BajaNomad

Crossing north with large trailer

JSchuricht - 10-26-2010 at 05:21 PM

Currently in Chivato getting ready to head back north with my 36' enclosed gooseneck trailer hauling my grandfathers broken F250 diesel. Having never towed anything this large south of the border, what is the best way to get back into the US?

I am thinking of using Tecate as I am most familiar with this crossing. The issue is that I don't think I can make the turn around the customs building on the US side.

Also, what is the easiest way to get onto C.2000 from mx1? Is there a direct off-ramp or do I need to get on the side road first?

David K - 10-26-2010 at 05:25 PM

No direct exit... Must leave toll road at Cantamar or before (Splash/ Halfway House or La Mision/Alistos/La Fonda)... or just use free road north from Ensenada... not anywhere as worse than the grades of Santo Tomas.

DENNIS - 10-26-2010 at 05:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JSchuricht
I am thinking of using Tecate as I am most familiar with this crossing. The issue is that I don't think I can make the turn around the customs building on the US side.



Unless I'm dreaming, you can exit straight ahead through secondary. They'll probably send you there anyway.

When will you be leaving? I'm going through Tecate tomorrow and will be able to get info to you Thursday afternoon.

.



[Edited on 10-27-2010 by DENNIS]

DENNIS - 10-26-2010 at 05:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
No direct exit... Must leave toll road at Cantamar or before (Splash/ Halfway House or La Mision/Alistos/La Fonda)... or just use free road north from Ensenada... not anywhere as worse than the grades of Santo Tomas.


Is the Puerto Nuevo exit open or closed?

BajaWarrior - 10-26-2010 at 05:31 PM

Tecate could be a problem unless they have the truck side open as they do a lot on Sundays. Otherwise it's more than a tight right turn to the booth, as in your not gonna make it... My crewcab/car hauler combo will make it (barely) but my trailer is only 20' and your a lot longer.

Get off at Cantamar to free road for the Blvd. 2000 cut off, we did it on this past Sunday. Although Cantamar turnoff looked open from the south as we passed by it.



[Edited on 10-27-2010 by BajaWarrior]

[Edited on 10-27-2010 by BajaWarrior]

[Edited on 10-27-2010 by BajaWarrior]

Oggie - 10-26-2010 at 05:31 PM

I would advise against the Tecate Crossing until after December, the road is all torn up for 12 miles south of the border. Going north on Hwy 1, you can get off at the Cantamar turn-off and take the free road to the Blvd 2000 road east just before the Baja Studios.

DENNIS - 10-26-2010 at 05:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Get off at Puerto Nuevo to free road for the Blvd. 2000 cut off, we did it on this past Sunday.



Right on. Thanks, Chuck.

BajaWarrior - 10-26-2010 at 05:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Get off at Puerto Nuevo to free road for the Blvd. 2000 cut off, we did it on this past Sunday.



Right on. Thanks, Chuck.


Correction in my above post...We got off at Cantamar but once we were on the free road we looked over at the P.N. exit and saw cars coming under the highway which I assumed is the exit traffic or is there a road from the east?

DENNIS - 10-26-2010 at 05:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Correction in my above post...We got off at Cantamar but once we were on the free road we looked over at the P.N. exit and saw cars coming under the highway which I assumed is the exit traffic or is there a road from the east?


I'll plan on using it. Worst thing that could happen is it's closed and I'll go to the toll booth and turn around before Rosarito.

JSchuricht - 10-26-2010 at 05:45 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Unless I'm dreaming, you can exit straight ahead through secondary. They'll probably send you there anyway.

When will you be leaving? I'm going through Tecate tomorrow and will be able to get info to you Thursday afternoon.
[Edited on 10-27-2010 by DENNIS]


Looking at leaving Thursday morning and hitting Tecate Friday afternoon.

