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PokerGuy
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 6-6-2009
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Whats in or on your RV for a trip to BAJA
As seen from my first thread,I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. My question for those who have
made the trips, and the mistakes of living in a tough area is what things that I may not have thought about should I make sure are available in my RV.
I have never lived in one, never driven one, and will be doing all my research before I purchase, but i see alot of options such as different sized
water and waste tanks,solar panels, double batteries, generators.
Other than the norms, what is needed to survive the baja?
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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| Quote: | Originally posted by PokerGuy
...I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. .... what is needed to survive the baja?
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PG,
More than asking other people how to do it
Don't believe everything you think....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65407
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Come on, be nice... Nomads are here to help!
Poker Guy, welcome aboard... I am a truck/ tent camper, so I don't have the advice you are after... Our biggest concern is usually having enough ice
and beer... We often 4WD to remote places to camp... just us and nature, and we love it!
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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Dave,
I promise to take my meds by supper time....
BUT...you have to consider the types of questions that sometimes get asked on BN....some seem to expect others to do all their thinking for them....a
bit of googling might be in order for some of this stuff....
Advice can't replace experience, although it can assist it....I understand that.
PG seems to be cooking up a plan/dream and I get that....it will be interesting in a year to see what he has done, or if he is still in the dreaming
phase....
I promise to play nice after the meds kick in
Don't believe everything you think....
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20354
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by PokerGuy
As seen from my first thread,I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. My question for those who have
made the trips, and the mistakes of living in a tough area is what things that I may not have thought about should I make sure are available in my RV.
I have never lived in one, never driven one, and will be doing all my research before I purchase, but i see alot of options such as different sized
water and waste tanks,solar panels, double batteries, generators.
Other than the norms, what is needed to survive the baja? |
If you are going to Baja to try living there, why don't you first go drive around for a few weeks (in a normal car), then find a town you like and
rent a house for a month or two or three?
I wonder if you are sane to dump a large wad of dough into buying an RV having never traveled/lived in one. Go rent an RV for a long weekend or two,
go camp in desert, and see if you like it.
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Timo1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 760
Registered: 11-2-2007
Location: Homeless
Member Is Offline
Mood: Lovin every minute of it
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Start with "The List" in the Q&A section....then when you get to Baja start your own list...been working on my latest list myself
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landyacht318
Nomad
Posts: 247
Registered: 7-28-2007
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I have gotten my van to the point where I can park it and not have to move it for a month, living in comfort and laughing at tent campers when the
inevitable windstorm kicks up.
IMO the one necessary thing to accomplish this is a compressor fridge and a solar panel in the 130 watt range and at least 2 group 27 batteries with
the ability to isolate the engine battery.
Warm beer in the hot desert sucks, and having to pack up camp just for more ice sucks. But not having enough storage for beer to last a month is the
worst.
That's why one also has to have enough tequila so as to conserve the precious beer supply.
So figure out what bases you need to cover for how long and how much room those bases will take, and get and outfit the right vehicle that has at
least a limited slip differential.
Also Shade. Wind resistant shade.
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PokerGuy
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 6-6-2009
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As an heavy poster on a poker website, i understand what its like when newbs come in and ask silly questions motoged. I tried to ask a question
direclty related to rving in the baja and experience there. I have done my research on rvs and notice things such as water storeage battery life.
But I have lived in the US and the east coast for that fact for my entire life.
I was trying to lead my research in the right direction, and landy's info was something that I was looking for.
As for going down and renting a home in my own car, it is kinda opposite the idea of me going down. I am plannning on living off the beaten path by
the ocean, and really get away from it all. I will hopefully be visiting for a few days at the end fo the summer, but new jobs and financial
responsibilities like always have tied me down. Ill be out there by this time next year i hope.
Thanks again for all the help
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Timo1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 760
Registered: 11-2-2007
Location: Homeless
Member Is Offline
Mood: Lovin every minute of it
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first and foremost be self contained...able to generate electricity..to air up tires
Then worry about things you had not thot of...you'll be able to buy them there
Take your RV on a shakedown cruise and find out what YOU need...We don't know what you need...The basics for survival is a REAL good start
Water you'll be buying to drink so don't pack a whole tank of USA approved drinking water...Did that...Cost me a lot in fuel
Dual Batteries is a must...one for coach..The other for chassis
I have in-line 6 vlt batteries for coach
Shade....Make sure your unit has an awning thats easily let down and back
The wind can shred awnings...But you need it
Chairs for outside....doesn't take long to make friends
and THE most important crucial thing...BEER
No Carona
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Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Laid Back
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I always make sure I have:
beer
gas
toilet paper
Anything else you can buy. I have limited storage space in my VW Westy.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Generator, solar panel, lots of storage compartments, diesel if you can afford it.
If its a motorhome I would stay under 30' in length. If its a 5th wheel under 29'.
