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Mike Humfreville
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Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Towing a Truck from Baja to L.A.
I'm going down to Bahia de Los Angeles for vacation soon and I have to make a run down to San Ignacio to pick up my Isuzu Trooper. U-Haul tells me
they won't rent me a trailer if I'm going into Mexico. A number of years back I rented a U-Haul truck, crossed the border and came back a few days
later. No one at the border said anything or asked for paperwork. The U-Haul Rep, just now told me the border doesn't allow U-Haul exquipemt to
cross through the border. I find that unlikely as that would have the border folks in Mexico doing work for a Gringo company. I don't want to spend
the $$$ to buy something I'll only use once (hopefully).
Any ideas????
Any ideas????
[Edited on 9-20-2004 by Mike Humfreville]
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David K
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Posts: 65182
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Other companies rent trailers, Mike. Perhaps a smaller San Diego based rental yard will allow it. Remember to specifically add the trailer to your
auto policy, and let them know it will be insured. Oh, and I have seen 'U-haul's in Baja as well.
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bajalou
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I've seen Uhauls in Baja also Mike, but there was a story not too long ago about a REAL hassel someone had with one. What about a tow-bar or dolly?
Also there probable is a rental co in Mexico - Mexicali or Tijuana that would rent you one, be a hastle but drive across and get another in the
states. Myself, I like towbars.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
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And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Barry A.
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Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Mike, I haul my Trooper ('89) with a tow bar all the time----no problema. You are supposed to unhook the rear drive shaft but I never have, and so
far no problems. If you do that, just start up the trooper engine every 50 to 100 miles----that helps to lubricate the Tranny. It is even better if
you unhook it and drive it around a few feet. I have never done this, tho. If worried, just unhook the rear drive shaft.
I understand that u-haul will not allow their trailers in Baja, but I was desparate a few years ago when my combination boat/luggage trailer
disintingrated just north of Punta Bufeo on the San Luis Gonzaga road. I had to run to El Centro for a big U-haul trailer to rescue my stuff. They
told me the same thing about Mexico and the border guards----I went anyway, and had no problems, but I was ready to pay for the trailer if something
happened. It didn't, but you can be sure I was real easy on the trailer-----you know that road. Travelled about 5 to 10 MPH. Barry
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
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Registered: 8-26-2003
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Barry A
I was just thinking about buying a tow bar here and attaching it to the Trooper bumper . I called the dealer's service dept and they can't tell me if
the Isuzu bumber is able to be used for towing. Then I read your post. I wonder if, between 1989 and 1995, they modified the bumper.
Regardless, I'm going to wait and see what folks have to say and then make a decision. In the mean time I'll see what a tow bar costs. It's gotta be
the least expensive way. The most expensive way is to buy locally a dual axel truck-towing trailer for $1700. Not a bad option if I had throwaway
$$$ and we could use it to haul our stuff to Bahia de Los Angeles when we get a place there. That's a looming deal.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep them coming por favor!
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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THE TRUTH ABOUT TROOPER TOW BARS
Mike-----I should have explained----my tow bar attaches to permanent brackets that are just below the bumper that are welded onto the frame. These
brackets are part of a trailer hitch "receiver" that I had welded (and bolted) on for $100. The trailer hitch receiver excepts my 9500i WARN winch.
This way, I can have one winch that hooks both front and back to both my F-250 Truck and the Trooper, depending on where I want it. Works slick.
A '95 trooper is a lot different than my POT stick-shift '89 trooper (I think???)----don't know if you can do the same, but I am betting that you can.
Go to an automotive shop that specializes in steel fabricating things.
The tow bar I have cost about $100. So, I have $200 total invested, but the tow bar also works on several other vehicles I have----my sons '76 FJ-40
Toyota, and my '69 Ford pickup. I was able to attach tow-bar brackets to both for about $15 each. They bolted right on with grade 8 bolts (which are
super high strength).
I don't think that you need to spend all that moola on a trailer-----you can buy a luggage trailer (used) for much less ($200??), to use on your move
to BOLA, if you really need one.
Just some thoughts.
