Equiping for Mexico travel?

[PNW_Steve]

Hello Everyone,

I am in the planning stages for a fall/winter trip down the West coast of Mexico. This will be my first extended trip in my 5th wheel. Past travel was in a converted Eagle 10 bus. My new (to me) 5er is equipped very differently than my old Eagle and I am wondering if some mods may be in order.

My previous rig carried:

180 gallons fuel (7mpg towing)
220 gallons fresh water
120 gallons grey water
86 gallons black water.
8kw diesel generator

New rig:
32 gallons fuel (pickup)(13-16mpg towing)
30 gallons fresh water
Grey & black tanks unknown. They are enough to allow me to dry camp for 3-4 days as long as I can dump grey once during the stay.

Should I add auxiliary tanks in my pickup bed? Additional fresh water & fuel? I have my eye on a 100 gallon fuel tank and a 50 gallon water tank that will fit forward of my hitch.

I am also considering adding a storage rack on the back bumper for a Honda generator, additional house batteries and storage.

Am I nuts or is this a good idea?

Thanks

Steve

[briansue]

Today it is pretty easy and inexpensive to install your own water purification system with UV to purify drinking water - done properly the finished product is better than most bottled water. The proper filters before and after the UV does the same job as commercial water purification. A $100 UV and a couple filters can be done for under $200. There are also modern reverse osmosis systems that take up little room and don't cost too much - but they do require flushing which requires water so we do not have one in our RV. I think the OP knows this but others reading this thread may not. Many city water supplies now use UV instead of chemicals to purify water.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_germicidal_irradiation

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses ultraviolet (UV) light at sufficiently short wavelength to kill microorganisms.[1] It is used in a variety of applications, such as food, air, and water purification. UVGI utilizes short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) that is harmful to microorganisms. It is effective in destroying the nucleic acids in these organisms so that their DNA is disrupted by the UV radiation, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions.

The wavelength of UV that causes this effect is rare on Earth as the atmosphere blocks it.[2] Using a UVGI device in certain environments like circulating air or water systems creates a deadly effect on micro-organisms such as pathogens, viruses and molds that are in these environments. Coupled with a filtration system, UVGI can remove harmful micro-organisms from these environments.

The application of UVGI to disinfection has been an accepted practice since the mid-20th century. It has been used primarily in medical sanitation and sterile work facilities. Increasingly it was employed to sterilize drinking and waste-water, as the holding facilities were enclosed and could be circulated to ensure a higher exposure to the UV. In recent years UVGI has found renewed application in air sanitation.

[briansue]

http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=5/51.500/-0.100

http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Using_OpenStreetMap


http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Export#Mapnik_Image

[Tequila]

When it comes to water, you are best to drink bottled, unless you have an Earthroamer with its reverse osmosis system. Its cheap. The only sanitation efforts IMO should be to protect you if you accidentally get water in your mouth while showering. I even add bleach when I do dishes.

Neither Dysentery or hepatitis are pleasant to deal with.

[tony_lee]

Talleyho69 wrote:
Why add bleach? Sounds like you are making great water without it.

The problem is that filters aren't always going to guarantee potable water. They can be dependant on the flow rate and those pushing the water through with high water pressures may be kidding themselves that they are creating potable water out of non-potable water. Most filter manufacturers don't guarantee them for use with non-potable water sources anyway. Reverse osmosis or UV filters with appropriate flow rates and maintenance will work though.

Some filters will end up being the prime source of contamination if they aren't replaced regularly

The amount of bleach I add (when I bother) is as per recommendations when the locals suggestthat the town supply isn't up to standard, and then the Everpure undersink filter removes any slight residual chlorine. Bathroom taps don't go through a filter so there is some sense in chlorinating the general water tank if you use on-board water for cleaning teeth.
The filter is there because the previous owners installed it. A couple of our other rigs don't have filters anyway and they are used in far more primitive areas than North America.

OpenStreet maps can be downloaded for any part of the world and installed on most Garmin GPS. Garmin does have a map that covers most of S America and Central America but misses out on some countries such as Bolivia. Open street maps fill in the gaps.

[briansue]

Another source of maps in Mexico is the SCT gov't website where they post the latest gov't maps in .pdf format - these are the maps others use to create their maps. You can zoom in and move the maps around with a little practice. These are similar to full size road maps if on paper. They measure about 3'X3' if zoomed to 100% - you can zoom out or in to get closer and better detail. But they only show main roads - no city streets or small roads. Good for reference but not as much detail as S&T or Garmin. Here is the web address where you can download these .pdf maps for FREE.......

http://www.sct.gob.mx/informacion-general/planeacion/cartografia/mapa-por-estado/

S&T will still work for years to come and I think the guys on Laptop GPS World will have lots of ideas to think about. MS and everyone else now wants us all to do our mapping online - but we cannot always be in places where online maps are of any use. S&T and Garmin are our only hope. I much prefer S&T because it is so versatile. The biggest problem will be that we will not see when new roads are built. I already note that the NW section of Arco Norte is open and operational but not on S&T. I have not looked for it on my Garmin. As Mexico (and the US and Canada) build new roads they will not be on the last version of S&T. Though new roads are important I think there will still be many ways to use S&T in the future - at least for awhile.

