Traveling to Canada

[whiteknight]

I will be traveling to Canada in June on my honeymoon with my travel trailer and was looking for advice about crossing the boarder and traveling in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. We don't drink or smoke and won't have the shot gun so won't have to worry about that, but was wondering about what other things we might need to watch out for. I do have a light bar (amber) on my truck and I was wondering what they would say about that, or if I should just take it off until we get back. Most importantly, what is the French word for diesel.

 

[BCFAST]

First, in any language diesel is diesel! As you are interviewed by the boarder patrol officer, you will be asked the purpose of your visit to Canada (holiday), the length of your stay and are you in posession of any: firearms, livestock, etc. Be honest with the officer and enjoy your time in a clean, polite country! (ever compare the two sides of Niagra Falls?)LOL

 

[Dieselnerd]

We have traveled all over Canada at various times. Being nice at the border is good advice. If they think you are not being truthful they will tear your whole rig apart. I had that happen twice. By tear apart I mean go through everything not actually tear anything apart. They don't like weapons of any kind including tear gas and pepper spray which is legal almost everywhere in the US. Once you are in Canada it's not much different than here. It used to be more foreign but is becoming more like us all the time. Diesel fuel is plentiful and I never had any problems finding it. Not even in remote areas. They sell fuel by the liter and it's pretty expensive. The thing that saves you is the exchange rate on US dollars. We usually stop at a Bank right over the border and get Canadian money. It's a lot easier that way and you don't have to depend on some clerk in a store giving you the correct change for your US dollar. Enjoy your trip!

[This message has been edited by Dieselnerd (edited 05-15-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

I tried being truthful a couple of years back and it backfired. I was going there to pickup a pinball machine for a Canadian friend living in the US. I told them what I was doing and they considered it work. After tearing apart my truck for three hours, put it on a lift,camera in the fuel tank etc. , they gave me a permit to be in Canada for six hours. If you say you are sightseeing you'll cruise right though. Take a load of supplies with you, most everything is more expendsive there.

 

[Utah Willie]

A couple of years back, I crossed in my motorhome and when asked if I had any guns, etc. , I said "Nope, left 'em all home". Wrong thing to say. They did a fairly thorough job of searching, but were very polite. BFD, I almost missed the ferry. I would advise you to remove your NRA, "When guns are outlawed, etc", "Protected by Smith and Wesson" decals and bumper stickers just for drill and fuel up on this side and if you drink the hard stuff, get your allotment here as well. Even the exchange rate won't make up for Canada's booze prices!

 

[Joe G.]

A couple of years ago we had a wonderful vacation in Alberta and BC. One thing we did find out was to pay for things with plastic and let the banks deal with the exchange rate hassle.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,DTT TC/VB,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[whiteknight]

Thanks everyone. I've never been there and any advice is greatly appreciated. We are planning on going to Prince Edward Island. Everyone says is beautiful up there.

 

[Pogodually]

Never any problems crossing border, just tell on a visit. Not to work. I very seldom exchange money, just pay with plastic or greenback. Never any cheating and always a fair rate of exchange. For me last year diesel was just as cheap with rate of exchange as in Mich or NY. Beside the food is great and pastry is even better. Found a better selection of food stuff in grocery stores.

just watch out for drivers, they are just as bad as anywhere.

Have fun and enjoy, I'm right behind you in July.

 

[David Oxland]

Welcome and have fun. From my point of view guns are a no no unless properly dealt with; booze is expensive. Canadian Dollars are inexpensive and having just been to AZ and back you will find many commodities very inexpensive here because if they cost you one dollar US at home it'll be one dollar Cdn which is about 66 cents US. I thought generally things were the same except for the terrible differential (from my point of view). I think that fuel is cheaper here than most of the US I travelled through except perhaps AZ. Hope you have a good time.

 

[Donley]

Whiteknight, just a reminder, Canada requires proof that your US auto insurance is valid for coverage in Canada. It's not required for entry, however, if you are unfortunately stopped by the police or involved in an accident you maybe fined without proper certification. Call you insurance co. they will send you (usually without charge) the proper documentation.
Canada is wonderful and the people are super friendly. Have a great trip!

