Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-18-2018, 01:30 PM   #1
Winnebago owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 8
Heading to Baja

I am planning a trip south in October, crossing at Mexicali and going as far as Mulege
I appreciate any input on diesel availability and quality, campsites, safety, etc. from anyone who has made a similar trip recently.
Thanks!
Navioning is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 09:36 PM   #2
Winnebago Master
 
Oldchinahand's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 531
Not that it matters, but interested to know if this is your first Mexico travel experience.

With that out of the way, we travel to Mulege/Bahia Concepcion most April/May's for reunion of my wife's side of the family. We cross at Tecate, take Hwy 3 to Valle de Guadalupe, spend a few days visiting the vineyards, then leave Miss Winnie with friends while we take our dinghy down Hwy 3 to Ensenada where we join family for the drive down Hwy 1 to Mulege.

Looks as though you are planning on taking Hwy 5 through San Felipe, Santa Rosalia, etc. I can't speak to parks or camping through there, but when you stop in Calixico for insurance (Sanborn's, Mex-Insur, etc.) they have turistico maps of RV parks. Or search on line. Except for the stretch from Mexicali to San Felipe, the rest of your route is more populated than Hwy1

We find fuel, gas and propane to be of good quality and usually cheaper than U.S. You will be thankful for your on board toilet.

You will have a couple of long, desolate stretches of road. Drive on the top 1/4 of your tank.

No guns!!!

If you have a CB or walkie-talkies, check with your local Mexican consulate about their usage. They just can't seem to make up their minds.

Did I mention no guns?

Safety: I have been running the border since I was a child. In '72 I came back from my fourth tour in country and was invited by a friend to attend a quincienera in his hometown. Married the prettiest girl there and continue to run the border. But Mexico of '72 is not the Mexico of 2018. The border towns are crime ridden. As I write, the nueva generacion cartels are in open warfare in Tijuana and Mexicali. Keep your head on a swivel. Once you get south of Mexicali the crime level goes way down. Life becomes everything we go to Mexico to enjoy. We haven't traveled Hwy 5 for several years, but would have few concerns other than normal situational awareness. Same on Hwy 1. (Not so much on Hwy 15 thru Sinaloa and Culiacan)

No guns!!!!!

We are pet free, but understand they are a problem to cross -- both ways.

You need a passport. They come in flavors these days. The familiar booklet, various specialized cards, etc.

At a minimum, buy Mexican liability insurance. Check with your U.S. carrier for their Mexico coverage (if any). You may want Mexican comprehensive.

Have fun! You are going to enjoy the place, you are going to enjoy the people, you are going to catch some delicious yellowtail. No matter what country you visit you'll find the good, the bad and the ugly. Our experience has been the good far outnumber the bad and ugly.

FYI: We have taken Miss Winnie to San Felipe once and never past Ensenada. We are just not comfortable with availability of DP repair facilities. Our insurance will cover towing back to U.S. from Ensenada. Our dinghy (Ranger or Camry) and your Navion are differently abled, as they say.

Fair Winds and Following Seas
__________________
Terry & Rosalina
2007 Winnebago Journey 34SE
Retired Navy Mustang & Navy Wife
Oldchinahand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 10:08 PM   #3
Winnebago Master
 
powercat_ras's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Manhattan, Kansas USA
Posts: 1,315
You may not find ultra low sulfer diesel fuel available, it was not a few months ago in Mexico, anyway.

You will want to research what issues this will have with your Mercedes Sprinter Chassis if you run a few tanks of the higher sulfer content fuel thru your RV in Baja Mexico, if you are going all the way to Cabo and back.
__________________
Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
powercat_ras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2018, 12:52 PM   #4
Winnebago owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 8
Thanks so much for the info!
I have traveled to Mulege before, just not with the Navion. My biggest concerns are my ground clearance and quality/availability of diesel. I will be following my Brother who drives a 4x4 truck/camper. He wants to have me follow him into some areas where the roads are relatively unimproved.
Thanks again, I really appreciate your perspective
Navioning is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2018, 12:54 PM   #5
Winnebago owner
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 8
Thanks Randy. That was one of my concerns. I’ll check with my mechanic
Navioning is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Heading to pickup our 1st RV in 2 weeks! rgscott Welcome Mat 4 07-18-2018 05:33 AM
New owners in Flagstaff AZ, or we are in Baja! 2007 23J Navion AZ7000 Welcome Mat 1 03-05-2018 05:13 PM
Greetings from Vermont / Baja, Mx Bajasoon Welcome Mat 0 09-23-2017 05:16 PM
Heading South tommyboy3700 Campgrounds, Travel and Attractions 12 11-26-2014 03:11 PM
Heading South....Happy new Year. jtharley Campgrounds, Travel and Attractions 13 01-03-2009 12:58 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.