Hallo from Germany

[BæR]

Hi everybody,

I will retire in 2017 and plan to buy an Escape 5.0TA, which I will be able to order in early 2016 as I understand it. I plan to slowly move around, avoiding bigger cities and do a little bit of archery (minus hunting).

I guess, that the RV will fit my needs and size (1.92m, 135kg), it should work out I guess and hope.

My concerns are how to get insurance (perfect German record) and how the sales tax will be calculated --I plan to find a base in Alberta

... but there is still a lot of water flowing down the Rhine river.

Ages ago I did my studies at UofM in Ann Arbor, MI and saw some of the travelling in Ontario, Newfoundland and PEI. Now I want to visit the West and spend the Winter in the lower 48 (or the bottom 12).

Still a lot of fact finding to do. But --I am looking forward.

Comments are very welcome, also PM

Best, BæR.

 

[thoer]

Welcome. My wife and I just got back from spending a little time in your beautiful country as part of our Viking River cruise on the Danube. We also got to see some other parts when we did a different Viking cruise on the Rhine last April. We were great impressed with all the solar panels we saw installed everywhere - and, of course, enjoyed lots of great German beers.

A couple of friends, who are also Escape owners and on this forum, are on the Danube cruise this week. The Danube could use a lot more water right now.

 

[padlin]

Welcome BaeR (closest my keyboard will come to it).

The 5.0TA should work out great for your intentions, best of luck with your planning.

 

[Brian B-P]

Welcome, BæR! :welcome:

My concerns are how to get insurance (perfect German record) and how the sales tax will be calculated --I plan to find a base in Alberta

If you establish your residence in Alberta before paying for the Escape, and take it to Alberta for its first registration, you shouldn't be charged British Columbia's provincial sales tax. That's good, because B.C. PST is 7%. You will still need to pay the 5% GST (federal Goods & Services Tax) regardless of province.

 

[rbryan4]

Welcome to the forum Bær. I think you'll be only the second European Escape owner.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Welcome aboard, BæR.

Brian pretty much summed it up. Once established here, you will have no trouble buying at trailer, along with registration and insurance.

Not sure how many folks you know in Alberta, but I know lots of Germans. Some have been here near 30 years, others more recent. Good people, but tend to go to bed too early when partying.

Oh, and a younger German that has worked for me for 8 years now. Best darn employee I ever had.

 

[BæR]

Once established here,

That is the question. Does my US Social Security number help in any way? I am actually not looking for residence, just be a tourist not trying to export the rig, etc. Just travel and spend my money in exchange for road use.

Thanks by the way for the hearty welcome,

mumbles the BæR.

 

[Jim Bennett]

I doubt your US SS would make much difference, though not certain. Even if not looking for permanent residency, I don't see how spending the money to buy and RV and truck here would be a problem.

You would have no trouble with just using a visa to travel here. As you likely know, there are many thousands of German tourists visiting Canada every year.

Is your intent to make one long trip here, or many trips over the years. I ask, as I was wondering about just renting a motorhome or other RV here for the times you might need one.

 

[BæR]

I don't see how spending the money to buy and RV and truck here would be a problem.

As I understand it, it makes a difference in how the purchase will be taxed, how easy it will be to register vehicle and trailer as well on how to get insurance. In the states, although I had residencey, I had to take a very expensive AAA-insurance first until I could switch to a much more reasonable AllState-Insurance.

Is your intent to make one long trip here, or many trips over the years. I ask, as I was wondering about just renting a motorhome or other RV here for the times you might need one.

I intend basically one long trip, maybe with short interruptions, when my kids come for vacation using the rig and I fly over to do my taxes, etc.

Thanks for the assistance,

purrs the BæR.

 

[EDarby]

Welcome BæR! (I did a copy/paste )
How exciting -- such great adventures ahead!!!

 

[gabeck]

:welcome: Hi ...you have some great plans and will have a wonderful time !
We have met two couples from Germany who have bought rvs and travelled through out N.America . One couple had been travelling in the US and liked it so much they bought a Winnebago ( while travelling ) - then had it shipped to Germany used it there for some time , then had it shipped back here to travel some more. When we met them at a campground they were on their second round of travelling through Canada .
The second couple we met at a campground in Kelowna ( 2014 ) . They had been to Canada and travelled with a rental RV Van , liked it so much that they bought a truck and 5th wheel ( huge rig ) and came over each spring -stayed for the summer and went back in the fall - left their rig in storage till the next spring . They had done this for several years ( 3 or 4) and had planned to sell their rig the fall of 2014 .
It does seem to work !

 

[gillfoto]

Guten Tag!

 

[gabeck]

"Good people, but tend to go to too early when partying "....... you may be hanging around too many old croaks ........

 

[Marry-ESC]

There is an owner in the Netherlands. You might want to call ETI to find out who and where for a viewing. They are pretty much your neighbors. Might as well visit them first for info and a tour of this great trailer.
Good luck with everything!!

 

[Sandra L]

Welcome. What wonderful times you'll have.;D

 

[Jim Bennett]

:welcome: Hi ...you have some great plans and will have a wonderful time !

I totally forgot about our resident Germans. You guys are probably a better resource for BæR.

"Good people, but tend to go to too early when partying "....... you may be hanging around too many old croaks ........

Most of the ones I am referring to are younger than me, not much though. In big group parties, they tend to head home around 9-10pm, leaving just a few Germans, and a bunch of us Crazy Canucks. ;D

 

[gabeck]

I totally forgot about our resident Germans. You guys are probably a better resource for BæR.


Most of the ones I am referring to are younger than me, not much though. In big group parties, they tend to head home around 9-10pm, leaving just a few Germans, and a bunch of us Crazy Canucks. ;D

And ...just how do you know they are going to bed early ....;D ...... Would be happy to help , not sure what we could actually do .......been here so long we are kind of crazy Canucks too !.........

 

[gabeck]

Was wondering if Baer is a Berliner ......the combined AE....is like a long a , which would be "bear " and a symbol for Berlin ?

 

[BæR]

Was wondering if Baer is a Berliner

Nope: B and R are the ears, æ are the eyes. B@R would either be a boar or a sleeping BæR [nice dunes in upper lower Michigan peninsula].

Confusing?

Time to go to bed in our region, Good N8,

BæR.

 

[gabeck]

Nope: B and R are the ears, æ are the eyes. B@R would either be a boar or a sleeping BæR [nice dunes in upper lower Michigan peninsula].

Confusing?

Time to go to bed in our region, Good N8,

BæR.

lol ...completely ....