I know of no maps or GPS for countries beyond Mexico going south. Maps may exist but I have no idea where to get maps or to use in any GPS.

The link I posted for UV and filters shows websites where parts can be found to build systems. Many say that the coconut charcoal filters are the best for taste and odor so that is what I use and pass on as a suggestion. The coconut filter is the only one I have found to provide fresh tasting water.

I built a little sort of stand I put on the ground near the tap water source and hook up water to that. There is a 10 micron filter for my first stage. There is an incoming water pressure gauge (not for MX so much but in other places we have seen up to 140lb of pressure that would blow our hoses). There is a pressure regulator. There is another gauge showing my regulated pressure. There is a valve I can open with water turned off where I can pour bleach directly into my water system beyond the first stage filter. This stand and the devices are connected by PVC pipe so I pour bleach in there so when I turn the water back on the bleach goes into my storage tank.

I speculate that the reason things like S&T and the Church book are not being done again is that people buy one edition and never buy another as things change and updates are added to new editions. So sales lag and it is no longer worthwhile to keep issuing new product that not many buy. We bought every edition of the Church book and every version of S&T through the years. But one buyer does not make a market. Maybe Bill Gates has all the money in the world but even MS does not put out products that the public does not appear to want. Online maps of the US have made S&T irrelevant to much of the buying public. Too bad. Online maps are of little use to those of us who seek new adventures.

[PNW_Steve]

Talleyho69 wrote:
Why add bleach? Sounds like you are making great water without it.

To make certain that I kill all of the critters.

Belt & Suspenders.

Adding bleach is easy and cheap.

[Talleyho69]

Why add bleach? Sounds like you are making great water without it.

[PNW_Steve]

I think I mentioned earlier in the thread that we already have a 4 stagefilter.
The first stage is a pleated paper 10 micron then a 3(?) micron and a .5 micron. The last stage is U/V. Works great. We fill a storage tank with "local" water, add unscented bleach. Wait 24 hours then start pumping it through the filter filling our house tank.

Almost forgot. I have a 20 micron washable sediment screen on the primary fill hose.

[Talleyho69]

Thanks for the reminder on water filters. Our .5 micron filter is coconut charcoal and whatever it takes to get it down to .5 microns. It really improved the taste when we switched a couple of years ago.

[reed_cundiff]

briansue : Sorry to hear that MS is not continuing with Streets and Maps. It has proven very good through Yucatan. It does not go into Belize. Keelhauler showed us how to customize which proved helpful (forgot how at the momennt). The Garmin works well into Belize and Guatemala (the highways are not exact in Belize). Generally have liked to go over the red Mexican atlas and S&M the night before traveling and making sure the GPS doesn't take us to "roads not traveled and there are good reasons why they are not!" As the old saying goes, "there are places unknown since those that went there have not returned!"

Will go through web sites you provided. Thanks
Reed and Elaine

[briansue]

Reading this thread I have not noticed mention of an ultra violet purification system or a coconut taste & odor filter. These would be in addition to other filters. Ultra violet is now used by city water treatment facilities. You can buy one for around $100 for you drinking water only. I have read that coconut taste & odor are the best for good tasting water – but for drinking the 0.5 are a must.

I did not see mention of GPS yet either. We find Microsoft Streets & Trips to be the best for planning all over North America. It has many function no other GPS has and you can custom add to it yourself. You can plan routes and save them and you can track your route and save it too. So many things you can do I cannot begin to describe them here. Unfortunately, MS has discontinued this product with 2013 being the last version. They are still available and MS will support for another couple years. I prefer the DVD version if reload is needed. S&T 2013 will still work forever but there will be no more updates or new versions. S&T can still be customized by the user. I find it to have the best maps of Mexico I have ever found. This is a computer program and not a stand-alone GPS unit. We use it mostly for planning and deciding where to go and how to get there. Much more to it. I have been creating a tutorial for about 6 years on how to use it that gets added to every time I learn something new. The Laptop GPS World website has a great deal of useful info from very knowledgeable users. A GPS receiver is needed if you use it as a GPS.

We also use a Garmin NUVI GPS which comes with MX maps already loaded and has lifetime updates – and a 7” screen. It does have some points of interest in MX which are searchable once you learn how to use it. You can plan routes on S&T and then download them to the Garmin.

Here are a few Copy & Paste web addresses where some of this can be researched………….


