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RE: Purchased a trailer...what was I thinking?
Casita was my original choice until I found out they were factory direct and the lead time was three to six months out.
I think you got a winner. However, it would be even better if you could post some pictures of your new TT!
When we decide to do a weekender, we start preparing during the week a little each day. Takes maybe 15 minutes to get a task done and then on Friday, hitch that baby up and make a straight away for the road.
You won't regret it. Well, the only thing you'll regret is going home on Sunday afternoon!
Happy camping.
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qtla9111
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11/22/09 07:31pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Cost of Travel in Mexico...
Here is what 144 days touring Mexico in a 31 foot Class "C" over the winter of 08/09 cost us: Link
Croft, I think you are making a mistake in your budget. You need to stay in one place longer so you reduce your fuel cost and increase your liquor budget. I couldn't travel like that :B
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qtla9111
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11/21/09 04:00pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Survey of Safe and Unsafe States in Mexico
I must diagree. Bars areon the windows because due to the prevalence of break ins!! If there were no bars your house would be emptied overnight. Theft is a common problem in Mexico. Just go to any forum that includes homeowners and you will see reports of break ins. Lately San Carlos has had a raft of break ins during the day!! We have been fortunate as a friend looks after our house when we are not here. Many people hire " Veladors" to quida their house. Why do you think there are so many gated communities? Why do some colonias in large cities hire security guards on bicycles? My experience has been that if you dont gate your yard even the plants will disappear. After awhile one gets used to this quirk in the culture and you just accept it! When the economy goes south petty theft increases. When the shrimpers return to Kino thievery increases as they approach beach homes from the water in a panga. The police are on the street but cannot see what is happening on the beach side. Fortunately this type of crime rarely involves violence. You lose a computer or a TV but no harm is done. These problems are not unique to Kino or Sonora. Just the way it is!
Moisheh
I think you will find a high rate of home burglary and theft in the U.S. That is why so many people have home alarm systems, cameras, etc. I think it is just another way of dealing with the situation. Here if you have bars on your windows nothing will get stolen. In a country where there is no protection you are more likely to suffer a breakin. Besides, what's wrong with bars on the windows?
In the U.S. in 2008 there were 9,767,915 property crimes and 2,222,196 burglaries and 1,000,000 car thefts. If I moved back to the states, I would put bars on my windows.
This aside, I do find the report very interesting and that Nuevo Leon looks like a pretty average place to live. A lot has to do with where you live; the city, the neighborhood, overall crime rate, climate, etc. There are lots of places I would live in Mexico City and again there are many I wouldn't.
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qtla9111
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11/20/09 04:34pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Survey of Safe and Unsafe States in Mexico
Bars are on the windows as the majority of Mexicans do not carry homeowners insurance. Because of that, there are very few breakins.
I have had two accidents in my "short" lifetime in Mexico and it works just like the U.S., an adjuster comes out, takes a report, they determine who is at fault and the damage is fixed.
Again, many Mexicans don't carry adequate insurance and set themselves up for trouble. In Monterrey, most used cars just carry liability.
If you were to hit a pedestrian and they were in the wrong, nothing would happen. If it is your fault, you can post bail just like the rest of the world. We now have stricter laws that protect the driver. Should you hit someone who is within 150 meters on either side of a pedestrian bridge and the choose to walk under it, you pay nothing and neither does the insurance.
People need to understand the law, carry adequate insurance and everything will be fine. I'm sorry your neighbors painted such a bad picture of Mexico.
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qtla9111
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11/20/09 03:25pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Beware of Pemex 3811 a few miles south of Santa Ana
FAUSTO, CHRIS, and others who live in Mexico, a few years ago, there was a published list of all Pemex stations in the Republic, with their (at that time) current number of reports of dishonesty of any kind. The list, as I recall it, could be accessed online, and a person could look up every Pemex station by location or by station number. Stations that had been reported several times were closed until the new 'tamper-proof' pumps were installed. We checked the several stations that we used in Mazatlan at that time, and found that two of them were 'flagged' as closed. The station we preferred had a perfect score, with no reports of fraud, so we made a habit of using that one from then on.
Do you happen to recall this list, and if so, do you have any idea if it's still available? And, was it published by Pemex or by a government agency, possibly PROFECO?
Gracias! Lee
Lee, the list is here under Profeco's "Quien Es Quien En Gasolineras" (The Who's Who Of Gas Stations).
You can enter the state and city or the station number and find out when they were checked. If there is a green light, they were checked in the last 180 days and all is well, amber, questionable, and red there is a problem.
This is also good for finding a list of stations in your area by city or state along with address and their concession name (razon social).
There is also a button on top "Denuncia" to file a complaint directly with Profeco.
I hope this helps.