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Barry A et al
I have just called several rental yards, Camping World and auto parts stores. Turns out the kind of "tow bar" you and I are familiar with aren't used
much anymore because of all the plastic bumpers these days. I'm working on your concept and will stop on the way home from work tomorrow to
investigate at Camping World. I know they carry tow bars. They tell me they are ~$200 for the basic element and up to $1200 for the whole deal. I
don't know and they can't explain so I'll just go and look. I KNOW, with MEXICAN INGENUITY that a tow bar meant for affixing to a front bumper of the
vehicle to be towed could be adapted, welded to the frame or whatever. Now I just have to find a place that sells tow bars. Manana a Camping World.
Thanks for all the help.
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Debra
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Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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Mike
Camping World (being a specality shop) is really expencive....avoid them if you can.
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synch
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 9-14-2004
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Mood: wandering...
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Why not take the bus down and drive it back?
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Mike Humfreville
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Registered: 8-26-2003
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Synch
good idea except that the engine's blown. Getting it rebuilt in a small town is something I was talked out of (by the town folk) because of working
conditions and equipment. Thanks and a good idea otherwise...
Looks like a "tandem" trailer (elevates the front end only) is more expensive than a flatbed, plus the flatbed can be used for other purposes. I'm
being told that my '98 Isuzu can be rigged for towing with a standard tow bar but they want $2600. to buy and install the base plate which requires
permanent modification to the towed vehicle.
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mcgyver
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 8-22-2003
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Mike, THEY ARE NUTS! I can buy factory made folding tow bar rigs here in Yuma at yard sales for $150 all day long and any self respecting welder can
make a base plate conection in 30 minutes or less, I don't know who you and Debra deal with over there but they should be in San Quinten for stealing!
let me know and I will ups you one soonest, these originaly sell for $800 complete and the snowbirds take the bar off when they sell the cars. Usualy
leaving the base plate on the car since it is welded. I only pick them up when I can get them for less than $50 and carry them to the El Dorado flea
market. A new flatbed car size trailer is around $1700 but used ones are cheaper. Buy a used one and sell it when you get back.
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Mike Humfreville
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Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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Problem is,
I thought this was an easy deal and put everything off and then it got complicated. I couldn't find a handy used flatbed but I found a new one for
$1600 and I can add sides so I'll haul stuff south later, when I retire. Barry A suggested the tow bar and that's what I wanted to do. I went by
Camping World this afternoon and they wanted something like $2000 for the bar and everything that went with it. They said the bumper on my Isuzu
wouldn't support towing by itself. I was most tempted to just buy a simple tow bar and haul it with me to Baja (where I'm picking up another SUV) and
have the locals use their great common sense to make the whole thing work. If the Isuzu weren't so heavy I'd have done that. So thanks to everyone
for the advice.
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TMW
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Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Mike, I posted at the Baja Travlers board so I won't repeat it here, except I think a tow bar is the best solution. If your in San Diego call Wally
Palmer at Off Road Warehouse. Sorry I don't have the number here. I think he's at the Kearny Mesa store now. He can help you find a tow bar.
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DD
Junior Nomad
Posts: 27
Registered: 9-16-2004
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I'd look at removing the front bumper and attaching a tow bar to where the bumper attaches. We used to do that when th ebumpers were so light as to
not handle towing.
Do make sure that you get a tow bar that will attach properly, go by and measure a local vehicle (local car lot or junk yard) to get the right
measurements and take that to a good off road shop and get a basic tow bar for under a $100.00 (used to run about this price, my last one was $80.00),
and some grade eight(8) bolts to attach it to the frame, and a good safety chain and lights setup.
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Debra
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Location: Port Orchard Wa./Bahia de Los Angeles BC
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I may have missed Mike saying this, but.....
I haven't seen it mentioned here , his Trooper is a 5 speed manual tranny....now, I'm sure not a towing expert, but, aren't they the easy ones to tow,
and shouldn't a tow bar be the way to go.....remember, his is going to (I think.....Mike, chime in here) tow that sucker back with "Vaca Blanca" the
2500 Suberban "we" (he paid for it of course, but MA and I talked him into it!  ..bought in San Ignacio at 2AM! I just can't believe that a tow bar can't be put on that Trooper to get it back! 
[Edited on 9-22-2004 by Debra]
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Packoderm
Super Nomad
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Registered: 11-7-2002
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I have a trailer that could do the job, but its up here in No. Ca.
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tunaeater
Senior Nomad
Posts: 617
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: Chula Vista, CA
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Mike why don't you just sell the trooper down there and forget about it. Collect what you can and enjoy your vacation and the cerveza you buy with
the money...
