WillWork4Vaca
Ohio
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Joined: 07/15/2010
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Hello, First I'd just like to thank everyone for all their comments and assistance on this board. Although it's the first post I've made, I found this site late last year when I bought my first RV and have "lurked" off and on ever since then when I had a question about RVing. This board is certainly a great resource and has been very helpful in figuring out the lifestyle, it's challenges, and the many opportunities that come along with it!
OK, so to the question....I'm heading up north in a couple weeks with my father and 2 friends to go on a fishing trip to Armstrong Canada which, according to google, is going to be approx. 22 hours. I've been out in the RV prob 6-8 times since I bought it late last year, but the furthest trip to date has been about 7 hours away from home.
Because of my "newness" to RVing and the long trip we're having (ok and I'm a bit OCD too which doesn't help) I'm beginning to get a bit concerned as the trip approaches. I've got a 98' 31' Class C Travelmaster on a Ford Chassis with a 30,000 mile V10. I had the RV out for a 6 hour trip and just had the engine serviced, tires checked, fluids changed/topped off, breaks checked, etc. We have a good spare tire and are going to take a good selection of tools as I'm somewhat handy, but my father and one of my buddies are very good at standard vehicle maintenance, electrical, etc.
As this is a very long trip and also the first time I've crossed the baorder with an RV, does anyone have any suggestions to offer in regards to being prepared? We have AAA for the RV which they partner/own a sister company who provides service in Canada, but I doubt that does me much good once I get north of Thunder Bay. I'm trying to make this a trip of a lifetime for my dad, but if we're stuck crossing the boarder or broke down in the middle of no where, that might put a bit of a damper on things 
Also if anyone has actually travelled route 527 from Thunder Bay to Armstrong Station, I'd be curious as to the quality of roads and places to stop for gas, food, etc.
Thanks for your help.
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Tothill
BC
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Joined: 06/15/2007
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Stop worrying.
Your AAA will be honoured by CAA in Canada. But here in BC you have to have RV coverage not just regular vehicle coverage. I do not know about Ontario.
We have lots of big vehicles in Canada and if a repair is needed you will be able to get a tow and repair.
You will need passports for all the people in the RV for crossing the border. Remember to check the Office Canada Border Services website to find out what you can bring with you. Things to think about are fresh fruit and vegetables, meat (at times so check just before you leave), smokes and booze (know the limits and pay duty over the limits).
Sounds like you will have a great trip.
Edited to add:
Give yourself time for the drive. You have had a couple longer drives, how did you feel at the end of the day? We stop every 2 hours for a stretch and to walk tot dog. We also switch drivers at each stop.
But we have had solo trips where we generally like to limit the days drive to 6 or 8 hours. Each of us has done 12+ hours in our daily driver, but driving the RV is much more physical and tiring.
We live and RV in BC where the driving is almost entirely in mountains and hills. Driving on the prairies, we can of course cover much more ground.
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WillWork4Vaca
Ohio
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Thanks for the advice Tothill!
I do have the RV coverage with AAA so I should be all set there. I just wasn’t sure how available they would be once we got on the long drive on 527. It seems like larger towns start to be hard to come by as you get closer to Armstrong Station.
Thanks for the info on Canada Boarder website. We’re going to bring some things in, but we’ll try to keep it fairly limited to make the process easier. Any idea on about how long to expect to be held up at the boarder assuming everything goes well? We’re taking off on Thursday evening so it will prob be around 2 or 3 AM whenever we cross over on route 75.
All 4 of us can switch on the drive so we’ll probably drive straight through with stops for gas and such. We do have time though to stop and sleep for a while if it’s needed as the float plane doesn’t leave out of Armstrong Station until Saturday AM.
Any other info anyone has would be greatly appreciated.
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Rvpapa
Alberta , Can.
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Joined: 08/07/2002
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Google Street View has covered most ot that route already. Take a virtual drive and see for yourself what the hiway looks like. Always good to have advance ideas.
