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RE: Upscale RV Parks In Mexico
Ed: I think your use of the words "Upscale" is what did it. Certainly specifying water and power requirements is OK. If you had left it at that, I think folks would be happy to oblige with supporting information.
But as to "upscale" RV parks, I am not sure I have ever seen one that I would truly consider upscale anywhere in the North America. I may be wrong, but to compete with upscale 5 star hotels, it would seem the park should pick up your shoes outside your rig overnight and clean them; pickup your laundry and have it back by the end of the day; even have a chap who hooks up your gray and black tanks and water and power. Lord knows power adequacy wouldn't be a question. Heck, your valet should even wash your rig as part of the included service and get you a mint julep while you watch. That is upscale. What I have seen over the years in any RV park is at best Holiday Inn when compared to true upscale resorts and hotels. (which is more than I need as retirement isn't necessarily the same for us all. Boondocking in the desert is fun for some of us.)
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wandering mike
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12/19/12 10:00pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Algodones, Mexico Dentist
I just went last week. Very satisfied. I ended up interviewing Dr. Rubio, and would have used him, except what it turned out I needed, I stayed with my prior general dentist, Dra Eva Urena.
This link to a medical tourism page says somebody in Algodones has cad/cam crowns. I haven't seen it advertised, but if they have state of the art equipment anywhere in North America, I would expect it to be available in Algodones.
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wandering mike
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12/17/12 03:30pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: ATM Fees to Rise??
Your right Brian. I remember being involved with installing some of the first ATMs in India some 20 years ago. It literally was cheaper to have an armed guard and a teller with a box of money around the clock on three shifts than it was to have an ATM. And that was without the 120% duties they charged at the time.
As to fees, my Alliant Credit Union account doesn't charge fees at the ATMs at the Farmicia Guadalajara chain of drug stores. Pretty good exchange rate too. I used them in SMA and Mazatlan. Also other places you can look up on-line. You can't get as many pesos per transaction as at a bank, but if you are walking by the place every day like I was, it wasn't a big deal. It is actually what used to be the United Airlines CU and is pretty big. You can be a member if you belong to Escapees and some other big groups like that.
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wandering mike
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12/13/12 03:47pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: ATM Fees to Rise??
For big banks, ATMs are also a profit center, not just a cost center. I don't disagree that the actions of big US banks are watched and often an inspiration in other countries, but there are other models out there as well; e.g. using the ATM as a marketing tool with no fees. See for example, U.S. Bank operations in the US and their relationships with Credit Unions. That being said, the likes of Bancomer, Banamex and the rest certainly will make decisions based on the needs and perceived opportunities in the countries they operate in. FWIW, my background was in senior management of one of the major global ATM manufacturers.
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wandering mike
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12/12/12 07:55pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: ATM Fees to Rise??
ATM fees are all about what the market will bear, regardless of the country and regardless of who owns the ATM. I used to have an interest in some private placement ATMs in the states. It is amazing what you can charge people who want another table dance at a gentlemen's club.
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wandering mike
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12/12/12 02:33pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Anyone have beef confiscated, and some other questions?
Here is the link the the USDA analysis of the requirements for exporting meat to Mexico. It is involved and I doubt anyone with an RV will be able to comply. Mexico Meat Imports Link It is from Aug 31, 2012.
I had 3 coconuts taken from me coming back to the US last year. I didn't know they weren't allowed with the green stuff still on. And I knew not to take more than a liter or two or whatever is allowed of booze back to the US. Anybody else get caught "smuggling" stuff that is not allowed back into the US or Canada recently? Do you view that legal offense differently than the offense of smuggling stuff into Mexico?
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wandering mike
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12/05/12 07:46am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Anyone have beef confiscated, and some other questions?
Well JerryBo, if you look at what you posted in this thread: Mesa Police Thread It would seem that inconsistent with your post over on this thread, you feel you could indeed have trouble in the US (Mesa) and that you also might be committing here the same infraction you complained about over there; i.e. folks who post in an area they know nothing about.
Hope you stay on the right side of the Mesa police.
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wandering mike
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12/02/12 06:43pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Forum on New Immigration Laws in Mazatlan
I was following a blog about some folks overlanding in South America. Turns out that going into one country, Bolivia I think, it cost the South African guy $80 for the entry permit/visa. It cost the Americans $315 or something per person. Guess what is the cost of a visa for a Bolivian to visit the US. You got it. $315. Tit for Tat.
(don't hold me to the actual numbers.)
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wandering mike
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11/29/12 07:47pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Forum on New Immigration Laws in Mazatlan
I suspect that in addition to the additional numbers of poorer Americans coming across and perhaps getting services, the Mexican government is also engaging in a bit of "tit for tat" with American policy.
