US to Mexico?

There used to be 2 guys behind the Petro in El Paso that would advertise on the CB to take drivers to Juarez. Cadillac Man and Papa Smurf. I went one time. The van dropped us off at the border in daylight and a local Mexican guy took us to the bars. At night when it was time to come back it was kind of creepy. I wouldn't want to do it again.

A guy from NY and his girlfriend just got murdered there not too long ago. They were in their car.
Violence in Mexico: New York man, girlfriend fatally shot as murders continue in Juárez

 

I would not take a truck cross border. Too easy to steal, plus you can part a tractor out easily and you'll never see it again.
Also, most insurance does not cover Mexico. You need to buy separate insurance. Plus, you might need permits from Mexico as well.
Put it this way, if you drove for me and it was my truck, you would be on a Greyhound home as soon as I found out about it.
One more thing to consider is that for San Ysidro (San Diego)/Tijuana you need to drive east to Otay Mesa in a truck. The big crossing at San Ysidro (at the end of Interstate 5) is car and pedestrian only.
Honestly, this is what I would do. Park the truck somewhere in the US, Uber to the border, walk across, then taxi or have whoever your visiting pick you up.
In any case Mexican border towns are not the safest place. Even on the American side border towns frequently top the lists for crime.

 

I had a friend who was held at gun point in Tiajuana. He had an AK at his knee. They kept yelling at him Ze Teca. I guess it meant who do you stand with or What side are you on. 4am taco shop, fun fun.

 

I don't have anybody close that has been harmed or killed at the US southern borders. However, I have spoken to several people over the years that have. The El Paso/Juarez area right now is dangerous and I would not stay long even on the US side. As I understand it for all intent and purposes that area is a war zone today. I have not heard anything about the California part of the border, but in Arizona ranchers and other property owners are being attacked a lot. Just based on some of the things I have been told over the last few years, I would not drive ANY vehicle across that border.

 

Check with your insurance company before you take a truck or a POV into Mexico.
Most of them won't cover you and those that do usually want extra money.
Also the guy who mentioned chop shops was right on. They can strip down a truck to the bare cab in no time at all. That's their business and they're good at it.

 

You can probably get into Mexico with CMV. Good luck getting it back into US. In the past you could walk back both ways. You still can but you might need a passport today or passport card. Not sure a drivers license is good enough anymore. You definitely not taking your big truck into Mexico and back to US.

 

Is this friend that says its safe a romantic interest that you met on the internet ?
I have seen truck drivers get scammed by women they met on facebook for a few bucks here and there but I have never heard of one trying to get a guy to drive across the border .
Please be careful. I spend up to six months a year in mexico because I am semi retired.
It is way safer than people here imagine but what you are up to sounds very fishy indeed. The most dangerous parts of mexico are the border towns.
Now if you want to go into Tijuana and explore there are for sure safe ways to do that. None of them include a semi.
For one thing, the traffic laws and street layout is just not the same. You dont know the rules of the road down there. Every time I drive through a Mexican city I am always thankful that I am not in a truck.
Also if you are a dopey looking gringo like I am , you need to learn how to carry yourself.


I could go on all day
Please dont do this.

 

Don't be stupid. Tijuana is one of the "hottest" spots in Mexico for the last 2-3 years. Meaning murder, kidnapping, robbery, cartels, smuggling route, etc. Truly a ####hole, not like it used to be.

Top homicide cities in the world lately:
1. Tijuana
5. Ciudad Juarez
23. Baltimore Md (for comparison)
42. Reynosa
46. Detroit

Stay on the U.S. side, get some Taco Bell and a cold Modelo, and be a safe gringo. Skype your friends, or meet them on the U.S. side of the border.

 

Your being a little over dramatic friend. I already posted earlier where not to be at at least in Tijuana.

 

The claim is that Juarez is now safe for tourism. But I wouldnt even think about it.

It was one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

If you go there and mind your own business you will probably be alright, but the risk is still higher I am sure. Depending you might be able to blend in. Or if you are like me you would stick out like a sore thumb.

I wouldnt do it.