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Travel South of the Border!?

Yahoo Message Number: 71246
We are considering - really, JUST CONSIDERING! - traveling through South America in our coach. Has anyone done this, or know anyone who has? How crazy is this? Repairs, spare parts, tow service, safety?

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71251
About 4 years ago we did the Copper Canyon Trip in Mexico , where your coach was loaded on a rail car ( they no longer do this ) for a tour through the rim of the Copper Canyon ( Mexico's version of the Grand Canyon ) All this was arranged by a tour company. Just getting the coach into Mexico was quite difficult. We had to list , most everything in the coach, as the Mexicans are worried about you selling it there. They compare what you bring back. For instance we were encouraged to list the approximate number of tools in the tool box. Interestingly, trailers and fifth wheels don't have to do this. We crossed the border south of Deming NM. There were about 3 road blocks by Mexican military, in the first 150 miles. Some of the "military " were teenagers with machine guns. There are also inspection stations for fruits and vegetables, depending where you go. If you can't speak Spanish, absolutely , forget it. Insurance can be a big problem, as well. We heard a story, about a person with a coach, that hit a bridge abutment. Never mind the damage to the coach, the coach was confiscated, until the bridge was repaired, despite having all the insurance coverage. The stories can go on.I know there are people that go into Mexico with their coaches, but you wouldn't catch me there again. This is just Mexico. Every country has a different set of rules. There are better places to visit with assured safety, albeit, not easily by Motorhome. ( try Canada , we love you guys ) Borders are always a pain. Whether going or coming. This past fall we traveled into the US with 2 other coaches. I was the middle coach, and was questioned for about an hour, for no good reason. can you imagine that happening , in one of those other countries , where you may not speak the language or know what the rules are. ( maybe rules created , on the spot ) If you wish to go, I wish you a lot of luck

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71252
I agree with everything written below., I do business in Mexico and now days I do not travel to Mexico by car or any type of vehicle. I am not concerned about the Mexican Government it is the drug cartels that scare the hell out of me.

Walt

2004 Inspire 50010

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71254
Having traveled throughout many parts of Mexico for over 30 years in private aircraft, class A motorhomes, class C motorhomes, trucks with campers, trailers, motorcycles, boats, etc. I would like to offer a different perspective on travel in Mexico. Most parts of Mexico are every bit as safe as many parts of the United States. Are there problems in areas such as Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, etc.? Absolutely! Would I travel today throughout Mexico in my Intrigue? Yes, but I would not cross the border at El Paso, and I would not travel throughout the country alone (without another coach). Are border crossings annoying and frustrating? Absolutely, especially northbound back into the US. Are there military check points through the country that may inspect my coach? Yes, but I am a savvy enough traveler to minimize the extent of the inspection. Are there individuals who may wish to steal from me? Absolutely, but that also exists in Washington DC today. Mexican people (in general) are some of the nicest, friendliest, caring people on the planet. They are extremely poor and their economy has been terribly injured by worldwide economic factors, and by the US media completely destroying the Mexican economy by overstating the gang, drug, crime issues. I do not imply that there are not issues, but many of the risks can be mitigated in advance with proper preparation and research. Would I advise a semi-novice traveler to drive his coach throughout Mexico by himself with no language skills? Absolutely not, but I think the condition of many roads are a greater hazard than the other issues combined. I cannot comment on other countries south of Mexico. Incidentally, my wife and I spend 6 months each winter (for the past 8 years) in San Felipe, Mexico and absolutely love it.

Dick Bradley

04 Intrigue #11830

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71255
Do you want to travel in South America (Colombia and beyond) or Mexico and Central America?

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71256
Unless someone is living in a vacuum you must realize there is a war going on in Mexico, and not just

along the borders. People are being kidnapped, killed, robbed of their possessions, their homes and

futures. Anyone displaying anything of value is subject to potential harm.
Going to Mexico is not an

option if you value your lively hood and your family. Just call our State Department or our Ambassadors

Offices in Mexico.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731. El Paso, Texas.

Original Message:
-----------------

From: RonaldB baran2@... Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 18:12:30 -0000 To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Travel South of the Border!?

