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majicparrot
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 11-21-2013
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Newbies crossing the border loaded down
Hello I hope to pick the brains of people on this forum. We need advice on crossing the border. Do's and do not's what should we expect?
We are building a house in Los Barriles, we have never driven down.
This is going to be an epic trip we are bringing 3 cars 2 trailers. We will be crossing at San Diego
First car is our 2001 chevy 1 ton pulling our 24 foot enclosed trailer with all of our stuff. This trailers is packed full of stuff for our house. (
this is a long rig with the trailer at 30' and the truck at 26')
Second car is a 1974 blazer ( have to say this stands out as it is painted bright green) pulling a trailer with a canoe and dirt bike and ATV
Third car is 95 Camry nothing special about it.
The 3rd car will be driven by my parents and the first and second car will be driven by my wife and I.
We had a friend scare the poop out of us about the border crossing. At this point we are freaking out that our stuff will all be pulled out of the
trailer and we will be there for days reloading.
What we have read is have more paper work than you will ever need. So our plan is to have passports, marriage cert, birth certs and drivers licenses.
We have also read that we need a detailed list of what is in the trailer.....this is impossible as it is so full of everything.
Hope this information helps with any advice you may have . Thank you in advance.
[Edited on 8-7-2014 by majicparrot]
[Edited on 8-7-2014 by majicparrot]
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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you're right! it'll take days to reload.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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That trailer will be a problem as is. Mexico wants people to import large amounts of household items and without an itemized list, they will probably
require a visual inspection.
Add to that, you'll probably need the services of an import agent.
I wish I had more time to explain some of what you seem to be unaware of, but I don't.
Someone else will be along to fill you in, I'm sure.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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good luck. You should listen to your friends. Importing anything beyond personal use items is required. Personal use does not include household
items.
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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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Find an importer in Otay.....maybe somebody on the board can help.
Talk to them before you drive down. You are going to need a list with serial numbers and descriptions.......
Probably going to need a room or two in San Diego for a couple of nights while you work with the importer
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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They've stopped me just for having the back seat of a sedan filled. You need to call a cross-border mover or an import specialist before you try any
of that. At the very least, you need to have an itemized list, INCLUDING SERIAL NUMBERS OF ANY ELECTRONICS OR POWER TOOLS. You'll also need to make
sure you have your residency permit in order or else you're going to have a lot of duty fees to pay.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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You've never driven down before, and now you're heading down in a convoy.
Be extra-careful, Friends.
You'll be driving a narrow 2-lane road and you'll be pulling trailers. While it's not heavily trafficked, the highway is markedly lacking in
shoulders and turn-offs, there are speed-bumps that will make your teeth rattle (a friend counted about 1000 between Tecate and Mulege, and many are
unmarked, and you'll encounter numerous potholes. Additionally there will be people walking on the highway in urban áreas & dogs, cows, burros--
anywhere. You will encounter slow, broken-down cars going 'way too slow and 18-wheeler trucks hauling a@@.
Consider an importer and enjoy your drive down the longest península in the world.
[Edited on 8-7-2014 by Mulegena]
edited numerous times because my cat insists on sleeping in my lap.
[Edited on 8-7-2014 by Mulegena]
[Edited on 8-7-2014 by Mulegena]
"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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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64838
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Wow, never drove there and now you are moving there... got your FM-3 (part time resident visa) already? There is a one time moving deal for new
residents so you don't have to pay duty on all your stuff.
Oh, and starting about 180 miles from the border is the start of 1973 section of the Baja highway... it is only 19 feet wide and usually up on a levee
with no pullouts...
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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While we all have our gripes and groans about Mexico and their laws, it IS their country and for the most part they are far more lenient than if you
were doing the same move northward across the border.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13196
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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Remember you are NOT allowed to cross into Tijuana with this load under any circumstances.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Don't do what you're planning on doing. It's not going to work. Ready made disaster.
Just the two of you take the Camry down, stay at hotels, learn what driving the peninsula is all about. Then come back and learn how do import a
household worth of stuff into Mexico.
Also, are you planning on doing this in the summer? HOT, HOT, HOT
Don't do it.
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majicparrot
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 11-21-2013
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SFandH
Don't do what you're planning on doing. It's not going to work. Ready made disaster.
Don't do it. |
why is not going to work?
People on here have said you can do it and given examples of how to do it. But the ones who say don't, have no real examples. I know it can be done I
have had friends and family do it. Unfortunately my Family member is no longer with us. Just like on here I get conflicting story's.
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majicparrot
Newbie
Posts: 13
Registered: 11-21-2013
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Wow, never drove there and now you are moving there... got your FM-3 (part time resident visa) already? There is a one time moving deal for new
residents so you don't have to pay duty on all your stuff.
Oh, and starting about 180 miles from the border is the start of 1973 section of the Baja highway... it is only 19 feet wide and usually up on a levee
with no pullouts... |
I have been going there for many years now just never needed to drive. Had a family member live there for 10 years and have a friend that has lived
there for 20.
