DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California M�xico
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Future Mex 5, From Chapala to San Felipe?
I have some Australian friends whom have rented a "8-meter long" motor home, and want to know if the road is suitable for that type of vehicle. I told
them "no way without checking first".
I would be astonished if things were smoothed "that much" since I last took this drive.
But maybe it would be wiser to ask experienced Nomads; Just how good is that road at present and what is the limit you would suggest as far as
recreational vehicles, vans, etc.
I tried to talk them into coming down Mex 1 at Tecate. They are in Laughlin, and I think they got their clock cleaned. The rental is supposed to be
returned to Los Angeles, and they said they would return northbound using a different route, meaning Mex 1.
"Sodding 90 litre tank, it's got! Two air conditioners and a generator".
They are from Perth, in case you know any Aussies down at the moment. They have a half dozen bottles of Australian wine for me.
Thanks.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
Posts: 1891
Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
Member Is Offline
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I would be surprised if the rental was allowed into Mexico no matter what road it traveled.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65134
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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While I am sure motor-homes (like Bedman and Emma's) have been over it... At this time I would say go to Gonzaga from the north... only 13 unpaved
(but graded smooth) dirt miles. However from Gonzaga to Laguna Chapala while it doesn't need 4WD, it is very rocky, and the moho will need to creep
along at 3 mph... and that stretch is 35 miles. In 7 more years, it could be paved all the way through to Chapala from Puertecitos.
Why 7 years, well, they are paving 6 miles a year (10 km.) since they headed south from Puertecitos starting in late 2007. That is 5 years ago and
they are 31 miles from Puertecitos today. They are about to lay the next 6 miles as of last week... leaving 42 miles to go to get to Chapala (7x6=42).
[Edited on 8-2-2012 by David K]
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
Member Is Offline
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I totally agree with David K as to getting to Gonzaga from the north. But Baja can be crazy and crazy people do crazy things and it may just be the
adventure of a lifetime.
Charlie Manson took a school bus up Goler wash in the Panamint mountains and if you know that road then a motor home in from Chapala would be a piece
of cake. 
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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Current reports out of San Felipe, that is within
the week, has the Hwy coming down from Mexicali
as one report, 40 mi. of off pavement/detour driving, as I
remember one driver coming down from Las Vegas
to SF, was considering going back to Las Vegas
thru Ensenada, that is some statement as to
the CURRENT condition, DK seemed not to report
that much of a negative rd condition, I suppose
it depends what you're driving
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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 surfer jim
I would be surprised if the rental was allowed into Mexico no matter what road it traveled. |
I think SJ has brought up the most important point....road conditions are one thing....an "illegal" vehicle is another.
The Aussies could drive a Winnebago in the Baja 1000 if they wanted to, but an American rental won't cover the damage. 
Don't believe everything you think....
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
Member Is Offline
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I say they go for it!
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3293
Registered: 1-11-2007
Location: Buena Vista BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tranquilo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by willardguy
I say they go for it! |
X2....buy the "walk away" insurance and drive it like you stole it.
Seriously though, they need to be sure that the rental company allows travel in MX, I doubt that many do and if they did dirt road travel would
certainly be prohibited
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California M�xico
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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They haven't sent more emails. Maybe they went back to the Baccarat tables. The way the road sounds, wine shall depart and Ripple shall arrive.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65134
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sancho
Current reports out of San Felipe, that is within
the week, has the Hwy coming down from Mexicali
as one report, 40 mi. of off pavement/detour driving, as I
remember one driver coming down from Las Vegas
to SF, was considering going back to Las Vegas
thru Ensenada, that is some statement as to
the CURRENT condition, DK seemed not to report
that much of a negative rd condition, I suppose
it depends what you're driving |
I documented the detour length... and it was about 20 miles total... From the sand dunes to the gold mine, with La Ventana in the middle. Okay,
wait... let me check my notes:
1st Detour start: 126.7
Detour end: 138.8 (12.1 mi.)
2nd Detour start: 141.6
Detour end: 142.8 (1.2 mi.)
3rd Detour start: 143.3
Detour end: 153.2 (9.9 mi.)
TOTAL: 23.2 miles (7-14-12, about 2pm)
Coming home on 7-28-12, about noon... albout the same.
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