Ken
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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HOLA PG
My wife and I have been traveling BAJA since the sixties in many different vehicles, including a motorcycle. Our last camping-type vehicle was (still
have it, tough) an 89 VW Westfalia, dual battery, solar panel, etc. Now it has a new motor and trans and it sits parked in the driveway. After years
of research, same as you are doing, and visiting campgrounds and boondocking sites all up and down BAJA. Asking the campers (full-time and
part-timers), spoke with caravaners, etc.
MY CONCLUSIONS:
Bought a 45' Monaco Signature, 4 slides, 120V fridge, and 12 glass-mat house batteries. The awnings are automatic retract if the wind kicks up. We
plan on towing a 24' car hauler (not bought yet) to store an FJ Cruiser. The top will have a roof rack to store the kayaks, plus it will have 12 solar
panels mounted on the roof with an extension cord to the RV. The water should not be a problem because there are water trucks that make regular water
runs to homes. Buy a PILA (external water tank) and have the water hauler fill it up once a month. The sewer won't be a problem either because you can
also arrange for the septic tank pumpers to make regular runs to empty your tanks. Did you say propane? Rent a 400 liter propane tank from the nearest
propane distributor and arrange for them to fill it every so often.
OR
You can make the trip to Southern Baja for a few times, check out what full hookup sites are available (buy Church's BAJA Camping). Another option is
to rent someone's beachfront palapa that already has all the amenities and park your RV next to it (part of my plan, where, is classified).
That should cover most of your questions
but you still have to make it to Baja before you decide to drive the RV there. No Nomad will tell you where to camp, drive, vist, etc. We all have our
favorite places, but what matters is what is important to you!
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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PokerGuy
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 6-6-2009
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Thanks so much udo. yes when I go out this summer I plan on just sleeping in my ford explorer. It has been my "camper" often and work out well for
short trips. I never wanted to know the secret spots, just the planning that would help get the right ideo for the RV when it happens. You set up
sounds awesome, and Ill be doing the same just a much smaller version as it might jsut be me and or one freind.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Trael Trailer
PG, my suggestion is to have a good truck and use a travel trailer. I once had a motorhome and parked it a lot between uses.....a bunch of the seals
dried out and had to have the trans rebuilt.
For what you want to do a nice 26 footer, a pickup and an ATV in the back should do!!!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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PG,
The reason we went with as big a rig is:
If we are going to live in it full time, we need some comfort. The 7MPG is no issue is you are going to park most of the time.
When I asked many full-timers what they would do differently, the overwhelming majority stated "a bigger RV" or "four slide-outs"
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by PokerGuy
Thanks so much udo. yes when I go out this summer I plan on just sleeping in my ford explorer. It has been my "camper" often and work out well for
short trips. I never wanted to know the secret spots, just the planning that would help get the right ideo for the RV when it happens. You set up
sounds awesome, and Ill be doing the same just a much smaller version as it might jsut be me and or one freind. |
I'll share my secret spots with you....not sure why people post on the Internet and then go on about a secret spot....
Check out Asuncion...plenty of good wireless access there. In fact, I'm taking two online graduate courses over the summer while I'm there. You
could always start by camping at Shari's campground and then branch out from there. But I'd suggest finding a few places and not focus on one
specific spot. East cape, Pescadero, etc. There are some great places in Baja and the time of season has a been impact on their suitability.
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MikeLikeBaja
Nomad
Posts: 122
Registered: 2-25-2009
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
| Quote: | Originally posted by PokerGuy
...I am planning on coming to Baja in a year or so, and will be living in an RV for a while. .... what is needed to survive the baja?
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PG,
More than asking other people how to do it |
LOL what an old fart!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Fred
I always make sure I have:
beer
gas
toilet paper
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Fred....I don't see food on your list. What do you need toilet paper for?
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
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First trip down I came in an 9' Big Foot slide in camper (now a guest room) and it was great for two years until I bought a lot and then change to a
26' 5th wheel. I'd get regular trailer with 2 doors if I had to do it again. Beef up the solar and I like the propane appliances. Switch out the
lighting for fluorescent type or LED. If you're going to use a generator get a QUIET one. I was able to retire at that point and
started my house and lived on the property in the trailer. The thing with the trailer is that you'll have a rig to get provisions (beer) and do some
exploring. A good truck and good used trailer is a lot cheaper than a motor home and most RV'rs will want to upgrade after theirs first year or two. I
have three friends from Wash. (the State) that bought big fancy and expensive trailers and now have homes here and no one to buy there RV. Baja Is a
Drug and if you get hooked you may just have to have a home.
Bottom line is buy used and explore with it. Find a place you love, stay on it for awhile and draw up house plans with help from your new, experienced
neighbors. There is always some one to buy a trailer down here. Good luck on your Baja mission!
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Fred
Senior Nomad
Posts: 500
Registered: 3-15-2007
Location: Las Vegas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Laid Back
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Dennis................isn't beer food enough? See you next week.
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