copies on the road in a worse case scenario. I now carry a small portable scanner and printer with me. Banjercito will also take note of your credit card number and, if you do not return with the vehicle, you will be charged duties. If you replace a windshield, make sure you salvage the piece with the permit affi xed. Another reason I email a copy to myself, is just in case I am unconscious from an accident and unable to do that. Upon leaving Mexico, you have to return the permit at the same Banjercito or
a Banjercito at another crossing. T ey will remove the permit, scan it, and take a photo of your VIN tag. If you declared a trailer, scooter, or any other vehicle, make sure they are aware of them. T ey will issue a receipt. Do not throw it out. If you return the following year make sure you have it with you, just in case. Be careful, not all crossings have a permit station.
CARAVANS and TRAVEL BUDDIES:
T ere is nothing wrong with using a caravan for your fi rst trip into Mexico. Most of those on the Mainland are French Canadian, however. T ere are a few
RV parks that are organizing a caravan to their particular park. T e two that come to mind are Celestino Resort north of Matzatlan and La Penita RV Park north of Puerto Vallarta. You may have to commit yourself to one month or more at their RV Park. I think you will see much more of this as time goes on. Another option is to form your own. Many people are doing this for at least the fi rst two or three days aſt er crossing the border. Some websites off er matching services. For example, www.
mexicotravelbuddies.com has a calendar where you can place your dates and routes for others to see. Mike and Terri Church’s website at
www.rollinghomes.com also has a matching service, as does Dot Bell’s website at
http://www.mexicoroadtrips. com.
RV PARTS: RV parts are pretty tough to fi nd in Mexico. While you cannot cover every eventuality, I would recommend an extra sewer
hose and the fi ttings, a spare water pump and spare 15 amp to 30 amp adapter. All of those items are quite inexpensive and essential. If you want to spend the money, a spare fridge circuit board is nice. Electricity in
Mexico varies widely and I have seen more than one RV with a blown fridge board. You can live without a water heater or a furnace, but not a fridge. Camping
World sells a good power protector for about $275 that will protect your electrical system. Other than that, I would recommend running the fridge on propane only.
In a pinch you can always put a post on
www.rv.net or
www.mexicorvforums. com and see if anyone still in the US is headed your way, if you require a part. If you are traveling in Baja, try www.
bajanomad.com. I had a new sewer hose delivered to me this way two years ago. If you can manage the room, an extra
tire, off rim, is a good idea. Certain sizes can be hard to locate in Mexico. An extra fuel and oil fi lter is also a good idea.
RV PARKS:
T ere are close to 500 RV parks or campsites in Mexico, most will have a
vacancy, and there is no need to reserve except at the more popular ones. T at was not the case a few years ago,
but travel is down considerably. Not all are suitable for larger rigs, but many are. A high proportion have high speed wireless Internet, some have pools and many have full or partial hook-ups. Most are listed in Mike and Terri’s book along with their co-ordinates. T ere is an overview map at www. mexicorvforums/
map.html of their locations. Rates run from $10 a night up to about $25. A typical monthly rate for a full hook-up Park on the west coast would be $400 to $600 per month. Most people head for a favourite west
coast or Yucatan park and spend the entire season there. T is is a mistake. T ere are some wonderful parks in the interior. T ey can off er welcome relief from the heat and humidity of the coast,
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RVT 156 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 19
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