2023... New Year, New Discovery

Since we decided to sell our house in the Town of Star Valley Ranch, last year Mary said she wanted to go back to traveling, so we bought a 2021 Keystone Montana fifth-wheel and a 2018 Ford F350 Lariat Super Crew FX4 truck to pull it. Bill has never had a trailer or fifth wheel, but for the sake of Mary, opted to give it a try, so we did so. We used it to travel to Loveland, CO and later to Goshen and Shipshewana, Indiana. Then, as winter set in early in Wyoming, in November 2022, we headed south to Texas with plans to eventually go on to visit friends in Florida and Georgia, before heading back north to Goshen and Shipshewana again to complete a series of repairs to eliminate some of the ongoing breakdowns that kept developing on the new fifth-wheel. Some things Bill had to repair right away because they could not wait until we could take it back to Indiana, but even some of those would break again. Others would break having just finished fixing another set of items. Needless to say, Bill finally had enough. All along he would just get more and more upset with the Montana, not just because it kept breaking down, but also because there was a major problem with the lack of storage space below, in the cargo hold and because the areas inside were tight and broken up by multiple steps inside and tight passageways. Bill started RVing in 2003 and has always had a motorized home, whether a Class C at first, to a Class A motorhome, (gas at first and diesel pushers later), so after a few weeks in Texas, we started looking at trading the fifth-wheel for another diesel pusher.

Without a doubt a 2015 Fleetwood Discovery 40E was by far the best RV (diesel pusher) we have had together. We opted to trade out of it for several reasons, but mainly because we wanted newer technology and Mary wanted a French door refrigerator, so we traded for a Tiffin Phaeton 40-IH.... the biggest mistake of our lives. We traded for it based on the excellent reputation that Bob Tiffin and the Tiffin brand had developed. However, 2020-2021 was the same year that Tiffin sold the company out to Thor industries, and because of it stopped caring about their customers. That coach, like the fifth wheel had so many problems that we had to take it to the Tiffin Service Center THREE times in that year and eventually, when the selling dealer (La Mesa RV Center) offered us more for it than what we paid for it 10 months earlier, and sent a driver to pick it up at Tiffin, we jumped on the opportunity and sold it. That was another story when we loaded everything into a 6x12 U-Haul trailer and headed back to Star Valley, Wyoming, buying our current house.

With the knowledge of Fleetwood having been a great motorhome, we opted to stop taking chances on any other motorhomes and focused on finding another Discovery to trade the fifth wheel and Ford F350 on. Luckily because of dealers wanting to move the majority of units by year end, they were offering special prices/discounts on all units (but specially so on 2022 models). Unfortunately, the only 2022 models we found were floorplans we didn’t like as well, but found a 2023 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 44B that seemed to suit both our needs. Bill wanted cargo space, an engine that would comfortably power our travels without shaking us all up (like the F350 and fifth-wheel did), then entire living area mostly on the same level and ample space within it. Mary wanted the comfort of our old 40E, and room for all her things and kitchen items. The fifth-wheel did have a huge pantry and room in an extra closet for her 5.0 cu. ft. freezer, in addition to that in the French-door refrigerator, to be able to stock up when she comes across great deals, especially at Lowery’s  meat and seafood market in Buchanan MI, and in Goshen and Shipshewana IN.

Fleetwood had a model 40M which was very much like the old 40E, but the changes from the 40E were mostly in lacking closet space, which is sort of important if one is going to be full-timers (again) such as we plan to be. Bill would have been happy enough with the Discovery 38W, which was much like the 40M, but less quality oriented. However, it only had a 360HP engine, which we were concerned if it would have enough power/torque to tackle the mountains of the West, where we like to frequent. Since the 40M was lacking in closet and cabinet space (compared to our old 40E), even though it did have a 380HP, Mary preferred the 44B, which is very similar to the 40M, but 4ft longer which offers bunk beds (that can be folded up out of the way to be converted to a large closet with room enough for keeping her 5.0 cu. ft. freezer. It also has two extra wardrobes and six extra drawers. All in all, this is a perfect full-timer coach with a tag-axle to aid in its maneuvering.

During this time, we were planning on selling the F350 when we got back to Wyoming and flat towing our new 2022 Ford Explorer, behind it, but then we discovered that the Explorer has not been flat-towable since after 2019. So, when we get back to Wyoming, we’ll have to trade out of our Explorer for either a 2023 Maverick AWD (if it is not too small for us and Roxy), or a Ford Ranger 4x4 or a Ford F150 4x4, Ford Edge AWD as those are the only flat-towable Ford products in sizes we would consider. In the meantime, we are hooking up the F350 to base plates and towing it behind the motorhome, until we get back to Wyoming. Then we will need to make the decision of whether to continue to tow our F350 (diesel and much lower mpg) or trade for one of the above mentioned options (gasoline, lighter and much higher mpg). One advantage of the F350 Diesel is that it has a 63 gals. auxiliary tank in the bed, which with its standard 34 gals. tank carries 97 gals of diesel, which when added to the 100 gals of diesel in the motorhome, would give us 197 gals. of diesel available for the motorhome, instead of just its own 100 gals. tank. We'll see which way we go.   

