BajaNomad

Future Mex 5, From Chapala to San Felipe?

DavidE - 8-1-2012 at 03:55 PM

I have some Australian friends whom have rented a "8-meter long" motor home, and want to know if the road is suitable for that type of vehicle. I told them "no way without checking first".

I would be astonished if things were smoothed "that much" since I last took this drive.

But maybe it would be wiser to ask experienced Nomads; Just how good is that road at present and what is the limit you would suggest as far as recreational vehicles, vans, etc.

I tried to talk them into coming down Mex 1 at Tecate. They are in Laughlin, and I think they got their clock cleaned. The rental is supposed to be returned to Los Angeles, and they said they would return northbound using a different route, meaning Mex 1.

"Sodding 90 litre tank, it's got! Two air conditioners and a generator".

They are from Perth, in case you know any Aussies down at the moment. They have a half dozen bottles of Australian wine for me.

Thanks.

surfer jim - 8-1-2012 at 04:49 PM

I would be surprised if the rental was allowed into Mexico no matter what road it traveled.:(

David K - 8-1-2012 at 04:53 PM

While I am sure motor-homes (like Bedman and Emma's) have been over it... At this time I would say go to Gonzaga from the north... only 13 unpaved (but graded smooth) dirt miles. However from Gonzaga to Laguna Chapala while it doesn't need 4WD, it is very rocky, and the moho will need to creep along at 3 mph... and that stretch is 35 miles. In 7 more years, it could be paved all the way through to Chapala from Puertecitos.

Why 7 years, well, they are paving 6 miles a year (10 km.) since they headed south from Puertecitos starting in late 2007. That is 5 years ago and they are 31 miles from Puertecitos today. They are about to lay the next 6 miles as of last week... leaving 42 miles to go to get to Chapala (7x6=42).

[Edited on 8-2-2012 by David K]

redhilltown - 8-1-2012 at 11:35 PM

I totally agree with David K as to getting to Gonzaga from the north. But Baja can be crazy and crazy people do crazy things and it may just be the adventure of a lifetime.

Charlie Manson took a school bus up Goler wash in the Panamint mountains and if you know that road then a motor home in from Chapala would be a piece of cake. :tumble:

sancho - 8-2-2012 at 10:18 AM

Current reports out of San Felipe, that is within
the week, has the Hwy coming down from Mexicali
as one report, 40 mi. of off pavement/detour driving, as I
remember one driver coming down from Las Vegas
to SF, was considering going back to Las Vegas
thru Ensenada, that is some statement as to
the CURRENT condition, DK seemed not to report
that much of a negative rd condition, I suppose
it depends what you're driving

motoged - 8-2-2012 at 11:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by surfer jim
I would be surprised if the rental was allowed into Mexico no matter what road it traveled.:(


I think SJ has brought up the most important point....road conditions are one thing....an "illegal" vehicle is another.
The Aussies could drive a Winnebago in the Baja 1000 if they wanted to, but an American rental won't cover the damage. :?::?:

willardguy - 8-2-2012 at 11:36 AM


I say they go for it!:lol:

dtbushpilot - 8-2-2012 at 02:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy

I say they go for it!:lol:


X2....buy the "walk away" insurance and drive it like you stole it.

Seriously though, they need to be sure that the rental company allows travel in MX, I doubt that many do and if they did dirt road travel would certainly be prohibited

DavidE - 8-2-2012 at 04:48 PM

They haven't sent more emails. Maybe they went back to the Baccarat tables. The way the road sounds, wine shall depart and Ripple shall arrive.

David K - 8-2-2012 at 05:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sancho
Current reports out of San Felipe, that is within
the week, has the Hwy coming down from Mexicali
as one report, 40 mi. of off pavement/detour driving, as I
remember one driver coming down from Las Vegas
to SF, was considering going back to Las Vegas
thru Ensenada, that is some statement as to
the CURRENT condition, DK seemed not to report
that much of a negative rd condition, I suppose
it depends what you're driving


I documented the detour length... and it was about 20 miles total... From the sand dunes to the gold mine, with La Ventana in the middle. Okay, wait... let me check my notes:

1st Detour start: 126.7
Detour end: 138.8 (12.1 mi.)

2nd Detour start: 141.6
Detour end: 142.8 (1.2 mi.)

3rd Detour start: 143.3
Detour end: 153.2 (9.9 mi.)

TOTAL: 23.2 miles (7-14-12, about 2pm)

Coming home on 7-28-12, about noon... albout the same.