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95 2500 SLT 5spd 3:54 120K mi, Banks Stinger Plus, RamEBk, LuK Gold clutch, Hel-Springs, RS 9000, Amsoiled, Genoed, Rhino, Smitbilt, Diaplate Rails & T-Box, RBW 5th Wheel hitch, 96 30' Alfa See Ya RV, (gcvw 19200) Full-time RVer

[This message has been edited by Donley (edited 05-26-2001). ]

 

[Tom W]

When my wife and I crossed several wears ago, two lady guards where inspecting our 5th wheel and one of the ladys asked about guns and I told her we had a shotgun in the bedroom. My very helpfull wife called from outside " becareful it's loaded". The guards explained that guns were to be unloaded and ammo separated. They then proceeded to do a very thouough inspection, even removed the wall paneling in the bathroom, took about an hour.
Tom

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Tom W in Austin Tx 98 24v 2500 Quadcab, auto, 3. 54, lsd, Rhino, white/driftwood, Banks Stinger Plus, 275 injectors, Manix grill, nerf bars , DTT's TC, valvebody, cooler, Smartbox, Mag-hytec trans & diff, Pac brake, Bilsteins, dual Walker mufflers, Roadmaster suspension.

[This message has been edited by Tom W (edited 05-26-2001). ]

 

[Hammer]

Another thing to consider here is also to carry a copy of your birth certificates,,I crossed the borders at Champlain,NY/Lacolle,PQ and 1000 islands/Lansdowne,ONT 4 trips a week for the last 5 years in my truck for work,,Upon many a inspection I was asked for it(occasional Immigrations checks) and was told by the Canadian Customs agent that it was the ONLY way to prove a US citizenship,,A US photo ID is not an accepted item for this ,,Also since your planning a trip to P. E. I,make sure your rig is outfitted with a NEW set of shocks as the T-Can(transCanadian Highway)is THE WORST road you will ever be on at times,,The Qubec portion will whip you to death and potholes,SHEESH,BIG POTHOLES!!,,The country side is as magnificent as you'll ever see,just imagine the roads 3x worse that Arkansas at their worst and you'll understand,,Before you leave check the currency rate so you do not loose your rear,and I hope you enjoy your trip,take lots of camera film and KEEP AWAY FROM THE SWAMP DONKEYS(a. k. a. moose)they tend to be hard on p/u trucks... ... ...

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98, Flame Red, Quad Cab, 2500, 4x4, 5spd, Autometer and Cyberdyne gauges,Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks,TST#10 plate,16cm housing, B-D Exhaust Brake,Timing Advanced,K&N,Totally Amsoiled,Cat Muffler and Silencer ring ALL M. I. A. ,A BOMBING IN THE PROCESS!!

 

[SlyBones]

I personally never worry about getting into Canada. I worry about getting back. Its always the U. S. guys that are flakey.

 

[TURBOs4LIFE]

AMEN... I agree about the US border patrol being morons!! I had the same problem... Canada border patrol nice people,polite,ect. . US border patrol rude,want to look in everything,ask stupid questions and many more things. So vactioners beware!!

[This message has been edited by TURBOs4LIFE (edited 05-27-2001). ]

[This message has been edited by TURBOs4LIFE (edited 05-27-2001). ]

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Hey!!!!!! I'm not that bad! Nothing to add other than welcome to Canada.

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John McEachern
Fort St John B. C. Canada
1998 12v, 4X4, QC, auto w/tc switch, air, tilt, cruise, 3. 55 gears, TST #6, Isspro boost/pyro/transmission gauges, BD VB&TC, CC industries headache rack and rails, JVC KD-SX949 Cd player, forest green, Brigestone Dueler M/T's 285/75/16, Eagle 16x8 rims, K&N airfilter.

 

[illflem]

Hammer is right on about carrying good ID. I once flew into Vancouver, BC from Hawaii with my then 5 year old daughter. She had absolutely no ID, I spent a long time in immigration till a kind hearted officer finally said, "she looks like yours", and let us pass.

 

[Hammer]

#ad
SHEESH,,Did I say that???,,Beware of the Swamp Donkey's,,Now you were not the one that impeded my progress along the 401 late one nite now were you??,,Swamp Donkey,,he he he he he he he ... ... ... ... ...

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98, Flame Red, Quad Cab, 2500, 4x4, 5spd, Autometer and Cyberdyne gauges,Edelbrock Performer IAS shocks,TST#10 plate,16cm housing, B-D Exhaust Brake,Timing Advanced,K&N,Totally Amsoiled,Cat Muffler and Silencer ring ALL M. I. A. ,A BOMBING IN THE PROCESS!!

 

[SWC]

I have family in the U. S. and cross the border occaisionally. Before one of my first crossings someone with experience told me to only answer the question being asked. Just give a simple yes or no answer. If they want more information the customs people will ask. If I forget that advice I usually pay for it.
Stan

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2001. 5 3500 ETH-DEE 3. 53 gears
Patriot Blue SLT Camper and Towing package

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I don't think it was me, but it could have been my twin brother. #ad
He's the ugly one... ... .

 

[whiteknight]

Thanks everyone for the advice, I realy apreciate it. Iv'e had alot of people tell me that the US customs is the worst ones. You would think if you were a US citizen, they would be glad to welcome you back home.