Traveling to the US with a TT

[Shadrach]

Since I have never driven across the border into the US, let alone doing it towing a TT, what do I have to be aware of? I have a valid passport, although it expires this Nov. I am well within my weight limits according to both Dodge and our laws up here. Sometime when you have never done something before you never know what will surprise you. Shad

 

[ata]

You don't have to worry about anything with your rig. If its legal in Canada it will be legal here. Its hard to say what the Border guys will ask you. They seem to change with each rig. I hope you don't get an unfriendly one that will make it a hassle. Hope you have a good trip here in the US.

 

[AEdelheit]

Ive only towed thorough the Mexico boarder but it was pretty painless, just make sure you have all proper insurance and registration paperwork.

 

[GAmes]

If you have a pet make sure you have it's shot record. Enjoy the trip.

 

[BarryG]

I am a US citizen traveled to Canada and on the way home we came down through one of the crossings in Montana to swing by Glacier NP. No problem or funky questions going into Canada couldn't have gone better. Getting back into the US while for the most part it was painless but there was one rub at least for us. Apparently you cant bring meat into the US at least at the time. I made the silly mistake of I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER chatting with the guy and that I was looking forward to getting where we were going so that I could break out the grill and get cooking as I was hungry. Well that seemed to set off alarm bells for him as I got grilled on what kind of food we had in the trailer. Didn't matter that I had bought it in the US, never mind it had the original packaging with the store address on it etc. While I thought it quite ridiculous (I did understand the deal as it was during one of the mad cow scares) it was not that big of a deal to me except for the big deal he was making it. Somehow the meat I purchased in the US was going to contaminate the whole US food chain because I took into Canada. When another agent came over to see what was taking so long he could see his fellow agent was a bit overzealous about it and cut to the short of it cant allow you to bring it in you can turn around and stay in Canada until you are done with it or toss it in the trash can and be on your way. No problem sir as I climbed in to the trailer to get the meat fortunately all we had left was what we were going to use for dinner that night.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Shad
We crossed many times, like GAmes said if you have pets shots, its a good idea to have YOUR medical info handy not for the crossing but just in case. Have a good trip.

 

[mwilson]

Buy your meat after you cross. Many Canadian meats freak the the US Customs out and they will not allow them into the States.



Your RV will be searched, don't worry. Mine is searched every time that I come back in from New Brunswick.



Produce varies, check the US Customs website before you strike out.



Not going to get you locked up or anything, just get to watch some of your perfectly good groceries hit the trash can if you mess up.

Donated my share before I learned.



Mike.

 

[Slow Six]

Like mentioned you can't take meat into the U. S. Also you cannot take any citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit etc). If you have a pet they need their shots plus the paper work from a vet. We have often been asked how much cash we were carrying, there seems to be a $10,000. 00 limit. Depending on the inspection agent they may get picky about other food products so it is best to hit the border with as little as possible. If you have pet food it must be in the original packaging. Also do not have dyed diesel in your truck. I have been lectured about this. Other than that it is no different than travelling any where else. Where are you heading to?

 

[Jim W]

Since I have never driven across the border into the US, let alone doing it towing a TT, what do I have to be aware of? I have a valid passport, although it expires this Nov. I am well within my weight limits according to both Dodge and our laws up here. Sometime when you have never done something before you never know what will surprise you. Shad

You might want to get an updated passport that will not expire in NOV of 2013.

We are leaving in July for a cruise to AK and my passport will expire after we get home from the trip but were informed that the US CBP requires that the passport will not expire in 6 months of leaving the country.
I have attached the Home page link from the US CBP that list the document requirements for land and sea travel.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/whti_bg/land_sea/.

Jim W.

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks all. This trip there will be no pets or kids, not even my wife as I am planning on going to the the CMEP tour in Columbus in June. Although the TT will up my fuel bill it will save on hotels and meals. Shad

 

[Grizzly]

Make sure you have good American made LT tires with the correct air pressure and that the wheel bearings on the travel trailer are recently packed. Also, bring along a GPS.

