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05-31-2015, 02:20 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: David
Trailer: Airstream International CCD 28
Florida
Posts: 211
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Solar tax credit
I added a 320 WATT Solar system to my Oliver this year. The IRS information on Energy credits says there is a 30% tax credit available if this is for my residence, which for me it is for part of the year. Any tax experts here who have an opinion as to whether an RV qualifies for the tax credit?
Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV
__________________
2007 Airstream International CCD 28
2016 Dodge Ram Sport 5.7 Hemi 4WD
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05-31-2015, 05:11 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,021
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I won't claim to be an expert, but I seem to recall reading something a couple of years ago in Publication 17 about self-contained RVs qualifying as a second residence. You might get a copy of the publication (available online at irs.gov) and check that section.
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05-31-2015, 05:43 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Jack L
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17-Looking for a new one
Washington
Posts: 1,561
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I believe that the "second home" or "vacation home" test requires that there is a bathroom. Years ago I had a motor yacht which qualified as a second home under IRS rules. I don't know if the rules have changed now.
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06-01-2015, 09:35 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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320 Watts? Holy Cow. Can you really use all that?
Walt
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06-01-2015, 12:08 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: David
Trailer: Airstream International CCD 28
Florida
Posts: 211
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Is 320 a lot? That is the factory option from Oliver Travel Trailer Company. Don't know but I guess time will tell. We have 4 Trojan T 105 batteries with 450 AH. Will be doing some extended dry camping this Summer so we will get to know our batteries better then.
Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV
__________________
2007 Airstream International CCD 28
2016 Dodge Ram Sport 5.7 Hemi 4WD
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06-01-2015, 12:19 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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Sounds like Olivers are on a different plane electrically. I'm more familiar with Casitas which come with a single battery, and a small percentage of owners, mostly boondockers add a second battery.
I don't recall hearing any Casita owners who felt the need for more than 100 watts of solar.
Walt
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06-01-2015, 01:11 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Trailer: Oliver Legacy Elite 2008
Posts: 127
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It takes a lot of energy to power the slide-outs ya just gotta love Ollies . . .
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06-01-2015, 01:16 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete
It takes a lot of energy to power the slide-outs ya just gotta love Ollies . . .
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Or more to the point, the motorized stabilizing/leveling jacks at all 4 corners and motorized tongue jack.
Yep, I'm beginning to get it.
Walt
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06-01-2015, 01:36 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: David
Trailer: Airstream International CCD 28
Florida
Posts: 211
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No slides on Ollie but the electric jacks are great. In reality the Oliver is very efficient. All lights are led. TV is 12 or 120 volt. I bought the inverter for microwave, induction cooktop, and hair dryer.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Fiberglass RV mobile app
__________________
2007 Airstream International CCD 28
2016 Dodge Ram Sport 5.7 Hemi 4WD
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06-01-2015, 01:49 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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I'm not about to knock the Oliver, a great trailer.
About efficiency, that depends on your definition (of what is is?)
In terms of the trailer battery, my arm is infinitely more efficient than the motorized jacks. Just a different perspective. And regarding LEDs,it's now possible to switch out all bulbs on a Casita for well under $50.
But the fact that Oliver installs 4 batteries and 320 Watts solar, even with LEDs, shows it's in a whole different category electrically than Casitas, Scamps, etc.
I don't say that's bad any more than I say Airstreams are bad. Just that in some ways they are in a whole different category, electrically, efficiency, and cost-wise.
I might be tempted to say the Oliver is an Airstream in fiberglass clothing.
Walt
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06-01-2015, 01:55 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: David
Trailer: Airstream International CCD 28
Florida
Posts: 211
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Yep.
__________________
2007 Airstream International CCD 28
2016 Dodge Ram Sport 5.7 Hemi 4WD
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06-01-2015, 02:04 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: Oliver Legacy Elite 2008
Posts: 127
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Yes, we do have three point, powered leveling positions on the Ollies that consume energy on initial setup. The nice thing about trumpetguy's double 160W panel system and bazzillion amp hour is he can go deep into the forest, under a thick canopy of trees and not need to run a generator for a long time, or maybe not at all because the panels can collect energy in dappled light.
It might not be a big enough system to heat up his jacuzzi, though
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06-01-2015, 02:18 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete
It might not be a big enough system to heat up his jacuzzi, though
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Yeah, but he's in Florida. It doesn't need heating.
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06-01-2015, 02:23 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Ron
Trailer: 2015 Oliver Legacy Elite II - Hull #69
South Carolina
Posts: 356
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I've yet to see my batteries deplete at all - the solar easily keeps up with usage. If you don't need the air conditioning, you really don't need a 110v hookup at all in an Oliver.
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06-01-2015, 02:25 PM
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#15
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Member
Name: Bex
Trailer: Casita
California
Posts: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack L
I believe that the "second home" or "vacation home" test requires that there is a bathroom. Years ago I had a motor yacht which qualified as a second home under IRS rules. I don't know if the rules have changed now.
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To qualify as a home, it must have separate bedroom, kitchen and toilet.
The term “dwelling unit” includes a house, apartment, condominium, mobile home, boat, or similar property, which provides basic living accommodations such as sleeping space, toilet, and cooking facilities”.
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06-01-2015, 02:28 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rebeccasf
To qualify as a home, it must have separate bedroom, kitchen and toilet.
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I think many of our trailers could qualify, in some cases with a simple mod (partition).
Walt
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06-01-2015, 03:43 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: David
Trailer: Airstream International CCD 28
Florida
Posts: 211
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It is always interesting to watch a discussion morph from the original question, which was about the solar tax credit. Now we are discussing the merits of minimal vs. maximum capacity with a lean toward comparing one trailer with another. If this thread lives on it will be fascinating to see where it ends.
Sent from my iPad using Fiberglass RV
__________________
2007 Airstream International CCD 28
2016 Dodge Ram Sport 5.7 Hemi 4WD
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06-01-2015, 03:53 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Walter
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B
SW Virginia
Posts: 2,254
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I agree, but I'm pleased to see this thread has returned to its original topic.
Walt
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06-01-2015, 05:21 PM
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#19
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Member
Name: Bex
Trailer: Casita
California
Posts: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WaltP
I think many of our trailers could qualify, in some cases with a simple mod (partition).
Walt
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I believe the meaning is meant to be "dedicated". So it can't be a dinette that converts into a bed. It must have been created exclusively for use as a bed.
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06-01-2015, 06:26 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: Paul
Trailer: '04 Scamp 19D, TV:Tacoma 3.5L 4door, SB
Colorado
Posts: 1,845
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I do not begrudge David's taking advantage, or exploring how to benefit from the existing tax credits, but I am philosophically opposed to them. The new technologies do not rise up because of some taxpayer support. They come from basic research discoveries that happen long before any government entity ever hears of them. The commercialization of new technologies should follow a more natural path and everybody would be better off. Think solyndra, or ethanol, or....
So, how about a bed sheet hanging from the ceiling to create "dedicated" spaces and make my Scamp in to a "home" and get some money out of you, other friendly taxpayers?
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