Seeking advice on driving from Nogales to Ixtapa

Without creating hysterics...

• Check with your local Jeep dealer and see if it would be possible to disable your Jeep by simply pulling a fuse
• A no-start disable is better than a no-crank disable
• You'll only need to disable while it's being towed on the highway
• This will eliminate any chance of it being taken
• Do not listen to scare stories about disabling a vehicle to prevent theft. About how it won't work and the appearance of bogeymen (BAH!)
• And for gosh sakes take spare fuses in case you lose one. If you wish to enter Mexico and travel down the West Coast via Nogales, I recommend staying strictly on Mex 15-D and not taking any "toll free" free highway diversions in order to save toll fares
• You will need to get current advice about the capitol of Sonora, and the Capitol of Michoacan (the state where I have lived for 25 years)
• Some cities demand that "heavy" vehicles use marked bypasses (Hermosillo Sonora) and use frontage lanes (Morelia Michoacan)
• Take Mex 15-D toward Guadalajara. It's multi lane for most of the way
• Exit at the spur highway to MORELIA. Make a right onto the crowded ring road around the city
• On the opposite side of the city exit onto Mex 14 and thirty five or so miles later the highway becomes toll
• This is a notably steep descent. It's two lane and the custom is to crab over onto the smooth paved shoulder (halfway) and let following traffic pass
• At the bottom near the ocean, when you turn left toward Zihuatanejo on Mex 200 cross across the entire highway and make a left onto the frontage access, turn left and this is like an on-ramp to get onto Mex 200 southbound
• Talleyho will have the latest scoop on current conditions in Zihuatanejo
• 7x35 binoculars are vigorously recommended for the co pilot to spot upcoming highway signage
• Ignore anyone anywhere that points back at your rig frantically which would encourage you to stop
• Police and Americans and Canadians excepted
• Incidents are getting as rare as a blue eyed iguana but a minimum of caution is urged
• Get a copy of the Church & Church RV'ers guide to Mexico
• I try and pace myself to 300 miles a day, 6 hours when it looks like RV parks are widely spaced
• This is no place to try night driving
• Road signs reflect poorly
• Pavement striping is poor
• And the police and military patrols turn in for the night.

In fact timing your stops will be the biggest bulk of trip planning. Use the Church RV Guide and allow daylight to set up. If I feel pooped out I hole up for a day maybe two. Excitement at the foreigness of it all can be a real adrenaline drain.

Bring some fans if you are not heat tolerant. And some adapters that allow you to plug into a household type receptacle.

A couple of days after you reach Zihuatanejo you will have blown off nervous energy and then it's time to enjoy one of the few tropical resorts that is 100% authentic Mexican (despite the occasional Frappuccinos, and Prime Rib restaurants :)