Yahoo Message Number: 99650 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99650)
Giving some thought to traveling into Mexico with the CC. Would be interested to hear from those that have the experience and what their impressions were.
Mark and Dénise
07 Inspire
currently in Pacific City Oregon
Yahoo Message Number: 99651 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99651)
We've heard the gambit from wonderful to their coach, toad, and everything confiscated and not returned. These were all verified direct from the participants. I think your responses are going to be pretty much the same, ut it will be interesting to see them. I've not had any direct experience, but was considering it the same as you. Good luck, we decided it wasn't worth the risk, but we're very conservative.
Roger Harper
2007 Affinity
#6840
Yahoo Message Number: 99652 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99652)
I spent 10 years (winters) in Mexico on my boat on the West Coast and found the Mexican people honest, friendly and hard working. When I sold my boat and came back to RVing we planned on going down to Mexico and see the interior including the ruins but things have changed and with the cartels near the borders we decided that with a nice class A we maybe look to wealthy and more of a target so we have put that trip off and hope things change in the near future.
John
08 Intrigue
10 Ford Escape
Yahoo Message Number: 99653 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99653)
IF YOU DO GO TO MEXICO, be sure there are NO FIREARMS in your coach. ALSO, know the roads vary from good to almost impassable in places. Also, DO NOT go to isolated places where you might encounter Bandits.
Yahoo Message Number: 99654 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99654)
We are in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas for the winter. A large group of Canadians (mainly Quebec) left here for Mexico the 6th of January. They did have a handler (caravan operator) with them and all permits and formalities were taken care of by him. They also employed Federalies to escort them south through the first 40 miles of Mexico. I think they had escorts back up through the California side set up for 2 months later. We used to go down there but not the way things are now.
Yahoo Message Number: 99655 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99655)
We have thought the CC might be a gold brick driving down the road. mark
Yahoo Message Number: 99656 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99656)
We have travelled to Mexico in January 2007. We drove our fifth wheel to Matzalan. It was an interesting experience. We had NO problems with any theft or bad people, but that was long before all of the drug wars.
You can check out blog
http://sqdncr.blogspot.com (http://sqdncr.blogspot.com)
If you go to the archives on the right side of the screen you will see January 2007. Check that months plus February 2007, March 2007, and April 2007.
Be sure to purchase mexico insurance. Can't remember who we used, but you definitely need that. Also, when we went you needed to bring your title of your vehicle with you. Also, there was an entry fee and they registered that title. Something about not being able to sell it in Mexico. But, remember this was 2007 so lots could have changed since then.
You might also check out the book Mexican Camping by Mike and Terri Church. They have lots of good info on it.
Connie
Yahoo Message Number: 99662 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99662)
John,
I have spent the last 5 years traveling in Mexico in my 40' Inspire towing a '04 Ford Explorer.
The first thing that I do is overnight on the US side of the border, most of the time in Laredo, TX. There is an excellent Texas Visitors Center on I-35 exit 18 that I overnight in. I am at the border when it opens at 8:00 am (Columbia Crossing) It will take about an hour to get your import permits.
We spent 3 1/2 months touring the Yucatan without a problem. The only difficulty that I had was there are some of the RV Parks that are very tight for our size of rig, you need to bring 40 ft. of sewer hose to reach some of the dump spout and be very careful of the electrical hook-ups.
I use the toll roads exclusively which is heavily patrolled. By the time the 'bad guys' wake up, you will be 4 to 5 hrs. south of the problem . You will be more comfortable travelling with a 2nd motorhome.
I highly recommend getting a copy of the Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping by Mike & Terri Church. All the details you need are in the book. It was my Bible for travelling in Mexico.
I have a copy of my itinerary that I will be happy to send you. Feel free to contact me at met6195@... (met6195@...) if you need more information.
Michael Title
05 Inspire #51381
****************************************
Note: do not reply to mtitle@...
Email: met6195@...
Michael Title
B.C. Canada
CDN Cell: 604.741.3328
La Cañada, San Miguel De Allende,
Guanajuato, Mexico
MEX Cell: [52] 415.100.1543
Yahoo Message Number: 99663 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99663)
You can take a gun to Mexico. You have to buy a permit every year. All they want is the tax money. Dont go with out a shot gun. You buy the permit at the border or the next check point different at some places.
