Hello,
Let me say I'm really impressed with the Heartland Forum . Being a techie myself, it's a great resource. I hope you all don't mind several general questions. I went through the FAQ, and didn't find answers.
I'm thinking of purchasing my first RV, a Big Country 3500RL. I would be full-timing, though not using a TV. My plans are to purchase an RV, and have it delivered to a site. I would be there for 3-6 months, possibly up to a year. (Temporary computer consulting positions would be my employment. ) I might have to relocate to another state once the current position expires, or might be able to stay put. The expense of a TV would be a bit much, what with moving the RV once a year, or even less (IMO).
Here are my questions:
1) Biggest concern: I'm concerned about safety during high winds and storms. I've had salesmen tell me everything from "10 mph wind? You gotta find somewhere else to stay" to "I've been in one with 60 mph winds - no problems". I realize if severe weather is coming (tornado's), I'd have to vacate the RV. How about "normal" winds - 10-40 mph? I've read about tie-down systems - do they really help?
2) Is water condensation on the windows a constant during cold weather? Does it require daily maintenance to keep things from ruining?
3) Are schematics/detailed floorplans (incl. walls, roof, joist locations, etc.) available? I'm a handyman, and wouldn't want to cut a hole in some wires by mistake.
4) I understand RV's depreciate, like automobiles. What's the average time for the unit to be totally depreciated? (10 years - the unit's worth $0?)
5) If I park the RV in one spot for a year (living in it), are there any long-term issues? (Would the tires rot, need to be deflated so the unit rests solely on the jacks, etc.)
6) The units on eBay seem to have really low-ball prices. I've contacted a couple of sellers, and they say I'd only have to pay sales tax or some other minor fee. The listed price is the price. Any add-on schemes or other additions I might need to know about?
7) The eBay sellers include up to 1,000 miles of free delivery. If I purchased one there, when would I take title - when the bidding stopped, or when they delivered it to my site? (When would it be my unit? If they scratched it up during the trip, would my insurance have to pay, or would theirs? etc.)
8) And finally, one I think I know the answer already. If I buy an eBay unit from Michigan, and I'm in Kentucky, how would the local dealer (not Heartland) feel about service? I assume they wouldn't be very happy about it.
Thanks for any feedback!
Lannie
Let me say I'm really impressed with the Heartland Forum . Being a techie myself, it's a great resource. I hope you all don't mind several general questions. I went through the FAQ, and didn't find answers.
I'm thinking of purchasing my first RV, a Big Country 3500RL. I would be full-timing, though not using a TV. My plans are to purchase an RV, and have it delivered to a site. I would be there for 3-6 months, possibly up to a year. (Temporary computer consulting positions would be my employment. ) I might have to relocate to another state once the current position expires, or might be able to stay put. The expense of a TV would be a bit much, what with moving the RV once a year, or even less (IMO).
Here are my questions:
1) Biggest concern: I'm concerned about safety during high winds and storms. I've had salesmen tell me everything from "10 mph wind? You gotta find somewhere else to stay" to "I've been in one with 60 mph winds - no problems". I realize if severe weather is coming (tornado's), I'd have to vacate the RV. How about "normal" winds - 10-40 mph? I've read about tie-down systems - do they really help?
2) Is water condensation on the windows a constant during cold weather? Does it require daily maintenance to keep things from ruining?
3) Are schematics/detailed floorplans (incl. walls, roof, joist locations, etc.) available? I'm a handyman, and wouldn't want to cut a hole in some wires by mistake.
4) I understand RV's depreciate, like automobiles. What's the average time for the unit to be totally depreciated? (10 years - the unit's worth $0?)
5) If I park the RV in one spot for a year (living in it), are there any long-term issues? (Would the tires rot, need to be deflated so the unit rests solely on the jacks, etc.)
6) The units on eBay seem to have really low-ball prices. I've contacted a couple of sellers, and they say I'd only have to pay sales tax or some other minor fee. The listed price is the price. Any add-on schemes or other additions I might need to know about?
7) The eBay sellers include up to 1,000 miles of free delivery. If I purchased one there, when would I take title - when the bidding stopped, or when they delivered it to my site? (When would it be my unit? If they scratched it up during the trip, would my insurance have to pay, or would theirs? etc.)
8) And finally, one I think I know the answer already. If I buy an eBay unit from Michigan, and I'm in Kentucky, how would the local dealer (not Heartland) feel about service? I assume they wouldn't be very happy about it.
Thanks for any feedback!
Lannie