Canadian Border

[Sue_Jolly]

We are planning a trip to Alaska in our 40-foot RV, with a tow vehicle, driving from Washington through Canada. What can we expect at the Canadian border? Is it a hassle to cross? Would like to hear other's experiences, good and bad, to assist us with our trip. And any tips others found helpful.

Thank you

Sue

[down_home]

The plate readers are not as new as most think. imo
In 2002 maybe, we entered Canada through the tip of Michigan. The Lady, in the booth ask a couple questions but then apparently read off our names and our address. Ask us our plate number on the tuck. I didn't know and got out to try to see. Couldn't get between the fifth wheel and truck. She had to read it from the plate on the Fifth wheel. She said never mind or that's okay and off we went.
Another time coming back with just the pickup with the hitch, which was always left in it, we had a terrible encounter from an US Agent. I thought my wife, was going to cry. I was mad enough, that I was ready to get out and have a few words with him. Wife kept me in the truck. For a long long time afterwards, my wife refused to go back to Canada.
I think we've only been back one time. Went looking for antiques. Didn't know that almost all shops are closed on Mondays.

[almcc]

We crossed back into Canada yesterday at the Ambassador bridge in Detroit. When we arrived at the kiosk the window remained closed for a half minute, the agent opened it and then asked us for our truck license plate number (we have a 5th wheel RV with bicycles obscuring the RV plate), the cameras only seem to look at the rear plates. Maybe that was the reason for the delay, he couldn't get a plate read on his computer.

The rest of the stop went well, he asked about our stay in the US, particularly Tucson where his father spends the winter. No other questions, we were on our way in a few minutes!

[qhor]

Depends on what time of year. Most of highways are clear of snow and ice, however anything can happen between now and late May.
The roads in that area will be in fair to good condition, if you drive defensively. After the winter we have had on the prairies, potholes and broken sections will probably be evident, however, should be no problem. In that area you will encounter a lot of heavy truck traffic related to the oil boom. We have travelled that area visiting family in Weyburn, and have had no difficulties. All the highways in that area are two lane. If you like to travel off the freeways, and enjoy the slower pace, you will have no problem.

[lakeside013104]

sue.t wrote:
I think there is also a huge x-ray machine on entry into the USA (big yellow pillars).

The "big yellow pillars" are RPMs or Radiation Portal Monators. They receive signals from anything carring radiation. They do NOT emit x-rays. Please feel safe when crossing between them for you are not being x-rayed. happy travels.

Lakeside

[CA_Traveler]

It would make sense for crossings to be intentionally different besides the agents personality. Not knowing what to expect gives the agent the upper hand in evaluating your intentions.

And sometimes the agents don't get it: Arriving via ferry in Victoria I was buzzed through in the MH. DW in the toad (with towing baseplate) was quizzed for 30 minutes. No hotel reservations, no luggage, 3 weeks planned stay and repeat, repeat, repeat. She kept saying my husband is in the motorhome that just went through with my clothes and we're going to campgrounds...

We laugh about that experience.

Another time we got on the ferry at Victoria and went to the deck where we observed many agents carrying armloads of alcohol from a MH that just arrived. I'm sure the owner was not a happy camper!

[garyhaupt]

Yesterday, 03/31/2014, crossing into BC at the truck crossing.

"Morning" "Morning", "How long were you away?" "A month", "Where did you go?" "California, Nevada", "Bringing any weapons back?" "No Sir", "Anyone else in the RV besides yourself?" "Just the dog", "Thank-you, good day" "Thanks, bye"


Gary Haupt

[Roodriver]

We would like to visit the Deslacs NWR in North Dakota and cross the Canadian border on ND 8 and continue on Saskatchewan 9 at Northgate. Since these are state/provincial highways and winter has been severe what kind of road conditions might we encounter? Any help with this route will be appreciated.
Ward

[sue_t]

I think there is also a huge x-ray machine on entry into the USA (big yellow pillars).

Whenever we have a firearm with us, we're asked whether we have a firearm. If we don't have a firearm with us, we're not asked. One crossing we hade two firearms and a border agent was walking around the back of fifth wheel and up the passenger side with his hand on his weapon before the other agent even asked us about them.

Just crossed this past weekend, no questions about firearms either way. Was asked about knives at the Canadian border crossing but not guns.

The Canadian agent told me she was still waiting for the data to show on her screen, based on the licence plate number taken from the camera. I handed her the list of my purchases and she kept waiting for the computer. I've known her for years, but she still waited until the data came up to clear me through.

[Little_Kopit]

I assumed everyone knows about the license check. After all it's been there since they've had you stop at a red light, then pull up when light turns green. I've understood that green light = license checked.

I've also understood that when they check your vehicle license they know when you, the Canadians owning said buggy, last visited US. '

:C

[JaxDad]

dieharder wrote:

Little Kopit wrote:
On the contrary, my shortest stop at the border re-entering Canada.

Customs: "How long were you over?"

Me: "51 hours"

Customs: "How much did you spend?"

Me: "$44.00"

Customs: "Have a good day."

:B
{one wonders if the computer comment re. my vehicle license gave a time of crossing, which equaled my answer}

No. Right now there is no agreement in place for the US and Canada to share this information, but it is on the way.

While technically correct, it's not the end of the information trail by any means.

For a loooooong time now the US has been checking the license plate of every vehicle crossing the border with the CPIC database to ensure the vehicle is not stolen, is currently registered and licensed and to whom, if that person or another "person of interest" (family member, spouse or BF / GF, employer, known associate, etc., etc.) is wanted or has a history they need to know about before you pull up to the booth.

The CBSA then knows from the place and time the check was made exactly when the vehicle crossed the border heading into the US.

They don't know who was in it, but they know when it crossed over.

[dieharder]

Little Kopit wrote:
On the contrary, my shortest stop at the border re-entering Canada.

Customs: "How long were you over?"

Me: "51 hours"

Customs: "How much did you spend?"

Me: "$44.00"

Customs: "Have a good day."

:B
{one wonders if the computer comment re. my vehicle license gave a time of crossing, which equaled my answer}

No. Right now there is no agreement in place for the US and Canada to share this information, but it is on the way.

[cacherjoe]

When talking about inspections, I agree that the border agents won't do anything themselves. I will say that in New Brunswick they may hold the vehicle and call the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement folks. They have mobile mechanics who can do a safety inspection of a vehicle right there. They may be named "Commercial" but their mandate is to enforce the motor vehicle act. In both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia they will have these folks at road side police checks and do safety inspections right there. A vehicle that is unsafe can be towed away.

I haven't heard of it happening personally, just know it would be possible for them to do that.

[noteven]

qtla9111 wrote:
Yikes! I think I'll have our two donkeys pull our travel trailer through the country. I'm afraid to ask, how much is hay? 🙂

about 16 cents a pound... 🙂

Repeat something like this when fuelling up:

"We are travelling across the second largest country on earth, by land, pulling a house."

"Canada has 5-1/2 time zones."

"Why is it so far?"

And so on. It helps when you are watching the $'s on the fuel pump.

Enjoy your trip it sounds like a great one.

Diesel is about US$4.30 per US gal equivalent around here right now.

[CA_Traveler]

I use the PenFed Cash Rewards Visa card to purchase fuel including propane and get 5% cash back and no Canadian transaction fees vs AmEx. Just a heads up.

At $5/gal that reduces the cost 25 cents/gal.