Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

waterflyer

Oct 13, 2006, 7:31 AM

Post #1 of 15 (1872 views)

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Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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Oh boy! we're packing the car and finding we'd love to have a small trailer/platform to tote stuff due to spatial relations issues. Anyone know if anything small exists, brands, etc, and most importantly, if this would create a problem crossing the border? We're starting out with FM-Ts. Muchas Gracias.

bournemouth

Oct 13, 2006, 7:47 AM

Post #2 of 15 (1872 views)

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Re: [waterflyer] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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No problems at all - just remember that when your vehicle leaves, the trailer has to leave too. Enjoy the trip.

sioux4noff

Oct 13, 2006, 8:00 AM

Post #3 of 15 (1866 views)

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Re: [waterflyer] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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We had that same problem - more stuff than car space! We got an inexpensive canvas car top carrier from Pep Boys, and for another trip got one of those little platforms that goes on your trailer hitch like you see hunters using for ice chests, etc.
We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies on each border crossing, but had no problems. Well, one time some of the stuff in the car shifted and slid onto the dogs - try to avoid that if you can.
Good luck on your trip, please post a little report when you arrive to tell us how it went.

patricio_lintz

Oct 13, 2006, 12:49 PM

Post #4 of 15 (1849 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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Tolls are increased for pulling any trailer. Costs are figured per axle. I do not know where but this info is on the internet. Ask Rolly!

Rolly

Oct 13, 2006, 1:07 PM

Post #5 of 15 (1843 views)

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Re: [patricio_lintz] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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There used to be an easy-to-use website that gave fees, mileage and drive times for each segment of every toll road. Then that was replaced by a jumbled up mess that was terribly hard to use and covered only some toll roads. Now that has gone away. I have not found a replacement.

I hope someone has found it if there is a new site.

Rolly Pirate

(This post was edited by Rolly on Oct 13, 2006, 1:08 PM)

jerezano

Oct 13, 2006, 3:01 PM

Post #6 of 15 (1835 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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Hello,

They keep upping the tolls so often that I think the author of the web page threw in the towel.

As for the trailer--be careful about your Mexican insurance. Some policies are invalidated if the car is pulling a trailer. Just make sure you get the right kind.

Adiós. jerezano.

Papirex

Oct 13, 2006, 3:38 PM

Post #7 of 15 (1826 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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Jerezano is right about the insurance for the trailer. Several years ago we pulled a trailer down here, and we had to list the trailer and the car towing it with the insurance company or the trailer would not be covered. I don’t remember if there was any extra cost for the trailer, although there might have been.

The toll charges are higher when you are towing a trailer too. They do charge by the number of axels. The extra charges for the trailer didn’t seem to follow any discernable pattern that I could detect. As I remember it, the tolls seemed t be about 50% higher than they were for a car only at that time.

As a very rough rule of thumb, I always estimate the tolls on any long trip in Mexico will just about equal the cost of the gas we buy every day. That can vary all over the place. I would guess that allowing 1 ½ times the cost of the gas for the day would be somewhat more accurate if you are towing a trailer.

They keep raising the tolls so often down here; I don’t think anyone can ever find an accurate estimate of the cost of tolls on any long trip here anymore. The bottom line is it costs what it costs, and that’s all that can be said about it, unless you are driving the same road all the time.

Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

Brian

Oct 13, 2006, 4:09 PM

Post #8 of 15 (1818 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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In Reply To

http://portal.sct.gob.mx/...mp;_pageLabel=B20039

http://www.bajabound.com/...riving/tollroads.asp

Brian

(This post was edited by Rolly on Oct 13, 2006, 7:01 PM)

Ed and Fran

Oct 13, 2006, 5:37 PM

Post #9 of 15 (1802 views)

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Re: [RexC] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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As a very rough rule of thumb, I always estimate the tolls on any long trip in Mexico will just about equal the cost of the gas we buy every day.

We're envious of those of you who have the opportunity to pay tolls (and, therefore, to drive on toll roads). We can drive from home to the U.S. border, 10 hours, and pay only one 28 peso toll at the Tampico high bridge. We can drive 4 hours towards Mexico City (of the 6 hours that it takes to get there) paying only one 25 peso toll at the Tuxpan bridge.

Paying tolls is good.

