Baja Escapes

[jtischer]

Good Morning Rossue
We are headed home to Woodland from Bakersfield today. I’ll take a 2nd shot at answering your specific question on rig performance in Baja tomorrow.
I answered last night but was timed out by the Forum so will reconstruct.
Regards
Jim Tischer

[Rossue]

Thanks; have friends building in Las Barilles who would like us to visit. Haven't been down in almost 40 years, and a bit hesitant like many, especially since neither of us speak Spanish.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Rossue

especially since neither of us speak Spanish.

We wish that we spoke Spanish but we don't. But learning a very few words, obvious ones like please and thank you etc. go a long way. It's also better not to start the conversation with "Do you speak American." We've always managed to get along but know we'd get much more out of travels if we did speak the language.

Ron

[MyronL]

I do so want to do the Baja so I will be paying close attention to this thread. Dear-One surprised me the other day by her positive comment to a friend about getting to the Quartzsite "rally" upcoming. Makes me think a side trip into the Baja is (maybe) a little more possible for us.

[Ron in BC]

Me too Myron, but more like a form of self torture. Every day it seems more and more unlikely that we'll even be able to get to Q'site because the border might close.

That'd be great if you could head to Baja the same time as us sometime but it's definitely up in the air now.

Ron

[jtischer]

Rossue
I’ve done 2 detailed responses on your question of Baja rig performance and have been timed out both times.
Please contact me at jtischer560@gamail.com so 3rd time is the charm.
Thanks
Jim Tischer

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by jtischer

Rossue
I’ve done 2 detailed responses on your question of Baja rig performance and have been timed out both times.
Please contact me at jtischer560@gamail.com so 3rd time is the charm.
Thanks
Jim Tischer

If it's a lengthy post, first type it in Notepad or other text editor, then copy and paste into a reply window.

[jtischer]

Thanks Donna
Appreciate the tutorial
Merry Christmas!

[jtischer]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Yes, lot's of Canadians do go to Baja. Our favorite place, Coyote Beach, is about 50% Canadian.

Glad to see you came back through Mexicali. We've had unpleasant experiences retuning to the US at the Tecate crossing

Will enjoy seeing some photos.

Ron

Hi Ron
3rd time is the charm. Here goes.
Jim

[jtischer]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Can you elaborate on the above points you made?

SUCCESS! THANKS DONNA D!

Baja Escapes - Rig Performance
Hi Rossue
Per Donna D’s lead I’m going to answer your question on Notebook and see if it posts in the Forum unlike my 2 previous attempts when I was timed out.

Truck/trailer combinations on the 11/4 - 12/18 Baja Amigos caravan follow:
Tischer: 2013 Toyota Tacoma (110,000 miles), 2016 Escape 21’
Greg Janke: 2010 Tacoma (165,000 miles), 2019 Escape 21’
Paul Gorenzel: 2020 Dodge Ram, 2019 Escape 21’

The trip was 2,000 miles from the border at Tecate to Los Barriles in the south returning to Mexicali for the US border crossing. Tischers and Paul had an addition 1,000 miles from Woodland to border and return. Primary route was MX-1 which was all paved however most lanes were only 9 1/2’ wide with no shoulders. A small section of the return trip from Bahia de Los Angeles to Mexicali was on recently completed MX-5 which had wider lanes and shoulders. The narrow lanes and no shoulders required all 8 RV rig drivers to drive their “A Game” and pay close attention. Fortunately we had walk-in talkies so Dave and Darlene Smith, our Wagon-Masters could keep us apprised of road conditions ahead but also traffic when faster cars were trying to pass. We maintained a 5 second distance between all rigs and notified when a vehicle passed us from back to front quite effectively.

Travel speed was typically 40-45 MPH with “Body Breaks” about every 90-120 minutes when we could find a pullover. Grades were 7-10% on the trans-peninsular MX-1 in some areas. The Tacomas typically used 3rd gear up and down the tough grades and maintained caravan speeds quite well.
Gas mileage varied between 12-15 MPG depending on how severe the grades were. MX fuel costs were about $4.00 per gallon. Overall Greg Janke and I were quite pleased with our respective “Tacos” performance on the trip. Paul’s Ram had higher horsepower so it had plenty of reserve power on the steep grades.

Escape 21 Performance
Our 3 Escape 21’s were well suited for Baja roads. Their slightly narrow width than the other caravan rigs was well suited for the narrow roads and the two RV parks that required deft backing skills to emplace the trailers.
Caravan Rig configurations follow:
(1 larger 23’ trailer, 2 -23’ Class C units, 1 - 2500 GMC dually with camper and trailer pulling a Quad and a 42’ Class A RV)
We boon-docked for 12 days on 4 separate beaches during the 40-day trip. The Escapes worked well especially the solar units on each which effectively recharged the batteries each day even during 2 days of stormy weather at Tecolote Beach near La Paz. The 3 Escape 21’s performed as well as the 3 tow vehicles and were an excellent fit for the conditions encountered.