Yahoo Message Number: 99666 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99666)
We plan to take our CC to the Puerto Vallarta area next winter. We will cross at Nogales and take the toll hwy south. A couple of years back we drove the toad (Subaru Forester) to El Fuerta and caught the train to Creel and hired a guide to take us to Batopilas in the Copper Canyon. Wonderful trip. We love Mexico.
DavidW
06 Intrigue #11993
Yahoo Message Number: 99667 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99667)
We have been traveling Baja Mx every year for the past 12 years. For the first 9 years we had a 26ft class C towing a Chevy Tracker. For the last 3 years we travel in a 38ft Intrigue with a tag towing a Jeep Wrangler. We have gone all the way to Cabo but spend most of our winters boondocking on a beach fronting the Sea of Cortez about 600 miles south of the border. We generally arrive in late Nov.and head north mid March. We have had zero issues with crime or the police. Buy Mexican auto insurance and get a tourist permit and you are good to go. You are safer here than many of the streets in US cities. That is unless you are involved with the illegal drug business then all bets are off. Many good travel books and maps are available which will make your trip south much easier.
Norm
04 Intrigue #11773
Yahoo Message Number: 99675 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99675)
Thanks Norm. We travel to Mexico frequently bit never in an rv. I am interested in san Felipe and perhaps other areas on the main land. Thanks for the reply. mark
Yahoo Message Number: 99678 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99678)
We just returned from Mexico (in our Country Coach Intrigue). We travel to Mexico every year with a group called the Mexican Connection ... it's a Chapter of the Escapees RV Club. You can check them out at http://www.mexicanconnection08.com/ (http://www.mexicanconnection08.com/). It's a fun group and we pick a different destination each year with the trips occurring in February. We just returned from Kino Bay on the east side of the Sea of Cortez and next year's trip will be to Puerto Penasco (also known as Rocky Point) and camping there is right on the beach. In years gone by the rallies went much deeper into Mexico but in recent years the destinations have been within a 1-2 day drive. Many rally attendees do stay on beyond the rally end and even travel in smaller groups to locations deeper into Mexico.
We've been traveling to Mexico for years with no problems. Granted, many years ago we would have no concerns about traveling anywhere in Mexico usually with one other RV. Nowadays we travel with the Mexican Connection and the rallies vary in size from 25 to 75 RVs. We travel in groups of 6 or 7 RVs so as not to clog the highways with a monstrous caravan. Each small group has a Group Leader who has had experience traveling in Mexico and each group also has a Tail Gunner because we never leave anyone behind.
Check out the Chapter at their Website http://www.mexicanconnection08.com/ (http://www.mexicanconnection08.com/) (which is currently undergoing reconstruction but all the information is there). The Chapter is organized to (1) enjoy travel in Mexico and absorb the Mexican experience, (2) to introduce new travelers to the ease of traveling in Mexico, and (3) to conduct charity work in each of the communities where we hold our annual rallies. The charity work consists of bringing along "in-kind" donations to distribute (i.e., material goods), holding auctions to raise funds to distribute to needy groups such as orphanages, battered women shelters, etc., and we've even pitched in to help build facilities (something like a scaled down Habitat for Humanity).
The trips are always fun, we've never experienced any of the problems that make headlines in the US newspapers, the food is great, the people are friendly, may folks get paint and body work done at very reasonable prices while at our destinations, many folks have their RV washed and waxed at the rally location, and we've never felt threatened traveling there in our Country Coach Intrigue. We always pull a toad and it is a must to obtain Mexican liability insurance on each vehicle ... additional insurance is optional and all insurance can be purchased for the number of days you plan to be in Mexico or for 6 months or for a whole year.
The website can answer more questions or I can try to field questions on this topic.
Steve B
Intrigue 11382
Yahoo Message Number: 99682 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99682)
Great to some rational discussion about RV travel in Mexico, which wshould drown out the fear-monngering sensationalism of FOX news created stories.