About 4 years ago we did the Copper Canyon Trip in Mexico , where your coach was loaded on a rail

car ( they no longer do this ) for a tour through the rim of the Copper Canyon ( Mexico's version of the

Grand Canyon ) All this was arranged by a tour company. Just getting the coach into Mexico was quite

difficult. We had to list , most everything in the coach, as the Mexicans are worried about you selling it

there. They compare what you bring back. For instance we were encouraged to list the approximate

number of tools in the tool box. Interestingly, trailers and fifth wheels don't have to do this. We crossed

the border south of Deming NM. There were about 3 road blocks by Mexican military, in the first 150

miles. Some of the "military " were teenagers with machine guns. There are also inspection stations for

fruits and vegetables, depending where you go. If you can't speak Spanish, absolutely , forget it.

Insurance can be a big problem, as well. We heard a story, about a person with a coach, that hit a

bridge abutment. Never mind the damage to the coach, the coach was confiscated, until the bridge was

repaired, despite having all the insurance coverage. The stories can go on.I know there are people that

go into Mexico with their coaches, but you wouldn't catch me there again.
This is just Mexico. Every

country has a different set of rules. There are better places to visit with assured safety, albeit, not easily by Motorhome. ( try Canada , we love you guys ) Borders are always a pain. Whether going or coming.

This past fall we traveled into the US with 2 other coaches. I was the middle coach, and was questioned

for about an hour, for no good reason. can you imagine that happening , in one of those other

countries , where you may not speak the language or know what the rules are. ( maybe rules created ,

on the spot ) If you wish to go, I wish you a lot of luck

Ron Baran 09 Magna 7025

mail2web.com ? Enhanced email for the mobile individual based on Microsoft® Exchange - http://link.mail2web.com/Personal/EnhancedEmail

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71257
In addition, I see no reason to add anything to the economy of Mexico.

George

'04 Inspire 51061

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71270
Dick

I have not been able to identify RV parks in San Felipe that seem to be suitable for a 40 ft Class A. Any brief suggestions?

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71277
Dan,

Unfortunately the ocean front, luxury RV parks in San Felipe that brought most of us down here years ago have been converted to homes and condos, leaving very few big rig sites in San Felipe. Kiki's park on the beach has a few big sites. Demand for RV sites is increasing again and we hope that a new park will be developed soon. Pete's Camp RV Park is the current favorite, lots of big rig sites, right on the beach, but no hookups.

Dick Bradley 04 Intrigue #11830

Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71306
Dan,

It may be none of my business, but I must share with you the following. We lived in Chula Vista Ca. which is community made up of over 50 per cent hispanic population. I was an employee of the high school that is about 6 miles from the bordert as a crow would fly. Our populations of the school is about 63 per cent Hispanic. The faculty is made up of 30 per cent hispanic. We have many Hispanic friends that have rfelatives over the border.

Whether you talk about the Hispanic Community, Students the high school, faculty, or our friends. You do not go South of the Border unless it is an emergency. We have friends that have given their business to the employees because of the danger of traveling South.
We have one friend that works South of the Border, and another that has family. They go dressed in dirty old cloths and both have a beat up old car, so they will not identify themselves as haviong any money. Our previous neighbor has a Dental Practice with his son in T.J. and also part time office in the States. Two months ago Drug gains took his son hostage and killed him. These kinds of intneses do not make the paper and are kept from general public. There are 5-6 killings every day related to tourists. The Mexican government does not rerelease this information because the tourist industry has been destroyed. Unfortunately the poor people who need jobs, food for their families are the one most damaged.

I have free golf at Del Mar by the Sea, absolutely the most beautiful course you could play, that is up against the ocean. The gangs know that those who go there have money, and has become a location for hostage taking. I have not gone in two years, even though one of my X students runs the place and extends to me the course for free.

Going South of the border in a motorhome is like waiving a flag that I have money come and get the money and kill my family. The police are the most corrupt and many work for the gangs.

Country Coach Owner

Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71307
I forgot my name would appear as the sender of the previous message. I would appreciate you keeping this message to yourselfs. I also fear retaliation, we have seen it first hand in our community. Sorry about the typo in previous message below has been corrected.

Begin forwarded message:
 

Fwd: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: Travel South of the Border!?

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 71335
Wow,

Why in the world would you live in Chula Vista? Your crime rate is similar to that across the border. You live in fear. Move north!