Wrong Turn!!!

quickpickup1 · Mar 17, 2011

I had a short simple delivery earlier today over in eagle pass,Tx.
I looked at my map and gps and it should of been like the countless other border deliveries I have made.Although the delivery was very close to the Us\Mexican Border.The map and gps streets, looked like I should take the second right off the bridge and I would be on the correct street for delivery.I should of taken the first street on the right instead .From that point on I had no other option to turn around,unless I wanted to trade paint or run down the barrels or guard rails.
I called my carrier and let them know what was going on,They said no problem just keep them updated.Keep in mind I had no customs paper work and to make things even worse no passport.
I stayed calm had my paper work ready and complied with the Mexican Custom Officials . They were very professional and had no issues and escorted me to the front of the Us Customs gate.
The Us Customs agents were very professional and advised me to obtain a passport,and waived me thru.
I made the correct turn to the industrial park and was 10min early.

I think the Us/Canadian Customs can benefit being in a training session with the Tx \Us Customs/Mexican Border officials.

TheRebel · Mar 17, 2011

Don't put too much trust on that GPS, especially when you're by the border...

cheri1122 · Mar 17, 2011

I know my Garmin gets wonky in Laredo, too - wonder if someone in Mexico is trying to make US truck drivers look stupid?

purgoose10 · Mar 17, 2011

quickpickup1 said:
I had a short simple delivery earlier today over in eagle pass,Tx.
I looked at my map and gps and it should of been like the countless other border deliveries I have made.Although the delivery was very close to the Us\Mexican Border.The map and gps streets, looked like I should take the second right off the bridge and I would be on the correct street for delivery.I should of taken the first street on the right instead .From that point on I had no other option to turn around,unless I wanted to trade paint or run down the barrels or guard rails.
I called my carrier and let them know what was going on,They said no problem just keep them updated.Keep in mind I had no customs paper work and to make things even worse no passport.
I stayed calm had my paper work ready and complied with the Mexican Custom Officials . They were very professional and had no issues and escorted me to the front of the Us Customs gate.
The Us Customs agents were very professional and advised me to obtain a passport,and waived me thru.
I made the correct turn to the industrial park and was 10min early.
I think the Us/Canadian Customs can benefit being in a training session with the Tx \Us Customs/Mexican Border officials.

What kind of GPS are you using?? My Tom Tom does wild stuff. I always plan with streets and trips first and use GPS as back up.

TheRebel · Mar 17, 2011

purgoose10 said:
What kind of GPS are you using?? My Tom Tom does wild stuff. I always plan with streets and trips first and use GPS as back up.

I had a TomTom and I was just few yards away from Mexico... get a 5'' screen Garmin from Sam's Club... so far it's the best (at least for me).

quickpickup1 · Mar 17, 2011

I use streets and trips and a regular map.Streets has been very glichy lately

LisaLouHoo · Mar 17, 2011

The Garmin we use is pretty accurate, though there are times she loses her mind and "recalculates" for no apparent reason. In NYC and the US/Mexican border, she attempts to make us exit every ramp, circle the block and get back on, for about 20 miles. Recently an Android phone came into our "family" and has provided reliable back up (don't use as primary because GPS function on long trips drains the Android battery).

"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008

OntarioVanMan · Mar 17, 2011

cheri1122 said:
I know my Garmin gets wonky in Laredo, too - wonder if someone in Mexico is trying to make US truck drivers look stupid?

That wouldn't take much effort...

Scuba · Mar 18, 2011

I use earthmate by delorme for my laptop so i have a nice big screen and it works well at the southern boarder and all over Canada

LisaLouHoo · Mar 18, 2011

....and when all else fails, such in mountainous regions, we have been known to use a MAP. Gadzooks!!!

"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008

cheri1122 · Mar 18, 2011

Having used the map for many years, and being a 'visual' learner, [I need to see it], maps will never be replaced entirely by any GPS - but they don't help with the small town local directions, so we need both.
But I have noticed my Garmin doesn't seem to like being too near the Mexican border, lol.

redytrk · Mar 18, 2011

I run two GPS at the same time. I just love it when one says turn left and the other says turn right.

golfournut · Mar 18, 2011

On my Garmin 465T, if I don't enable U turns, it will almost always take me on a route to where you make a right turn into your destination. When I enable U turns, then it will take me to where I can turn left into my destination. It does it in truck or auto mode.

Anyone else notice something like that on their unit?

Your best bet, hire a vet! Please.

LisaLouHoo · Mar 18, 2011

golfournut said:
On my Garmin 465T, if I don't enable U turns, it will almost always take me on a route to where you make a right turn into your destination. When I enable U turns, then it will take me to where I can turn left into my destination. It does it in truck or auto mode.

Anyone else notice something like that on their unit?

Your best bet, hire a vet! Please.

Yep. We have to make sure we mute her when we exit for refueling because she starts screeching for us to "make a u-turn NOW!" She really started acting up once I started going on the road with Jeffman....we think she's jealous and trying to kill us.

"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008

DannyD · Mar 18, 2011

I think Cherri's Garmin is here illegally. I saw it protesting a lil to vehemently when she tried to take it to Arizona.

cheri1122 said:
Having used the map for many years, and being a 'visual' learner, [I need to see it], maps will never be replaced entirely by any GPS - but they don't help with the small town local directions, so we need both.
But I have noticed my Garmin doesn't seem to like being too near the Mexican border, lol.

DieselDriver · Mar 18, 2011

If you go to Laredo on a regular basis, make a stop at the truck stop on Mines Road and pick up a city map of Laredo...it has every street in Laredo, including the industrial park areas.

golfournut · Mar 19, 2011

LisaLouHoo said:
Yep. We have to make sure we mute her when we exit for refueling because she starts screeching for us to "make a u-turn NOW!" She really started acting up once I started going on the road with Jeffman....we think she's jealous and trying to kill us.

"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008

I hate when "Jill" does that. lol
Yep, Garmin has names for the voices. Jill & Ken. I never heard Ken, but can be downloaded from their site.

Your best bet, hire a vet! Please.

golfournut · Mar 19, 2011

DannyD said:
I think Cherri's Garmin is here illegally. I saw it protesting a lil to vehemently when she tried to take it to Arizona.

That's classic DannyD! lol

Your best bet, hire a vet! Please.

Monty · Mar 19, 2011

I spoke with Rand McNally, on their TND500 product, last week.

They tell me the company that produces all the dataset's for the maps used by most GPS unit's is scheduled for a major update in June. Hopefully all those confusing problems along the border will end.

I was calling them specifically about Laredo, and all the changes that have been made there.