Another bad story of driving to Mexico - RV-Dreams Community Forum

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another bad story of driving to Mexico

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the PSA Ruth. I'll bet it will be expensive ordeal before he gets home.

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

I guess if want to cruise around with guns and ammo.............."Pay The Consequences".

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

TRAILERKING wrote:
I guess if want to cruise around with guns and ammo.............."Pay The Consequences".

they did say ammo no mention of guns??? buts what laughable is mexico is one of the most corrupt countrys in the world full of drug gangs, guns and crime

and they arrest some poor sap because of a few shells that's why I wont go to a **** hole like mexico

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Should have said "Guns and/or Ammo".....................
Kinda like other discussions, "Can I carry my pea-shooter in my RV when passing through Canada on my way to Alaska??"

-- Edited by TRAILERKING on Tuesday 9th of February 2016 11:23:55 AM

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Also with all the places to go in the U.S. & Canada.........There's really no need to "Drive" into Mexico. Bullets or not.....

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

ticat900 wrote:
TRAILERKING wrote:
I guess if want to cruise around with guns and ammo.............."Pay The Consequences".
they did say ammo no mention of guns??? buts what laughable is mexico is one of the most corrupt countrys in the world full of drug gangs, guns and crime
and they arrest some poor sap because of a few shells that's why I wont go to a **** hole like mexico

All of the crossings I have made had BIG signs saying no guns and no ammo.

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

yes that's very true. But common sense has to prevail when considering all laws and rules and finding a Mexican border guard with that
is unlikely. having a few shells with no firearm and dragging a fifth wheel alongside 2 other groups etc is a far cry than a rented car with a case of ammo and or guns to match. Its too bad this guy is going thru this and in my opinion its terrible they would treat him in such a manor over a trivial thing such as this
Iam sure a good scolding and maybe a 50$ fine would have been more than required

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, it was just ammo, no guns. The guys are avid skeet shooters and remembered to remove all of the guns, evidently even took out what they thought was all the ammo, but forgot about a box that was in one of the compartments, buried, out of sight, out of mind, I guess.

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Now heres a Guy that deserved as much or more than he got in the end!!!

www.castanet.net/edition/news-story-158106-21-.htm

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can't speak to the truth of this because, after all, I read it on a forum somewhere.

There was a couple going into Canada that had left all of their guns and ammunition at a son's residence for the trip. When they got to the border checkpoint, a cursory search by the agents found a holster for a handgun. That led to a stringent search of the RV and tow vehicle, to include having everything in all compartments removed to look for other firearms related stuff.

So, even one really tries to do the right thing, one really better remember to remove everything related to firearms, including any cleaning kit that might be in a basement storage area.

Terry

legrandnormand · RV-Dreams Family Member

That's OK, we do not need people carrying guns just to protect themselves; we are far from being a country thas has a school or a police murder every single day !

-- Edited by legrandnormand on Friday 12th of February 2016 07:50:55 AM

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

So here's my take on border crossing into ANY country. (We are US citizens that live and drive into Mexico every winter and into Canada in the summers.)

Every country has strict rules and we are responsible to know and follow them. It doesn't matter if we like them, if we want to cross borders we have to follow that countries rules. All countries have rules about food. Just try to cross any of these three borders with an apple in your vehicle. As much as I disliked having to toss apples in the dumpster, if I wanted to go to Canada that was my choice.

I've had to throw away food to enter all three countries. Even some state lines have strict rules. It's part of the RV life, we have to know and follow the rules. Doesn't matter if we like them.

I know there is a big difference between apples and guns/ammo but both will ruin your day if you don't follow the rules. So when I hear a story like the original post I don't think the country matters. You will face tough consequences in every country if you break the rules. (Try bring an undeclared gun/ammo or apples into Canada.)

Nothing political about any of these situations. Just rules.

legrandnormand · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree with you 100% Russ Ranger, it is not because someone says that he is an American from the United States that he has the same rights in the other 2 countries of North America.

All citizens from Canada, USA and Mexico live in North America just like Germans live in Europe and there are different laws in each european country that have to be respected.

-- Edited by legrandnormand on Friday 12th of February 2016 06:51:23 PM

ticat900 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Russ Ranger wrote:
So here's my take on border crossing into ANY country. (We are US citizens that live and drive into Mexico every winter and into Canada in the summers.)

Every country has strict rules and we are responsible to know and follow them. It doesn't matter if we like them, if we want to cross borders we have to follow that countries rules. All countries have rules about food. Just try to cross any of these three borders with an apple in your vehicle. As much as I disliked having to toss apples in the dumpster, if I wanted to go to Canada that was my choice.

I've had to throw away food to enter all three countries. Even some state lines have strict rules. It's part of the RV life, we have to know and follow the rules. Doesn't matter if we like them.

I know there is a big difference between apples and guns/ammo but both will ruin your day if you don't follow the rules. So when I hear a story like the original post I don't think the country matters. You will face tough consequences in every country if you break the rules. (Try bring an undeclared gun/ammo or apples into Canada.)

Nothing political about any of these situations. Just rules.

I totally disagree on the **Try bring an undeclared gun/ammo or apples into Canada.** the gun part defineatly is true but the ammo/apple deal will not get you arrested and locked in jail

apples will get you a fine (maybe) and a scolding for sure same with a FEW bullits, u most likely will endure a secondary search and scolding if u have a few shells

lets get back to the premise of the OP statement. the poor guy simply forgot a few bird shot shells . Canada will never ever worry about those never mind arrest you and detain you for several days like those Mexican third world country yahoos will

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yeah...reminds me when coming back home from Florida after buying the motor home down there. The wife bought a bag of oranges to nibble on the way home. We got to the North Portal border crossing and forgot we still had a few oranges in a bag in the fridge along with some bottled water, that was all. They asked the regular questions. I told them we had some left over oranges in the fridge. I expected they'd take them but they said that's fine and sent us on our way.

tnsauerkraut · RV-Dreams Family Member

I hate that this happened, and I hope everything turns out alright. Having traveled around most of the world, to include China before the Olympics and capitalism happened, as well as Egypt and Jordan before the Revolution, to name a couple, it's very simple.

