Planning a 12 month 36 state road trip - UK resident

[EmmaLou]

Storage costs vary considerably.
In Virginia we were paying around $350 for covered rv Storage and the truck in the open. We paid 170$ recently for covered Storage north of Las Vegas, and $100 near the Canadian border for uncovered Storage.
All were monthly rates.
We've flown in to one location, travelled for 6 months, found Storage and flown home from another state.
It's also very easy to book UK return flights to the same airport and tag on a one way from your final destination back to your departure airport. Sometimes, that works out cheaper than modifying your international booking.

silly question but that's the monthly fees for storage?

 

[TonyL]

silly question but that's the monthly fees for storage?

Yes, and just a FYI, since Jan 2019 up to April this year, out of 75 months, we've spent 44 months in the US and Canada with only 1 extention.
A word of caution, do not even consider mentioning anywhere in your visa application or interview about extensions, it's a big red flag.

 

[TonyL]

There isn't a 2 year visa, that's an ESTA and only grants multiple entries of up to 90 days and no extentions permitted

 

[EmmaLou]

Yes, and just a FYI, since Jan 2019 up to April this year, out of 75 months, we've spent 44 months in the US and Canada with only 1 extension.
A word of caution, do not even consider mentioning anywhere in your visa application or interview about extensions, it's a big red flag.

Point noted thanks.

Just read the B-2 visa info from the embassy but its very vague - it does say 6 months at a time but doesn't say there are restrictions in coming back in - it looks like they will be okay if you can demonstrate the reason for multiple visits whilst maintaining strong ties at home so better get my itinerary finished!.

 

[TonyL]

Just read back through your posts.
You mention a licence upgrade, obviously, we have no idea of your ages, but if you're near retirement age and passed your test years ago, that UK licence is good for virtually any RV or combination.
We pull a 34ft fifth wheel with a truck weighing near 3 tons on a standard uk licence. I'll check the actual year the licence categories changed.

 

[TonyL]

If you passed your test prior to January 1st 1997, you have no need to worry about your licence unless you are over 70 and not applied to retain the categories.
With regards to the visa, the wording is "up to 6 months per visit "
If the border official decides, they have the authority to grant anything from refused entry up to the 6 months.
We've never had an issue, always have proof of return and carry copies of our property deeds. I also think entering and leaving from different airports helps prove the touring element.

 

[Isaac-1]

On the topic of RV storage cost, these can vary considerably from region to region, one of the cheapest options for long term climate controlled storage can be underground storage in old limestone mines, one of the largest of these in the US is Subtropolis in Kansas City, though I think there are also similar underground storage options in Pennsylvania and New York State, and perhaps others. When I looked at it a few years ago Subtropolis was around $150 per month for a 30 ft motorhome, for controlled access, stable year round temperature (circa 70F /18-21C), not sure how much it is now.

 

[Jackiemac]

Hi Jackie, with that visa can you stay in the US for 12 months+ continuously everything I read suggest you cant stay more than 12m without applying for residency, which we don't really want and probably wouldn't get as we don't plan to work or study just drive around having adventure and eating good food!

Initially I thought you could get a 2 year visa but I think I was mistake but that would be brilliant if you could.

Tom posted a link about Visa extensions but I can't see a time duration limit for the extension. I'd expect 6 months to be ok but apart from Tony extending because of Covid I don't know anyone who has done so.

I do know people who have had their Visas revoked after going back and forwards between Canada / US / Mexico. It was a bit complicated and not easy to explain here, my point is that it can happen.

 

[TonyL]

I do know people who have had their Visas revoked after going back and forwards between Canada / US / Mexico. It was a bit complicated and not easy to explain here, my point is that it can hahappen.

Be very wary of unofficial US.GOV websites offering visa advice. I've just seen one where it advises that an extension is granted in increments of 6 months.
We have copies of our I539 extension application but I think they're at home and I'm certain the maximum extension was one period of up to 6 months.
Applying for an extension is stressful even if you have a good reason. Due to covid during our application, it took over 6 months from date of application to it being granted. During the extension period, you are technically an overstayer.
If the application is refused, you will lose your Visa entitlement and be subject to deportation without right to appeal.
I can't say how long application to extend takes now, or what happens if the application is denied whilst your visa entry is still valid.
To be perfectly honest, if it was me, I would forget any extension, and visit for the granted period, then go home for a couple of months before returning.
We also read somewhere that you cannot reset the I94 (entry and exit record) without leaving North America. That includes Canada and Mexico, but after 6 months in the US, we visited Canada with the intention of going right over to Nova Scotia.
After 3 months we found Canada extremely expensive and decided to try and re enter the US. We had to have a secondary interview with a border official where we explained our case but that we understood we had no entitlement to re-entry. We showed our return flight booking and they gracesiously let us back in.

 

[EmmaLou]

On the topic of RV storage cost, these can vary considerably from region to region, one of the cheapest options for long term climate controlled storage can be underground storage in old limestone mines, one of the largest of these in the US is Subtropolis in Kansas City, though I think there are also similar underground storage options in Pennsylvania and New York State, and perhaps others. When I looked at it a few years ago Subtropolis was around $150 per month for a 30 ft motorhome, for controlled access, stable year round temperature (circa 70F /18-21C), not sure how much it is now.

thanks that's defiantly worth a consideration I just looked online and $120-$150 p/m for 23/25ft RV space - Kansas city is fairly central too so good option as start end point for shorter trips instead of a long stay. this is a preferred option to outside parking thank you.

 

[TonyL]

thanks that's defiantly worth a consideration I just looked online and $120-$150 p/m for 23/25ft RV space - Kansas city is fairly central too so good option as start end point for shorter trips instead of a long stay. this is a preferred option to outside parking thank you.

I don't know what the nearest international airport is in Kansas, something to consider.
Also remember a vast number of rv's live outside permanently without issues.

 

[rvlifer]

Storage fees in southern colorado run about $50/mo. You basically get a parking space. I saw an intro rate for a couple of months at $45 for a good storage facility near colorado springs. Gated facility with cameras.

 

[TonyL]

From what I have read so far, you can apply to extend your stay on a B2 visa for up to a year.
My bet is you'll need to show a travel history proving previous compliance before it would be granted.
Remember, being granted a visa is a privilege, not a right and shouldn't be abused.
It's an insult to the host country.

 

[Isaac-1]

I don't know what the nearest international airport is in Kansas, something to consider.
Also remember a vast number of rv's live outside permanently without issues.

True, but most of those owners are relatively local to the storage lots and can go check on the RV before extensive rot may occur due to water intrusion from say a broken roof vent, etc. Also Subtropolis is likely more secure than most outdoor storage, covered or not, as it is controlled access, and no one is going to be climbing / cutting through a fence. Add to this no risk of freeze damage, or need to winterize the coach.