Regarding safety, I hate to bring a handgun as a last resort. Have you seen many RV's carrying a gun in their RV as a security measure?
This is a "tell" I think. The only guns on the road are carried by paranoid Americans. I haven't met a Canadian with a gun. Also not permitted over the border into Canada or Mexico.
Speaking of which, I'm curious about your comment on violence in Mexico, and your fear of it. Read more on this forum -- there are thousands of rv'ers driving into Mexico every year. Granted, most of them are Canadians, without guns, and perhaps a little more trust in our fellow man. That may be something you need to sort out for yourself and your family first.
Cheers
Speaking of which, I'm curious about your comment on violence in Mexico, and your fear of it. Read more on this forum -- there are thousands of rv'ers driving into Mexico every year. Granted, most of them are Canadians, without guns, and perhaps a little more trust in our fellow man. That may be something you need to sort out for yourself and your family first.
Cheers
Having worked & lived in Mexico for a year (and speaking Spanish myself), I personally find Mexicans very hospitable. Back in my backpacking days, I wouldn't even blink about the gang violence news. But with 2 toddlers, I just don't want to take a chance of even being in the crossfire of the gang violence. Much rather be called a "chicken" than be called "what a moron, he got his wife and 2 toddlers killed!"
If these places seem safer by next year, we'll have no problem traveling there. From our perspective, there are way too many safe places to visit, that we don't have to take any more risk than we currently do. : )
I've seen more of the world than my own country. As much as I've enjoyed the experiences I still feel like there's no other place I'd rather be than right here in the US.
Good luck if you press ahead with this trip. It would be interesting to follow your journey if you create a blog.
I agree 100%. Every time we travel abroad, we gain a renewed sense of appreciation for our country. That is probably one of the reasons why we want to do this. Seeing how others in the world live will give us and our kids (subliminally I hope?) a sense of gratitude for what we have in the U.S.
We will create a blog for our trip, just to leave as many traces of us as possible. I'm sure other fellow RV'ers will give us plenty of tips for the places ahead of us. : )
bobofthenorth wrote: Forget about the Class A if you are serious about anything other than Canada, the US and maybe Mexico. If you insist on a Class A then stick to something smaller with NO slides. You have no idea what you are getting into if you seriously think you can drive a plastic bulgemobile through some of the places you listed. Maybe a 4WD with a truck camper would work but I don't think you really have a clue about what you are proposing to do.
We've looked at all types of RV for the last 2 years, including truck campers, but even the camper salesman (a seasoned RV'er) said campers may tip over (& detach from the dually bed due to higher C.G.) if you go through a prolonged stretch of rough roads. He recommended a short overhang (especially in rear) Class C or a non-slide Class A. Besides, how many hours a day do you think 2 toddlers will last inside a crewcab truck???
There is a reason why we took out Africa & Middle East. Even Jim Rogers (who has traveled all over the world in his custom M-B 4x4) personally told me that the rest of the world's roads are not as bad as you think, as long as you stay on the country's major highways.
What kind of RV do you have, and which countries have you been to?
Rent a motorhome for a long weekend roadtrip. There isn't any place for two children to sit up front in a Class C so they will have to be strapped in place in either a Class C or A. It is very difficult and dangerous to move around in a moving vehicle of any type. Toddlers will be very cranky for good reason much of the driving time and will be a major strain and distraction for the driver. Camping is a wonderful family activity, but long distance travel for kids is not, even within the U.S. with good roads, fabulous parks, amazing sights, relative safety, every necessity and convenience available and home. Experience is the best teacher. Let's face it, this trip isn't for the kids, it's for you and even though I'm thoughly enjoying my retirement in Mexico, I will be forever thankful to my parents for all the weekends camping and vacations spent visiting and experiencing what America has to offer.
I am also curious as to what "around the world" means. Taking literally, I would move this thread to General RVing Issues. (That may still be the best place.) If you are referring to the Western Hemisphere, then maybe this forum will do for now.
Let me know if you want the thread moved.
Tom
Thank you, Tom. Could you please move this thread to General RVing issues? It would be great to hear from those who've traveled to Europe & Asia as well.
Good idea to move the thread. You may get more responses. As of now it seems you were gearing up for a beating or better yet a flogging.
I wish as a three year old I had been able to take such an adventure. The world is full of bad things but as a rule the good outweighs the bad. I can only speak for Mexico in an rv and Central and South America as a business and casual traveler. I can say that major highways through Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Columbia are excellent. A trip down the West coast of South America would be a dream come true.
There are lots of options for rvs. Class As come as small as 24 feet with a diesel engine (Georgie Boy used) to Class Bs with diesel and 4X4. I think it is a matter of practibility.
There have been many adventures via rv through Central and South America by people who have posted on this forum and they seem to have had quite a good time.
I admire you guys and your kids will grow up to be special in many ways.
Forget about the firearms. There are very few countries that permit foreigners to bring firearms across their borders, and quite a few that allow no handgun possession other than military and law enforcement settings.
In much of the world, a U.S. type of RV would be functional, but limited to only the better roads, solid gravel at the minimum. Diesel is a better choice than gasoline, as high quality gasoline that will not damage a EPA-certified engine is not universally available. Fuel oil is available almost everywhere, even if it is harder to find.
You need to think about how you want to get around the few "impassable" places, and water crossings. Some places, you will have to ship. If your RV is too big for local ferries, you will have to ship more often, or bypass those places.
Then you need to think about the "visitors not welcome" problem, and work on building the connections needed to get around them. Americans can travel freely in Europe, and most of the Americas. They can visit other countries on tourist visas, but not necessarily travel freely.
For example, you can physically drive from Beijing to Tibet, but you need special permission to cross the countryside. You could drive across the Asia parts of the former Soviet Union, but you must convince each country why it is a good thing for them that they let you come in, and come through.
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