Trailering to Mexico

[Mariner3339]

I am planning to trailer my 27 Coronado to Mexico. Anyone had experience crossing the border? Any suggestions for dealing with border agents?

[sailingdog]

A few things to consider before doing this. First, does your car insurance cover your vehicle when you're driving in Mexico? Most won't, some won't after a certain distance from the border, some will.

Second, does your boat insurance cover you in Mexico?

Third, is your tow vehicle heavy enough to deal with towing a fairly heavy boat that long a distance?

Fourth, do you have the necessary spare gear—spare tires for your trailer will probably close to impossible to find should you get a flat that isn't repairable.

[mdbee]

One more thing to consider, are you nuts?

By the way, I doubt you will be able to tell the difference between the "border agents", bandits or the drug mobs. We know some people that live down there and they don't feel comfortable moving around down there and they have lived their for over 30 years.

[sailor50]

If you are planning to enter via San Diego, the freeway and clearance is pretty cut and dried - it's your ultimate destination/decision of where you choose/plan to leave your truck, trailer, etc,. There are excellent agents in San Diego who charge a minimal amount and offer free advice. Check out the Embassy too, where you should get a fishing license for the boat even if you don't eat fish - I don't but have read Steve Callahans' Survival Book. They (the Embassy) strongly suggested getting the fishing license.

Baja is probably the safest via this entry. Given the Arizona laws, the Rio Grande mess, and the state of the US economy, I would check also with AAA if you are a member to get their trip-tiks service.

[TQA]

I drove down in Mexico a couple of times in the last three years. Once down the Baja in a 28 foot RV and once round the Yucatan peninsula in a car.

Once you are past the border it gets pretty mellow and people were very friendly and helpful. Lots of people trail fishing boats down into the Baja so the paperwork is doable.

There is a very good organisation with a website you should join calledVagabundos del Mar RV, Boat & Travel Club - Mexican Insurance, Baja & Mexico Group Activities and Tours

HOWEVER the driving down there is scary esp the truckers. The roads are very narrow with large drops at the edges. It is only JUST possible for two large vehicles to pass without putting a wheel off the road.

From Hoot Mon

The big boys do not slow down!

The scrapyards are full of rolled trailors.

I have trailed a 22 footer all over Europe and I do not think I would trail a 26 footer down the Baja.

I think there may be a better road down to the East side of the Sea of Cortez but I would want to be very sure that it did not get narrow.

DO NOT EVER TRAVEL AT NIGHT EVER. Nothing to do with bandits and everything to do with narrow unmarked roads.

[QuickMick]

Is it possible to tell the cops from the bandits? It was a long time ago, but a friend of mine was driving down there and basically robbed by the police. I spent a month in Oaxaca and drove to Puerto Escondido w/o a problem...but given the current state of the drug war i would be a bit wary....

[Mariner3339]

I have driven thousands of miles in Mexico, been there 11 times in the last few years, mostly on the mainland rather than on the Baja, and am fluent in Spanish. Have had great experiences in most every way. The people are courteous and anxious to help a foreigner who makes any attempt to communicate. Yes the roads can be narrow, especially the "Libre" roads (the toll-free roads). But the "Cuota" roads (their toll roads) compare favorably with any in the U.S.

I would be pleased to confer with anyone about travel in Mexico in general. I have traveled mostly in the non-tourist areas, but also have had some experience in some coastal vacation areas such as Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

Regarding the police, I am aware of some corruption. My experiences have all been positive with the exception of one time with some "Transitos" (traffic cops) near the Mexico City airport. I learned that in Mexico it is best to say you have no driver's license than to hand it to a cop. Once they have your license, they have a bargaining chip to demand "mordida" (a bribe). That is what happened to me. Cost me $60 to get my license back. Other than that one time, the cops have been helpful and honest.

My main question is crossing the border with a trailer boat, without having problems with their border agents, especially in a location other than San Diego. Has anyone had experience with dealing with Customs with a trailer?

[alecs123]

I'm Mexican, and live in Mexico... I trailered my boat down to Valle de Bravo some 3 years ago... Everything said about the border and customs agents and criminals is BS... Of course you can tell the difference, and the poor image of my country is the image of few dacades in the past...
Now, where do you want to bring your boat?
There are good roads but there are also some bad road, in terms of usability.
You have to comply with some rules and make some paper work ahead if you want to cross the border without any issue.
you will want to learn spanish or have someone who can read to fulfill the permits, you can find them here

Vehículos - Importación Temporal de Embarcaciones - SAT México

you can have a boat legaly for up to 10 years...

[mdbee]

"CNN) -- More than 28,000 people have died in drug violence in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006 and stepped up the fight against organized crime, the nation's intelligence and national security director said Tuesday.
In addition, said Guillermo Valdes Castellanos, Mexican authorities and drug gang members have been engaged in 963 gun battles in that time period, or about one per day."

Yep, a real paradise you have down there. I live in Texas and I got fed up years ago when your bandits, I mean police would throw Americans in jail on trumped up charges, only to be able to bleed their families dry by extortion.
I'm also sick of the complaints coming from Mexico about how racist we are because we want to control our borders. Mexico sure watches who crosses over their borders and heaven help those that get caught. Do they get free health care and education?

Originally Posted by alecs123

I'm Mexican, and live in Mexico... I trailered my boat down to Valle de Bravo some 3 years ago... Everything said about the border and customs agents and criminals is BS... Of course you can tell the difference, and the poor image of my country is the image of few dacades in the past...
Now, where do you want to bring your boat?
There are good roads but there are also some bad road, in terms of usability.
You have to comply with some rules and make some paper work ahead if you want to cross the border without any issue.
you will want to learn spanish or have someone who can read to fulfill the permits, you can find them here

Vehículos - Importación Temporal de Embarcaciones - SAT México

you can have a boat legaly for up to 10 years...

[mdbee]

Mexico Drug Violence: 4 Decapitated Bodies Hung From Bridge in Mexico