You are the visitor. As such, it is up to you to follow their laws. If you can't follow their laws, then be prepared to face the consequences.

When we went to China, we had to go as part of a tour group. We were not allowed to go anywhere by ourselves. If we left the hotel on our own, we were followed. The day we went to the Beijing Zoo, we had to notify the front desk when were we leaving and when we would be back, as well as any detours along the way. And you can be sure we were followed.

When we went to Tianaman Square, we were not allowed to photograph the soldiers or the official government buildings. I saw some tourists not pay attention. Their cameras were seized and tossed to the ground stomped on. I saw others escorted back to their van, and I'm sure their tour guide paid dearly for those transgressions. No, China is not that strict anymore, but laws are laws. Your American citizenship does not give you carte blanche to do what you want in other countries. That is the height of arrogance.

telco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Accounts of this sort of thing really irritate me. I lead 1 or 2 RV Caravans a year into Mexico and I have travelled there on my own in an RV for about 10 years now. First of all, who in their right mind would try to enter a foreign country without knowing the rules? Furthermore, there are warning signs before you cross at Nogales on the US side, clearly stating that firearms & ammo are not allowed in Mexico. Same rules for Canada. Your would not try to take illicit drugs into Mexico, why would anyone try to take firearms or ammo into there. That individual got just what he deserved, IMO. On our caravans we state clearly that anyone caught with a firearm or ammo will be booted off right then and there and left to themselves to make their way back. It is a serious offence down there. A few birdshot shells? Its like being nailed for a half smoked joint and saying its nothing.

It amazes me at how many people seem scared to travel in Mexico and yet would not think twice about traveling to Belgium or France or go into a movie theatre or college campus in the US where they probably have a greater chance of getting shot. I appreciate a lot of people have misgivings, but spreading stories that have little relevance to people that follow the rules, is not helpful.

That aside, here is a slide show of RVing below the border. The photos are from the trip I just got back from wagon mastering. http://www.mexicorvbuddies.com/slide1.php

-- Edited by telco on Monday 18th of April 2016 09:45:03 AM

Russ Ranger · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well I guess we Ranger's must be double stupid. Not only do we spend our Winters in Mexico, we are about to leave for Brussels to spend three months. My son is a Master Sargent - USAF stationed with NATO as a computer hacker. We will visit the grandkids and tour the whole continent during our time there.

I didn't get to 65 years/retirement old to sit at home. There are adventures to be had. Statistically I am more likely to die while in the USA so I figure that I might as well not worry. We'll go see the world and let someone else do the worrying.

I'm going to fulfill one of my "bucket list" items while there. I'm going to skipper a canal boat through the European canal system. It's alot like RV'ing but you follow the web of canals that lace the countries. RV'ing afloat should be a great adventure.

I've said it before but it is our chosen RV lifestyle that allows us to financially do these types of travel. If we owned a home we would not be leading the life we have. I am grateful that RV'ing gives us the freedom to choose.

telco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Exactly. If you dont get out & live, then IMO you are not living, you are existing. Where to you stay in Mazatlan? Form some of your photos I am guessing Los Cerritos. Ever think of doing some wagon mastering? We are often looking for people with driving experince in Mexico. We do do some 30 day trips just to San Carlos, Copper Canyon, Alamos, Maztalan and to Teacapan 100 km south. bTW in gcase you do not know, the RV park in Los Mochis is closing. No real loss there, but it was handy. We do have an alternative if you want the info.

-- Edited by telco on Monday 18th of April 2016 03:18:43 PM

Neil and Connie · RV-Dreams Family Member

While we don't go to Mexico…we've been across the Canadian border multiple times in the rig and what they take (either way) just depends on what the government is worried about this week.

We've had chicken tossed going North if it was from one of the states with avian flu…but have had other state chicken left alone. We've also not even been asked about chicken.

Same with eggs…we've had eggs taken, eggs not taken, and not even asked.

They took my lime going south…no idea why. Other times they didn't care.

Garlic that was whole was taken once going south but if we had the abomination of already peeled and/or chopped garlic it would have been OK. Other times they didn't even ask.

Beef/pork nobody ever cared.

Other produce…never had any issues.

Lamb…you can't bring Canadian lamb into the US…luckily the package we had in the freezer said product of USA so it was OK.

The rules on food have changed every time we've been across either way.

Booze…technically you're allowed to bring only 1 gallon total (I think) into Canada…we've always had more but almost always less than 3 gallons (including wine and beer). Never had any issue with it…and one guard told us that as long as it was for personal use then "they" didn't bother with RVers having more, but it was unclear whether "they" was his shift, his crossing, or the border guards in general.

The farther west you go in Canada…the nicer the border guards are.

Our worst ever crossing was going from Maine into New Brunswick…we had switched our domicile to SD by then but were still living in VA. Went to Halifax for a symphony concert and got to the border…guy says "what brings you to Canada". I said "a concert"…he saw the SD tags on the car and asked if we drove all the way from SD for a concert…I said we had actually driven from VA for it…and we were pulled over for the car dismantling.

An hour later once we were back on the road after the search and individual interrogations for both of us…we were wondering what the deal was and it hit us. When we said concert he must have thought something like Grateful Dead rock concert and figured we were brining in some wacky weed…if we had symphony concert he probably wouldn't have cared.