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cascabel 6
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 8-28-2004
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RV Caravans
Drove to CSL in November towing a boat. Just got back last night after driving the family Suburban for 17 hours. Ran into no less than three RV
caravans going down and about six coming up.
As a consequence of both trips, I have a request for all the wagonmasters of RV caravans. PLEASE, PLEASE have your people separate by several car
lengths while you are under way. You drive at 55 mph and when you close up, no one can get around you - particularly with a boat.
Thanks.
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eetdrt88
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 2-20-2005
Location: Az/Ca/Baja
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I gotta agree with you...
nothing worse than trying to pass a wagontrain of RV's...it seems logical to leave room between you and the next guy so the passerby doesnt have to
try and outrun 4 or 5 rv's all at once,but it seems sometimes on the road logic gets thrown out the window
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bajarich
Nomad
Posts: 464
Registered: 1-13-2005
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If I catch up to a caravan that I can't get passed, I just pull over and take a break from driving and let them get way ahead of me. Driving on
somebody's back bumper for miles and miles isn't much fun.
I can't even imagine driving a large motor home 1000 mile on Highway 1 right on someones back bumper. I think that the only one having fun in that
line would be the leader. It's not the way I want to see Baja.
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4343
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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Lighten up on the rv's. If they don't stay in close contact they may take a wrong turn and get lost. 
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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Bedman
Senior Nomad
Posts: 523
Registered: 9-4-2002
Location: Orange County, CA.
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RV's.....and I drive one. You couldnt have put it better. There's no need to bunch up and make everyones drive miserable. Almost every RV has a CB and
I've heard that the caravans require they use some sort of communication to avoid those type of problems. I haven't been unlucky enough to come up
behind one of those.
On our last trip I did come up on the Carnaval/Circus folks heading South. Just outside of El Rosario. Overloaded and pee poor drivers. I attempted
to pass the last one in the line. He had so much touble controlling his tractor that was towing, a 40foot trailer, that was towing a 25 foot travel
trailer. Yup, that's right 65 feet of wandering, swaying trailers. He was all over the road, not just a little bit, I mean 6 foot into the oncoming
traffic. So, I sat behind them all the way to Catavina where they pulled over. Top speed on the flats was 45 and on the grades top speed was 10 MPH.
I was so relieved to get passed them.
Oh, and when you get ready to pass an RV....Turn on your headlights, so WE know your back there. If I'm in front of you, I will turn on my LEFT turn
signal and SLOW down so you can pass safely.
Bedman
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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I saw two this week...
both were "parked" a gas stations...
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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I know for a fact
that the caravans associated with the Vagabundos del Mar Club specifically recommend that members keep enough distance to allow passing. They are well
aware of the problems it causes.
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cascabel 6
Junior Nomad
Posts: 37
Registered: 8-28-2004
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Agreed, Hook. The problem is that those recommendations don't always get translated into reality. Rember, you've got transpeninsular highway rookies
behind the wheel of most of those rigs. The result is them bunching up and creating a dangerous condition that need not exist. I suspect the
wagonmasters can make a difference if they will take heed of what is being said in this thread.
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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I've been driving now to Loreto for the past fifteen years, every year, and recently doing it twice because of our going home for Christmas &
coming back. I've encountered numerous caravans going south & north. I can't remember one time that I've had any problem with "bunching". It
is probably the most frustrating experiences however of making this trip, other than getting through L.A. traffic without being "pushed up to 80 mph"
Good thing I'm comfortable driving those speeds through L.A. and my vehicle is large & 'safe'!!!! One year I did tow down my 'boat'. I can
certainly appreciate anyones frustration of 'hitting a bunched up' caravan that is driving slower than them with a boat behind him.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: | Originally posted by cascabel 6
Agreed, Hook. The problem is that those recommendations don't always get translated into reality. Rember, you've got transpeninsular highway rookies
behind the wheel of most of those rigs. The result is them bunching up and creating a dangerous condition that need not exist. I suspect the
wagonmasters can make a difference if they will take heed of what is being said in this thread. |
You're assuming that the recommendations were just published in their newsletter.
I'm talking about being involved in towing caravans with radio contact and being aware of bunching all the time.
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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Mood: Optimistic
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Sure are a lot of caravans this year. They are everywhere, it seems. Santispac, Burros, Ray's ranch in Mulege, Maribells, Pemex station, Coyote, you
name it..they are there.
I have met more caravans than I can count but never had much of a problem with them in my time on the Baja road. Maybe because I pull trailers a lot
myself and drove large rigs back home in ND on narrow winding country roads. We talk to them with our CB's and make some arrangements. With some
cooperation, it all goes smoothly..hey, this is Baja.
My complaint years ago about caravans was purely jealous....they would suck up all our produce, gasoline, beer, dairy products, etc. as they came
south like a plague of locusts.