P.S. On edit, for what it's worth, I did find the original black list that was published by Canacintra Lista Negra de Gasolineras Que Dan Litros Incompletos
However, this list is from 2006 and no longer valid. It was the instigator for the Pemex Cualli program, litro por litro.
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qtla9111
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11/20/09 05:15am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: World Corruption (Crime?) Perceptions & where Mexico ranks!
I agree. What one calls corruption another calls it something else. For me personally, lobbying, the Madoff scandal, the fall of the financial markets falls under corruption.
I haven't lived anywhere else but Mexico and the U.S., but I can say that participating in corruption is a personal choice not a forced issue. I have received all the benefits of Mexican law in my favor from car accidents, building permits, utility contracts to immigration without ever having paid a peso to anyone. Could I have? Sure, but why would I when the system actually works and works well. Slow sometimes, but that's just the way it is.
Try working with the Texas Department of Public Safety, talk about a bureaucracy.
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qtla9111
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11/19/09 05:17am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Beware of Pemex 3811 a few miles south of Santa Ana
Send a complaint to this email: satciucgc@cgc.pemex.com
It is important to always ask for a ticket. With the ticket, you have a much better chance of winning your case. Just ask for a "comprobante" or "ticket". If you pay with credit or debit there is no losing, you have all the proof you want.
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qtla9111
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11/18/09 06:46pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Road Tolls - What Am I?
BrianSue, you're right. The SCT "Traza Tu Ruta" is right on, at least for us towing a travel trailer. Our best example was two years ago from Monterrey to Douglas, AZ. It was off by 50 pesos in our favor, I think we missed a toll booth by taking a libre short cut. I love it, it has always worked for us. Of course we don't have Garmin, GPS or satelite.
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qtla9111
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11/18/09 05:11pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Road Tolls - What Am I?
Does anyone ever question the amount being charged or ask for an explanation? Many toll roads belong to the same company that holds the concession.
With our travel trailer there has never been any confusion. One truck and one axle.
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qtla9111
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11/18/09 02:59pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: World Corruption (Crime?) Perceptions & where Mexico ranks!
From their FAQ section:
The TI Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranks countries in terms of the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians. It is a composite index, drawing on corruption-related data in expert surveys carried out by a variety of reputable institutions. It reflects the views of business people and analysts from around the world, including experts who are locals in the countries evaluated.
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qtla9111
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11/18/09 02:55pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Hungry Police
In Toluca we paid 2 local police $40 to escourt us (3 rigs) through town to ensure we would not get lost or stopped by police. The police offered the service for free, it was after we were through town I stopped and thanked them and gave each of them a 200 peso note.
Now that's using your head! We have also used taxis to guide through the truck route. Cheap, legal, and the money goes where it should.
Once in Torreon/Gomex Palacio, we refused to pay and said we would spend the night in front of the station. They gave up and showed us the way to the hotel/rv park.
There is more to bribes than most people know. We just reviewed all 1200 transit officials in Monterrey. There has been no transito in Monterrey for the last two weeks (we have been better off without them than with them). 296 have been let go for failing lie detector tests, pschological screening,etc. What has come out of all this, is that they were given quotas by higher ups. Transit on foot 1000 pesos a week, patrol cars 1200 pesos, and motorcycle cops 1500, paid directly to the higher ups each week. Many were coherced into the program or they would be fired.
They go back to work this week, no one under any circumstance except drunk driving, can have their cars taken away. All tickets are recorded but the fine is waived for the next two weeks. A commission has been set up relieving the commandante and the secretario of their jobs.
It will only work if the general population does their part; pay their plates, have a license, maintain their vehicle in working order and most of all don't offer money to the transit cops.
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qtla9111
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11/17/09 12:00pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Hungry Police
Corruption works two ways. When locals say that it's the norm, they are the worst offenders. No one has to pay a bribe. You have options.
On the other hand, there are some people who feel that it is easier to just pay and be on their way, some has to do with fear, and the rest with lack of speaking Spanish.
To each his own, I don't condone paying bribes, have never paid and never will.
It's not like anyone on this forum is in a hurry. I really think that the Sindicatura sticker really works and if you read the page link that was given for Tijuana it is pretty straight forward. Other cities are also part of the program, just a matter of finding out.
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qtla9111
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11/17/09 11:52am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Good Place to Eat near Colllier-Seminole ???
My brother winters in Naples. He gave me this list in March when I was there. I hope it helps.
Pinchers - One is downtown by tin city.
Fitzgeralds -- Bonita Beach road. Good food - somedays they have a country band and fiddlers.
Cracklin Jacks is on Collier Blvd. Very good homestyle country cooking.
