Canada Canada

pearlpro · Nov 18, 2012

Ill be headed to Canada soon for our company and Ive gotten all my passport card, Inspection sheets, Bar codes etc but what Im looking for is advice on Where to fuel, where to eat, things to watch out for, Currency issues, Border info, any and all advice is appreciated...looking forward to heading that way although winter isnt my preffered time but ya go where the $$$ takes ya, Thanks in advance for any good info. Most of this will be thru Detroit.....

Moot · Nov 18, 2012

pearlpro said:
Ill be headed to Canada soon for our company and Ive gotten all my passport card, Inspection sheets, Bar codes etc but what Im looking for is advice on Where to fuel, south of the border. where to eat, wherever suits your fancy. things to watch out for, Canadians bearing poutine and beer. Currency issues, I always carried some funny money, just in case. Border info, If this is going to be a somewhat regular gig, get a transponder and a FAST card.

Have fun hoser!

Crazynuff · Nov 19, 2012

What provinces will you be running in ? I only run Ontario . They have Flying J and T/A's as well as Huskies and Fifth Wheels . If you buy that little pocketbook truckstop guide they have Canadian fuel stops in them .
Every Canadian fuel stop I've been in took American dollars but gave Canadian change . Flying J seems to charge a better exchange rate than T/A but I use my Visa when possible .
Be sure you know the differences in Canadian HOS laws . The restart must be at least 36 hours . You must have the truck (and trailer ) license plate number on your logs . They require you to have copies of your logs for the past 14 days because they require a 24 hour period of within 14 days .
I cross at Port Huron because I haul hazmat but I always put my border ETA on the broker fax 2 hours before I expect it to be because some brokers don't send the paperwork to Customs until an hour before your ETA and if often takes longer than that to be accepted .

bobwg · Nov 19, 2012

Double check with your company but we were told new rules for going into Canada is no more bar codes. Now we must use what is called a ACI e manifest

pearlpro · Nov 19, 2012

Bob, I have the ACI E MANIFEST too....where do you get the transponder, what exactly is it for etc, It may be a regular gig, BEER ??? IN CANADA Nooooo....LOL, Darn shame I dont drink anymore as I hear they have some Good Beers...Ive downloaded Canada into my GPS and have updated all the truck stops etc...It just so happens I know a Blonde up there....restarts could take on a whole new meaning...whew....

Crazynuff · Nov 19, 2012

bobwg said:
Double check with your company but we were told new rules for going into Canada is no more bar codes. Now we must use what is called a ACI e manifest

I can't find any online info at Customs websites to confirm this .

scottm4211 · Nov 19, 2012

Crazynuff said:
I can't find any online info at Customs websites to confirm this .

Came into effect Nov 1. And you cannot cross border until waiting for a minimum of 60 minutes after load clears.

Turtle · Nov 19, 2012

Most places, including restaurants like Wendy's and Subway, will take US Dollars and give change in Canadian Dollars. I used my Visa debit card a lot of the time, but I also would get a couple hundred out of an ATM machine in Canada and keep that on me for when I went up there, as that'll get you the best exchange rate. Credit and debit card aren't a very good rate, especially when the International Service fee gets tacked on. The very best rate will be found at a casino. The very worse rate is cashing a Comcheck at a truck stop.

In addition to the Flying J, Pilot, T/A, Huskies and Fifth Wheels, I would fuel at a Petro Canada, which is different than a Petro down here but it's excellent fuel.

You'll fine Ontario to be not at all unlike the US, except everything is more expensive.

At the border, answer exactly what is asked, no more no less. Be brutally honest, though.

Grizzly · Nov 19, 2012

I just came back from Seattle 2 weeks ago .... shot up to Prince George and picked up a load to Indianapolis ....

Customs: If your paperwork is in order, this won't take long. Take Turtle's advice ... keep it simple, honest and straight to the point.

Fuel: I fueled up at Flying Js and a Husky .... didn't have any issues with the fuel. Keep in mind, it's per liter up there ..... so you'll see prices like $1.17. If you want the gallon equivalent: x 3.8, then factor the exchange rate ....

Currency: I have 2 credit cards, 1 of them has a good Canadian exchange rate without any additional service fees. I use that one exclusively when over the border. You might want to check with your CC company/s prior to leaving. I carry US dollars with me .... basically just in case of emergency.

What to watch for ...? Weather and Roads. Depending on where you're traveling ... the road might be just a stretch of blacktop through the forest. Lights? Guardrails? Reflectors? ..... if you're lucky

Safe travels .... and stay warm!

Jasper National Park, AB, CA

Tennesseahawk · Nov 19, 2012

5th Wheel is a gyp, but has free wifi. The TA in Woodstock will give dollar for dollar, US - Can. Flying J in London has a great Denny's.

ChanceMaster · Nov 19, 2012

Some TIM Hortons have WiFi, as well as the ONroute service plazas.

If I am not mistaken, using a debit or Credit Card insures that you are getting the set Exchange rate ( not an increased one set by the merchant).

Eat Poutine and God save the Queen.

Sent from my PC36100 using EO Forums

pearlpro · Nov 22, 2012

Thanks fellas....

pearlpro · Nov 22, 2012

The Latest Issue of HDT Heavy Duty Trucking has a good article with the following links
CBSA eManifest or you can dial he following numbers....

204-983-3500 Border Information Service
506-636-5064

Or email to: [email protected]

In this article it speaks of the new E Manifest and its implementation on Nov 1st, there will be a 6 month grace period before its fully implemented.

Article is written by Jim Park.

Crazynuff · Nov 23, 2012

Tennesseahawk said:
5th Wheel is a gyp, but has free wifi. The TA in Woodstock will give dollar for dollar, US - Can. Flying J in London has a great Denny's.

I doubt the T/A will exchange dollar for dollar if the Canadian dollar is valued more . They probably would when the U.S. dollar is valued more .
Like most Flying J's the one in London had a great buffet before Pilot bought out Flying J . Flying J also had great wifi before Pilot brought in Wandering Wifi . Do not attempt to use the Wandering Wifi at the Flying J or Pilot . At both locations I logged into the system but waited 30 - 45 minutes and was unable to connect to the internet .

tknight · Nov 23, 2012

Wandering wi if is the biggest waste in my opinion .its implemented wrong from the start the antenna distribution system is no where near correct,mounting antennas on the roof of the main building and trying to fire signal to a parking lot over the roof of the fuel island will never cut it,nor will putting antennas on the roof of the fuel island help
They aren't positioned high enough to get over obstacles like 53' tt rigs and when you can get a signals it's interrupted by moving vehicles! I've parked in line of sight many times can see plainly the antennas and still can't lock in a signal not with iPhone iPad or laptop pure waste of money . Anyone wanna buy my password for half price?

tknight · Nov 23, 2012

What amazes me is sometimes I get better signal from hotels next to or across the street from truck stops ,
I'm in auburn ny right now at petrol and their signal rocks,there are 4 antennas and the lot is deserted so signal actually is good except when a truck drives by and I'm in the front row 40' from antenna

roadeyes · Nov 23, 2012

Here is a link to the Canadian hours of service.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/roadsafety/hos_application_guide.pdf

As the American HOS are more restrictive, all cross border operators should just follow the U.S HOS but use a 36 hour reset instead of 34 (even when you are in the states), and you will be in compliance for both sides.