We purchased our new motorhome at Motorhome Specialist in Alvarado TX and while at the delivery campground transferring from one to the other, Bill took off all the add-ons we had put on the fifth wheel… 1200 watts of solar panels, a 100amp solar controller, a 3000-watt inverter, and 4 batteries, and will be taking them to the people that installed them in Shipshewana IN to transfer them to the new rig. 

The batteries and inverter we will sell when we get back home, along with the old tow bar and some other things. We’ll also have to sell the 2022 Ford Explorer (still like new) if anyone is interested in it, let us know and perhaps even the 2018 Ford F350 Lariat (loaded, even with gooseneck/fifth-wheel towing and snow plow prepped). If interested in anything, let us know what and we can send photos or make an appointment to go by to see it.

Below are photos of our new motor HOME…

Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado, Texas

Loads of different brands and models of motor homes...

The Delivery Area

The campground where transfers are made between the trades and the new purchases. 

The Wash and Wax area, and also a place to check for any leaks, before delivery.

Overhead view of Motor Home Specialist in Alvarado, Texas.

And now, our new HOME... 2023 Fleetwood Discovery LXE 44B

The colors change with differing lights and sun exposure. The silver sometimes almost looks white and the dark grey sometimes even looks taupe-ish. The dark blue is just the same shade and color of our 2022 that we bought last year to eventually tow behind a motorhome, if the fifth-wheel didn't work out, but it was shortly after getting this motorhome that we found out that the 2022 Ford Explorer is no longer 'flat-towable' (since 2020 on). Well, the next trade on a car, SUV or truck it can be the same dark blue, or dark grey or silver and still look great with the motorhome. 

Two full-width (90") slide out trays in the cargo area that slide out to either side.

An outside 50" TV with sound bar.

At the front is the cockpit and entry door. Contrary to the F350 (when pulling a big and heavy fifth-wheel behind it, which shook a lot and gave us sore necks by the end of six-hour drive, THIS motorhome is such a vast and welcome change. Bill does all the driving and he absolutely loves driving it. However, he wants Mary to practice on it in case anything ever happens to Bill, where someone else needs to take over. With the TAG axle maneuvering is such a breeze. As the front wheels turn right or left, the tag axle will turn the opposite way to bring the ass end of the rig around, helping the turn from crossing to an incoming lane or hitting parked cars, at a corner. The ride is also so smooth. We are also getting an RV In-Motion Starlink Unlimited Internet for just $135/month, which is capable of securing INTERNET by satellite, while on the go and even in very remote areas where internet is unavailable through the phones due to no cell towers or dead-zones. With this satellite , plus our cell phones as back up, we can stream movies and shows whenever wanted and therefore trim down our Dish account from the 250 channels (which we basically only watch 4-5, to a smaller one that has just what we do watch. Right off we can cut back $75 from 3 routers which keep having trouble in campgrounds, thus reducing our $135 Starlink Unlimited Internet cost to just $60; and cut back the Dish channels from $139 down to $75 to make up the difference. In this way Mary can sit in the other cockpit seat, raise the steps cover at the doorway, recline her seat and raise the footrest, and use her computer to play games or surf the internet, as well as monitor the GPS to continue to keep telling Bill what to do...  and where to go. ;-) 

At the rear, two bunk beds that convert to a full width hanging closet. 

That is where Mary will keep her 5.0 cu ft chest freezer.

Next to the rear bunks, the main bath with a huge shower with folding bench.

View of main bath area and bunk beds area (above)

and bedroom area with view of closets (below).

Further forward passing through a pocket door is a 'guest'

 half-bath and the French-door refrigerator in the kitchen.

The kitchen is ample though a bit lacking in cabinet space and under the large farm-style sink

is the dishwasher. We have always had a division of labor that Mary does the cooking and Bill does the dishes, so Bill caught a break here.

Across from the kitchen is the 'U-shaped' dinette (which can be converted into a small bed. 

And forward of that just behind the cockpit is the living room area, consisting of a long sofa (which converts into a Queen-sized bed) and across from it is very ample and comfortable theater seating, with little tables that attach to the armrest, when needed and stow in an armrest compartment, when not needed. Across from the theater seating, above and behind the long sofa is a pop-up 50" TV. BTW, this long sofa is Roxy's sofa, the one furniture that she knows is all hers and that she can get on, and where she often sleeps on.

As to the dealership Motor Home Specialist www.MHSRV,com in Alvarado Texas...

