Is a Cargo Trailer a Good Idea?

We will finally be moving to live year round at our house in Ajijic after finally selling our house in Portland. For all we want to bring (e.g. my motorbike), it will not fit in our van. We are considering buying a small 5x8 foot cargo trailer and driving it down to Mexico.

I believe we'll need to pay a second TIP. Will we be at risk of theft because of the trailer? We plan on stopping at a couple of love motels along the way. I've read about some that have secure courtyards but I don't know where they are located. We'll be coming through at the Nogales crossing.

Is this a good idea? Any experiences you can share?

Your trailer will become a part of the towing vehicle‘s Importada Temporal, and the two must leave Mexico together; never separately. A second “TP“ is not an option, as you are alloowed only one vehicle per person. That may rule out the idea of bringing in anything else that is a vehicle, unless there are two of you and the titles/registration are in the name of the other person.  If the “motorbike“ requires a license plate, it is probably a vehicle.
Since you cannot sell the trailer in Mexico, will you be able to store it inside your property?  If you cannot drive it in, or back it in, that may become an unwanted inconvenience and expense.  It could be better to simply buy a scooter, or something similar, in Mexico.
An alternative plan might be to use a U-Haul as far as Nogales. Turn it in there, using public storage, and proceed. Either ship the goods from Nogales, or return to pick them up on future trips. We did the latter and the cost was less than either shipping or a personal trailer.

I’ve stayed at a few no-tell motels driving in/out but I have never seen one that had a “courtyard” large enough for a van/trailer. ‘Most’ have a garage attached to each room.

Other than that, I don’t see why having an enclosed trailer would create a risk-of-theft situation unless it won’t lock.

Also “we” are assuming that you are Residente Temporal and not Residente Permanente.... right?

All said above is very true. Many sad stories of those who did ot believe it. Do what I did. Sell everything in the States and if you cant pack it a car don't bring it. You can buy replacement stuff here. That is what these laws are about.

doc holiday wrote:All said above is very true.  Many sad stories of those who did ot believe it.  Do what I did.  Sell everything in the States and if you cant pack it a car don't bring it.  You can buy replacement stuff here.  That is what these laws are about.

We had some furnishings we knew we couldn't replace here (heirlooms, art work, and a matter of taste) and we did sell a lot of stuff after hearing that things like appliances here were better suited to the local voltage and that they are all here to buy. We put the furnishings in containers at a moving and storage company, came with a pickup with camper cover loaded with essentials and later, after renting awhile and then buying a house, we had the company deliver the containers. The company turned our load over to Seymi Moving at the border, and they did a great job of getting it to us intact.
It turned out to be the best route for us and when our furniture was unpacked, it was a comfort to have "old friends" around in our new life.
However, bear in mind that moving costs are by weight and a large collection of books would cost you dearly! With that in mind, I didn't bring 90% of them.

Our only problem moving to Lakeside is that we listened to those who said that we could buy furniture here... While this is true it depends of the style and quality of furniture you currently own... We sold 90% of ours and found that it costs more here for quality and that paying to have it shipped would have saved us money...

Another thing: If you have a quality mattress Bring it, Quality tools, bring them, Quality linens bring, etc...

Life here is good but for us it would be better if we had brought the above items with us...

We brought down a "Wells Cargo" trailer, 8 x 10, very heavy construction and locks. Towed about 1,500  lbs of stuff down. In Puerto Vallarta, on the beach, there was no room to store it, so we had to pay a storage place about $50 per month to store it. So when a Canadian returned to Canada, we jumped at the chance to sell it. Don't give a damn about TIP, all paperwork/insurance was in his name, and they got new Canadian plates before their move. Now, moved to Chapala, I wish we still had it, especially if you are just moving here, and perhaps reviewing your security arrangements. I could have stored it in the bodega, and have a secure lockup, especially if you alarmed it. You would be surprised what people will steal, they don't call it "petty theft" without a good reason. Many, but not all Mexicans, believe if you leave something out, lets say an empty propane bottle, that you do not want it - otherwise you would have locked it up. Finders keepers, losers weepers as they used to say.

We had more problems travelling with a dog, rather than worrying about anyone stealing the trailer. The big rig trucks seem to know where to stay.

Maybe you have to dumb down the paint job too, don't make it look you are transporting anything especially valuable. Ha - we were lucky in that regard, because we decided to buy a trailer, at the last minute. I bought from a fellow who was in a Chinese punk and skate band, but they just had a baby. The guy looked and dressed like a Chinese Joey Ramone (R.I.P). It was covered with different band stickers and for some reason, paintball spatter stickers. We went through the Nogales/Mexico border in the nothing to declare lane, never stopped all they way to Puerto Vallarta.

Add on: If you are travelling in the summer, you might look to install a transmission cooler. A lot of mountains between here and Portland.

As RickS asked, we are indeed Residente Temporal.