Great American Road Trip (1 Viewer)

[OZeRV]

Sound like a great trip is on the planning boards. We are going back to the USA in about 3 weeks for our fourth sojourn in our RV that is in storage in LA. For RV insurance check out www.progressive.com and for travel insurance have a look at www.worldnomads.com.

 

[ceejayt]

A technical question, what happens about 240v electrics I assume you have fitted and the 110v you'll be using in the US?

Seabridge provide a step up transformer for the trip. We also have on board generator so not too fussed

 

[ceejayt]

Do you anticipate any problems with visas? As I understand it, you can get a 6 month visa for the US. You would then need to apply for a further 6 months when returning to the US from Canada. I have read conflicting reports where some people say that this isn't a problem (particularly if you can show that you have travel booked for a return to the UK) and others who say that it is now very difficult to get that second visa.

Kind of. You need a B1/2 visa which actually lasts 10 years but only allows a 6 month visit. Going into Canada and back does NOT reset the clock which it used to. Three months before the 6 months is up you can apply for an extension and provided you haven't broken the terms of your visa it should be granted automatically

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[Just smiffy]

Best of luck on your travels and I looked forward to lots of pictures and blogs....

 

[Neilfg]

Hope you enjoy it, have done a trip in Canada many years ago in a hired van and a few years ago costed a 4/6 month trip just to get a rough estimate which made us think that shipping might be a good idea.

Not sure what the base vehicle is with your van, but are you going with any breakdown or recovery, presumably any warranty is a bit void for a European van in N.America? Looking forward to following your journey, but be prepared you are going to get so many questions

 

[ceejayt]

Not sure what the base vehicle is with your van, but are you going with any breakdown or recovery, presumably any warranty is a bit void for a European van in N.America? Looking forward to following your journey, but be prepared you are going to get so many questions

Iveco base vehicle 7.2 ton automatic - hopefully not anticipating any problems as the vehicle is only one year old and only has 6000 miles on it. We will take some roadside assistance out there but if anything serious happens we will be waiting for parts. I guess my worst nightmare would be a windscreen - as that would take a couple of weeks at least to arrive and be very expensive.

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[grumps147]

Would life to do this, maybe, one day

 

[Hollyberry]

A friend and her husband did a similar time and distance trip in the late 90s. Neither had driven a motorhome before but via a relative in Canada they bought an R.V and travelled the States--- over the winter. I was surprised at the choice of months but she says they had great contrasts in the weather and scenery.

Enjoy your trip. This was one thing on our list that we never got to do of course. Enjoy every day, every sight, every sound!

P.S they left the R.V with relatives in Canada who sold it for them. Only about $1000 dollars less than they'd paid.

 

[kip]

Bloody marvelous !!!have a great trip.!!

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[MoKa]

Check out Nomadic Fanatic on YouTube and Facebook. Eric is in his 30's and vlogs of his journeys and care of his van. He is doing a cross country trip right now. He is based in Olympia Washington but full times and travels a lot. He gives lots of great info on camps but mainly wild camping. (Boondocking as they call it there). A lot of free aire type sites too.
We plan on doing this too in a couple of years.
Can I ask about VISA options for your stay? The maximum travel VISA / Esta usually only covering 3 months.

 

[ceejayt]

Can I ask about VISA options for your stay? The maximum travel VISA / Esta usually only covering 3 months.

Will check that out thanks - see earlier post about Visas, cannot go on an ESTA

 

[ceejayt]

We have now made our application for a non immigrant Visa - a B1/B2 for tourism and staying over three months. Bit long and complicated so if you are planning on doing this then you may wish to read my blog here.

I will keep this thread going as we move on with our interview (we have to go to London for that) and then through shipping the motorhome etc.

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[MR. FUSION]

Shipping one way Antwerp to Baltimore is €4000 but that is for my 9m van. You lay by the cubic metre and they say every cm counts and my vehicle is 68.3 cubic metres at 47 euros per cubic metre and then various customs charges etc on top.
In addition, optional marine insurance is 0.9% of the value of the vehicle - which we will be taking in case of loss at sea.
Slightly cheaper shipping back and then there is the cost of motorhome insurance whilst we are there which will be something like US$2k - still to confirm that.
Other Problems/things to think about:
House won't be insured after more than 90 days absence - trying to work that one out
Motorhome insurance can be suspended whilst we are away (NFU)
Switching our car insurance to fire, theft and accidental damage whilst we are away and SORNing both vehicles
Trying to get travel insurance for 8 month trip - again, current insurance limited to a 60 day trip

So, a few things to muddle through yet!

I had 9 months unoccupied buildings insurance from Towergate, you can purchase it in 3 month blocks up to 1 year. You can also get it from Swintons specialist insurance services.
Most of them stipulate you need someone to visit the property once a week to check it, keep the garden tidy and keep the house at 15 degrees over the winter. The water should also be switched off. For 9 months travel insurance I used a backpackers policy with MH adjustments. l used boatmail for a mail scanning service.

 

[Forestboy]

Great trip a wonderful place to travel and just so easy.

We bought a RV and Jeep when it was $2 to £1 spent three and half years touring on and off managed all 50 states and 56000 miles combined RV and Jeep. We then shipped our motorbike over and toured Canada and Alaska making it up the Dalton to Prudhoe. another 15000 miles. We sold the RV and Jeep when the pound dropped to $1-50 and our three years cost us a measly £5000.00 in capital, better born lucky eh

Hope you have a fantastic time we were only saying recently we'd like to go back but this time ship our van with Seabridge and spend more time in Canada wouldn't need a car as a 7.7 metre van is American car size anyway

 

[ceejayt]

I had 9 months unoccupied buildings insurance from Towergate, you can purchase it in 3 month blocks up to 1 year. You can also get it from Swintons specialist insurance services.
Most of them stipulate you need someone to visit the property once a week to check it, keep the garden tidy and keep the house at 15 degrees over the winter. The water should also be switched off. For 9 months travel insurance I used a backpackers policy with MH adjustments. l used boatmail for a mail scanning service.

