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Maron
Nomad
Posts: 458
Registered: 4-14-2014
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Last year, we took a 28 day escorted RV tour with Baja Amigos, a great company by the way. One of the rigs was a 45 footer. The comments about
width of the roads and lack of shoulders are right on. Using two way radios, our tour guides alerted us when a bus or truck was heading our way.
This didn't make the roads any wider, but it gave ample time for the pucker up factor. We are going back next March by ourselves. Enjoy, it will be
one of best trips ever. We did have one 29ft Class C lose a mirror, hit by a north bound RV, but the tour guides had a spare.
Enjoy
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1587
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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Typical 18 wheeler pass.
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Seajet
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 8-9-2014
Location: Portsmouth, NH
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This is the type of mirror that I have, too!
Is it in a fixed position or did you make it so it can "swivel" ?
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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Don't over-stress out before your trip, Seajet. Do what your Wagonmaster tells you when you get on the road. Compared to just 5 years ago, the road
is a lot wider and safer than ever. Some stretches are a sphincter-factor of 4 (on a 1 - 5 scale) if nothing goes wrong, but they're fewer and
farther between, with newly widened construction going on all the time. You'll be fine.
Also remember the ol' driver's ed. rule: look DOWN THE ROAD a ways while driving, and mean-time practice driving with your right tires on the white
line here Stateside, it'll help. Do some narrow roads near your place... practice, practice, practice. Get used to your rig so it's second nature.
Have a wonderful trip, but be warned; IT MAY BE HABIT-FORMING. 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Seajet
Is it in a fixed position or did you make it so it can "swivel" ? |
Met a Class A'er at the Riviera RV park in Loreto years ago. Between GN and Loreto, his driver side mirror was side swiped while he drove South.
On that stretch, on that day, same thing happened to my RV.
Move and swivel the mirrors inward or they might get clipped.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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The width of your rig is more of a concern than the length....as pointed out there are sideswipes more than head-ons.
Yes, some road widening in some places, but plenty of narrow lanes with NO shoulder before dangerous drops off the pavement.
Be careful, enjoy the trip, and keep yer eyes open fore and aft.
[Edited on 8-12-2014 by motoged]
Don't believe everything you think....
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Udo
Elite Nomad
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Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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I had a 45' Monaco and was the reason I sold it and bought property instead.
I have driven the entire length of the Peninsula many-many times, but until I bought the Monaco, I never looked at it with a critical eye toward the
RV.
Here is my list of negative concerns:
Every town you drive through has speed bumps. Each speed bump (TOPE) is 8-10" high. Every time your rear axle drives over the tope, the tag axle WILL
bottom out, causing a strain on your coach's chassis, and may crack the frame.
There are only a handful of areas to pull over for overnight rests.
There is no 50 Amp electric at any RV park in Baja, and in most places (5 RV parks between Ensenada and Cabo) 2-20 amp plus are also suspect.
In LA Paz, there is only one RV park that could accommodate your RV, 3 in Los Barriles (very tight corners), and one in Cabo.
The road between San Ignacio and Santa Rosalia, is extremely narrow and very hilly. Chances are you'll come across an encounter with a truck, bus or
another RV. So be very cautious.
The last reason for selling it was the salt-air wear factor. I have seen what salt air does RVs. Cabinet doors won't open, tools rust, etc. etc.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
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Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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Trip or big nightmare job !!
Hola,,I would try driving the "Highway" (used loosely") with anything for your first time rather than a 45' RV & toad ....my personal claim to
fame is that I have towed a boat to Alaska (4)and Panama(1) and back and 25+ winters towing in baja !! (35 winters) no one can touch that
!!.....point BEing is,, do you wanna tow,, or do you wanna do Baja???? K&T
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1587
Registered: 2-22-2008
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
Hola,,I would try driving the "Highway" (used loosely") with anything for your first time rather than a 45' RV & toad ....my personal claim to
fame is that I have towed a boat to Alaska (4)and Panama(1) and back and 25+ winters towing in baja !! (35 winters) no one can touch that
!!.....point BEing is,, do you wanna tow,, or do you wanna do Baja???? K&T |
Good advice, except that it sounds like Seajet is already signed up and committed to the trip with an RV, and has been given a lot of good advice
already. As to your comment that no one can touch the number of tows you have made to Baja, I would think Pompano would be a serious contender for
that title with over 40 years traveling to Baja. Haven't seen any of his posts for awhile, really miss seeing them.
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Seajet
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 8-9-2014
Location: Portsmouth, NH
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Thanks for all the replies and the really good advice. My bus is all-electric and I do need a minimum of 30A. I talked to the wagonmaster and he told
me my power needs will be a problem. One of the campgrounds they usually go to would also be problematic size-wise due to palm trees. All this leads
me to start thinking about renting a smaller RV because I want to enjoy the trip and not have to worry all the time.
