BajaNomad

Whats in or on your RV for a trip to BAJA

PokerGuy - 6-12-2009 at 12:58 PM

As seen from my first thread,I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. My question for those who have made the trips, and the mistakes of living in a tough area is what things that I may not have thought about should I make sure are available in my RV.

I have never lived in one, never driven one, and will be doing all my research before I purchase, but i see alot of options such as different sized water and waste tanks,solar panels, double batteries, generators.

Other than the norms, what is needed to survive the baja?

motoged - 6-12-2009 at 01:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PokerGuy
...I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. .... what is needed to survive the baja?


PG,
More than asking other people how to do it:lol:

David K - 6-12-2009 at 01:05 PM

Come on, be nice... Nomads are here to help!

Poker Guy, welcome aboard... I am a truck/ tent camper, so I don't have the advice you are after... Our biggest concern is usually having enough ice and beer... We often 4WD to remote places to camp... just us and nature, and we love it!

motoged - 6-12-2009 at 01:54 PM

Dave,
I promise to take my meds by supper time....


BUT...you have to consider the types of questions that sometimes get asked on BN....some seem to expect others to do all their thinking for them....a bit of googling might be in order for some of this stuff....

Advice can't replace experience, although it can assist it....I understand that.

PG seems to be cooking up a plan/dream and I get that....it will be interesting in a year to see what he has done, or if he is still in the dreaming phase....

I promise to play nice after the meds kick in:saint:

mtgoat666 - 6-12-2009 at 01:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PokerGuy
As seen from my first thread,I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. My question for those who have made the trips, and the mistakes of living in a tough area is what things that I may not have thought about should I make sure are available in my RV.

I have never lived in one, never driven one, and will be doing all my research before I purchase, but i see alot of options such as different sized water and waste tanks,solar panels, double batteries, generators.

Other than the norms, what is needed to survive the baja?


If you are going to Baja to try living there, why don't you first go drive around for a few weeks (in a normal car), then find a town you like and rent a house for a month or two or three?

I wonder if you are sane to dump a large wad of dough into buying an RV having never traveled/lived in one. Go rent an RV for a long weekend or two, go camp in desert, and see if you like it.

Timo1 - 6-12-2009 at 02:01 PM

Start with "The List" in the Q&A section....then when you get to Baja start your own list...been working on my latest list myself

landyacht318 - 6-12-2009 at 02:03 PM

I have gotten my van to the point where I can park it and not have to move it for a month, living in comfort and laughing at tent campers when the inevitable windstorm kicks up.

IMO the one necessary thing to accomplish this is a compressor fridge and a solar panel in the 130 watt range and at least 2 group 27 batteries with the ability to isolate the engine battery.

Warm beer in the hot desert sucks, and having to pack up camp just for more ice sucks. But not having enough storage for beer to last a month is the worst.

That's why one also has to have enough tequila so as to conserve the precious beer supply.

So figure out what bases you need to cover for how long and how much room those bases will take, and get and outfit the right vehicle that has at least a limited slip differential.

Also Shade. Wind resistant shade.

PokerGuy - 6-12-2009 at 02:10 PM

As an heavy poster on a poker website, i understand what its like when newbs come in and ask silly questions motoged. I tried to ask a question direclty related to rving in the baja and experience there. I have done my research on rvs and notice things such as water storeage battery life. But I have lived in the US and the east coast for that fact for my entire life.

I was trying to lead my research in the right direction, and landy's info was something that I was looking for.

As for going down and renting a home in my own car, it is kinda opposite the idea of me going down. I am plannning on living off the beaten path by the ocean, and really get away from it all. I will hopefully be visiting for a few days at the end fo the summer, but new jobs and financial responsibilities like always have tied me down. Ill be out there by this time next year i hope.

Thanks again for all the help

Timo1 - 6-12-2009 at 02:28 PM

first and foremost be self contained...able to generate electricity..to air up tires
Then worry about things you had not thot of...you'll be able to buy them there
Take your RV on a shakedown cruise and find out what YOU need...We don't know what you need...The basics for survival is a REAL good start

Water you'll be buying to drink so don't pack a whole tank of USA approved drinking water...Did that...Cost me a lot in fuel
Dual Batteries is a must...one for coach..The other for chassis
I have in-line 6 vlt batteries for coach

Shade....Make sure your unit has an awning thats easily let down and back
The wind can shred awnings...But you need it

Chairs for outside....doesn't take long to make friends

and THE most important crucial thing...BEER

No Carona

Fred - 6-12-2009 at 02:38 PM

I always make sure I have:

beer
gas
toilet paper

Anything else you can buy. I have limited storage space in my VW Westy.

tripledigitken - 6-12-2009 at 02:41 PM

Generator, solar panel, lots of storage compartments, diesel if you can afford it.