They promote themselves as the #1 Selling RV dealership (in the World), but then again... don't they all? As to whether they are or aren't we cannot say for sure. What we can attest to is that they do have a whopping inventory of primarily new (and some used) MOTORHOMES. They generally don't deal with selling  fifth wheels though they do have a few, especially since many people (like us) trade out of a fifth wheel to go into a motorhome. Thus, MHS can provide greater starting discount because of their volume sales. Traditionally, an RV dealer will advertise a 20% to 25% discount off of a models' MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price). Their actual invoice from the manufacturer is much less however (anywhere between 40% to 45%, depending on when they sell it. Therefore, a discount will increase as the model year gets older. Generally, by the current model year's mid point (toward New Year's Day) dealers want to sell as many units as they can for that fiscal year as they also get bonuses by the number of units sold in that year. Therefore, the end of the year is always a good time to buy an RV as dealers will be more open to discount a unit to get it sold, as they will make up the difference from their yearly sales bonuses. Other times good to make a deal on an RV is at an RV Show, these too are excellent opportunities for special dealer discounts, based on manufacturer's incentives to them. By the end of the current model year, when the new model year comes out, they will typically increase their discounts to 30% to 40% depending on their stock availability of older and new ones. For this reason it is important to shop different dealers, and if you are not in a hurry to get one, possibly consider ordering a new one from the manufacturer directly, so you can get just the options that you want, the layouts and furniture that you want and the colors that you like. While most other dealers in this area (Texas) are at about 25% to 28% discount by the end of 2022 (for a 2023 model year RV), which is mid-year of the 2023 model year, a left-over new 2022 model could be discounted 35% to 40% at the end of  2022, but a 2023 model would be discounted only 25%-28%. At MHS their advertised 'fiscal year end and mid-year' sale price was 30.6% off of MSRP, but  Bill negotiated additional discount by getting more for the trade. A 1% discount may seem trivial, but think of it this way... on a $628,829 MSRP, 1% is $6,288, therefore it can add up.

There are many games that dealers play in sales, but in the end what really matters is THE DIFFERENCE to be paid... whether the discounts are all applied to the unit sold, and the trade vehicle is given only Fair Trade-In value... or whether the new RV is sold for the advertised price and any further discount is given as additional value for the trade-in (over and above the actual 'fair trade-in value', or as a combination of the two, the difference ill always be the same, upon which ONLY tax, government fees, and title and registration should be added to it. BEWARE that some dealers like to use a DEALER PREP fee, or some other such nonsensical titled FEE. This is just a non-necessary fee that is nothing more than stacking the deck to provide themselves with ADDITIONAL DEALER PROFIT. Other dealers aware that today's savvy shopper is on to them with that, use the fact that they have no Dealer Prep Fees as a sales tool, but try to make all their profit in their final sales price, or by giving you less for your trade than it is potentially worth. IF ever you are buying an new RV or car/truck and want a second opinion of the deal, feel free to ask us. We have bought and sold about 5 RVs in the' last 7 years and Bill used to sell new and used cars in Florida for about 10 years. One more thing... the STATE that you buy the RV at also matters, as well as where you intend to register it. 

For example, IF you buy or trade for an RV in most states, there is no additional charge for the sale other than their collecting the Sales tax of the State that you plan to register it in (and they will send it with the title paperwork to the County and State that you tell them), plus temp tags. HOWEVER, if you buy or trade for an RV in TEXAS (for example), the government of Texas charges THE DEALER a VIT Tax, (Vehicle Inventory Tax), which is a Property Tax (not a Sales Tax) and it is imposed on the DEALER. DECEPTIVE DEALERS (apparently, such as Motor Home Specialist) will tell you that such is a mandatory tax imposed by the State of Texas and that it is included IN ALL SALES AGREEMENTS made in the State of Texas. THAT IS A BIG FAT LIE! It is a mandatory tax, but it is NOT imposed on the Buyer and he/she has no requirement to agree to pay for it.

When Bill asked the F&I Manager (Billy) about that VIT charge on the Sales Contract, he was told that that is a new tax in the State of Texas that is applicable to ALL SALES of vehicles made in the State of Texas. What do we know of Texas' taxes, so we took them at their word, giving them the benefit of doubt that would not be openly deceptive, when in reality apparently they are. Bill is composing a letter of complaint to the MHS CEO, Donny O'Banion and the Sales Manager, Mark Griffith, to give the the benefit of doubt as to this being a deceptive practice by their F&I managers, and not representative of the policy of their dealership, to reimburse us our $988.49 charged by deception, as why on earth would we agree to pay for a tax that the State of Texas imposes on their dealers. Should we pay for their electric bills too? Not getting a satisfactory response and reimbursement of our fraudulently charged VIT $, we will file a Letter of Complaint against their dealership with the Comptroller's Office and with the Attorney General of Texas, and contact the news media as to their deceptive practices, to protect any other unsuspecting public. 

As listed on the website of the Comptroller of the State of Texas (www.comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/publications/96-254/vit,php ) "PROPERTY TAX IS NOT SALES TAX: The VIT is a property tax assessed on the dealer, not the purchaser, and is a negotiable item on the sales agreement. Moreover, the VIT is not, by statute, a part of the "total consideration." Dealers may, however, separately list a reimbursement of the VIT on the sales agreement. For more VIT information, see Publication 96-545, Motor Vehicle Dealer's Special Inventory (PDF).

SALES PRICE: If the dealer and seller AGREE to include a reimbursement of the VIT in the transaction, the VIT reimbursement must be listed separately, because it cannot be listed in the sales price." 

We will update this post as we try to resolve this matter with MHS Management and see if their policy is really to be deceptive, or IF it is a case of a deceptive F&I Manager trying to over-charge the customers, even if he has to do it fraudulently.