For the most part they are easy to get around if you wait your opportunity. (Or you could just relax, drive the speed limit, and ride caboose.)
Anybody else remember the old giant billboards on the Road showing the rabbit on a stretcher and the tortoise looking on? "Speed Kills." Now all
gone, like the old telegraph poles.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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I also know for a fact that most (Baja Winters, Good Sams...to mention only a couple) have CB's and radio to each other to assist with rigs getting
around them....but, as was said, many are not experienced with driving Mex 1 (why else would they pay the big bucks they do for an excort?) and may
not know how to back off and assist someone trying to get around...I also have driven a Moho south and I'll tell you that it's hard enough to make
sure you have enough road for that wide rig, let alone try to watch behind you to help someone pass. I haven't been part of a caravan, so I just
pulled off at any wide spot I could find (no easy task) to let faster rigs pass.
As to resource "sucking" caravans??????? Not much we can do about that except roll up on them and ask for a cold cervasa! Bet you will be invited
for dinner too! 
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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I have always wondered why anyone would want to caravan with that many other vehicles. I have found that trying to follow someone makes you more
concerned with keeping up than driving safely. They are totally self sufficient so what is the fear factor? You stop, you balance the rig and you
have a c-cktail and dinner.....am I missing something here?
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Did you ever hear of just one covered wagon headed into unknown territory? If so, it was very foolish. It's an adventure for caravaners and they have
a guide..a wagonmaster. Most rigs do it one way, then split off on their own. We have met dozens of caravaners over the years who have decided to
make Baja their home. The main thing is...you get introduced to and grow to love Baja. Many more people are discovering the joys of traveling in
style. Some are fortunate to be able to have both lifestyles...nomads and homebodies.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Ahem....Judy, you ARE missing something traveling
solamente................................................................................................... Moral support!
Oh, and someone to get drunk with before dinner
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3871
Registered: 2-9-2004
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"transpeninsular highway rookies" - apropos
Was driving behind a string of three such rookies. Got slower and slower - what the? Finally the last one - the one I'm behind of course - STOPS in
the middle of the lane on the highway. He doesn't move, I'm sneaking a peak on the left - oncoming cars. Another peak, finally can pass. What's he
doing? The first one has pulled off the road and the other two are trying to do likewise - like there's 150' ft. of parking space on the side of the
road. They seem to think they're the only ones on the road. I had the advantage of being behind them as they slowed to a crawl and then stopped.
What about the 18-wheeler who's barreling down the highway and encounters these fools stopped in the middle of the highway? Vagabundos should do more
to educate them. Or the "wagonmasters" should instruct on such safety and courtesy driving tactics.
I'm just glad those vehicles can't get to where I go.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
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You Youngins quit Picking on us "ole Farts in Motorhomes" All we are doing is spending your inheirtance!!
This is our first trip out of the US, we have been told it is Dangerous, so we must stay close to our Wagon Master!!
Be nice you will be here before you know it/
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Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
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Exactly, Skeet. Cut them some slack..they have as much right to explore Baja as the rest of us. I am a very experienced Baja Road driver and don't
find them a danger at all. On the contrary, they are going the speed limit...unlike me.. and I expect you, too?
Dangers? I have 4 surfboards at mi casa that I have found over the years laying on the Baja roads...not good speedbumps, but will definetely wake you
up. Now they are picture boards hanging from the rafters in my gameroom.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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bajalera
Super Nomad
Posts: 1875
Registered: 10-15-2003
Location: Santa Maria CA
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I've always wondered . . .
what it's like to travel in one of those little hordes. Is fear of an unknown place, or of Mexico, or of having vehicle problems, the main reason
people join? Are they mostly made up of people who've never met previously, or of people already friends? How much do the trips cost?
Have any caravaners found the caravaning experience so wonderful that they now post on the Nomad board and travel Baja independently?
\"Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest never happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.\" -
Mark Twain
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Debra
Super Nomad
Posts: 2101
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
Member Is Offline
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All or the above Lera....Usually they are first timers and feel the need for the added security. Some can be very expencive. "Baja Winters"
basically just escorts, one way or round trip. I'm not sure what the cost is now, but, in 2000 they charged about $400 each way. Others can be in
the thousands and included side trips many meals and such. Keith (Baja Winters) is now deceased, but, his friend has taken over (with Keith's wife)
and. They stage at the KOA in Chula Vista which is how I got to know them (my Moto home is there and we used to stay there for months at a time when
my Hubby was working "off-station" in San Diego (I much prefer camping to Hoteling!) Over the years we have been there many, many times when the
caravans meet up for their trips south...always a very friendly and fun group to be around. Another thing "Baja Winters" does is you can splinter off
the group along the way, rejoin on the way back or just go on your own. It all effects the price. Pretty cool thing for folks that might be un-easy.
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