There you have it. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best Regards
Jim Tischer
Woodland CA

[Ron in BC]

Good summery, brings back memories of Escapes on the beach.

You don't know how lucky you are being able to use the new Mx-5. The old cow path wanted to bash you every which way.

Which brings up one of the areas where the one piece Escapes excel. Maintaining body integrity after heavy usage on rough roads.

One other difference I noticed about Baja roads is that sometimes potholes, even sizable ones, don't get repaired in a timely manner. They sometimes are marked by an old tire laying at the side of the road. But you can come up on one unexpectedly and thunk into it. So I tend to always hold my speed in check even though it looks like a spot where I could go faster. In my neighborhood they call that traffic calming.

Do you run into any trucks with their left turn signals on?

Ron

[jtischer]

Ron
Yes, RE: MX-5
Wagon-Masters Dave & Darlene Smith from Winnipeg, Manitoba told us horror stories of driving on MX 1 & MX 5 when all the semi’s, trailers and cars are dodging chug holes and each other if we whined too much about road conditions. Actually we encountered rough roads in some areas but no I paved areas except when entering or leaving beach campgrounds.
Truckers were pretty considerate on the whole. We maintained good spacing and tried to accommodate them as well as cars, when they were trying to pass the caravan. The walk-in-talkies were a big help to operate safely

[Ron in BC]

And then there was the by-pass for Coco's Corner. In an attempt to avoid some of the worse sections of the old (different route than new) people started driving through the desert and forming a sand road between the vegetation. It was great, very smooth. But it was deeply rutted and only one lane. Never did figure out what we'd have done if we'd have met someone.

I find the truck drivers at least as courteous as drivers in other locations. One thing that I've never been able to get used to is them putting on their left turn signal. I know it's their signal to me that it's clear to pass but I still hang back until I can see for myself that it's clear. I mean, sooner or later they have to make a left turn for real.

Ron

[jtischer]

Apparently the left turn signal from the vehicle being passed is standard practice in Mexico both for truckers and cars. It does take a bit of getting used to and one wants to be sure and drive defensively, but the system seems to work for the Mexicans from our limited experience.

[Rossue]

Hey jtischer- am sure others appreciated reading some of the details as much as I did; thanks for the write up. Was surprised to see it is 2,000 miles from Tecate to Las Barilles.

[Greggo]

Thanks for starting the thread Jim.

I concur with everything he posted. Caravan was an awesome way to get a couple reluctant Baja travellers (and cat) on the road. Id have zero reluctance now to head down alone. Seems the media have overhyped the situation, thats hardly a surprise. Risky, of course, but travel anywhere has inherent risks.

Anyway, I have to say Baja was one of our greatest travel surprises. Away from the border and esp in Baja Sur, we found gorgeous scenery, friendly people, and awesome food and libations.

Here's some random pix, bend your neck on the foodie like your eating a taco��. Also posted the Christmas lights, edited a little, lights were Jim's great idea. Feliz Navidad

Greg

[ColoradoSwany]

Originally Posted by Greggo

Thanks for starting the thread Jim.

I concur with everything he posted. Caravan was an awesome way to get a couple reluctant Baja travellers (and cat) on the road. Id have zero reluctance now to head down alone. Seems the media have overhyped the situation, thats hardly a surprise. Risky, of course, but travel anywhere has inherent risks.

Anyway, I have to say Baja was one of our greatest travel surprises. Away from the border and esp in Baja Sur, we found gorgeous scenery, friendly people, and awesome food and libations.

Here's some random pix, bend your neck on the foodie like your eating a taco��. Also posted the Christmas lights, edited a little, lights were Jim's great idea. Feliz Navidad

Greg

Is the street scene Todos Santos? Sure looks like what I remember. We were on the Baja a few years ago & visited La Paz and Todos Santos with rented car, but sadly no Escape.

[Greggo]

Good guess but it was a side street off the mission in del Cabo. Todos Santos is great and totally on the itinerary for the big return. Missed the turtles tho, they weren't feeling social

Here are a couple more. We hired a panga ($12) for a 1 1/2 hour tour off Playa Santispac (squint and you'll see 3 Escape 21s in the distant background) and a pre-eclipse full moon at the same beach. Awesome.

[Greggo]

Oops, missed the best one! Heres the group. l to r Paul, Kristina, Ann, Jim and Judy. Yours truly behind the lens. Critters were camera shy.

[Greggo]

dbl post