Naples Pub - 3rd ave in Old Naples - reasonable for a tourist area
The Real Macaw - on Bayshore drive. One side is outside type restaurant - diverse menus
The other side is fancier. Menus are a different style but interesting. Don't be put off by
Valet parking..just aren't many parking spaces on street. Easier to give the guy $3
Harolds Bar - Chiki Hut behind the Fujirama restaurant and current Motel (changes all the time) - good happy hour, best hamburgers in town. A local hangout . Week-ends get there early.
Fancier:
Stonewood grill behind Walgreens on Airport and Vanderbilt Beach Dr. (West side)
We go there for happy hour half price drinks and have an appetizer (5-7PM)
That's the only fancy one we go to.
Up on our corner behind Walgreens(N 41 and Wiggins Pass Rd ) on the EAst side - Jays...Also Jack's in the next block south of Jays. Same side. Good food and another
local hang out.
Also Millers Ale House on Airport and Naples Blvd.
Good menu - everyone will find something to eat. Good drinks.
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qtla9111
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11/16/09 05:22pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Cats
If someone is checking on them a couple of times a week, attending to their food, water and litter box, they will do just fine. You found them, took them in, and believe me they are much better off with someone checking on them a couple of times a week than dragging them along if you think it will be uncomfortable traveling with them.
We can't really ask our pets if they like traveling until we try. Just like we can't ask them if they would prefer staying home. It is up to us to make the decision and the pets learn to live with it.
Poppy cock to abandoning your pets. I think you are making a good decision and they will be happy to see you when you get back home.
Enjoy your trip!
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qtla9111
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11/15/09 05:58pm |
RV Pet Stop
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Mission/McAllen Best Daily Rates
We are getting ready for our Christmas trip and will spend a few days or even a week in the RGV. We will spend the time shopping and visiting friends so amenities aren't going to be that important. We would love to stay at the Bentsen Palms but I can't justify the price if we aren't using the facilities. Even Circle T, which used to be reasonable is now $30 a day.
Any suggestions for reasonably priced (daily rates) parks in the Mission/McAllen area?
Thanks!
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qtla9111
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11/15/09 07:01am |
Snowbirds
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RE: dollars changed to pesos
We do all our banking on line; pay bills, transfer funds, etc. Using debit cards for all our purchases including gasoline, make it easy to track our expenses. I guess I'm lucky, we have never had a card problem in Mexico but again I am online a lot and always check our accounts.
I mentioned earlier this year my wallet was stolen in San Antonio. The crooks charged 2000 dollars in less than three hours while I was reporting the theft. I paid nothing, all the charges removed from my account. Police weren't interested and the CC companies just wrote it off.
IMHO, people worry to much about these details. If you are coming to Mexico and feel you have to watch your back, hide your money, be distrusting in others it surely couldn't be much fun. I live my life here like I always have, sure I take precautions but I won't let these things run my life.
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qtla9111
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11/15/09 06:36am |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Using Electric Blanket while Boondocking
Even if a blanket draws 200W or 20 amps (approx) it is cycling on and off and the body heat helps to reduce the cycle time. Does that sound right?
I am asking as I can't stand the sound of the Suburban furnace. We will be in places that are in the low 40s at night, not freezing.
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qtla9111
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11/13/09 07:57pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Have Your Ducks In A Row @ Border
I guess Mexico makes it too difficult. For a Mexican getting a permit to travel in the U.S., you need cash, in dollars, and exact amount, they don't give change.
I guess each country is different.
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qtla9111
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11/13/09 06:13pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Have Your Ducks In A Row @ Border
I would try again at another crossing or after a shift change. We do that when we go to the U.S. and SO meets an ugly immigration officer. We drive down the road and cross at Pharr or we go back to Reynosa and have a coffee. Go back and it's like we never had had a problem.
And why wouldn't they let the SO in; SO has retirement pension, a house in the U.S., U.S. bank account, property in Mexico, on and on. Go figure. No one has figured out their criteria yet.
Appears though, that if the U.S. immigration official or border agent is anglo, they stamp the permit without question. If the border agent is Hispanic that is when the trouble begins. We'll never figure it out. Doesn't stop us from going where or when we want.
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qtla9111
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11/13/09 05:44pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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RE: Cancun..down east coast in december
Well sorry we are already south of Playa Del Carmen, have been in Mexico since last March. If you are good with maps you shouldn't have any problems coming down. We have always felt safe driving in Mexico and came down the Gulf coast to where we are now. We are at a RV site south of Playa del Carmen and love it. Don't stay at the RV site in Cancun everyone says it terrible. By the way if anyone is coming down to Playa/ Cancun area and can Mule a RV toilet here, there is a dinner in it or more for you. If anyone is staying in the Playa area you can also come and help us volunter at the Peanut pet shelter. Dog wash every Saturday.
Cheers
I think they have one in stock at the rv parts store here in Monterrey. If you are interested I can get the details of what they have in stock. PM me.
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qtla9111
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11/13/09 04:51pm |
RVing in Mexico and South America
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