In doing some real quick and high level searching, it seems that to come to the US on a family sponsor type visa a Mexican (or anyone else) would have to have them or their sponsor have something like an income of at least 125% above the poverty limit. I wouldn't be too surprised if that was about the same income, more or less, as what Mexico is now asking for from Americans seeking to spend a long time in Mexico. There are also rules about having assets in lieu of income; how does 5 times the income sound? Close to what Mexico is requiring? If such is the case, the logical argument for the Mexico changes appear somewhat sound, even if there are unfortunate results for some.
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wandering mike
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11/29/12 04:47pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Beef taken atLukeville
It is not apparently something special for Lukeville, but as has been discussed, all crossings can of course "do there own thing" to some degree. But this link, Beef restrictions to Mexico points to the issue of mad cow disease (BSE) as the reason for the restrictions, not just for tourists but for beef imports as well. Ground beef is one thing specified in the article. However what is probably catching a bigger amount of items is the requirement that the cattle be less than (or more than?) 30 months old. Hard to tell when looking at a steak in someone's fridge how old the cow was if the US doesn't have the same limitation for packaged beef.
Other countries too limit some beef imports, especially I would think if they raise cattle as well. Maybe there are some ranchers that follow this thread that know more. But maybe the grills do get a bit of the spoils from the overall policy.
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wandering mike
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11/28/12 06:06pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: SAN XAVIER INSURANCE
I did ask for the policy again in Spanish and it was provided by the San Xavier agency in the US for the insurance company for which they are agents. It is available.
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wandering mike
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11/23/12 05:14pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: SAN XAVIER INSURANCE
I don't think it is the insurance company necessarily. And I have no reason to question the quality of coverage they provide and I haven't any experience to suggest it is other than excellent. My only issue was getting a copy of the policy and declarations in Spanish to avoid any bases being uncovered in the event of an accident. I couldn't believe it wasn't in Spanish. Lots of Americans speak Spanish as their native tongue too. As Mexinow points out, he has gotten the Spanish version for years.
So, before knowing the info from others just below, I went and asked the person who replied to my inquiry (Mexicobob @ aol.com)for a copy of the policy, in either English or Spanish. That is who responded to my inquiry on the website. He told me as well that it was only in English, but gave me a copy of the policy. There, in the fine print at the very end, clause 18, it provides all suits are governed by Mexican law and that there is a Spanish version. Specifically it says: "This translation into English, was prepared only for the Insured Party's convenience, thereof (sic) it must be noted that only the Spanish version is binding and also that Mexican Law shall apply."
The policy he provided was from Mapfre Tepeyac, S.A.
Also in his quote, there was no mention of the deductible for the collision/theft coverage. I have to believe there is something of a deductible. It is of no matter to me as I don't think I will be using this agent myself. If others are happy with him, that's a good thing.
Again, this coverage may be very good and may suit a traveler's needs. Everybody's situation is different, so we all get to do our own due diligence.
One last thing I do note is that the insurance policy makes very clear when they state, as they probably should do and makes sense, "Furthermore, the Insured Party, the purchaser, or any other person are not legally protected against any legal action, including detention or incarceration, by any of the corresponding Mexican legal authorities." It is specifically to minimize this risk that I want a Spanish language declaration, and as pointed out, even with this insurance company it is provided, seemingly as a matter of course. (it makes sense for them too since they have some legal defense costs as part of the coverage.) It seems only the US agent doesn't have that information.
Ok, that's enough insurance thinking for me for oh, about 6 months.
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wandering mike
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11/20/12 11:49am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: SAN XAVIER INSURANCE
I sure wouldn't go without a Spanish version myself. I can't imagine that a company can write Mexican insurance and not have the legal language of the country? I understand Mexican insurance is regulated some too and I am sure the bureaucrats who approve policies demand it be in Spanish. I would actually expect the Spanish language version to be the "original" text and controlling in the event of conflict between the Spanish version and any English translation of the Spanish version.
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wandering mike
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11/19/12 01:26pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Overstaying tourist visa
geewhiz: When you come to Mexico do you have a toad or tow vehicle? If so it will require a deposit based on the year of the vehicle. That deposit will be forfeited immediately when you overstay. A new 180 day FMM does not help.
Moisheh
Good point.
