Anyone with experience driving a Pinzgauer in Baja and Mexico in general? Will it cause a problem? Will the truck being an ex-military vehicle be a problem? Will the color of the truck be a problem? We are thinking of getting a Pinzgauer as our expedition vehicle to visit some out of the way places. We are used to driving a passenger car in Baja and just wonder if anyone has tried driving a Pinzgauer in Mexico what the experience has been.
Steve
Driving Pinzgauer in Mexico?
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lindenengineering
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I have a client in Western Colorado who drove his Pinz to Southern Chile & back with three other guys and a lab. When they got down there they fixed up a vacation home his family have in Tucaman.
He reported no problems whatsoever, the truck is painted red & blue. I do hear of reports that the local police do at times target "Gringo" motor home owners from time to time with on the spot fines to be paid in "billette verde".
This was confirmed to me by a german couple driving a 406 Mog up from Buenos Aires the other month that had some work done in my shop. Mexican authorities apparently like to target people who seems to have "back pocket money" so as with anything be careful and alert especially in foreign parts.Above all don't assume your country will get you out of a jam, in my experiences your embassy will do very little to assist you. Above all stay out of Guatemala this is dangerous to the ordinary and inexperienced especially at night.
Dennis
He reported no problems whatsoever, the truck is painted red & blue. I do hear of reports that the local police do at times target "Gringo" motor home owners from time to time with on the spot fines to be paid in "billette verde".
This was confirmed to me by a german couple driving a 406 Mog up from Buenos Aires the other month that had some work done in my shop. Mexican authorities apparently like to target people who seems to have "back pocket money" so as with anything be careful and alert especially in foreign parts.Above all don't assume your country will get you out of a jam, in my experiences your embassy will do very little to assist you. Above all stay out of Guatemala this is dangerous to the ordinary and inexperienced especially at night.
Dennis
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Jimm391730
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Baja
Andre and I have taken our trucks to Baja several times, I've taken the OD 712W and the OD 710M and never had a problem; although one Pinz owner always seemed to lose a hat, flashlight, etc. every time he hit a checkpost. They would search his truck, find a hat they liked, put it on, complete the search, point to the hat and say "want it back?", the owner was probably wise to say "no, keep it" but I think he could have politely stood his ground as well.
I always seemed to have an extra cold can of soda and a bag of chips in the cab - while munching myself, jus an offer of a bite or cold beverage seems to go a long way to smoothing any possibilities over (that and it didn't hurt to have my 10 year old son with me, too).
It always seems to be more of a hassle just getting back across the US border, inspections, etc.
Jim M.
I always seemed to have an extra cold can of soda and a bag of chips in the cab - while munching myself, jus an offer of a bite or cold beverage seems to go a long way to smoothing any possibilities over (that and it didn't hurt to have my 10 year old son with me, too).
It always seems to be more of a hassle just getting back across the US border, inspections, etc.
Jim M.
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lindenengineering
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I am glad Jim has posted the above thread on this topic because it just about sums up my overall experiences driving various vehicles (Trucks/Buses & Landrovers) on several continents for 20 odd years and getting paid to do it!
In Latin America the "alacabala" or road check point are commonplace, so expect to get stopped. Having something to "bung" (like a cold soda) at the officals and maintaining a friendly posture will in just about all instances get you a "passe for favor". Many of the Arabian countries have the same system and I vote Hashemite Jordan as the most friendly and helpful for travellers.
Much the same for Africa, both Black and Arab and the only place I have had a weapon pulled on me is in the Southern Sudan and the USA.
Expect to get encounter obstinate behaviour from time to time but with patience it usually melts away if you are calm and collected. The State of Texas is the only place I have experienced obstinacy at a whole new level, and that was when demonstrating a double deck transit bus to the cities of Austin, Dallas & Houston. In Dallas I have stared down the barrel of a Glock over State regulations and the presentatation of the Texas Statute book showing me in the right, bare faced stupidity in Missouri and sadly ignorence in Indiana. In all, my experiences I have to sadly state here and now that the most foul mouthed and aggressive authorities have been those I have have come up against are in these United States.
So if you are planning a trip to foreign parts look up the State dept web site and click on the country you are wishing to go to. Often some good advise is to be found there. Then go to the UK Foreign Office web site and compare their assessment. Then click on Austrailia's Foreign office for a third evaluation. (Aussies & Brits do alot of adventure travel) so the reports reflect the state of play where you are going. If for example you see and compare the reports as the same (Guatemala) is a prime example almost the same word for word be careful!
That's the operative word Careful.
