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advrider
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FMM
Where would be the best place to get your FMM while pulling a trailer? I really like crossing at Tecate and thought about parking and walking across
on foot and getting it and then cross back?
Better to do it on line first and then just get it stamped?
I know there are posts on this but I suck at using the search feature.
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KasloKid
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We used to park overnight at the Potrero County Park in our 5th wheel. Register, unhook the trailer, drive to the Tecate border (a couple of miles
away), park on the US side, walk across and get our FMM's. Spend the evening at the quiet County Park and in the morning we'd always do a sewer flush
and dump and top up our fresh water tank. We'd always get waived through at the border. We always managed to get as far as Catavina that day and park
our trailer at Rancho Santa Ines for a small overnight fee.
It seems that parking in any border town, USA or Mexico, is a scarce commodity... especially with a trailer.
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advrider
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Quote: Originally posted by KasloKid  | We used to park overnight at the Potrero County Park in our 5th wheel. Register, unhook the trailer, drive to the Tecate border (a couple of miles
away), park on the US side, walk across and get our FMM's. Spend the evening at the quiet County Park and in the morning we'd always do a sewer flush
and dump and top up our fresh water tank. We'd always get waived through at the border. We always managed to get as far as Catavina that day and park
our trailer at Rancho Santa Ines for a small overnight fee.
It seems that parking in any border town, USA or Mexico, is a scarce commodity... especially with a trailer. |
We were looking at that park thinking the same thing. That just might be the way to go, thanks.
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WestyWanderer
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I like printing ours out online first, it speeds up the stop. We have three young kids so anything that reduces the car time for them helps. You have
to know exactly what day you’re going down when you do it online, but you can do free or 180 day ones and you pay online too.
Last time we went down (6 months ago) Mexicali west told us if we wanted a free FMM (7 days or less stay) we could only do it online, they don’t
offer free ones in the office anymore.
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David K
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Getting one online still doesn't avoid the need to stop and walk into the INM desk, as it need to be validated (stamped)... It only removes the need
to pay at the border, which takes but a minute.
Unless things have changed, the online one must be used on the day, and at the crossing, pre-specified. IF things change, detoured to a different
crossing or cross a different day, it is void. The money is lost.
Just do it all at the border when you go south... since you have to walk to the INM desk either way.
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KasloKid
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You're welcome! Tecate has a little strip mall just before the border (on the right). I've parked there with my truck, bought a bag of chips or
something to "validate" my reason for parking there, then walked across
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WestyWanderer
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | Getting one online still doesn't avoid the need to stop and walk into the INM desk, as it need to be validated (stamped)... It only removes the need
to pay at the border, which takes but a minute.
Unless things have changed, the online one must be used on the day, and at the crossing, pre-specified. IF things change, detoured to a different
crossing or cross a different day, it is void. The money is lost.
Just do it all at the border when you go south... since you have to walk to the INM desk either way. |
It’s at least a 20 minute process for a family or 5 to get FMM’s at the border if all goes well. If you have them printed out, takes maybe 2
minutes to get them stamped.
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David K
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Yes, you are right, but the time to park and walk, and maybe wait in line is still the same... The option of not pre-buying them in advance comes
without the risk of losing your $150 dollars (5 x $30) should you miss crossing on the day you pre-selected or when the border is closed as when there
are riots, protestors, etc.
Options are always good on a Baja trip!
[Edited on 10-17-2021 by David K]
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advrider
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All good points. I know it was posted before but when we crossed a few years ago in Calexico we never did find the office to get our visas. Could
someone post the sat view of where everything is? Again with a trailer its nice to know before hand.
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WestyWanderer
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | Yes, you are right, but the time to park and walk, and maybe wait in line is still the same... The option of not pre-buying them in advance comes
without the risk of losing your $150 dollars (5 x $30) should you miss crossing on the day you pre-selected or when the border is closed as when there
are riots, protestors, etc.
Options are always good on a Baja trip!
[Edited on 10-17-2021 by David K] |
Yea never had a problem with any of that. We always get the free FMM also so no risk of losing money.
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TMW
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I got my FMM at tecate on Oct 4th and the office used a credit card device for me to pay. I didn't go to the bank outside, maybe it's closed.
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
10-17-2021 at 02:48 PM |
Alm
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The best place to get FMM is San Ysidro. You just drive through without FMM  .
Online FMM does save time. Easy parking for trailers at SY too.
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advrider
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Never crossed at San Ysidro, where is it located? Sometimes we head to San Felipe the first night or two so Tecate isn't always going to be the best
pick.
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David K
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You can just drive through any border witthout stopping unless you get a red light... and then it never has been (for me) to ask about an FMM.
At San Ysidro, get into the right lane as you near Mexico. Pull over at the 'Something to Declare' right hand fork... drive towards the giant flag
pole and head for the covered parking.
Walk into the big building and at the far end, just outside are the INM desks (or look for INM if that has changed). Bring your passport and money or
card.
When you leave, and drive away, you merge back into the lines crossing into Mexico, where you may or may not get a red light for secondary.
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AKgringo
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The problem this country boy has with San Ysidro, is driving through Southern CA to get there!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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mtgoat666
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What is wrong with so cal?
Great place!
Does traffic bother you? Grow a pair, or avoid rush hour.
It is a fabulous highway system! Much better than many other large metro areas.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Bajazly
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| Quote: Originally posted by advrider | | Never crossed at San Ysidro, where is it located? Sometimes we head to San Felipe the first night or two so Tecate isn't always going to be the best
pick. |
Mexicali west is a breeze. Right before you hit the gates, on the far left there is a little parking lot that is covered. Double park on the outside
of it with a trailer and walk into the obvious building and the FMM guy is to the left.
This is once you drive into the point of no return off the city streets of Calexico.
[Edited on 10-18-2021 by Bajazly]
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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advrider
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Bajazly, that might be the way to go, I'll check it out. The last time we went that way we missed it and went around in circles and finally gave up.
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Bajazly
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| Quote: Originally posted by advrider | | Bajazly, that might be the way to go, I'll check it out. The last time we went that way we missed it and went around in circles and finally gave up.
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This is at the new and improved crossing and you really can't miss it, on the left hand side as you are going in just before the gates you go thru
right before where they would inspect you.
[Edited on 10-18-2021 by Bajazly]
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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Alm
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LA rush hour may happen at any time. San Diego is more predictable. Hwy 15 was suggested to bypass the LA, but when near SD the Hwy 15 is essentially
in metro area and in the rush hour may cost you more time than taking I5. Everybody is driving in/to their obscure place in the valley.
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