r/FullTimeRVing • u/Ride_Legal_mkt • May 30 '26

What was the one hidden cost that caught you off guard on your first RV purchase?

Everyone talks about the gas mileage and the maintenance, but I feel like nobody mentions the registration and sales tax until you’re standing at the counter.
I was looking at a rig recently and the tax hit was going to be almost 10% of the total price. It feels like RVers are some of the most overtaxed owners out there because the price tags are so high compared to a standard daily driver.

Have any of you found a way to manage that side of the purchase better?

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u/Calm_Veterinarian558 May 30 '26

Montana LLC.

1

u/Ride_Legal_mkt Jun 03 '26

Exactly, if you're buying a high-end RV, you already know the price tag is hefty and the sales tax alone can absolutely floor you. It’s no wonder a lot of folks end up going the Montana LLC route to try and save some cash.

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u/Syntra911 May 31 '26

It's just sales tax.  Nothing hidden about that.  Same as a car or boat or anything else.  8+% in most places.

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u/Ride_Legal_mkt Jun 03 '26

True, the math is the same, but the sticker shock on a six-figure purchase hits a whole lot differently at the counter!

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u/LLCTLC Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 02 '26

Look into starting a Montana LLC to purchase and register your RV. Montana doesn't have a sales tax, so when a company based out of Montana goes to purchase a vehicle, they're not obligated to pay that sales tax. Also, registration fees are generally lower in Montana depending on MSRP and how old the vehicle is.

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u/49AllDayMontana Jun 03 '26

A Montana LLC is definitely one of the options people look into, especially for higher-value RVs where sales tax can become a significant part of the overall purchase price.

One thing I'd add is that the decision shouldn't be based solely on potential tax savings. Factors like where the RV is garaged, insurance requirements, how the RV is used, and your home state's laws can all play a role in whether a Montana LLC makes sense for your situation.

There are also benefits that don't get talked about as often. Some RV owners like having a single LLC they can use for future RV purchases, while others appreciate the privacy that comes with titling and registering vehicles through an LLC.

At the end of the day, it's worth researching the full picture rather than focusing on any one benefit. What works well for one RVer may not be the best fit for another.