Safety extends to the RV park. Electrical systems in parks can be good, bad, or positively shocking.

We've had plenty of feedback from Mexico traveling RVers about our last piece regarding the US Government's information duck tour boston on Mexico travel safety. In a nutshell, most assured us that travel south of the US border is as safe (or safer) than in the US. Read our last story and you can make up your own mind on the matter.
Where possible, stick to the toll roads. Yes, it is a bit more expensive than striking out on other highways, duck tour boston but the toll roads are generally in better condition, are marked clearly, and have regular patrols. Your rig will enjoy not skipping through the pot holes. And don't be surprised if you'll be paid not by the number of axles, but by how many tires touching the pavement duck tour boston dually drivers duck tour boston beware.
Leave early, get there early. Driving at night anywhere can be an issue, but if you're worried about crime, driving after dark is a good way to increase your chances of experiencing it. Not withstanding banditos, livestock and rocks on the road can ruin your evening.
Learn the signs: If a Mexican driver ahead of you flips on his left turn signal, it could mean he wants you to go ahead and pass him. Look carefully and pass with care. On the other hand, a left turn signal could also mean that the driver duck tour boston is intending to make a left turn albeit maybe somewhere down the road. Be prepared for any eventuality.
Drive as defensively as you would anywhere. While Mexican folks are generally known for their laid back, "mañana" attitude, some, when put behind the wheel of a car, seem to take on a new personality and drive like they've lost good sense.
Safety extends to the RV park. Electrical systems in parks can be good, bad, or positively shocking. It's not a bad idea to bring along an electrical tester that will show you the voltage and polarity of the wiring. You may also find you'll need a l-o-n-g power cord to plug into the juice. Surge suppressors are a must, and voltage regulators aren't a bad idea.
Motor fuel is generally readily available, but be aware that diesel in Mexico, while better duck tour boston than it has been in years past, may still give your rig fits. It's not a bad idea to carry extra fuel filters with you and frequently drain the water from your fuel separator. How frequently? Some recommend daily.
Leave the expensive jewelry, duck tour boston watches, duck tour boston and other symbols of prosperity at home, or at least, wear them only when appropriate. No sense in advertising that you're duck tour boston loaded. And split up your cash, credit cards, and travelers checks don't carry them all in your wallet. Don't bring your Social Security Card, nor any unnecessary credit cards.
Leave records behind: An itinerary left with friends is good so they can contact you. Copies duck tour boston of your passport, duck tour boston driver license, the credit cards your using, and a copy of the serial numbers of your travelers checks. Keep an extra copy of the latter with you, and check off the ones you've used.
Stopped by the police? Sage travelers say it's best to have all your paperwork including driver license, duck tour boston vehicle duck tour boston permits, tourist cards, and registrations readily at hand. If you've done a no-no, the police will tell you. You may be able to POLITELY talk your way out of the ticket, but if you can't they may hang on to your driver license until you pay the ticket. It's best to pay the fine.
Carjackers and robbers are far less likely to harm you IF you cooperate. Experience shows that those who try to "run" an unauthorized "check point" are far more likely to be shot at. Remember, your credit cards, travelers checks, cash, and jewelry are far less valuable than your life hand it over.
I ll try to clarify a few things. Many new roads have been built in MX in recent years. Many are toll roads (cuotas) and the tolls can be high. Many of these roads are owned by corporations and not the Gov t though the gov t sets the max fee. The price of the ticket (do not lose the ticket)also covers insurance if damage happens to your vehicle on the road. There are also Green Angels (Angeles Verdes) who travel the roads in trucks with parts and fuel and mechanics who speak English to rescue motorists. There are also ambulances and tow trucks at toll booths with special numbers to call if help is needed. There can be more to paying a toll than in the US. And don t be surprised if potholes are found on cuotas and some other roads have been improved to be almost as good as any US road. Driving at night - livestock and topes (speed bumps) are the primary reasons duck tour boston for not driving at night. Mexican law says if you are turning left you need to pull to the right shoulder to allow following cars to pass until is is safe to make the left turn. Put the left signal on but pull to the right if there is room and then make the left turn from the right should duck tour boston once you are clear in both directions. As mentioned, it is common in MX to turn on the left signal to tell following cars to pass. Some rules are different in MX and you should try to learn all the rules before you go. Both rollinghomes.com and ontheroadin.com can provide books with lots of info about MX travel in RVs. Generaly, the rule in Mexico in towns with no stop signs (most towns) is Uno Y Uno or one and one meaning you treat each and every intesection as a four way stop sign - though most Mexicans know this and adhere to the rule you should never assume - ease out when it is your turn but make sure no one else is going too. And when it is your turn you shuld go and not hold the process up by signaling duck tour boston others to go first - go when it is time to go. Many devices and meters are sold for checking electricity and should be used wherever you go anywhere in North America before you connect your valuable rig to a incorrectly wired outlet. duck tour boston Learn how to do this and check wherever you go. Voltage Regulators can be found in MX for under $300US which correct both low and high voltage to closer to 120 volts. Try Googling ISB Sola Basic to learn more. A voltage regulated UPS for computers and electronics is not a bad idea either. Can come in handy anywhere you travel. Carrying spare filters anywhere you travel should be common sense. We have never had a bad tank of fuel in the US or MX in close to 20 years of driving diesels and a lifetime with gasoline engines duck tour boston - but we do know others have had these problems. Reply Delete Sue and Brian February 2, 2013 at 10:36 PM
There is no reason to wear anything expensive duck tour boston in MX though many do. Sue lost a nice gold bracelet recently when a clasp must of broke. I you want to keep something you should duck tour boston not take it with you anywhere. We only carry the amount of cash we might need and stash the rest at home hidden away. We almost never use credit cards as international fees are high. We use debit cards for cash and pay cash for almost everything. Some carry fake throwaway wallets with expired credit cards and phoney idea and fake driver license etc. along with only a few hundred pesos to hand over to bad guys if they so request. My real cash is in a money clip in my pocket (don t tell anyone). We never use travel checks as many will no longer take them and ATM machines (Cajero Automaticos) are everywhere - we try to use only those and banks so if there is a problem we can deal with the bank. The police are your friends - until they prove otherwise. Smile and be friendly. If you think there may be a problem you can write down the name and badge number as well as the car number and license plate number. Keep smiing and being friendly throughout. You are in a foreign country and your rights are not the same as in the US. We have never had any problem with police in many many years as we treat them with respect and never ever give them a hard time. They can remove your license plates if you park illegally - they can also tow your car to unknown lots. There are a million tips so study and research are essential. Learn as much about any place you visit before you go. Mexico is different so do not expect to find everything you find in the US. Ask lots of questions on forums duck tour boston - and keep googling for more info. Mexico can be very safe and great fun. When you see police or army trucks full of guns keep in mind they are your friends and are on your side and there to protect you. Be happy to see them. Reply Delete Ed Price February duck tour boston 26, 2013 at 2:05 AM
Baja California passed a law lasy year that requires Mexican-recognized liability insurance. You can be stopped just for that, possibly at a border security checkpoint. Automatic violation if you don t have it. And not all USA insurers are recognized duck tour boston liability carriers, so be sure or buy short-term policies on the USA side of the border. Does Mexico allow/require right turn on red at traffic lights? Reply Delete Add comment Load more...
All information on this website is copyrighted by RVtravel.com. Our offices are located at 170 W. Dayton Street, duck tour boston Suite 103-B, Edmonds WA 98020. Write editor duck tour boston Chuck Woodbury at Chuck(at)RVtravel.com. Any information gathered by visiting this website is kept private and never sold or shared with outsiders.