BajaNomad

Letter of authorization from vehicle lender needed?

akmccowen - 9-21-2021 at 03:22 PM

Hi all:

Newbie here researching our December trip to BCS. We'll be pulling a travel trailer down; both our truck and trailer are financed. I read on an RV forum that the Border will require letters of authorization from our lenders granting permission for the vehicle/trailer to be in Mexico. Is that true for Baja or only when obtaining a TIP?

When I called our lender on our trailer, they refuse to provide authorization and told us we were unable to take our trailer to Mexico. Our loan docs state "You agree not to remove the vehicle from the U.S. or Canada... without our written permission." This seems ludicrous for the amount of travel to Baja!

We'll be refinancing... Any favorite known lenders who will provide authorization of trailers into Mexico? I'm working on our truck lender now and it doesn't sound like it will be a problem.

SFandH - 9-21-2021 at 03:50 PM

I think if you have current registration docs that match the plates, the Baja Mex officials will say OK - welcome to Mexico (if they ask for any docs). Don't forget to buy Mex insurance and get a tourist permit.

www.bajabound.com



[Edited on 9-21-2021 by SFandH]

JZ - 9-21-2021 at 04:00 PM

You just need the registration. No lender letter required.


PaulW - 9-21-2021 at 04:37 PM

True the lender wants you to have permission. As stated in the loan agreement or contract.
Just go and if you have an accident just drag the remains to the US and file the claim.
Of course nobody other than the lender cares about such details. Sometimes registration is all you need to cross the border. Many times I have been asked to show registration for the trailer and/or a vehicle on a trailer. Never had to show a registration for my car or truck even when pulling.

mtgoat666 - 9-21-2021 at 06:57 PM

Mexico customs does not care who your lien holder is for a financed vehicle. Just make sure your name is on registration.

If you ask your lender if you can take their vehicle to Mexico, they will probably point to a clause in your loan contract that says no dice.

If you get in an accident in Mexico and get a payout, don’t know if your Mexico insurance policy will pay you or the lien holder. If the insurer even bother to pay anyone.

surabi - 9-21-2021 at 08:27 PM

I'd venture to guess that the number of people who want to pull a financed travel trailer to Baja is not nearly the amount you presume- there is nothing ludicrous about the lender not agreeing to that. If it got damaged or stolen while out of the home country, claims would be much more complicated and lengthy than in-country.

JZ - 9-21-2021 at 08:47 PM

Per Wiki, 50,000 vehicles cross at San Ysidro daily. A whole lot of them have loans on them.

All you need for the MX authorities is the registration.

Make sure you have insurance in the event you have an accident. All your bank cares about is getting their loan paid off.






[Edited on 9-22-2021 by JZ]