[Edited on 8-12-2014 by Seajet]
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2394
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Seajet
Thanks for all the replies and the really good advice. My bus is all-electric and I do need a minimum of 30A. I talked to the wagonmaster and he told
me my power needs will be a problem. Onoe of the campgrounds they usually go to would also be problematic size-wise due to plam trees. All this leads
me to start thinking about renting a smaller RV because I want to enjoy the trip and not have to worry all the time. |
I personally think that is an outstanding idea,, go for it
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-19-2009
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question. is this your own motorhome or do you rent it from Fantasy RV and does the motorhome trip start in new hampshire?? just curious 
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Seajet
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 8-9-2014
Location: Portsmouth, NH
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The short answer is yes, no and possibly. My wife and I are retired and we travel in the bus for most part of the year. So we would be working our way
across the country starting way before the first snow fall and eventually join the tour in San Diego, where it begins. But, as indicated above, we
will have to switch into something smaller to be able to really enjoy the trip.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6323
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Great idea...and rent something that does not have a TAG axle. I know you can raise it, but you will not be able to raise it enough.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Seajet
Thanks for all the replies and the really good advice. My bus is all-electric and I do need a minimum of 30A. I talked to the wagonmaster and he told
me my power needs will be a problem. One of the campgrounds they usually go to would also be problematic size-wise due to palm trees. All this leads
me to start thinking about renting a smaller RV because I want to enjoy the trip and not have to worry all the time.
[Edited on 8-12-2014 by Seajet] |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1587
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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Udo's points, particularly on the speed bumps "topas" are right on. However, if you have enough warning, which you should have with someone leading,
you can slow to a speed that will be much less jarring, even with a tag axle going over them. From your experience with being almost a full time RVer,
you are far from a novice driver. I'm sure you would have no problem navigating the Baja road and would be able to maneuver almost anywhere with no
problem. You will be charging your house batteries while driving, and won't need much power beyond your refrigerator. Air conditioning during the
spring when you are going won't be necessary. Running your generator to recharge will be no different than the normal courtesy protocol used in most
campgrounds in the US.
The up side of taking your own rig and Toad will be;
Comfort of your own home.
Shower and personal kitchen and various personal items.
Toad available to take side trips as time permits. Example- You will undoubtedly be staying on Conception bay with miles of beautiful beach camping.
Ability to get into nearby Mulege and do some exploring or shopping on your own a big plus.
I have found that you can find a way to fit into most of the RV parks in Baja although some are challenging.
You won't need more than 30 amps to be comfortable at that time of year.
I'm sure the Caravan your taking has had 45 footers before. Do they have any concerns?
The down side:
As Udo pointed out, the Baja road is hard on any RV, particularly the large ones. Plan on something shaking loose, hopefully mostly minor items. The
road keeps getting better, but still needs a lot of work in sections.
Having to leave your RV and Toad somewhere safe in San Diego and renting a smaller one without the comfort level you have in your RV.
Having traveled Baja with a 43ft RV with 4 door jeep many times with no problems, and knowing most of the pitfalls, if I were you I would go for it
with your own rig. I only say this having seen that you are an experienced RV handler and the odds are with you. Most of my problems with plowing into
topas has been not paying attention to the advance warning signs. Not the same with unseen potholes however. It seems every village chief along the
way must have authority to put up as many topas as his local front end alignment shops can handle the business for.
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Seajet
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 8-9-2014
Location: Portsmouth, NH
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Again, I do appreciate all of your comments. Quite obviously, most of you have enjoyed Baja for a long time. After having spoken to the wagonmaster, I
have decided it will be best to leave our bus behind in storage on the US side and to either rent or possibly buy a smaller RV.
Furthermore, another concern of mine is, that our bus is a moving neon sign. Just go the YouTube and search "Teschner Prevost" and you will see what I
mean. ... :-)
Furthermore, even though a talked my wife into getting and wearing a "vamp" style wig, you would really not want to hear her sing.
:-)
Ronald
PS: Udo, besten Dank fuer die Kommentare!
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Seajet
... I cannot really see driving to be that much more difficult. Otherwise, people would stay away. Then again, at 45ft length and a weight of 54,000
lbs, I am surely in the minority |
You were correct in the 2nd and 3rd sentence. People with 45ft motorhomes do stay away, they are a minority here. It's a fun place to be, not to drive
big rigs.
Somebody mentioned hiring a Mex taxi driver for motorhome - it was a good one  .
Seriously, to "see" Baja, you don't have to take your motorhome there. A plane to Loreto, hotel, rental car to get around - is all you need. Less
stress, more freedom, and very likely same comfort for less money. Though if you need a guide, a group travel is the only choice then. I would
suggest to stop worrying, this is what guides are for. There will be a power on most camps, and as others noted, March isn't that hot to need two A/C
- or even one A/C on some days. Filtered water in 5-gal jars is everywhere, and, as noted, you won't get sick of taking a shower with camp water
lines.
Edit-PS: being late to discussion, I haven't read the last OP post - the problem has apparently resolved by itself, as I can see.
[Edited on 8-13-2014 by Alm]
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willyAirstream
Super Nomad
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Registered: 1-1-2010
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Yes, Olivia is very beautiful, but leaving her home is a good idea for the first trip. On your next trip where you might want to stay in one place for
awhile, she would be very comfy.( you may want to cover her `tat` for baja 
Curious what you will chose for the small baja RV, let us know please. A 2014 VW bus maybe or the 6x6 Wothahelizat maybe
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-19-2009
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out of curiosity, since the invention and popularity of the slide out, do 45' motorhomes really need to be 8 1/2' wide?? how bout a 7' wide coach?
make it easier on everyone when traveling narrow roads!
(just thinking out loud)
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 8-5-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by willardguy
out of curiosity, since the invention and popularity of the slide out, do 45' motorhomes really need to be 8 1/2' wide?? how bout a 7' wide coach?
make it easier on everyone when traveling narrow roads!
(just thinking out loud) |
Good thinking but would they sell in the US where narrow roads are rare compared to miles and miles of superslabs? If they were a lot cheaper I
suppose.
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