If its a motorhome I would stay under 30' in length. If its a 5th wheel under 29'.


Ken

Udo - 6-12-2009 at 03:11 PM

HOLA PG


My wife and I have been traveling BAJA since the sixties in many different vehicles, including a motorcycle. Our last camping-type vehicle was (still have it, tough) an 89 VW Westfalia, dual battery, solar panel, etc. Now it has a new motor and trans and it sits parked in the driveway. After years of research, same as you are doing, and visiting campgrounds and boondocking sites all up and down BAJA. Asking the campers (full-time and part-timers), spoke with caravaners, etc.

MY CONCLUSIONS:

Bought a 45' Monaco Signature, 4 slides, 120V fridge, and 12 glass-mat house batteries. The awnings are automatic retract if the wind kicks up. We plan on towing a 24' car hauler (not bought yet) to store an FJ Cruiser. The top will have a roof rack to store the kayaks, plus it will have 12 solar panels mounted on the roof with an extension cord to the RV. The water should not be a problem because there are water trucks that make regular water runs to homes. Buy a PILA (external water tank) and have the water hauler fill it up once a month. The sewer won't be a problem either because you can also arrange for the septic tank pumpers to make regular runs to empty your tanks. Did you say propane? Rent a 400 liter propane tank from the nearest propane distributor and arrange for them to fill it every so often.


OR

You can make the trip to Southern Baja for a few times, check out what full hookup sites are available (buy Church's BAJA Camping). Another option is to rent someone's beachfront palapa that already has all the amenities and park your RV next to it (part of my plan, where, is classified).

That should cover most of your questions
but you still have to make it to Baja before you decide to drive the RV there. No Nomad will tell you where to camp, drive, vist, etc. We all have our favorite places, but what matters is what is important to you!

PokerGuy - 6-12-2009 at 03:45 PM

Thanks so much udo. yes when I go out this summer I plan on just sleeping in my ford explorer. It has been my "camper" often and work out well for short trips. I never wanted to know the secret spots, just the planning that would help get the right ideo for the RV when it happens. You set up sounds awesome, and Ill be doing the same just a much smaller version as it might jsut be me and or one freind.

Trael Trailer

bajaguy - 6-12-2009 at 03:47 PM

PG, my suggestion is to have a good truck and use a travel trailer. I once had a motorhome and parked it a lot between uses.....a bunch of the seals dried out and had to have the trans rebuilt.

For what you want to do a nice 26 footer, a pickup and an ATV in the back should do!!!

Udo - 6-12-2009 at 03:51 PM

PG,
The reason we went with as big a rig is:
If we are going to live in it full time, we need some comfort. The 7MPG is no issue is you are going to park most of the time.
When I asked many full-timers what they would do differently, the overwhelming majority stated "a bigger RV" or "four slide-outs"

Bajaboy - 6-12-2009 at 03:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PokerGuy
Thanks so much udo. yes when I go out this summer I plan on just sleeping in my ford explorer. It has been my "camper" often and work out well for short trips. I never wanted to know the secret spots, just the planning that would help get the right ideo for the RV when it happens. You set up sounds awesome, and Ill be doing the same just a much smaller version as it might jsut be me and or one freind.


I'll share my secret spots with you....not sure why people post on the Internet and then go on about a secret spot....

Check out Asuncion...plenty of good wireless access there. In fact, I'm taking two online graduate courses over the summer while I'm there. You could always start by camping at Shari's campground and then branch out from there. But I'd suggest finding a few places and not focus on one specific spot. East cape, Pescadero, etc. There are some great places in Baja and the time of season has a been impact on their suitability.

MikeLikeBaja - 6-12-2009 at 03:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by motoged
Quote:
Originally posted by PokerGuy
...I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. .... what is needed to survive the baja?


PG,
More than asking other people how to do it:lol:


LOL what an old fart!

DENNIS - 6-12-2009 at 04:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fred
I always make sure I have:

beer
gas
toilet paper



Fred....I don't see food on your list. What do you need toilet paper for?

