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Silvasam
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 11-22-2013
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Hi guys I been reading namad post in the closet and now want to ask question
I am planing to drive to cabo in my 40 RV and want some advise. Plan is to drive from San Diego on sat am and drive south. Got 5 boys and wife and me
and my friend.
I been told not to drive at night cause there are check points.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Good advice
Not to drive at night, but not because of the checkpoints.
The checkpoints, most staffed by the military day and night, will be checking for firearms, ammo, large amounts of cash and drugs.
I don't drive at night because of the road, other drivers and animals on the road
You will also have the RV searched by Mexican customs as you enter Baja. Might as well get in the declare lane, then get your travel visas
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Silvasam
I am planing to drive to cabo in my 40 RV and want some advise. Plan is to drive from San Diego on sat am and drive south. Got 5 boys and wife and me
and my friend.
I been told not to drive at night cause there are check points. |
Welcome to BajaNomad, Silvasam.
OK...you know the first rule about driving in Baja, but there are more reasons than check points......there are cows and horses and drunks and lost
tourists and crazy semi drivers and...lottsa stuff you don't want to deal with.
Drive slowly and enjoy the trip.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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Thanks for hopping aboard. I think you miss the point about driving at night. The Army stops will be among the safest places on the road. The
difficulty of stopping a 40 foot motor home without putting a wheel off the pavement during the panic that happens immediately after you finally see
the black cow resting on the warm pavement in your lane is more to the point. The rest, to me, is math. The road is 6 meters wide. Your coach is 8'
plus mirrors, the oncoming semi is 8' plus mirrors. Subtract 16' from 19' for 36" to be divided three ways. 12" between the semi and the desert, 12"
between your right front and the desert, and 12" for your inside mirrors to share with the truck with a 100 MPH closing speed. If it turns out you
really enjoy that sort of night time activity, you were made for Baja!
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The checkpoints are the GOOD GUYS... The reason for not driving at night, camping alone, or next to the highway or in towns (other than in an RV park)
is because of the BAD GUYS.
The checkpoints are every 100-200 miles about, and they usually ask where are you coming from and perhaps where are you going to. They often ask for
you to get out and stand by your car so they can search for drugs, guns, ammo. YOU may watch them... A good idea is to keep your money and valuables,
camera, etc. on you when you get out of the car. Yes, they are the good guys but why tempt one of them?
No driving at night is more about missing scenery, or avoiding range cattle or burros on the road... I feel safer in Baja than in any American city,
fyi.
[Edited on 11-22-2013 by David K]
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absinvestor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 11-28-2009
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Take your time. (When in our motorhome, we take 4 days from the border without any side trips.) In my opinion there are many better final
destinations than Cabo. Definitely don't drive at night.(The checkpoints aren't the problem with driving at night. The problem is cows in the middle
of the road, disabled trucks without lights etc.) It is hard to find someone driving a large motorhome that hasn't lost at least one driver's side
mirror to an oncoming 18 wheeler in that 100 mile stretch south of San Quintin. (There isn't a shoulder so moving over isn't an option.) Drive alert
and have fun!!
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24baja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 2-3-2009
Location: Grants Pass Oregon/Bahia de Los Angeles
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wishing we were in BOLA
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Silvasam welcome to posting. I agree with the other posts here, just remember to take off your sunglasses at the border and checkpoints. And remember
to be aware of your surrounding and intuitions, if it doesn't feel right it probably isn't. Happy and safe travels.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Silvasam
I am planing to drive to cabo in my 40 RV and want some advise. Plan is to drive from San Diego on sat am and drive south. Got 5 boys and wife and me
and my friend.
I been told not to drive at night cause there are check points. |
Welcome to Nomads, Silvasam.
Your question would be...? how to get to Cabo in one piece, no grease, with a big 40-foot RV on a narrow, curving two-lane highway with cows, burros,
18-wheelers, road construction and have a great time and not pull your hair out. Might this be correct?
Yes, don't recommend driving at night for the above reasons, and more. Take your time and enjoy yourselves. Stop. Rest. Relax. Follow your nose and
your instincts.
Yes, there are military checkpoints. Not to worry; these guys are there to help and protect you.
They may try to speak a little English, maybe not. They'll ask you two question in a row when you stop and they approach your rolled-down driver's
window. First, "Where did you come from?" You can say, "San Diego" or wherever you crossed the border. Then, "Where are you going?" You can answer,
"Cabo San Lucas." They are looking for drugs and the movement of illegal arms (remember Fast 'n Furious scandal?). They may ask to search your RV; no
worries, everybody jumps out of the rv and you stay inside with the soldiers. They may want to take your fresh fruits and vegetables-- just smile and
say, "No." They have no right to do this. If you do drive at night and approach a checkpoint, slow down and turn on the inside lights so they can see
you. They feel pretty darned vulnerable out there in the dark with your headlights trained on them. Always be polite. They may have a clipboard and
record your name and nationality. No worries. They're not bad guys. They're to help serve and protect.
At the border between Baja (norte) and Baja Sur there is an immigration station and agricultural station; two separate agencies sharing the same stop.