We are with NFU for contents and they have said it will not be a problem and are providing long term travel insurance. We are fortunate that we are one of 14 apartments and the buildings insurance is covered by the management company and our management charge. My kids will check the house regularly, open the post etc

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[Forestboy]

@ceejayt
Here's a summary of our trip if interested.
Seems a lifetime ago.
http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/american-adventure-is-over.26181/

 

[PeteH]

The Winnebago in the Avtar, with the Devils Tower in the background, is the one we used for over 5 years, and 15K miles. Based and stored at my son`s place in Texas. You DO need the 10yr Visa, which required (In our case) attending the US Embassy in London! and queuing for Hours!. And if you want to extend beyond 6 months, do it early!. If you don`t, and go over time, they will not allow you back in!.

We loved every minute and have been from the Keys, to within 30 miles of the Canadian Border. BE AWARE, Homeland Security are (where) getting very "picky". and even some Canadian "Snow-birds" we met where getting hassled crossing over. Of all, I think Montana was my most favourite, well deserving the Title "Big Sky Country".

We even did the 2012 "Brit`s Rally" in the middle of the Dessert!.

Pete

 

[MR. FUSION]

We are with NFU for contents and they have said it will not be a problem and are providing long term travel insurance. We are fortunate that we are one of 14 apartments and the buildings insurance is covered by the management company and our management charge. My kids will check the house regularly, open the post etc

OK I see
Is your management co providing long term buildings insurance ?

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[ceejayt]

OK I see
Is your management co providing long term buildings insurance ?

Yes. It's not a problem the apartment being empty

 

[injebreck99]

The Winnebago in the Avtar, with the Devils Tower in the background, is the one we used for over 5 years, and 15K miles. Based and stored at my son`s place in Texas. You DO need the 10yr Visa, which required (In our case) attending the US Embassy in London! and queuing for Hours!. And if you want to extend beyond 6 months, do it early!. If you don`t, and go over time, they will not allow you back in!.

We loved every minute and have been from the Keys, to within 30 miles of the Canadian Border. BE AWARE, Homeland Security are (where) getting very "picky". and even some Canadian "Snow-birds" we met where getting hassled crossing over. Of all, I think Montana was my most favourite, well deserving the Title "Big Sky Country".

We even did the 2012 "Brit`s Rally" in the middle of the Dessert!.

Pete

I agree Montana is a great state, but, IMO, not as good as it's neighbour Wyoming, what's not to like about the state that houses Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP and great towns like Cody and Jackson's Hole and Dubios, Oh, and the Wind River Range, The Arapaho/Shoshone Native American Pow Wow gathering place at Fort Washakie. worth a visit if you are in the area IMO.

 

[PeteH]

I agree Montana is a great state, but, IMO, not as good as it's neighbour Wyoming, what's not to like about the state that houses Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP and great towns like Cody and Jackson's Hole and Dubios, Oh, and the Wind River Range, The Arapaho/Shoshone Native American Pow Wow gathering place at Fort Washakie. worth a visit if you are in the area IMO.

I would tend to agree, However we really enjoyed to remoteness of Montana, the "road to the sun" is awesome. And we camped (a lot) in area`s where the people where outnumbered by the wildlife. Stayed on the KOA at Dubios, BTW, en route to Yellowstone.

Pete

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[Bart]

Wow lucky people
Could I fit in your suitcase

 

[injebreck99]

I would tend to agree, However we really enjoyed to remoteness of Montana, the "road to the sun" is awesome. And we camped (a lot) in area`s where the people where outnumbered by the wildlife. Stayed on the KOA at Dubios, BTW, en route to Yellowstone.

Pete

We drove up from Fort Washakie to Dubois to have lunch at a cafe we liked previously, a round trip of 160 miles!

 

[ceejayt]

All noted. Need to spend more time on the route planning!

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[flatpackchicken]

All noted. Need to spend more time on the route planning!

Hi, you may want to take out roadside assistance in USA and Canade combined with Good Sam club, I have been a member since 2009 and covers roadside and recovery. Covers you in Mh or car. Will get card out and send you details ok. Regards Garry Flatpackchicken

 

[flatpackchicken]

Hi, you may want to take out roadside assistance in USA and Canade combined with Good Sam club, I have been a member since 2009 and covers roadside and recovery. Covers you in Mh or car. Will get card out and send you details ok. Regards Garry Flatpackchicken

 

[ceejayt]

Hi, you may want to take out roadside assistance in USA and Canade combined with Good Sam club, I have been a member since 2009 and covers roadside and recovery. Covers you in Mh or car. Will get card out and send you details ok. Regards Garry Flatpackchicken

Thanks for this - added to my very long to do list

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[CWH]

We drove up from Fort Washakie to Dubois to have lunch at a cafe we liked previously, a round trip of 160 miles!

Not the Cowboy Cafe was it???

 

[injebreck99]

Not the Cowboy Cafe was it???

Could have been, it was about halfway down the street on the left side after coming round the bend coming up from Ft Washakie.

 

[injebreck99]

Could have been, it was about halfway down the street on the left side after coming round the bend coming up from Ft Washakie.

I remember we went back later and stayed at the Black Bear Country Inn, but cannot remember the name of the cafe I'm afraid.

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