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wandering mike
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11/15/12 05:06pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Overstaying tourist visa
Last year I flew back about half way through my trip. I had to turn in my land arrival based FMM (I think that was the right acronym) at the airport and got a new one when I came back. The new one was paid by the airline but undoubtedly in the fare someplace. I didn't end up overstaying the 180 days of the first one anyway, but then also didn't turn in my RV permit either when I exited. The new permit was for 180 days from the arrival back in Mexico by air although I did have to chat with the immigration guy at the airport a bit about why 180 days. Nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual immigration stuff.
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wandering mike
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11/15/12 03:24pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: buzzing from tires (or drive train?)
Thanks JMTandam. The buzzing/humming is very clearly tied to the wheel speed. At 40 mph shifting into neutral, the buzzing remains the same, gradually decreasing at the same rate the RV slows down. The sound does seem slightly different with the new tires from the old, but you are right, there was something there before the new tires. I hobbled up the road to get the new ones. But the blowout before the buzz had a different sound. Could it be likely that a blow out in hte rear dually mess with the differential or something else in the rear part of the drive train?
As to the rest of the rig, it is 13 years old, 71,000 miles. I am the second owner. Bought at 17k miles. Nothing done to the engine, transmission, rear end, rear brakes, etc. (other than the brake fluid was changed 250 miles ago and brakes bled and the emergency brake adjusted). The location of the sound is pretty clearly from the rear, but not so clearly from the left rear.
Long and short, it sounds like it needs to see a general wheel/tire/rear end type mechanic as the first stop on the investigative trail. Right?
Thanks again in advance for your thoughts.
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wandering mike
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11/10/12 06:41pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: buzzing from tires (or drive train?)
It sounds like tires buzzing on the road too loud to me. But the surface of the road doesn't seem to change the sound. Definitely a buzz or humm. Definitely not an air leak or wind whistle. I initially thought it was just ordinary tire noise from there being an open space in the back, but with the wheel well closed up to the inside and the unit weather tight again, the noise didn't go away.
The tires are the same as before, all tires are the same (BF Goodrich Commercial T/A LT 225/75R16 LRE M+S) The tread on the passenger side duallies and the front is about 1/4" while the tread on the new tires on the Driver rear are about 7/16" That is about 40% more tread depth on the new and seemingly about 1.17 inches more in circumference than the old. (29 inches in diameter vs. 28.625 inches in diameter) Would that kind of difference make a bunch of buzzing? It doesn't seem to pull or anything.
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wandering mike
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11/10/12 03:30pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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buzzing from tires (or drive train?)
Hi, I have a 99 Chevy chassis 22 foot class c. Coachmen. Traveling down I-10 a week ago I had my inside rear dually on the driver side explode. It took out the wheel well and the "inside" of a storage compartment in front of it was lost as well, along with a bit of interior damage. The outside tire was also damaged. Both tires have been replaced and the wheel well fixed, but not the storage compartment. Since then I have noticed a loud buzzing noise that increases with speed. I actually noticed it, or something a bit similar, before the blowout when I had only replaced the inner dually with the spare too. It is loud enough that I am hesitant to go over 40. It seems to start at about 20 mph. It does not vary based on turning.
Also, about 250 miles before this failure in another part of Texas, I had the front wheel bearings on the right front passenger side go out and I was towed to the repair shop that did a wheel bearing job on the rig. To tow it, they dropped the driveshaft at the rear to tow it and then hooked the U-joints back up when at the first repair shop.
I would appreciate any thoughts from all as to what the problem might be and how I might have checked and the type of shop to try and have look at such a matter? (and if in Seguin, TX or San Antonio, so much the better.)
Thanks.
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wandering mike
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11/10/12 02:31pm |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: Getting pesos in Mexico
Is there also a big problem in conveniently converting dollars into pesos in the tourist areas like Puerto Vallarta? If so, not too great for tourism. We are considering flying in for a lengthy stay this year.
I doubt it. In Sayulita (just north of PV) last year it seemed that it was easier to find an ATM dispensing USD than it was to find a peso dispensing ATM. Of course that meant if you really wanted pesos, then you had to go to a change making business, but most businesses took USD it seemed.
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wandering mike
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10/19/12 11:12pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Anyone have an issue with Streets & trips 2013?
I have it on both a win 7 laptop (Asus) and XP netbook (also Asus). no problems. It is big software though and bogs down my machines. Especially with their "mega file" of POI's. Sometimes it will hang. I have gotten to the point of having multiple trip files or will edit the map to delete points I have passed from the route but still be able to save the GPS trail in the same map. At least this version pronounces abbreviations better on the spoken directions. I hated hearing "senior" when I was to turn onto a "state route" that was abbreviated "SR" on the directions. Or hearing "us highway" instead of "U.S. Highway". Oh well, software marches on.
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wandering mike
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10/19/12 10:57pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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