They are not military, btw. Expect to show your tourist visas that you got when you crossed into Mexico at the border. The agricultural inspector may
confiscate fresh fruits and will probably want 10-20 pesos for you to proceed over an insect spray.
Get a little Spanish phrase book and use it. Smile to everyone and you will be immediately rewarded with a returned smile.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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TRuckers !!
IMO the truckers run a lot more in the night...without question !! I drove a 23' C-class down one year !! Whoa Howdy !! " swapping mirrors " The
next season,, had no hesitation about driving down in car !! I felt Like I widen the road by a good 3 feet and no heart attacks....LOL
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vgabndo
Thanks for hopping aboard. I think you miss the point about driving at night. The Army stops will be among the safest places on the road. The
difficulty of stopping a 40 foot motor home without putting a wheel off the pavement during the panic that happens immediately after you finally see
the black cow resting on the warm pavement in your lane is more to the point. The rest, to me, is math. The road is 6 meters wide. Your coach is 8'
plus mirrors, the oncoming semi is 8' plus mirrors. Subtract 16' from 19' for 36" to be divided three ways. 12" between the semi and the desert, 12"
between your right front and the desert, and 12" for your inside mirrors to share with the truck with a 100 MPH closing speed. If it turns out you
really enjoy that sort of night time activity, you were made for Baja!
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...and the worse place is the curvy down hill grade ending at El Rosario. Scary in the daytime!
Bob Durrell
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 24baja
Silvasam welcome to posting. I agree with the other posts here, just remember to take off your sunglasses at the border and checkpoints. And remember
to be aware of your surrounding and intuitions, if it doesn't feel right it probably isn't. Happy and safe travels. |
Excellent suggestion, and one I have done... Let them see your eyes... especially the U.S. border guards.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by vgabndo
Thanks for hopping aboard. I think you miss the point about driving at night. The Army stops will be among the safest places on the road. The
difficulty of stopping a 40 foot motor home without putting a wheel off the pavement during the panic that happens immediately after you finally see
the black cow resting on the warm pavement in your lane is more to the point. The rest, to me, is math. The road is 6 meters wide. Your coach is 8'
plus mirrors, the oncoming semi is 8' plus mirrors. Subtract 16' from 19' for 36" to be divided three ways. 12" between the semi and the desert, 12"
between your right front and the desert, and 12" for your inside mirrors to share with the truck with a 100 MPH closing speed. If it turns out you
really enjoy that sort of night time activity, you were made for Baja!
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From the late jrbaja...
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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THE Grade!!
I have always suggested to spend the night in san Ignacio and leave dawn thirty and take the El Rosario grade early while its cooler if driving with a
load or towing and/or RV...really helps on the brakes...and God knows that grade can fade good brakes !!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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The El Rosario grade was widened a few years ago. The worse grade is 'El Infierno' between San Ignacio and Santa Rosalia, and it was widened last
year.
The steepness hasn't changed, however.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
I have always suggested to spend the night in san Ignacio and leave dawn thirty and take the El Rosario grade early while its cooler if driving with a
load or towing and/or RV...really helps on the brakes...and God knows that grade can fade good brakes !!! |
Capt. Capt.-----I am surprised at you. The key is to put it in a low
gear, and mostly stay OFF the brakes. eh?
Barry
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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Brakes
Being That's a "given" didn't think I had to include such actions....also helps to open the door and and drag your foot !!
[Edited on 11-22-2013 by captkw]
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1599
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
Member Is Offline
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All advise previously posted is right on. I have driven a 40ft+ RV down the Baja Road many times, and IMHO the most critical times are when meeting 18
wheelers coming at you at 65 or 70mph with only inches separating you. DO NOT go off of the shoulder when meeting them as this is a certain bad wreck,
whether losing control and crossing lanes or rolling over in the ditch.It is far better to lose a mirror if your too close. So far I have experienced
neither scenario but it is always a possibility. When you are sure you have no traffic ahead or behind, run in the middle of the road to relax and get
ready for the next one.
[Edited on 11-22-2013 by LancairDriver]
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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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TV Camera
If I had a motor home I would install an inexpensive wired camera to the rear and mount a screen on the inside left pillar post and fold in the left
mirror. The TV would cost less than the total mirror replacement.
http://www.tadibrothers.com/Products/CategoryProducts/Backup...
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
Member Is Offline
Mood: Current
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Silvasam,Go have a good time! There are lots of 40' motor homes that have made the drive. You are not a pioneer  Take your time and use your head, you'll be fine.
How long will you being going down for? Have you been to Cabo before? What are your goals for the trip?
Has the rig been prepped? Parts could be a issue.
It takes about 20 to 26 hours to drive in a car, how you do it is up to you. I drive a night often, I run with scissors also.( I fully understand the
dangers and except them) If this is your first time driving in Baja, take your time enjoy yourself. There are some beautiful places you'll be passing,
stop and check them out.
[Edited on 11-22-2013 by MMc]
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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MMc
Super Nomad
Posts: 1679
Registered: 6-29-2011
Member Is Offline
Mood: Current
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LancairDriver did you take that photo or was it somebody over your shoulder? IT does say a lot.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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