DavidW
06 Intrigue 11993
Yahoo Message Number: 99684 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99684)
Re: Guns in Mexico
Even if Tom is correct I would NOT bring any firearms into Mexico. The laws here are different. The reality is you are guilty and therefore need to prove your innocence. In my opinion the legal system is broken and you can spend many weeks or months in jail before you get a hearing.
In my 6 years of traveling in Mexico, there is no need for us to carry a firearm. I don't travel after dark and always park in camp grounds or populated areas. That being said, I met a couple who always parks by them selves on the beach and has never had a problem. Besides, you'll be out manned and out gunned if you are unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
For those of us who travel in Mexico on a regular basis, non of us have had any trouble of any kind.
Michael Title
05 Inspire #51381
****************************************
Note: do not reply to mtitle@...
Email: met6195@...
Michael Title
B.C. Canada
CDN Cell: 604.741.3328
La Cañada, San Miguel De Allende,
Guanajuato, Mexico
MEX Cell: [52] 415.100.1543
Yahoo Message Number: 99685 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99685)
Really David? I watch Fox news all the time and never heard them mention anything about RV camping in Mexico. Maybe I'll try to get in touch with NBC's Brian Williams to find the real truth.
Carl
09 Inspire 360
Yahoo Message Number: 99686 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99686)
Quoting a famous line in a movie "You can't 'handle the truth" please no pissing matches.
Yahoo Message Number: 99687 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99687)
Excellent information that I was hoping for. I would be interested in going to puerto vallarta as we have made many trips there. We will also consider the caravan process. Thanks for all the good information. mark
Yahoo Message Number: 99699 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/99699)
When I travel to Mexico, it is usually to go hunting. I have no problem with carrying either a hunting rifle, or a shotgun. As previously noted, simply announce it, pay the fee (tax), and proceed.
Jim Hill
2008 Tribute 260
81138
Yahoo Message Number: 102224 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/102224)
Hi David,
we are starting to look at our plans for the winter and wondering where you park the RV in Puerto Vallarta? we have been to PV many times, and like the Los Muertos area.
Thanks in advance
MarkL
Yahoo Message Number: 102225 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/102225)
Hi Mark L.
I hope you don't mind me butting in. I have traveled Mexico extensively using the Mike & Terry Church Mexico Camping Book. They also have a camping book for the Baja. Their last edition was the 4th so will be a little out of date. Be prepared that some of the parks will now be closed due to lack of business. The parks along the coast are very popular and you must make reservations.
We have now done most of Mexico in our 40' Inspire. Our coach was a little big for some of the parks but do able.
If I can be of any help, please contact me at the met6195@... (met6195@...)
Safe travels,
Michael
05 Inspire #51381
**************************************** Note: do not reply to mtitle@...
Email: met6195@...
Michael Title
B.C. Canada
CDN Cell: 604.741.3328
La Cañada, San Miguel De Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
MEX Cell: [52] [1] 415.100.1543
Yahoo Message Number: 102351 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/102351)
Just wondering??Has anyone stayed overnight at FMCA's "Round Bottom" member campground? Is it a safe and good place to stay? D Jean
CC 81072
Yahoo Message Number: 102355 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/102355)
We have stayed there and yes it is totally safe. They did have a host but I'm not sure if they still do.
If you are there and like ice cream, make sure you go to Grader's.
Don
'02 Intrigue 11427
Yahoo Message Number: 102358 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/102358)
Where can I find more information on the Round Bottom park?
Mark Laser
07 Inspire
Yahoo Message Number: 102379 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/102379)
The FMCA Campground has 15 full-hookup sites for members to use. All sites are on paved surfaces. Maximum stay is two nights per month at no charge; maximum five additional nights at $20 per night.
Members should always call ahead before arriving at the campground. Occasionally the campground is occupied by FMCA chapters holding rallies or by members of the Executive Board and various FMCA committees. So, call ahead before visiting.
The FMCA Campground is owned and operated by FMCA and is licensed by the Hamilton County Health Department as an RV park.
When they are in town, FMCA members are welcome to tour the main FMCA office building on Clough Pike. However, members should not drive their motorhomes to the Clough Pike office, because its parking lot cannot accommodate them.
Don
'02 Intrigue 11427