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_tpc_'s avatar
_tpc_
Explorer
Jun 08, 2015

Detroit to Niagara Falls via Canada, what to expect?

So this weekend we will be taking the kids and trailer up through sarnia to get to niagara falls. We will be staying in new york.

So what should we expect when crossing the border? We are only passing through, but the last thing I want to do is something stupid, like forgetting something, that would cause a delay or worse, of our trip.

We all have passports. I have title and registration for the trailer and my vehicle. We usually pack some sort of food and beverages in the refrigerator prior to any trip. Is it better to just wait and buy that stuff in NY?

I am divorced and remarried, and the children are mine but liv with their mother, she knows of and is fine with the trip, in fact I plan on drawing up a document that says as such that she will sign later this week.

Trying to think of anything else I may have missed. Anyone have any real world experience to share? Never had any problems going to canada before, but first time just passing through with the kids and trailer...I don't want to screw it up, as this is their "big trip" for the summer...

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  • _tpc_'s avatar
    _tpc_
    Explorer
    Jun 15, 2015
    Just wanted to report that we are back from a great trip!

    Passing through Canada was a breeze. Had the letter and everything ready to go, and they never asked for it.

    Coming back into Michigan, they searched the trailer, but it was just a quick get in and peek around, didn't have to pull off into inspection.

    4 mile creek was a really nice place. Quiet, clean, awesome bathrooms/showers compared to some places. No beach to speak of, but you can shimmy down the side of a small slippery hill to put your feet in Lake Ontario....which we did lol.
  • rwbradley's avatar
    rwbradley
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    Don't worry about listing things, I am not sure what the official policy on either side is. But I have crossed well over 100 times and they only ask about controlled or banned items like guns, booze, smokes, agricultural items like poultry, firewood etc or things you purchased in a foreign country like if you stop in London Ontario on your way thru Canada and pickup a new iPad. They may also ask about criminal background as well. They will not ask you for a list of all your clothes etc.

    Don't sweat it, just be clear, honest and polite when asked questions. Only talk when asked questions. Be prepared with your documents and remove hats and sunglasses. And of course enjoy Canada, even if you will only see 3 hours of freeways and farm fields :)
  • _tpc_'s avatar
    _tpc_
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    I know we kinda covered this early on, but the list of declared stuff...how do you go about listing all the little personal items you have for camping?

    As for food and beverages that seems easy enough to figure out, but if your just transporting through form the US to the US, and it is in your TT fridge, how do you have it in a "container that can be sealed"?

    I know a lot avoid bringing anything perishable, but I know the wife already spent money on some stuff and is hell bent on bringing it. I found the website that says what food can be brought from where, so I can figure that out...do I need to bring extra coolers and******so it can be "sealed".

    Sometimes I wonder if I am overthinking this stuff. Seems like there is much more important stuff for them to worry about but maybe there is not?
  • obgraham's avatar
    obgraham
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    I never carry the title. Registration is proof enough. Never even been asked for that, even when driving somebody else's car across.

    Guns, booze, and cigs is what the Canadian border folks obsess about. For the US it's if you look like a terrorist.
  • _tpc_'s avatar
    _tpc_
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    Ok. I'm just going to pack up a folder full of stuff, and that way I have whatever I need.

    Here, when stopped, its license, registration, and insurance. Our "pink slips" are actually documents that are signed over to the next owner when you sell the vehicle that gets provided to the secretary of state afterwards, who in turn issues a new one to the next owner. Nobody carry's those around in vehicle. At least not to my knowledge.
  • rwbradley's avatar
    rwbradley
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    It should be about 3 hours (without stops or traffic and doing the speed limit) from Bluewater Bridge in Port Huron to the Lewiston Bridge in Niagara.

    Not sure the actual terminology in the US, but up here we have a little green ownership card the Motor Vehicle office issues (I assume the same thing as a pink slip). This is all I have ever been asked for (and that was once, the very first time we crossed with our new trailer). Not an authoritative answer but I was told you need the same thing you would give a cop when you get pulled over: License, Insurance and Ownership.
  • _tpc_'s avatar
    _tpc_
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    rwbradley wrote:
    I personally would stay to the 400 series highways to Lincoln Alexander to Red hill Valley to QEW to 405. They are all freeways and will be easy driving and low traffic. You will likely hit traffic in the last 20 miles before Niagara Falls, but there really is no good alternative, too many small towns, too slow etc. I would try to avoid the Red Hill Valley to 405 stretch on the QEW at afternoon rush hour though.


    Thank you for the help!

    We are leaving early not just to beat the traffic but also the weather. I am thinking we should be in that area sometime around 1 pm, but thats just a guess.

    Going back the same way shouldn't be an issue, because we would be approaching that stretch sooner rather than later.

    Another question just popped into my head. Is it necessary to have the actual title for both my vehicle and trailer in hand, or will the proof of registration that I already carry with me that we get from the state, suffice?

    I've never had to bring the actual "title" for a vehicle with me before, but never trailer-ed through canada either.
  • rwbradley's avatar
    rwbradley
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    I personally would stay to the 400 series highways to Lincoln Alexander to Red hill Valley to QEW to 405. They are all freeways and will be easy driving and low traffic. You will likely hit traffic in the last 20 miles before Niagara Falls, but there really is no good alternative, too many small towns, too slow etc. I would try to avoid the Red Hill Valley to 405 stretch on the QEW at afternoon rush hour though.
  • _tpc_'s avatar
    _tpc_
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    Hopefully this makes the radar here before we leave tomorrow AM. Google is telling me to take the 402 to the 401 then the 403 through brantford and just underneath hamilton. Then it has my taking the lincoln m. alexander parkway to red hill valley parkway and finally to queen elizabeth way.

    Then I stay on the QEW that runs right along Lake Ontario until I hit the 405 and I take that across.

    The question is, is it better to find something more alternate like the 81 or 20 instead of the QEW along lake ontario? Or is it too out of the way or nothing around in case of a need to stop for restroom or food breaks?

    The 81 looks like it takes us through downtown st. catherines which my not be a good thing, and 20 looks like it might just take us way out of the way.

    Just wondering your thoughts.
  • bsinmich's avatar
    bsinmich
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2015
    Medicaid is for special cases only. Medicare is for seniors and most of us have a med/sup plan to cover what Medicare doesn't. Most of the sup plans cover costs out of the country. Only the 3 cheapest plans have no foreign coverage. ( I sell Ins.)

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