I've crossed south many time but over the past year or so when crossing south at San Ysidro /gartita chaparral I am always sent through the xray. I am
used to getting the secondary inspection when heading south in my 70s 4x4 van. Now it's secondary and xray? Sometimes they ask for passport, sometimes
drivers license and then sometimes they just run the license plate. Anyone have any info what information or database they are actually running my
info through? Or any tips on how to avoid this waste of time? I'm always the person holding up our caravan nowadays!
Thanks for any information or insight.
Cheerswoody with a view - 8-3-2015 at 07:38 PM
just smile and you'll be on your way soon. at least you are heading south! take a look at all those poor SOBs sitting in the line headed north.....sancho - 8-3-2015 at 08:22 PM
I cross in a small car, rarely loked at random, your van signals
to Mex customs as a vehicle that may contain, contraband, like
undeclared new electronics, etc. Mex has every right to inspect
question, ask for ID from foreigners. We all got used to things
as they were for decades
and never
having to pass any inspection whatever, seems things are changing. Don't see any way to avoid thatAteo - 8-3-2015 at 09:03 PM
They X-Rayed my truck the other day ----- but not me! Keep your contraband on your body. I like to keep all my guns and cash in my pants....JUST
KIDDING.Alm - 8-3-2015 at 10:37 PM
Sometimes they ask for passport, sometimes drivers license and then sometimes they just run the license plate. Anyone have any info what information
or database they are actually running my info through?
Why does it matter?
My guess would be - they are running your info through the database of plates/VIN for stolen vehicles. Passport or DL - probably through similar
database for wanted (or unwanted) persons.Bob and Susan - 8-4-2015 at 05:41 AM
why ANYONE would own a 70's van for Baja or work is beyond me...
lets do some math...
you get 5 mpg in the van
a new hatchback will get 40 mpg
everything will fit in a hatchback...trust me
if you drive 40 miles per day
the van will cost you about $8 a day in gas
The new hatchback will cost about $1 in gas
If you drive 40 miles a day for 20 days a month
the van will cost $640 in just gas
the new hatchback will cost $80
The difference in gas= $560
plus...you can "write off" the cost of the new hatchback from you taxes
and
you wont scare your clients when you pull up in the "molester van" to take pictures of their "kids"mojo_norte - 8-4-2015 at 07:36 AM
Hatchback - are you serious ? 70's 4x4 Van totally dialed in Baja road trip vehicle - go anywhere - sleep in the back - simple to work on - parts
everywhere - put a big rack on the top for all your gear - should get at least 10 MPG...MMc - 8-4-2015 at 07:38 AM
Bob, maybe he likes his van, he knows how to work on it and can, maybe he has it set up us it is livable too. The "write off" is still a debt assuming
he can use it for business.
Bajavanadu, I don't know if the Mexico have a data base on crossers. A 70's van will draw some attention going south just because there is a bunch of
places to hide stuff, (guns ammo, cash). They are just doing the job. As the caravan comes together tell everybody you'll be getting the X-Ray
treatment. Like woody said you're south bound.wilderone - 8-4-2015 at 09:29 AM
Mexico got new equipment after never having such technology. I'm glad they're checking - something - ?? - hopefully catch illegal weapons, drugs,
laundered money, stolen cars, kidnappers. As you may know, California has a cross-border sex trade, many gangs have ties to Mexico. I would like to
know results of the TJ border checks. Don't sweat the small stuff, or cross in Tecate.Alm - 8-4-2015 at 09:55 AM
Hatchback - are you serious ? 70's 4x4 Van totally dialed in Baja road trip vehicle - go anywhere - sleep in the back - simple to work on - parts
everywhere - put a big rack on the top for all your gear - should get at least 10 MPG...
Yes. Bob was about 50% right, 50% off.
On the highway it should be a bit more than 10 mpg, I would think 15 mpg.
Sleeping on the camp - when it's not too hot - is perfect. Though a big hatchback like Suburban or Subaru would suffice too, for one person.
Again, roofrack for gear is - usually - sufficiently big on a hatchback, mine is about 9ft long. Not for carrying some huge ladder, but then nobody
said they are using it for business.
Writing it off the taxes you only can if you use it for business. Most people here are retired, they are enjoying life, not working.
Parts for an old van (especially American) are easy to find indeed.
The only thing that I would worry about is that 70s is really old, a lot of things can break any time, leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
When retired, it doesn't matter much, you have all the time of your life. But a vacation trip can be ruined. MMc - 8-4-2015 at 10:03 AM
It his vacation who are we to tell him how to enjoy it, or what to drive. I wish I could help with the X-Ray part.BajaGeoff - 8-4-2015 at 10:50 AM
The last two times I have brought my trailer down and crossed at TJ I have gotten the X-Ray machine. It takes a few minutes extra but I honestly
prefer it to having agents going through each storage area by hand. It's fairly painless and I don't have anything they are looking for! Ateo - 8-4-2015 at 11:08 AM
Good point Geoff. I had to unpack my entire truck one time after accidentally pulling into secondary to get a tourist card at the old crossing.
Would've been easier to just x-ray me.
Bajavanadu: Maybe after they x-ray you a few more times and find nothing they'll put you in the "OK" column.
I was crossing at 5AM and it was a slow day when they x-rayed me. Something tells me that if it was 5PM they would've just asked me what I had and
let me on my way.
Got my tourist card a few seconds before being x-rayed and was never once asked for it. Fine by me to stay legal!David K - 8-4-2015 at 07:24 PM
... Got my tourist card a few seconds before being x-rayed and was never once asked for it. Fine by me to stay legal!
I was really hoping to get asked for our FMMs! Specially after all the hype that surprise checkpoints (asking for them and being turned back to the
border) were set up on the road to San Felipe and south of Ensenada!
I hope that the bureaucracy doesn't ever hurt tourist generated income that helps the people. Bajavanadu - 8-4-2015 at 07:29 PM
