RVing Mexico - How to Find Parts and Mechanics
Many RVers are discovering that Mexico has a ton to offer. It’s affordable, and accessible and has countless miles of beaches, stunning desert landscapes, and a wonderful mountainous interior. The logistics are surprisingly simple and with some basic paperwork, you can quickly find yourself parked on a beautiful beach.
What RVers Need to Travel in Mexico
The first border crossing is often nerve-wracking but it doesn’t take long to realize Mexico is RV friendly. With a little preparation, getting across the border is easy. You need to have a few documents in order, a basic understanding of the process, and a game plan for the border.
Documents and Legal Reqs
RV’s are special at border crossings because of their size. Ideally, you will choose a crossing that is accustomed to seeing RV’s or at the very least, commercial vehicles. There are plenty of border crossings like Lukeville, Eagle Pass, and Mexicali where bigger rigs are normal. When you do reach the border, these are things you will need to continue driving into Mexico.
- Passport
- Mexican RV Insurance from Cross Border Coverage
- FMM (tourist visa)
- RV registration
- Temporary Import Permit (not required in Baja or Sonora)
- Multiple copies of everything
The FMM visa is obtained at the border, in the Aduana office. It can be acquired online but you still must have it signed at the border so you may as well do everything on-site. The TIP is for the RV and is also completed at the border, in the banjercito. If you are staying in Sonora or Baja, you can skip the TIP entirely as these areas fall within the free zone.
Things You Should Bring
Many RV parks have modern hookups and facilities in Mexico. Others are more primitive and you may find a need to fill water tanks at purification stations. These stations are abundant but not all are equipped to fill RV’s. If you have a long water hose, however, filling is easy.
You should also prepare for breakdowns, flat tires, and other issues on the road. Ideally, you will carry tire plugs, a compressor, and heavy-duty tow straps and have the phone number for the Green Angels (roadside assistance) on hand.
Sourcing Parts and Qualified Mechanics
One common worry with RVers is sourcing parts and mechanics across the border. Mexico is within the same supply chain as the United States for many auto parts and you will even find AutoZone.
Truck routes also have fantastic diesel mechanics available, many of whom work at great rates. The same applies to areas with tourism and RV parks. Overall, dealing with anything minor is very easy and you might even find a great shop to handle larger repairs.
If you are struggling to find parts or anything specialized, you can often order from the US. You will need to find a business with an address that accepts orders and there are typically tax forms for anything imported.
One easy way to make it easy is by ordering through Amazon. They have the tariffs pre-calculated for many countries and will deliver with surprisingly fast turnaround times.
iOverlander for Mechanics
Another excellent resource for travelers is the iOverlander app. It’s crowdsourced information and you will find mechanics, water purification locations, gas station intel and campsites. If you find a great mechanic or something valuable to share, contribute to the community. It’s a great system with up-to-date information that is very useful.
Easy Destinations to Get Started
You can have some great experiences without traveling far. Head to Rocky Point and you will find oceanfront RV sites only an hour from the Arizona border. It’s a favorite destination for folks from Tuscon and Phoenix who want to hit the Sea of Cortez.
Baja is also a favorite for Rvers and like Rocky Point, San Felipe is just across the border in Baja. Cross at Mexicali in California and follow the wide Highway 5 directly to the town. There are numerous great RV parks and campsite options in the area.
If you are truly adventurous, continue driving south on the Baja Peninsula until you reach Baja Sur. There are miles of oceans and inland deserts to enjoy on the way south.