mamestra
Campbell River, B.C. Canada
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Joined: 04/22/2004
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This is a copy of a warning I received that I thought I should pass on.
Subject Mariposa border crossing danger for motorhomes, trailers, large vehicles, etc.
Please pass this on to anyone and everyone that may have an interest.
You may recall an email I sent recently that mentioned the new 'topes' or speed-bumps installed at the checkpoint just south of the toll booth at the southern end of the toll road from the Mariposa crossing in Nogales. To be perfectly clear, this is the first of the two places where you randomly get a 'red-light' or 'green-light'.
At this checkpoint they have built incredibly large and diagonal speedbumps in the left lane and I believe the center lane as well. This past week several motorhomes, trailers, 5th-wheels, etc. came through and some of them reported significant damage as their rigs were thrust and torqued back and forth as each wheel crossed the speedbumps individually. Items in cabinets were thrown and broken. Some rigs reported torqueing so severe that sides of the units came close to striking the polls on either side. So far the damage has amounted to several hundred dollars in a few cases.
Two suggestions based on the stories reported on this end:
* Try to pull off to the right before you enter the checkpoint and ask if they will allow you to pass through the right lane and avoid the speedbumps.
* If they won't, then drive so slowly as to let each wheel cross individually with you bringing your vehicle to a near complete stop after each wheel crosses.
2007 Dodge 3500 Quad 6.7 L Cummins
2006 SunnyBrook 32BKWS
wife Diane and 110lb German Shepherd "Tye"
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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This same warning was posted by someone else a year or more ago! We crossed there Last Year with no problems.Diagonal Speed Bumps can be found in several places in Mexico! Yes they do bounce the rig around!
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
" Everything in it"Still" Works"
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mexbungalows
las peñas, michoacan, mexico
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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(Sigh)
The only way to have them reduce or eliminate the nonsense is for every rv'er that crosses here to have their partner get out and then o-o-z-e the way across the topes. Using walkie talkies will make the floor shows even more effective. This is the only really effective way of dealing with the problem "en mass". The aduaneros will call their boss to come and watch, and then everyone is going to become afraid of the "crap rolling downhill effect" from Mexico City. They will assume that this has become a huge obstacle for overland tourism. Well, at least that is my hope.
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rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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The advantage of triple axles, we always have two tires on the ground as we cross. Less shifting & swaying. Disadvantage, potential of 6 flat tires.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
* This post was
edited 10/06/08 07:51pm by rocmoc *
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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mexbungalows wrote:(Sigh)
The only way to have them reduce or eliminate the nonsense is for every rv'er that crosses here to have their partner get out and then o-o-z-e the way across the topes. Using walkie talkies will make the floor shows even more effective. This is the only really effective way of dealing with the problem "en mass". The aduaneros will call their boss to come and watch, and then everyone is going to become afraid of the "crap rolling downhill effect" from Mexico City. They will assume that this has become a huge obstacle for overland tourism. Well, at least that is my hope.
Amen (can I say that?) You have to make it a problem for them otherwise it isn't a problem. Once that's done the the quicker the change comes.
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
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Living and Boondocking Mexico
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moisheh
North America
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Joined: 05/04/2002
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I am going to be the doubter on this one. Some more info would help. When were these mountain sized topes built? We last crossed Mariposa in April and did not encouner any problems. This crossing is also used by local semis. I have never rock and rolled through that area. We will cross in about a week and I will report. If I do encounter gian sized topes I will not ask anyone to use the right side. Just use it and let them yell all they want. Rocmoc: How about a day trip in the PU for a report??
Moisheh
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rocmoc
Tucson, AZ/Mexico
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I will try, was not going down again for a couple of weeks. AND I never take the toll road except when we are in the RV. You will probably get there before I do. Surprised someone else has not reported something. There are RVs now headed SOB. IMHO, it may have been the first introduction of the OP to Mexican Speed Bumps. Sounds pretty normal to me. I did ask my SOB friend about 21km. Someone had said they heard it was no longer issuing auto permits. He said nothing has changed, still the first stop and best stop to get a Visa.
Travel safe,
rocmoc
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hypoxia
Arizona
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Joined: 04/29/2003
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I came through there a few days ago and didn't think anything of them. They are just bumps which have to be taken slowly. They are NOT tall topes, just small annoying diagonal bumps which if taken slowly shouldn't cause concern.
I have never crossed at Mariposa without being inspected on the US side. Is it just me??
Jim
My Trailer Rebuild Project
2008 F-350 6.4 Diesel
1990 Collins 24' 5th Wheel
2001 Jayco 311RLS 5th Wheel
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