 

[jelag]

Lets see, on our last trip, no citrus, no fruit grown in a foreign country, no dry dogfood, pet information from the vet... 1 liter of booze per person... we had a complete search, including a dog... no raw chicken or eggs...

They didn't care about the vehicle... they assume if your legal in Canada your legal here... you can transport over 10K if you declare it leaving Canada at the border and than declare it coming into the US and both countries want to see it... and both countries wanted a guess of the EXACT amount within $20 which I thought was crap... and the the US will look close at it to make sure its not counterfeit. .

MY last 2 trips were really painless... oh one more thing... pick a crossing were there are no tight turns to get through the barriers... we had an issue coming into the US from Mexico and there was 3-4" on each side of the extended mirrors on my dually as I passed the barriers... if I'd had to make a turn coming in or going out it would have been crunch time... its as if the people who designed those lanes had never seen a pickup with a 5er... I tried to move to the Truck lane and they forced me back to the car lane... .

 

[Mark31]

Shad, my little bit of experience with border guards has taught me to answer questions with "yes, Sir" -- "no, Sir", looking them straight in the eye. They know how to spot a half-truth a mile away. They don't appreciate humor and someone being "cute" might have a bad day. Let them start any extra conversation. Mark

 

[Shadrach]

One thing that is universal. Border guards and customs agent can be ????? It doesn't matter if they are American or Canadian. I remember sending a engine core back to the US to be rebuilt by Americans and the US border people wouldn't let it in because it didn't meet EPA emissions. It had a hole in the side of the block, there was no way it was going to run but NO " it doesn't meet EPA so it can't come in" . Some times you just shake your head Shad

 

[S.Morris]

Shad



Just have passports up to date and only answer what is asked. They may or may not check your trailer. Be polite and take your sunglasses off/ shut the noisy truck off and they are usually happy and questions are limited and you are on your way. They already know the answer to most questions they will ask... .

 

[Shadrach]

So what's the price of diesel in the Indianapolis / Columbus area ? Assuming the dollars are equal I am currently paying the equivalent of about $4. 25 US per gallon and I consider that not a bad price although last summer it was about $3. 80. With my aux tank I can put about 110 gal in the truck. $$$$ Shad

 

[JR]

Shad, I was just on the Ohio / Indiana border last week and it was right around $4. 25. I filled up locally yesterday at $4. 08. It was briefly below $4. 00 2 weeks ago, but has crept back up a little since

 

[Shadrach]

Next question Which route to take home from Columbus IN. Would you recommend heading West on 80 thru Des Moines and onto Cheyene and Casper then North on 25 OR the more Northern route on 90 thru Rapid City? Both ways I will end up in Billings and head North from there. The Northern route would take me close to Mt Rushmore. This will be in early June and I'm not into bikes so Sturgis doesn't hold any interest for me. As always I value the opinions of those who have " been there, done that and got the tee shirt When I head to Columbus I will come down from Saskatchewan thru Minot and Fargo, Minneapolis, Madison and Bloomington, so I want to do different route on the way back. Shad

 

[HBarlow]

In June it doesn't make much difference which route you choose except for scenery. I-80 across IL and IA is mostly pretty boring until you get to Cheyenne There are a number of things to see in the Sturgis area other than HD motocycles. Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Black Hills, Wall Drug Store, etc.

 

[Jim W]

I would take I90 west thru MN and when you enter SD near the Missouri river there is a great welcome/rest stop there. This stop is devoted to the Lewis and Clark exhibition out west and provides some interesting sights such as an interpretation of the long boat that Lewis and Clark used to go up the Missouri river. I think the I90 road offers more to see then I 80 and puts you closer to the badlands, Mt Rushmore and other areas to explore.
Just my opinion since I have driven both I80 and I90 to get out west.
Jim W.