/2019 at 3:18 AM, 2gypsies said:

If you're going to finance then keep your present domicile. Banks will, most likely, finance easier with an established address.

But if you do this be sure to read the entire loan document as it could have a clause allowing them to call the loan if you move to a place not acceptable to the lender. Of course, you really should read every word before signing any document. 

Edited August 15 by Kirk W

It also depends on where and how you are living now. If you have a house, especially if you are homesteading that house I don't know if you can legally change your domicile; if so, you would certainly have to give up the homestead exemption. If you have an insurance plan that requires using local doctors that could become an issue. Inheritance laws can also be an issue when choosing a domicile. There's a lot more to it than just registering a vehicle. I encourage you to follow the links Kirk posted above to even begin to understand some of things you need to consider.

Linda

Well I went window shopping... I definitely like the class A better.  The deciding factor was the “cockpit”.  The class C seemed cramped and felt like I was in a uhaul truck!  It felt cramped and boxed in.  I loved the bigger window to be able to see everything better.  So now I will continue to look for the perfect floor plan.   As far as the things everyone mentioned about domicile..... I don’t own a home, hence the reason I have decided to do this.  I am covered by insurance through the VA as I am a disabled veteran. I am 45 yo and blessed to be able to travel now.  I don’t really have any restrictions and will have no bills but my RV payment, insurance and my car insurance.  I do plan to finance the RV and have a specific budget for everything so I can I’ll still be able to enjoy my travels.   My car that I will be towing is a VW Jetta.... Should I have a Jeep or something like that? My car is great on gas mileage and in great shape.  I know I have a lot of questions and I cannot thank everyone enough for being so helpful and kind!! 

Charolette

Edited August 16 by Wanderlustveteran

Your Jetta will be a good car to drive once your RV is set up/camping.  If it can be towed 4 down and no trailer required better yet.  A jeep would also be good for local driving after camped.  My only input between the 2 is, do you plan on off-roading, run around the desert, run up down mountain roads or anywhere 4 wheel drive would be needed?  If not, I'd go with what you have.  mileage difference, esp. if you already have one, would not come into play much.

  On 8/15/2019 at 11:33 PM, NDBirdman said:

Your Jetta will be a good car to drive once your RV is set up/camping.  If it can be towed 4 down and no trailer required better yet.  A jeep would also be good for local driving after camped.  My only input between the 2 is, do you plan on off-roading, run around the desert, run up down mountain roads or anywhere 4 wheel drive would be needed?  If not, I'd go with what you have.  mileage difference, esp. if you already have one, would not come into play much.

For now I don’t plan to need a 4wd but that can change and I am open to that once I get settled in a rig and on the road

  On 8/16/2019 at 12:58 AM, Wanderlustveteran said:

For now I don’t plan to need a 4wd but that can change and I am open to that once I get settled in a rig and on the road

You didn't tell us enough about the Jetta to be sure, but it would seem that it can not be towed on it's wheels. Check with REMCO Towing website to be sure but I suspect you can't. 

  On 8/16/2019 at 4:47 AM, Kirk W said:

You didn't tell us enough about the Jetta to be sure, but it would seem that it can not be towed on it's wheels. Check with REMCO Towing website to be sure but I suspect you can't. 

Thank you so much for the website, Kirk!  All of your links have been very helpful as well!   My Jetta is NOT towable on 4.  Now what!? I am rethinking all of it because I don’t want to buy a tow dolly.  Is towing my car like that bad for it? I know the dolly will add extra weight and impact everything too.  My Jetta is pretty low to the ground as it is and only the back two wheels down may cause damage. Maybe rethinking and buying a truck and TT??!!  The truck would serve as a 4WD and vehicle to get around in towns etc and pull the trailer.  

Also, I found two RV shows near me. One next weekend (4hrs away) and then one late September (2hrs away),  should I attend both or are they pretty much the same? 

I am so very grateful that I started asking questions now!  

  On 8/14/2019 at 4:57 AM, kb0zke said:

 
On 8/13/2019 at 4:57 PM, kb0zke said:

Do pay attention to quality. Many rigs out there are intended for maybe 30 days of use per year. If you are full-timing, you will be spending 12 times (12 years worth) in it each year. We know some people who bought a new, popular brand MH and traded it even-up less than a year later for a 10-year-old Foretravel because they could see that the quality just wasn't there in their original choice.

One other thought: two-foot-itis strikes a large number of RV'ers each year. What is that? The idea that if the RV was only two feet longer it would be perfect.

Very helpful, thank you!  How do I know the rig is going to stand up to full time living? I am not opposed to buying used at all!  Do you have a rig or travel trailer?