Hi,
We will be going to Alaska (hopefully) this summer. We have a 38' class a mh w/toad. 2 adults and a cat. Haven't crossed into Canada since 9/11 and would like to hear about your crossing experience. We both have passports, and the cat is up to date w/shots and records; all of this we'll have with us.
Do the border guards enter the rv? storage bays? toad/trunk? We have 2 slides, and when in there are several interior storage areas not accessible- will we have to extend slides? What can we do to make the experience easier?
Does it matter where you cross? Are some areas less crowded? We are thinking MT. Any info and suggestions greatly appreciated.
Kathy
'02 KOUNTRY STAR DP
'04 PT CRUISER INFERNO RED
LUCKY THE TRAVELIN'BLACK CAT
I have crossed the Canada/US border several times and have had nothing but smooth and positive experiences with the Canadian customs people. They asked a few questions and waved us through. We had two cats with us but they never asked to see their papers.
I have seen them do close inspections in which they inspect the inside of RVs. I believe they do some of those on a random basis so it is possible to catch oneeven if you don't arouse any concerns. Be aware of the rules and don't violate any, and you will have nothing to worry about.
Ken & Barbie wrote: When you get to the border guard, take your sunglasses off and turn down the radio.
Answer the specific question asked in the shortest possible way and offer no information on your own. They are human just like you with a job to do. There are some random checks and then there are some attitude checks. Don't let your ego cause the latter. We also have had nothing but positive experiences over the past 4 years and multiple crossings. We got the random check once and no they did not ask us to open the slides and they didn't check the outside bays.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 FMCA #F203528 '05 HR Endeavor, 40PRQ w/400 Cummins - With -'05 GMC Sierra SLT, CC Z-71, the pusher '07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher - Our Current Location
Our experience has been the same as prior posts. The point about removing sunglasses is very important since they can tell a lot from looking at your eyes while you are talking. Look them in the eye when talking, removes any doubt about your being evasive. We have seen vehicles pulled over at the crossing for what were probably random checks. No guns, nothing illegal, no problems.
Harry
With wife Carole 10 yrs fulltiming
Retired U.S. Army
2002 Carriage LS 37' 5er; 2006 Lance 1181
2008 F-450 King Ranch 4x4 fully loaded
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
SKP # 54751
Geocacher "DosTortugas" Harry's BLOG
I live five miles from the US/Canada border (where it is going to be -10F tonight!) and my daughter, son in law and two of my grandchildren live 12 miles from my house in Quebec, so I cross often. I, also, cross often with the fifth wheel.
All of the suggestions so far have been good.
Customs agents will often ask you to remove sunglasses. They want to see your eyes.
When I cross with my diesel truck, I shut the engine off when I get to the booth. They seem to appreciate this and it makes hearing a lot easier.
I always try to be friendly and not cocky with the customs agents. When they ask if I'm carrying over $10,000 cash, my answer is always, "I wish I was!"
US Customs seems to be concerned about who you are, where you have been, what you are importing and why you were in Canada.
Canadian Customs seems to care mostly about what you are bringing into the country and how much GST and PST you owe (these are personal opinions and not fact, but I think most people that cross often will agree with me).
Lastly, your appearance and your attitude, usually dictate how your crossing goes. If you're clean-cut and friendly, you usually don't have a problem. One of the guys that works for me has long hair, a beard and, sometimes, an attitude. He gets hassled every time he crosses. (Again, this is my opinion!)
Make sure you have your papers ready, be friendly and honest and you will have no problems.
05 Ford F-350 Lariat CC 4X4 PSD DRW Line X Retrax
02 Montana Big Sky 3295 RK (2) Honda EU2000is
When my grown kids were inspecting our new fifth wheel, one asked why we bought a trailer that sleeps 4. My reply was that we couldn't find one that sleeps 2!
We crossed the province of Ontario to go to Michigan in the summer of 2006. We had our passports, and copies of our birth certificates, and we didn't have any problems at all. I did prepare a list of food we had, and a list of valuables with serial #s. Ditto what others have said about taking off sunglasses, answer the questions without babbling, etc.
2001 Dodge 3500 DRW V10 Magnum
2002 Sunline T280SR
Arrow Hensley Hitch
10' Porta Bote My photo galleries.
From South Dakota I would head north toward Emerson (HWY 75) but veer west and go across at Maida. Small crossing and no hassle. Take highway 3 (Morden)east and north to Carman. When you hit Carman you will come to the intersection of hwy 3 and hwy 13. Continue north on hwy 13 ( hwy 3 turns right east to WPG)to Elm Creek (about 15-20 miles). Intersection of 13 and highway 2. Turn left, east, and follow hwy 2 to Brandon MB. You are now on hwy 1 (transcanada).
I suspect if you Mapquest Morden MB to Brandon MB you will get good directions. I just did the M/Q. It gives a slightly different route but likely a little shorter. Do the M/Q and you can then see where to turn west on US 5 to Langdon et all. Rather than going north to Maida you could continue west in the US however, that road is not great and you wind up doing a very large southward leg at the ND/MONTANA border.
As was previously stated, lose the shades, answer questions directly and make eye contact with the border folks, either direction. If they decide to have a look see, just stand back and let them go. These people have a very difficult job and as human nature goes, if you stress their patience, they are likely to react. A jovial "how are your doing today' will go a long way to getting the conversation off on the right foot.
Happy Trails;
Lot of good advice given above. I would add that prior to getting to the crossing, remind everyone in the car to remain silent unless an officer asks them a specific question. Often times, passengers seem to want to take part in the question and answer session, usually with less than positive results. Make sure every one in the car realizes it is "serious" business to cross and they are not to try and make jokes. A sense of humor doesn't seem to be part of the job requirement to apply to be a border officer. I have always found the officers on both sides to be fair, firm and highly trained in their job. Don't think any of us would want anything less in this crazy world climate.
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