| Author | Message | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
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Hi all.. the wife and I left Dec 26th from Vancouver BC and arrived in Mazatlan Mexico on the 30th. The new 8v92ta ran without any problems used no oil and climbed the grades at speed limit with no heating problems. It's shure is nice to have the bus done to use....and have no problems on the maiden voyage of 1500 mile leg down here. & Joan | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
When did you stop? Is there a Bus version of motorcycle's Iron Butt Award? | ||
| david anderson (Davidanderson)
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Yea man. You made some distance in a short time. David Anderson | ||
| Geoff (Geoff)
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Come on, guys-- 1500 miles in 4 days isn't hard. I did 800 miles in my bus in one day, and that WAS too much! --Geoff '82 RTS AZ | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
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Congrats on a happy maiden voyage! Dad & I drove 2500 miles to Montana to pick up parts for my 4501. While there, we spent a lesiurely day in Glacier National Park (drove another 100 miles) and another day loading 11,000# of parts. We then headed back home. The second 2500 miles took a little more gas  We were driving a 1994 ford van pulling a 16' tandem axle trailer. We averaged 9.5 mpg on the way out & 7.5 mpg loaded. That 460 was thirsty! We stopped to stretch & switch off driving at every gas stop. On the way out, our only stop was Sat nite just inside Wy so we could drive thru the Big Horn mountains as the sun rose. (That was a wise choice.) We also stopped once on the way back as we all wanted showers and to stop moving for a few hours, also a wise choice. We left on a Friday at 2 pm & made it back home the following friday at 4:30 pm. We had light traffic & were able to keep up with the flow and average almost 60 mph. Perfect weather on the way out, but for the trip back, we had light rain for all but 6 hours. Best vacation I've ever had! I got to spend time with my Dad & my son, see this beautiful country, and get bus parts. The only way to improve on that is to take my bus next time! Kyle4501 | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
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You're right Geoff..it wasn't that bad, I've spent more hrs going a shorter distance on my Harley...it help when you only have to stop once a day for fuel and a bight to eat. The 8V92 just love this Mexico diesel...seems to have more power and I think I'm getting better milage...and got to love the price... Ron | ||
| Gary Werschler (Gary)
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Glad to hear your trip down was good and everything is working great. I'm leaving on February 3rd. The coach should be finished by then. See you in spring. Gary | ||
| Pat Bartlett (Muddog16)
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Ron, I'm excited for you! I can't wait, I know you were really looking forward to this trip. Have a great time and keep us posted! Pat | ||
| Phil9tx Rating: N/A |
Lookin to do the Mexico thing. What could you tell us about crossing the border with a small dog. Passports etc. | ||
| Geoff (Geoff)
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Ron, you did really well, and I congradulate you on having no problems on the way down. I take back saying that making the trip in 4 days is not a big deal, according to my Streets and Trips the journey from Vancover to Mazatlan is 2556.5 miles! Better check your speedo.... --Geoff '82 RTS AZ | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
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Hi guys, thanks Gary & Pat, we are having a great time. Got the coach washed / waxed and rims and stainless polished for 400 pesos..$40...the guy did a great job..looks like a million bucks. Hi Phil9tx...you need to get rabies shots and thats it for the dog. They never even asked about our dog at the boarder. A passport is not required but does help. You need a picture ID (drivers lic) and birh cert. Make 3 copies of your bus registration or title and copies of insurance, birth cert, DL ect. The biggest hassel is getting all the paper work done to import your vehical, you can only bring in 1 vehical per person. So if you bring a toad...the bus will be in your name and the toad has to be in your wifes name.... Gary..looks like you will be leaving the day we get home...see you in the spring. I hape you get the bus done in time and all the systems check out (get the bugs out) before you leave. Ron | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
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Yea Geoff, they were long days of driving (14 + hrs a day) doing 70 + MPH. We're going to take our time on the way back...we wanted to get out of the cold weather on the way down. Ron | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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Many years ago when I used to visit Baha, we had to stop before crossing the border and get Mexican insurance. Also, you were limited to a certain mileage you could travel into Mexico without a Passport/visa. As I recall, Mazatlan was about the maximum. Since it has been so long and possibly there have been some changes, it would be very advisable to get some current information. I do recall that taking a gun into Mexico was really a no-no and they would confiscate it and put you in the pokey if you were caught. Also, you are automatically at fault if there is a vehicle accident and you had better have the Mexican insurance coverage. Due to all the potential problems we finally quit going to San Felipe which we had enjoyed very much. Richard | ||
| james dean boggs (Jd_boggs)
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Congrats on your trip to Mexico. I hope to follow your tire tracks in late Jan early Feb. Did you travel via the toll roads or the free highway? What were your impressions? I'm going to a place called "El Novillero" a large penninsula. It's a few hundred miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Also, I will try to visit Guayabitos. It is just another 50-75 miles south of Novillero. I have been to Guayabitos before. It's beaches are pristine, folks are friendly. Wild banna, mango and papaya trees everywhere. I once found a "tribe" of American hippies from the 60's living in jungle south of Puerto Vallarta. I took pictures of the American children and heard them speak flawless Spanish. Amazing. But first I have an appointment in a AC shop in Tijuana to have the climate control charged. Seems no one here wants to touch it. Already bought a 30 pound bottle of R22. | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
you need to get rabies shots and thats it for the dog. This is REQUIRED for your return into the USA. There is a time requirement too for how many days before entering the US the pet had to be vaccinated. FAST FRED | ||
| Ron Walker (Prevost82)
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Hi James Dean. Take the toll roads in the northern part of mexico...even they are narrow. Tuck your mirrors in as close to the body as possible. The farther south you get the wider the roads get and the libre (free) road get better. I would get in behind a trucker because there are "Topes" (speedbumps) that are everwhere... the truckers know where they are and slow down in the right distance required for you to stop to get over the Topes. There are millions of new Mercedes Buses (96" wide) down here (see 1 every 3 minutes)and they are going 80 MPH. The biggest thing to get use-to is the narrow roads. The roads up north are around 10 ft wide and your bus is 96 or 102 that leaves 1 ft on each side plus your mirrors say a ft....doesn't leave a lot of room then a bus flys by you or a semi. It can be alittle un-nerving at first Ron | ||
| Jerry75Crown
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We too will be leaving in a couple of weeks to head a couple of days farther south. When you get south of Mazatlan and off the pay road the roads get narrower and steeper. I repeat, pull your mirrors in or you will loose them. Last year was our maiden voyage, 3000 miles in Mexico. When you get your merit badge in Mexican bus driving you can go anywhere. Good Luck Jerry |