bajajohn
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Best big RV crossing to US
What is the easiest border crossing for a large 38' motor home towing a jeep from Ensenada?
Tecate, San Ysidro, or Otay Mesa?
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DENNIS
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Definitely not Tecate.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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J.P.
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WHY
Most all the R.V. Caravans cross there. Last Wed. as we were heading north there was a Canadian Convoy crossing north that had a whole lot of rather
large RV"S. we have crossed there forever and have had a variety of rv's from a 37ft Diesel Pusher to our present 26ft class c towing our Jeep never a
problem. You used to have to watch the sinage and keep to the left lane but the Mex Army Directs you that way now.
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Udo
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I agree with the Tecate crossing. It's even easier if you get pulled into secondary.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by J.P.
WHY
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Unless they run him through the truck crossing, his 38 footer, plus his Jeep, will have trouble making the curve.
I don't think it can be done.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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LancairDriver
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I have had several crossings at Tecate with a 40ft Motorhome pulling a jeep. They will keep you to the left lane approaching and then you will have to
almost hit the wall ahead coming out of the lane with the booth and turning right to go to secondary. This is necessary to clear the rear of the RV
and the tow vehicle. Usually one of the officers will guide with hand signals. Get it right the first time so you don't have to back up and try again.
I am about to try it again in a few weeks, this time with a 43ft RV but it has a 60deg cut with the front steer wheels which will help, but I am not
looking forward to it.
Having been stuck in the mess with an RV crossing once in TJ, I will take Tecate anytime.
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Pompano
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I have also crossed at Tecate many times with large rigs...don't even know how many after all my trips back and forth from Coyote Bay.
The longest I take is 75ft overall...pickup, fifth wheel, and boat behind. Best place to be is left lane approaching, line yourself up, make the
border guys nervous as hell, and go for it. Piece of cake after backing a tractor & haywagon through the barn when I was 10. 
Like LancairDriver says, I'd takeTecate over TJ anytime. Besides, Tecate just plain smells better.....
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by LancairDriver
Having been stuck in the mess with an RV crossing once in TJ, I will take Tecate anytime. |
What about Otay? Seems to be lessor of three evils.
I once asked the inspector at Tecate about long motorhomes and he did say driver skills play a large part in making it through the curve.
Talk about a bad day if you got jammed up in there. They would treat you worse than a terrorist.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Pompano
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You're right about getting jammed, Dennis. I once was a bit twisted trying to get to the gate and had to back up...which is not fun when triple
towing. Made the guys a bit nervous, but I got it done.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pompano
The longest I take is 75ft overall...pickup, fifth wheel, and boat behind. |
Really?????
You went north through the "S" curve at Tecate with all that? I'm impressed, Roger. I wouldn't think it possible.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Pompano
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Well, I was lucky then..and I'm not that great with triple-towing all the time.
I once lost the boat from behind the fifth wheel on a remote highway in Canada. Good thing it ended up in smooth wheat field!
[Edited on 2-9-2014 by Pompano]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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DENNIS
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Years back, a buddy of mine, Gene, worked for the County Harbor Patrol in Dana Point, and one day he was at the launching ramp watching a man having a
terrible time backing his trailer down to the water, so Gene gave him a hand.
When it was done and in the water, Gene suggested to the guy that he might mount a ball on his front bumper to make things easier.
The man's reply, and this is no joke, "Wouldn't it be hard to drive on the freeway like that?"
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Pompano
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Hah! Yup, from some of the weird things I've seen on the freeways over the years, I can well believe it. One of the most entertaining things to do
is to take a good lunch with cold beers and watch the launching ramp action!
And maybe those sharp S-turns into the border stations, too. Could be a whole new 'reality show'.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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cliffh
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?? is secondary completed in TJ? Went through last june 36ft 5th wheel was a little tight. But still easier then Tecate. Cliff
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dasubergeek
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In terms of post-inspection topes and curves, Otay Mesa is the easiest, because SY is continually changing and Tecate is very tight. In addition,
you're going to want to have the best trailer brake at Tecate because creeping up that bluff is a steep, crappy drive.
That said, Tecate is the easiest crossing in terms of directions and lack of city driving... but I'd still pick Otay Mesa and try to go outside of the
Sunday afternoon rush.
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