extra gas cans for Mexico, full or empty

[Ursidae69]

Hey Ya'll,

I'm bringing 3 extra fuel cans for my upcoming trip and noticed a recent post on BajaNomad that stated you must bring extra fuel cans over the border empty and fill them in Mexico. I've never been questioned in the past, anyone been hassled with full fuel cans before? I planned on filling them atSanto Domingo Pueblo betyween Abq and Santa Fewhere I can get gas for 1.51 still. We're up to 1.79 in Santa Fe already.

Thanks,
Chuck...



www.zr2usa.com/NewMexico/chuckh.html (http://www.zr2usa.com/NewMexico/chuckh.html)
My 01 GMC 130k and still going...
www.treadlightly.org/ (http://www.treadlightly.org/) Please Tread Lightly

[BajaTaco]

It is just a chance you take. I have also read about people having to forfeit their fuel. Of all of the trips I have done with people carrying extra fuel, nobody has ever had a problem. Maybe Al or Bob can give you a better idea on "percentages" of hassles at various crossings.


http://www.bajataco.com

[WhiteThaiGer]

Ursidae69 said...
...
I can get gas for 1.51 still. We're up to 1.79 in Santa Fe already. Try $2.09 for the cheapest and up to $2.40 close to the freeways.

I haven't been to Mexico as often as some, the one time I was pulled over into secondary they checked the gas can. It was empty though.



***************************************
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[Ursidae69]

BajaTaco said...
It is just a chance you take. I have also read about people having to forfeit their fuel. Of all of the trips I have done with people carrying extra fuel, nobody has ever had a problem. Maybe Al or Bob can give you a better idea on "percentages" of hassles at various crossings.
</div>I hear ya.Thanks for the info. I'm going a little overkill with 3 cans, but I might be doing a lot of back country driving depending on what we decide to do. I might just have one full and fill the other two in Mexico.


www.zr2usa.com/NewMexico/chuckh.html (http://www.zr2usa.com/NewMexico/chuckh.html)
My 01 GMC 130k and still going...
www.treadlightly.org/ (http://www.treadlightly.org/) Please Tread Lightly

[Ursidae69]

WhiteThaiGer said...

[quote]Try $2.09 for the cheapest and up to $2.40 close to the freeways.
Wow, you must be in SoCal. Glad I have a co-pilot this year, otherwise fuel charges would be a bit much. Wish they'd hurry up and get me a hydrogen fuel cell'ed pick up! http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/supercool.gif


www.zr2usa.com/NewMexico/chuckh.html (http://www.zr2usa.com/NewMexico/chuckh.html)
My 01 GMC 130k and still going...
www.treadlightly.org/ (http://www.treadlightly.org/) Please Tread Lightly

[YukonBob]

I've never had had problem crossing with full fuel cans.

[bufeo]

Ahhhh, the memories of being able to fill up at Santa Domingo Pueblo (1995-1998).

On the subject of gas into Baja. Yes, if you get a Red light or if you are Declaring anything else the Mexican Customs will check your gas cans. If you have gas, there can be a hassle. We cross at Mexicali about twenty times/year. I don't carry fuel across. To me, it's not worth the extra pesos to have to go through the process of disposing of the fuel. I often have fuel containers with me, but I place them if such a position that makes it quite obvious that they are empty.

We've had the 'hassle' happen to neighbors of ours (at Punta Bufeo). Mexican Customs escorted them from the old crossing in the center of town all the way back to the new crossing east of town about seven miles. Our friends even tried the old mordida ploy and that didn't work. They ended up giving the fuel to a couple of motorists going north, and when they tried to re-enter were checked once more.

When I'm entering Mexico I like to have the fewest possible points of trouble. I always get in the No Declaration lanes, but if I'm unlucky enough to get a Red Light, I have receipts, empty fuel cans, legal amount of alcohol, etc.

With a little luck, we'll be crossing at Mexicali in a few hours. Just waiting for Fedex to deliver some legal documents we have to sign (unrelated to Baja).

Cheers! Hope to be at 'the party' Saturday.

Here's to meeting good people on bad roads!

[expeditionswest]

Just cross with them empty, and fill them at a Pemex before heading south. There is really no (significant) difference between CA and Mexico fuel prices.

A couple notes on gas availability (from my last trip). The Pemex in Puertecitos was closed, but the new Pemex in Gonzaga was open (we were the second customer). They are still bringing in food items, and coolers. Gas in LA bay is available south of town by the boat docks (not a Pemex), $3.00 a gallon http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/emoticons/shocked.gif , and availability might be sketchy. Fuel was consistantly available off of Mex1

Scott Brady
mailto:guide@expeditionswest.com (guide@expeditionswest.com)
http://www.expeditionswest.com

[Ursidae69]

That settles it, thanks everyone. I'll bring 'em in empty and avoid potential problems. Learned something today.


www.zr2usa.com/NewMexico/chuckh.html (http://www.zr2usa.com/NewMexico/chuckh.html)
My 01 GMC 130k and still going...
www.treadlightly.org/ (http://www.treadlightly.org/) Please Tread Lightly