Dave - 10-26-2010 at 05:56 PM

The Puerto Nuevo exit is open for cuota vehicles exiting either northbound and southbound...Also open for free road vehicles wishing to travel north on the toll road. However, it is CLOSED for any free road vehicle wishing to enter the cuota and head south and has been for many months.

David K - 10-26-2010 at 06:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Oggie
I would advise against the Tecate Crossing until after December, the road is all torn up for 12 miles south of the border. Going north on Hwy 1, you can get off at the Cantamar turn-off and take the free road to the Blvd 2000 road east just before the Baja Studios.


You can get to Tecate from the Corredor 2000 and not use Hwy. 3 at all. Use Mex. 2 it is free and four lanes wide all the way from Corredor 2000. Otherwise, from the north end of Corredor 2000, go WEST to the Otay Border Gate 'Garita Otay' 6 miles away.

DENNIS - 10-26-2010 at 06:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JSchuricht
Looking at leaving Thursday morning and hitting Tecate Friday afternoon.



OK....I'll post what I see concerning the straight exit when I get back on Thursday. If you can get online somewhere, you'll see it here on this thread.

DENNIS - 10-26-2010 at 06:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
The Puerto Nuevo exit is open for cuota vehicles exiting either northbound and southbound...Also open for free road vehicles wishing to travel north on the toll road. However, it is CLOSED for any free road vehicle wishing to enter the cuota and head south and has been for many months.


Thanks, Dave.

rts551 - 10-26-2010 at 06:51 PM

The only way you can get through is to use the truck entrance to the USA. The car lanes are so tight that you will never make the turn entering the lane leading to the booth (your trailer will take out the fence).

The truck booth is only open on certain daytime hours mon thru fri. (don't remember the hours).

Just towed from San Felipe

beercan - 10-26-2010 at 07:24 PM

Last week , broken diesel injector line. Came thru Algodones--no problem, no secondary !

[Edited on 10-27-2010 by beercan]

sanquintinsince73 - 10-26-2010 at 11:27 PM

I think your best bet is San Ysidro. Tecate and Otay are really tight when towing. I drive a 33' RV with a 20' trailer and the easiest for me is San Ysidro.

durrelllrobert - 10-27-2010 at 09:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
I think your best bet is San Ysidro. Tecate and Otay are really tight when towing. I drive a 33' RV with a 20' trailer and the easiest for me is San Ysidro.


but you need to be in the far left RV LANE (gate 25?)

sanquintinsince73 - 10-27-2010 at 12:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
I think your best bet is San Ysidro. Tecate and Otay are really tight when towing. I drive a 33' RV with a 20' trailer and the easiest for me is San Ysidro.


but you need to be in the far left RV LANE (gate 25?)

I always catch the far right side lanes from the villa rapida. I have never been told anything by the CBP people.

DENNIS - 10-28-2010 at 10:51 AM

Went through Tecate yesterday mainly to confirm my nagging thought that there is an exit through secondary straight forward from the booths and there is although it isn't regularly used.
I told the gate inspector of the issue...a towed 36 foot trailer and he was adamant that the curved exit road could be done with the long rig. He added it's necessary that the vehicles use the left lane of the two approaching the gate and that driving skills will have a part in this.
He was helpful and sympathetic. I probably would have been pepper-sprayed for asking a question at SY.
I asked twice if the closed gate could be opened and he only replied that the curved route can be done.

One more thing....I went up 2000 and back over to Tecate and the wind was howling. Not many large freight trucks on the road. A gust of wind almost took control of my truck and scared hell out of me. At the moment, your rig came to mind.
Wind up there was blowing this AM as well.

JSchuricht - 11-2-2010 at 02:20 PM

Went through Tecate around 3PM last friday. All four gates were open despite the lack of line so I went with the furthest gate. From there a right turn then a left turn into secondary. Took about 15 minutes for them to process the xrays and let us out the side gate that leads straight to the road. Also got stopped at the checkpoint on Otay Lakes Rd. BP had a brand new F-550 based portable xray that they had just put into service that day. Took about 10 minutes for them to test it out.