Ultra Violet purification
http://www.h2osplashwaterfilters.com/ulvistun.html

Coconut taste & odor
http://www.filtersfast.com/P-Watts-MAXPB-975-Carbon-Filter-Replacement.asp


GPS
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.253799900

http://www.amazon.com/GlobalSat-BU-353-USB-GPS-Receiver/dp/B000PKX2KA/ref=pd_bxgy_sw_img_y

http://www.laptopgpsworld.com

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-road/automotive/2013-line/nuvi-2757lm/prod112202.html

We eat meat from street stands and never get sick. Vegetables and fruit must be washed with sanitized water – microdyne Microbicida in many stores. Washing with tap water can contaminate. We just try to pay attention to who is doing the food prep and how they do it.

We use our debit card from our credit union for almost everything. Credit Cards may charge an international use free. ATMs (Cajero Automatico) give the best exchange rates when getting cash. We only use ATMs at banks in case something goes wrong we can talk to someone at the bank to correct the situation. Stand-alone ATMs are everywhere but can be suspect.

[Talleyho69]

Glad you asked that before I did.
We have wintered in Mexico for more than 30 years. We eat everywhere, taco stands to very fine dining restaurants. We do the same thing in Mexico that we do in the US. If there is any doubt in our minds about sanitation, we check the bathroom. If it's not clean, forget it. If at taco stand, we ask to wash our hands. There is almost always a place. Then watch to see if money and food are handled by the same person. Bet they aren't!
Meat? Some very very good stuff now, and very different things, too. Some states even vaccinate their pigs more than we do in the US. Cook it like you like it, or not. We've had some spectacular tartars in restaurants, and what about ceviche??
We got tired of the 5 gallon jugs of potable water. Yes, they are everywhere and cheap. We top up our tank water like tony lee does-where it is available from a faucet or hose. Under our kitchen sink, feeding a little tap by the sink, just like in many houses, we have two filters. One is a real cheap one, the second, a .5 micron filter. That's it. That's what we and our pets drink and use for ice and cooking. No mess, no hassle, never been sick. The two filters generally last 4 months, but we carry spares just in case. When pressure drops, it's time to change them. We got our information from own little water district.
Fuel, easy, plentiful.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned money. Credit card use is becoming more and more common, even at many Pemex. Be sure that your card does not charge for international use. We use Capital One, but there have been MANY discussions on this topic on this board.
ATM cards are the easiest, safest and have the best exchange rate, for getting cash. Again, check with your bank about fees. We ended our 55 year relationship with Bank of America in November when they started charging 3% for use out of the US. We are now with CapOne 360, with no charges. Again, there have been MANY discussions on this topic on this board.
Go to Mexico. Have a great time. Don't over think it, just don't do anything you wouldn't do at home. Enjoy the adventure.

[tony_lee]

Also a free standing self priming pump and end filter for a hose, so you can pump water, if need be, from a stream or pond or cattle trough.

I wouldn't recommend that in almost any country unless you are prepared to go to great lengths to sanitise it. No need anyway. You will always need fuel every few days and most (but not all) fuel stations have potable water supplies and we have never been refused a water topup when buying fuel..

We use campgrounds or fuel stations often enough to be able to top up with water from their faucet and I mostly added some ordinary unscented laundry bleach to make sure. Never had a health problem from water out of water systems and occasional mountain springs across more than 25 countries including a few that would likely be regarded as third world. As always those with compromised immune systems might be smart to use bottled water.

On food eat only where the nicer clothed eat and be selective. Fruits and vegetables are safer than meats. Any meats cook until you know it is done. Might mean a lot BBQ. Drink wine with your food. This is what keeps so many in Europe from throwing their guts up. The alcohol does kill bugs but not all of them.

Where do you get this stuff from?

[reed_cundiff]

Put one of the local purchased water filters that take out mud and sand before the micron filter. If you do not do this, the fancy filter will quickly get clogged. I think "keel hauler" showed us this trick.
Reed

[down_home]

Potable Water safety. Get a supply of best quality cannister water filters. Look for one with small micron pores. Look for ones labeled specifically for Guardia, and lead, arsenic and nasty bugs. The blue on camping world sells fits any standard 10 in housing as well as their own. Others are available on line. A ceramic cartridge, with charcoal media including silver inside to fight off green stuff and nasties in addition to the small pores of say .5 micron will keep you bowels happy. Carry drinking water chlorine, like sold at CW and Wally World. Tast a lot better than laundry leach. Also a free standing self priming pump and end filter for a hose, so you can pump water, if need be, from a stream or pond or cattle trough. A water softener and refills will bee good too.
On food eat only where the nicer clothed eat and be selective. Fruits and vegetables are safer than meats. Any meats cook until you know it is done. Might mean a lot BBQ. Drink wine with your food. This is what keeps so many in Europe from throwing their guts up. The alcohol does kill bugs but not all of them.