So on the "new resident" FM-3 do I need a utility bill for this? Our house is not done and I don't have one yet. I have been in contact with the
Mexican consulate, they where little to no help.
Thanks for the road warning we knew what we where in for with that. we have driven most of the lower half just never the whole length.
Thanks for your help
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
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Mood: Weary
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Hey, you apparently knew the answer before you asked the question...go for it..It's your day...
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elizabeth
Senior Nomad
Posts: 742
Registered: 7-30-2004
Location: Loreto, BCS
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You will need to have either a temporary or permanent resident card (there are no fm2's or 3's anymore). Then you need to do a menaje de casa. Do a
search here...and visit or call your nearest Mexican Consulate. You need to make application there. They have written guidelines for both your
immigration status and the menaje.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by majicparrot
| Quote: | Originally posted by SFandH
Don't do what you're planning on doing. It's not going to work. Ready made disaster.
Don't do it. |
why is not going to work?
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I've been turned around at the border (TJ) and made to go back to the US because I did not have the proper paperwork for an outboard motor I had in
the trunk of my car. You have a trailer full of stuff. I've had two transmissions give out on a Ford and Chevy pickup in baja because they got too
hot. The trucks were loaded down. Both times it was a huge problem. I have a separate transmission cooler on my current truck. Your driving a 40 year
old Chevy truck pulling a trailer.
The road is so narrow in places in the northern half that I've touched mirrors with an oncoming truck. My mirror just disappeared, gone. Your pulling
a long heavy trailer. Is it wider than the tow vehicle?
The northern half has three steep grades you'll need to contend with. One uphill after El Rosario, one downhill before Santa Rosalia, and another
uphill after Loreto. Your tow vehicles and brakes will be working hard.
I've lost count of flat tires.
You asked for advice. Mine, based upon 30 years of driving the peninsula, is take a recon trip first, travelling light, and ask yourself if you really
need to haul all the stuff down.
[Edited on 8-7-2014 by SFandH]
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Norm
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: AUBURN CA
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Mood: GOOD!!!!!
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JUST GO & GET IT DONE .. WE HAVE BEEN GOING FO 30 + YEARS. YOU WILL PAY SOME DUTY . NO BIG DEAL , JUST USE TECATE AT 6 AM !!!!!
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1335
Registered: 9-2-2006
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You will probably have quite adventure. Our first drive to LB with a 24 foot RV sure was. We had three flat tires and the trailer frame cracked
somewhere. It is much nicer driving down with no trailer. I can't imagine driving down in the summer...driving in November through March are warm
enough for me, but you sound confident.
The most important part after having done your research and have your itinerary plotted out is to get all your paperwork, import stuff and route plan
in order is to make sure your vehicles are in very, very good shape. The haul down will take it's toll on your brakes, transmission and tires at a
minimum. There's a reason why there are llanteras and mechanic shops at the beginning and end of steep grades and rough roads. Planning rest stops is
very important because the drops off the pavement to side roads in many towns will take your breath away, not to mention potential assorted mechanical
failures. You need to carefully watch for good pull-outs and gas stations with trailer-friendly access. Many arrive in LB missing mirrors, with siding
stripped off trailers, etc. and grand tales of woe.
Keep your LB folks apprised of your progress and know where your resources are for help if you need it. GPS, cell phone and knowing where you will
stop each night are key. You'll want to get on the road at the crack of dawn to avoid heat...any advice about not driving at night is good.
As for residency requirements, there are several contacts in the LB and La Paz area that will do it for you for a fee (check BPE). I think this could
save some time and headaches. Things may take more time as
Some businesses take a break in the summer.
My advice...drive down without the trailer and see how much stuff can be purchased in the local area and
Cabo. My experience is that there is almost nothing that we need to bring from home and that half the fun is looking. Often you can find groceries,
really nice furnishings, decor and home needs at a good price while enjoying a day trip to another town. And you save on the wear and tear of hauling
your own plus fuel costs. And the headache of worrying about the trailer.
A GPS can be helpful for elevation management and estimating arrival times and it really helps if you speak Spanish.
Let us know how it goes and good luck,
W
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by majicparrot
why is not going to work?
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What you plan to do isn't how Mexico wants it done.
That said...the border is an unpredictable zone. You just never know what you may have to do to satisfy the customs people, but you should know the
stated requirements.
Many travelers, on this board and elsewhere, take chances with these requirements, and some get away with it, and live to brag on endlessly about how
things went their way and they drove right through without incident.
However, few of these gamblers were towing a 24 foot trailer.
Since you seem reluctant to accept the appraisals of your inadequate planning, it's up to you make your own decision...."Do I chance it, or not?"
Good luck with your decision. You're gonna need it.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1335
Registered: 9-2-2006
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...and know that LB is a resort town, a nice little bubble. The rest of most of Baja is strange, beautiful, wild and free. You'll get the idea as soon
as you are on Mex 1!
Have a safe trip,
W
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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