| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Zacatecas RV Park
Watch the police- we were stopped for speeding on a divided four lane highway. The fact that we were the slowest vehicle, being passed by many other cars at the time we were stopped made no difference. The police threatened a big fine, possible loss of our truck. He obviously wanted cash but I didn't pay - he eventually let us go but it really spoiled our side trip to Zacatacus.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
11/07/08 02:53am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Mexico Mail Service
If you owe taxes, mail from Mexico on 4/15 you'll get a nice long float before your check is cashed. I did it once and had no late fees.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
11/07/08 02:47am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Travel to Mazatlan
We've towed a 27' travel trailer across the Devil's Backbone and back again 7 times now - It's not that bad, the road has improved a lot in the past 10 years. You'll save a lot of miles driving directly rather than driving west in the US and then south from Arizona.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
11/07/08 02:45am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Devil's Backbone!
I've gone back and forth over it about 7 times starting in 1998. Going east is a hard pull, especially the west end. Going west is tough on the frenos. In 2007 I lost the truck brakes at the top and had to drive west in low gear using the travel trailer brakes to slow or stop.
Mexico 40 has improved significantly in the past 10 years with fog lines and some of the hairpins improved.
The toll road now eliminates about 40 miles of the eastern end - it's tricky to know where to exit; in true Mexican fashion the last exit before the end of the drivable part isn't marked.
I prefer to start very early - say 3 AM - that way you'll miss getting behind the trucks. BTW, a right turn signal from a truck usually means that it is sort of safe to pass. Even though the line of sight isn't very far and the Mexican car drivers can quickly appear, the truck driver will watch and slow to let you back in if he signalled you to pass.
It's an experience, and in a perverse way I always look forward to driving the backbone. Some day I'll do it on a motorcycle - it's said to be one of the best motorcycle roads in the world.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
10/25/08 03:17am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Resort in Escuinapa/Teacapan?
The brief linked release mentions 2025 - hopefully we'll have another few years to enjoy this area in an RV.
When we first started camping near Teacapan back in 1998 I knew that it wouldn't remain undeveloped very long ... what a beautiful area with miles of beaches.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
10/17/08 05:52am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Mexican fuel prices to skyrocket
The linked article doesn't mention diesel - is that going up as well?
|
Wm.Elliot
|
09/10/08 12:42pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: MX Speed Limits
Wm.Elliot, please share with us when & where you had your bad experiences and had to pay morbida/bribe. More details so we know where to be concerned.
Traveling thousands of miles each year all over Mexico and locally in Mexico, I have never had any of your bad experiences. BUT, I do follow the laws/rules to the letter.
Please share details!
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
I posted this last year right after it happened, but to repeat:
N.Laredo, 3/07 foot patrolman asked for $50, I finally gave him $20
Saltillo, 3/07 (same damn day) police in a cruiser (town) stopped us but a good Samaritan intervened and argued with the officer who finally relented.
The this year in Zacatacus a town officer stopped us for speeding despite every other vehicle passing us. We were literally the slowest vehicle, but since we were Americans, he came after us. He didn't come right out and ask for a bribe but he did his best to bluff me into thinking I was in deep trouble. He finally told me to follow him to the station but refused to lead us. The next exit he got off and we kept going, feeling like real fugitives and skipping out of Zacatacus, cutting that sidetrip short.
I'm not one to gripe about Mexico - I have known police officers there and they've always impressed me as honest men doing a dangerous job. There are others who prey on tourists - compared to a traffic stop in the states where I'd be out $400, an occasional $20 to forget the infraction is a bargain. The wife gets really upset - after Zacatacus she was ready to never return to Mexico. I love it there and finally got her calmed down - we'll be back
|
Wm.Elliot
|
07/29/08 09:47am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: MX Speed Limits
When we first started vacationing in Mexico ten years ago very few police had radar, speed, seatbelts, alcohol etc. weren't enforced as it is now. Morbida has gotten much worse as well.
I've been the slowest vehicle on a multi-lane road and still got pulled over. It's gotten much worse over the past few years - police will stop gringos and attempt to extract morbida. Many won't directly come out and ask for money but will try to intimidate drivers into offering.
Before you leave the states get a few good quality photocopies of the license and have them laminated. Give the laminated photocopy to the officer, that way if he keeps it it's no problem. Photocopy your vehicle registration as well.
When (not if) stopped in Mexico speak no spanish and be prepared to wait out the officer - most of the time he'll move on to other more hopeful prospects. If things get really hinky take photos of the officer and his vehicle.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
07/29/08 04:17am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Devils backbone
We've done it 13 times towing either a 26.5 or a 27 foot travel trailer. We've had a few scares, but so far no problems or delays. I prefer getting on it very early - like 3AM when the traffic is light. The west side is the steepest, the brakes get a real workout. In 2007 I lost the truck brakes and had to rely on the trailer brakes and low gear going west.
There's a new section of toll road west from Durango - it must be about 50 miles long, but like most toll roads being built the last exit before the road ends isn't marked so one can easily wind up trying to turn a trailer around on a two lane road.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
07/15/08 03:18am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Water purifiers
I filter water that goes into the tank just to get the sand and other solids out then add a little bleach - with this water we bathe, wash dishes and flush the toilet. For the 6 gallons we drink/brush teeth/cook with every week we use purified water.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
06/29/08 09:13pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Condensation while running a/c
I've found that the only way to prevent mine from dripping is to pitch the rig slightly towards the door/awning side. If the rig is perfectly level it will drip inside.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
05/31/08 05:02am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Appliances mounted on FRONT wall of trailer?
Driving in the rain for a few hours would prove why there are no vents or doors on the front. Many trailers and 5th wheels no longer even have windows on the front.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
05/10/08 03:42am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Newbie to Mexico
The bypass around Monterrey was $28.00 for a pickup and a two axle trailer. The toll from Monterrey north is $35
|
Wm.Elliot
|
05/03/08 05:16am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Camden Hills State Park, Maine
We're still seeking couples or individuals to work approximately 15 hours per week in exchange for a campsite with water, electricity, and possible WIFI.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
04/27/08 04:32am |
Workamping Forum
|
|
RE: Did Everybody Go Home For The Summer?
It's almost like we never even went. I brought back 9 cases of Tecate so I have proof after the tan fades.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
04/24/08 05:09pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: atwood water heater wont ignite
If it is the board try a Dinosaur Electric board - they're built much better and they have a 3 year warranty for the same price as the OE board.http://www.offgridappliances.com/parts/spares-home.htm
|
Wm.Elliot
|
04/19/08 03:57am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Air Conditioner - No Condensation - help?
If you have a low/high fan speed switch make sure the fan is on high.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
04/12/08 04:19am |
Tech Issues
|
|
All my vehicle damage occurred in Massachusetts
It's 3,400 miles from Maine to Sinaloa. I drove almost 3,000 miles in Mexico this year (most of it solo).
On the way down I hit a pothole or bump in Massachusetts and lost a $180 front hubcap off the truck. On the way back I broke a trailer spring on another bump in Massachusetts.
Damage due to roads in Mexico this year for me? nada.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
04/09/08 01:48am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Our Mexico trip was one in hell.
If you were on the quota when the windsheild was broken the repair might have been covered under the quota's insurance. The high toll price includes insurance if I understand it correctly.
|
Wm.Elliot
|
04/08/08 03:07am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
|
|
RE: Fenders Cracking
I paid about $200 for replacement fenders for my Alumascape - they must have cost $10 to make
|
Wm.Elliot
|
04/07/08 03:18pm |
Travel Trailers
|