Russ - 6-12-2009 at 04:07 PM

First trip down I came in an 9' Big Foot slide in camper (now a guest room) and it was great for two years until I bought a lot and then change to a 26' 5th wheel. I'd get regular trailer with 2 doors if I had to do it again. Beef up the solar and I like the propane appliances. Switch out the lighting for fluorescent type or LED. If you're going to use a generator get a QUIET one. I was able to retire at that point and started my house and lived on the property in the trailer. The thing with the trailer is that you'll have a rig to get provisions (beer) and do some exploring. A good truck and good used trailer is a lot cheaper than a motor home and most RV'rs will want to upgrade after theirs first year or two. I have three friends from Wash. (the State) that bought big fancy and expensive trailers and now have homes here and no one to buy there RV. Baja Is a Drug and if you get hooked you may just have to have a home.
Bottom line is buy used and explore with it. Find a place you love, stay on it for awhile and draw up house plans with help from your new, experienced neighbors. There is always some one to buy a trailer down here. Good luck on your Baja mission!

Fred - 6-12-2009 at 04:51 PM

Dennis................isn't beer food enough? See you next week.

woody with a view - 6-12-2009 at 06:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PokerGuy
As seen from my first thread,I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. My question for those who have made the trips, and the mistakes of living in a tough area is what things that I may not have thought about should I make sure are available in my RV.

I have never lived in one, never driven one, and will be doing all my research before I purchase, but i see alot of options such as different sized water and waste tanks,solar panels, double batteries, generators.

Other than the norms, what is needed to survive the baja?


this is what we take for short trips. Oh, and the boards are up on top!!!

[Edited on 6-13-2009 by woody in ob]

100_4694.jpg - 43kB

woody with a view - 6-12-2009 at 06:14 PM

great times with old friends......

100_4774.jpg - 44kB

Paulina - 6-12-2009 at 08:19 PM

You need a FridgeFreeze (and toilet paper, but you can buy it there. Not as soft but it works)

http://www.fridgefreeze.com/overview



We love ours (both f.f. and t.p.).

P<*)))>{

David K - 6-12-2009 at 08:38 PM

That looks cool Paulina... REAL COOL! (Happy Dern has cold Pacifico without needing ice!)

oladulce - 6-13-2009 at 12:42 AM

What size it the one in the picture Paulina?

Hook - 6-13-2009 at 04:47 AM

The single, most important mod I have done with EVERY conceivable type of RV I have owned (cabover, Class C, TT) is replace every roof vent with a Fantastic vent or similar powered fan vent.

If it's a Fantastic brand, I like the models that are thermostatically controlled at the fan, not on the wall. Also do not like the ones that sense rain and close themselves.

With these, you can exhaust heat quickly and wisely choose windows on the cool side of the rig to allow cooler air in. They are relatively quiet for the amount of air they move. And they are easy to install on your own. Moving air will get you through nights where you arent able to run your A/C (which is often in Baja).

The other thing I install in every rig is a marine VHF radio. If you plan on spending time near the water, there WILL be a core group of users who will exchange valuable info over the airwaves. Many areas have scheduled broadcasts at specific times with specific categories discussed each day. Ask boaters or RVs with obvious VHF antennas about when and what channels boaters and residents chat on and the "net" is held on. Boaters, especially blow boaters, always know the best and cheapest places to procure goods and services. And local residents use it in place of iffy cell phone service.

castaway$ - 6-13-2009 at 10:09 PM

Tools! Take a decent tool kit because you never know what might break and without a good tool set you'll be SOL.

What about entertainment?

estebanis - 6-14-2009 at 05:48 PM

I love my XM Radio. It has every Gendre and lot's of Talk,Old Time radio etc... And the comedy channels can really make the drive time pass by much quicker. Of course when I have my one old pal along or visiting my casita I never get to change it off of the Fifties channel...
Esteban

Howard - 6-15-2009 at 07:00 AM

A really good Swiss Army Knife, a dog, a Chuckit (a deivise to launch tennis balls) and lot of tennis balls for the dog.

If it is within your budget, weather a trailer, 5th wheel or an RV, slide outs are really nice and a large fresh water tank.

DonBaja - 6-15-2009 at 03:26 PM

Start with a 4x4 pickup with a cab high shell. Take the basic camping gear (BBQ,Propane,Table, Chair,Ice Chest) Don't over think it, Just do it !! While you are young and not tied down. Be open minded to moving around to find the "perfect spot" and that my friend will most likely be a constantly moving target.

Now start packing before you are talked out of it !!!