Where are you going to tow it to anyway. I have a prety good mechanic in Mexicali if needed..He has rebuilt a few troopers......Paul
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Mike Humfreville
Super Nomad
Posts: 1148
Registered: 8-26-2003
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The engine blew last Spring and Mary Ann, Deb, Brendan and I still had two weeks + left on our vacation with many friends coming to Gecko in Bahia de
Los Angeles. It was give up and go home, or sit for two weeks waiting for an engine rebuild that couldn't be accomplished appropriately there (as the
locals I?ve known most of my life told me, and meaning absolutely no lack of respect to those good folks ? it?s just hard to that level of repair
there), or buy a very used replacement vehicle. As San Ignacio has no formal used car lots, I asked the young man working the bar/restaurant if he
would put the word out in the village which he did. There were several folks that had vehicles for sale but not fit our needs for trailer pulling
capability and size until, about midnight a white knight pulled into Rice and Beans riding his Vaca Blanca (White Cow). At that point we were all
worn down by the broken POT II (Poor Old Trooper) experience and facing into looming days waiting for rescue. Vaca Blanca purred to a stop in front
of our room about midnight after some friendlies from TJ had opened the only 1.75 liter bottle of Johnny Walker Black I?ve ever seen and shared it in
abundance with several of us. Cowboy shuts the Purr down and dismounts Vaca Blanca and Mary Ann and Debra are cooing like it was a macho man deal and
Deb is ogling the third row of seats in Vaca Blanca and thinking that would be a great place for her son Brendan and dog Dito, leaving her free and
comfy in the second seat with MA and me in front. I wasn?t convinced until I turned the key and Vaca Blanca started her purr and MA and I drove off
into the night, just a quarter mile or so. My kitten was a Chevy 2500 with a 454 and I was an innocent, unaware of the 10 MPG that faced my future
but she solved our problems and gave us the third 4WD vehicle we needed to retire (part-time) in Bahia de Los Angeles (1 there, 1 to get you there,
and one at the other house).
Bottom line: we bought it. White knight told me that EVERYTHING worked. I checked all I was able and he was telling the truth. Now, in this village
in the middle of the night with a man he?d never met before (I did have a connection with the Fischer family that may have been known) White Knight
accepts a PERSONAL CHECK for $12,500. He says he?s not worried. I hope not, it?s my retirement account. We shake and White Knight departs the scene
and I?m looking lovingly at my new Vaca Blanca. You can?t buy a woman, but she was in love from the first time I laid foot on throttle. We all
repaired to the hotel stoop to injure the bottle of JW Black of our TJ friends who also had their Suburban on this trip.
Next morning we 4 headed south. Just before we left we asked Ricardo where the lad from his restaurant was and where in the village White Knight
lived. We wanted to thank them for their efforts. The Waiter had worked late and was still sleeping. We said ?Please thank him for us.?
?What about White Knight, the fellow that sold us the truck?? I asked.
Ricardo responded ?He?s on the road to Santa Rosalia to make sure your check?s good before you get too far.?
True story. It?s a skinny peninsula. Only one way in and one way out.
And please realize how much I appreciate everyone?s advice and opinions on my situation with the retrieval of our Isuzu. Our path won?t match
everyone?s but it will help us out with our future projects.
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mcgyver
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 8-22-2003
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Mike, Todays Yuma Sun NewsPaper, "Stowmaster folding Tow Bar Mod. 5000 $150 call 928-345-4504" I will PM you my phone #.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Repairs
I"m kind of like tunaeater, why not get it repaired in Mexico - I also know some great mechanics in Mexicali & San Felipe. Hade my Bronco II engine
rebuilt a couple years ago here in San Felipe - It had 250,000 miles on it when I had this done. When I got it back, it ran better - ie: more power,
better fuel milage than it ever had. 30,000 miles later it's still better than when I first got it in Calif with 50,000 highway miles on it. At
about 1/2 the cost of repairs in the US. If my vehicles are acting up at all, I just pray I can get back to Mexico for some good repairs.
A friend ktried for several months and several thousand dollars to get his Dodge V10 injector system working right after it was out of warranty.
About $200 and another mechanic here fixed it up - and that was about 25,000 miles ago.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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