Don't dress too much like a wealthy Gringo and you'll have fun adventure and meet really interesting people.
Dennis
PS Anyone know where the word "gringo" comes from?
In Latin America the "alacabala" or road check point are commonplace, so expect to get stopped. Having something to "bung" (like a cold soda) at the officals and maintaining a friendly posture will in just about all instances get you a "passe for favor". Many of the Arabian countries have the same system and I vote Hashemite Jordan as the most friendly and helpful for travellers.
Much the same for Africa, both Black and Arab and the only place I have had a weapon pulled on me is in the Southern Sudan and the USA.
Expect to get encounter obstinate behaviour from time to time but with patience it usually melts away if you are calm and collected. The State of Texas is the only place I have experienced obstinacy at a whole new level, and that was when demonstrating a double deck transit bus to the cities of Austin, Dallas & Houston. In Dallas I have stared down the barrel of a Glock over State regulations and the presentatation of the Texas Statute book showing me in the right, bare faced stupidity in Missouri and sadly ignorence in Indiana. In all, my experiences I have to sadly state here and now that the most foul mouthed and aggressive authorities have been those I have have come up against are in these United States.
So if you are planning a trip to foreign parts look up the State dept web site and click on the country you are wishing to go to. Often some good advise is to be found there. Then go to the UK Foreign Office web site and compare their assessment. Then click on Austrailia's Foreign office for a third evaluation. (Aussies & Brits do alot of adventure travel) so the reports reflect the state of play where you are going. If for example you see and compare the reports as the same (Guatemala) is a prime example almost the same word for word be careful!
That's the operative word Careful.
Don't dress too much like a wealthy Gringo and you'll have fun adventure and meet really interesting people.
Dennis
PS Anyone know where the word "gringo" comes from?
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Dennis, supposedly the word GRINGO comes from the times of one of the various US incursions into Mexico. I can' t remember if it was the Mexican American War or the Black Jack Pershing thing chasing Pancho Villa. But, supposedly the Americans would sing Green Grow the Rushes as a marching song and the word gingo comes from a condensing an bastardization of Geen Grow.
What many people here don't understand is that the bribery thing (mordita; literally the bite) is a way of life there probably dating back to at least Napoleanic times if not further. They have no social security or retirement systems to speak of. Many times in the past you had to buy your job and make payments to your boss to keep it. I haven't talked with any Mexican officials in years, but when I was working with them they would be as honest as their system let them be for the most part. But, you knew that going in. We would just never look too closely at the VINs of whatever vehicles they were driving at the moment. They were as brave as anybody I worked with on this side when things broke bad. We had some great pachangas (beer and barbequed meat) with them.
As far as American cops go. I'm not surprised. The badge and the idea of authority gets real heavy for many, I have seen at all levels of US law enforcement and it wasn't just the rednecks either. It is probably not true, but it seemed like the higher educated they were the less they knew about how to get along with folks on "the street" and they spent most of their time being afraid. Not alert and aware, but afraid which prompted many an over reaching or an inappropirate excalation of the response level. But overall most of them have their stuff wrapped pretty tight.
What many people here don't understand is that the bribery thing (mordita; literally the bite) is a way of life there probably dating back to at least Napoleanic times if not further. They have no social security or retirement systems to speak of. Many times in the past you had to buy your job and make payments to your boss to keep it. I haven't talked with any Mexican officials in years, but when I was working with them they would be as honest as their system let them be for the most part. But, you knew that going in. We would just never look too closely at the VINs of whatever vehicles they were driving at the moment. They were as brave as anybody I worked with on this side when things broke bad. We had some great pachangas (beer and barbequed meat) with them.
As far as American cops go. I'm not surprised. The badge and the idea of authority gets real heavy for many, I have seen at all levels of US law enforcement and it wasn't just the rednecks either. It is probably not true, but it seemed like the higher educated they were the less they knew about how to get along with folks on "the street" and they spent most of their time being afraid. Not alert and aware, but afraid which prompted many an over reaching or an inappropirate excalation of the response level. But overall most of them have their stuff wrapped pretty tight.
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lindenengineering
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Andy
La mordita (exactly) Ah you the elightened one, glad you consisely posted that bit.
Difficult to explain fully if you have never lived in Lat Am or had experience of it.....
Yes exactly "Green grow the Rushes Oh"!. Marching song of both US and British Armies in the 19th century. There appears to be a split of opinion on where it comes from, either US forces as you mention or British forces in Argentina/Paraguay.
Cheers
Dennis
La mordita (exactly) Ah you the elightened one, glad you consisely posted that bit.