Regards

Ed & Fran

jerezano

Oct 14, 2006, 7:23 AM

Post #10 of 15 (1774 views)

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Re: [Ed and Fran] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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Hello Ed and Fran,

That is a real big tounge in your cheek. I still remember three or four years ago driving from Tampico in the early afternoon to Tuxpan and arriving at Tuxpan at 2:30 in the early morning. Of course it was raining all the way, but that LIBRE was in the worst condition of any highway I had ever seen in México. I don't think we averaged more than 10 miles an hour for the entire distance. And of course it violated every principle I have about driving at night in México.

Don't you have a toll road now from Tampico to Tuxpan? I think they did then too, but we didn't know it.

Adiós. jerezano.

Ed and Fran

Oct 14, 2006, 7:52 AM

Post #11 of 15 (1768 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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Don't you have a toll road now from Tampico to Tuxpan?

No, that's my point. The only stretch of toll road within hours of us is the one that goes from Tuxpan to Tihuatlan (not all the way to Poza Rica) plus the new extension of that which goes towards (but not all the way to) Gutierrez Zamora / Tecolutla. I'd be happy to pay tolls if I could drive on decent roads.

I still remember three or four years ago driving from Tampico in the early afternoon to Tuxpan and arriving at Tuxpan at 2:30 in the early morning. Of course it was raining all the way, but that LIBRE was in the worst condition of any highway I had ever seen in México.

I remember when the road was in really horrible condition, that was a really tough couple of years for travel from here. It's still far from the best road, but they do annual maintenance on stretches. Unfortunately the roadbed is very poor, so the new repairs deteriorate rapidly. We went up to Tampico about a month or so ago, and most of the road is okay right now.

Every election for governor here in Veracruz, the candidates all promise to build the autopista from Tuxpan to Tampico. And just as soon as the election is over they forget about the northern part of the state. The only autopistas that get built in Veracruz are in the Mexico City / Xalapa / Veracruz triangle.

Okay, maybe a bit of an exageration, but not much. They have supposedly been working on completing the long awaited autopista between Mexico City and Tuxpan for years. It's open from Mexico City as far as La Venta Grande, about half way between Tulancingo and Huauchinango. What's missing is the hard part, from there to connect with our local stretch of autopista at Tihuatlan. You can see construction going on at this end, so I believe they will complete the road within my lifetime. I have faith. And patience........

Regards

Ed

(This post was edited by Ed and Fran on Oct 14, 2006, 7:53 AM)

karfest

Oct 15, 2006, 11:23 AM

Post #12 of 15 (1710 views)

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Re: [Ed and Fran] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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I was under the impression that we neded an FM-3 to bring our trailer into Mexico. We are planning a move to Manzanillo and will be bringing our household goods in a small trailer pulled behind our jeep. Can we do this with an FM-T?
Karen
Follow my blog: http://vivalavida-karen.blogspot.com/

Rolly

Oct 15, 2006, 11:35 AM

Post #13 of 15 (1708 views)

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Re: [karfest] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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Yes, but you probably will have to pay an import duty on the stuff in the trailer. But if you are moving to MZ, why don't you want to get and FM3 and menaje?

Rolly Pirate

karfest

Oct 16, 2006, 7:37 AM

Post #14 of 15 (1670 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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We are planning to get our FM-3, but this post got me thinking that I could save myself some money and some trips to Chicago for the paperwork! I forgot about paying duty with just an FM-T. Thanks for the info.
Karen
Follow my blog: http://vivalavida-karen.blogspot.com/

toddmc

Oct 17, 2006, 4:04 PM

Post #15 of 15 (1633 views)

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Re: [karfest] Is there a problem bringing a small trailer to MX?

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This morning at 8 am we crossed into Mexico from Eagle Pass Texas with our 4X6 foot cargo trailer.
We only had a tourist visa, we paid $1,500 pesos duty on the contents and were on our way in 25 minutes.
At the check point 53 kilometers in we got a new import sticker for our truck that included our trailer.
Customs looked over our trailer again and we were on our way in 20 minutes.

I have no idea if the same thing would happen for you, but just wanted to share my experience with you.

No menaje and no customs brokers fees.

Its nice to be back!

Todd

*************************
Our new life in Patzcuaro: http://lifeinthecorazon.blogspot.com

(This post was edited by toddmc on Oct 17, 2006, 4:10 PM)