Difficult to explain fully if you have never lived in Lat Am or had experience of it.....
Yes exactly "Green grow the Rushes Oh"!. Marching song of both US and British Armies in the 19th century. There appears to be a split of opinion on where it comes from, either US forces as you mention or British forces in Argentina/Paraguay.
Cheers
Dennis
OOOps no customer bashing now
I don't know how enlightened I am, but I am aware that not all cultures are like ours and it pays dividends to remember that when you are in a foreign country or dealing with foreigners.
A couple of things I would tell people planning on traveling south of the border. Mexico still goes under the Napoleonic Code where you are guilty until proven innocent. I don't know about other countries in Central America and points further south. Remember, if you go, you are in THEIR country and they don't owe you squat. The Golden Rule applies.
Also, as mentioned earlier, do not think for even a mirco second that the US Embassy will go out of their way to help you if you get jammed up. You can expect your relatives to spend lots and lots of money to get your fanny out of a Mexican jail.
Be pleasant and polite, don't be arrogant, don't be surprised at the poverty in rural areas and remember many of those folks speak English.
Have your things in order and you will have a great and memorable time.
A couple of things I would tell people planning on traveling south of the border. Mexico still goes under the Napoleonic Code where you are guilty until proven innocent. I don't know about other countries in Central America and points further south. Remember, if you go, you are in THEIR country and they don't owe you squat. The Golden Rule applies.
Also, as mentioned earlier, do not think for even a mirco second that the US Embassy will go out of their way to help you if you get jammed up. You can expect your relatives to spend lots and lots of money to get your fanny out of a Mexican jail.
Be pleasant and polite, don't be arrogant, don't be surprised at the poverty in rural areas and remember many of those folks speak English.
Have your things in order and you will have a great and memorable time.
These are some of the friendly folk you might encounter in Mexico. The first picture is in Big Bend National Park across from Boquillas, Chihuahua, MX. Me and the Park Ranger met with the Mexican Army to arrange the informal extradition of an American fugitive who had taken up residence in Boquillas. The two little guys in the back on the left are not to be taken lightly or messed with. They are 100% indeginous (read Indian) and I wouldn't be surprised if their ancestors were outside the walls of the Alamo.
The second pic was later that day at La Linda, downriver, outside the Park. The guy with me is a Mexican Customs officer who is carrying two AK-47's. He is holding one for his partner who is out of the picture behind me on the American side using a payphone. We were there to identify all 8 or 9 of these guys and get pictures because they were opening up the bridge at night and passing dump trucks full of drugs. We had no port of entry on our side. I have no idea if any arrests were ever made, but the smuggling stopped.
Like I said before, the Golden Rule applies. Treat them with respect and the way you would want to be treated. Mexico is really a neat place.
Que te vaya bien!
Andy
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lindenengineering
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Andy
Nice pictures and commentary. Thanks for taking the time to share those piccies
I spoke about Mexico trips today with another one of my Pinz customers.
Apparently he goes down to the tip of the Baja regularly in an Isuzu Trooper from Denver.
He mentioned that always be prepared to pay a token fine in back street to a crooked cop, but in the years I have been going down there quote:"this has only happened to me once".
So those interested:- Go for it.
Dennis
Nice pictures and commentary. Thanks for taking the time to share those piccies
I spoke about Mexico trips today with another one of my Pinz customers.
Apparently he goes down to the tip of the Baja regularly in an Isuzu Trooper from Denver.
He mentioned that always be prepared to pay a token fine in back street to a crooked cop, but in the years I have been going down there quote:"this has only happened to me once".
So those interested:- Go for it.
Dennis
OOOps no customer bashing now
Thanks Dennis. The most crooked cops that I knew of in Mexico were not the feds. They were what is known as Transitos (traffic cops, but not really even on a municipal scale) or else they were guys that took care of parking around stores. I don't think these guys were really paid. They got the amparo (which is sort of like the old time indulgences that Martin Luther didn't care for) and got to carry a pistol of some sort and then where able to charge whatever they could collect. Obviously it works better on the touristas then it does on the locals.
Mexico is beautiful in most places and has a rich history. Lord willing and the home land security thing doesn't go completely crazy I want to take my Pinz across at Juarez and go to Copper Canyon. You might try to google cooper canyon and see. Makes the Grand Canyon look like a piker.
Mexico is beautiful in most places and has a rich history. Lord willing and the home land security thing doesn't go completely crazy I want to take my Pinz across at Juarez and go to Copper Canyon. You might try to google cooper canyon and see. Makes the Grand Canyon look like a piker.