Art.
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cruiserjs
Mesa AZ/ openroad
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I can't get tothill's suggested website to open?? Check the "sticky" at the top of this forum (in blue) for links to Canada border crossing information. And (I repeat) make sure all in your party have their current passports or equivalent border cards with them!!
Have a great trip and - good fishing!!
John
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
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Tothill
BC
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cruiserjs wrote:I can't get tothill's suggested website to open?? Check the "sticky" at the top of this forum (in blue) for links to Canada border crossing information. And (I repeat) make sure all in your party have their current passports or equivalent border cards with them!!
Have a great trip and - good fishing!!
John
Weird. I wonder why, I have double checked the link and it works for me. I wonder if the link does not work for a US ISP?
Sorry about that. I thought it might be easier to put the link in my reply instead of referencing the sticky.
As far as border crossing times they can vary. The longest questioning and physical inspection period we ever had at at 3:00am when we were in our car and heading to the Seattle airport.
Just answer the questions as asked. Unless the other passengers are asked questions only the driver answers. Don't joke around, but most importantly do not lie or try to hide anything.
If they decide to search the vehicle, you will be asked to pull over to a specified area and exit the vehicle. You would be sent to a waiting area most the time and wait there for the officers to complete their work.
Many here have crossed the border many times without any incident or inspection.
Crossing an international boundary can be intimidating the first time, but in my experience been less eventful that clearing airport security for a domestic flight. Airport security have kittens when you have a metal rod in your leg that sets off the alarms.
Have a great trip.
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RangerJay
Northern Ontario
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Crossing into Canada the only real issue that has the potential to be more than just an irritant is if you, or any of your party members, have an old DUI or some such record still clinging to your name that has not been cleared. If so - it can come to bite you in the backside and prevent you from crossing.
Other than that:
Thunder Bay is well served for any of your RV needs (or any other for that matter) - there is a CAA office in the city.
The road to Armstrong is fine - a bit of a long and quiet drive for sure - road surface isn't the newest - but there is nothing wrong with it - and you want to leave Thunder Bay with a full tank of gas - but it is the only road link between Armstrong and Thunder Bay - so if you do get into trouble you won't be alone for long - and we Canadians are friendly ....
Enjoy your trip.
Jay
2002 Bambi 19' - the "Toaster"
2003 Nissan Pathfinder - the "Buggy"
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revrnd
Apsley, Ontario
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Looking @ the maps, the only settlement between the 2 places is Gull River First Nation. Yes CAA in Ontario has Plus RV service.
You don't need a passport to enter Canada, only to re-enter the US. In talking to a US Customs official last month during a pre-inspection @ Detroit, they can't keep Canadians out of the US because of an Impaired Driving (DUI) conviction, the CBSA can refuse entry to Americans w/ 1.
Also, if you're crossing the border south of Thunder Bay, you shouldn't have to deal w/ long lineups like @ the major crossings in southern Ontario.
PS: Take off your sunglasses & don't get too "yappy". Yes answer the questions. Mind you some questions may seem to come out of left field. Mostly to check your reaction.
1986 Monte Carlo SS
2011 Chevrolet K2500HD (P3 controller, Husky WD hitch)
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Hamops
Oshawa, ON, CA
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Since you're going up I-75, I'm assuming that you'll be crossing into Ontario at Sault Ste Marie. From the Sault, you're looking at about 450 miles to turnoff to Armstrong near Thunder Bay. If you're using the Sault route (Hwy 17N), be sure to fuel up in the Sault because the next fuel stop is about 140 miles north in Wawa. From that point on, there should be fuel available about every 50 miles but never let your tank get below half full because not all locations are open 24/7. I would guess that 22 hours is a fair travel time for the 1000 to 1200 mile trip. The one thing that no one mentioned is that there are moose roaming the highways, especially at night and you need to careful and on the lookout for them. If you become involved in a accident with a moose, your vehicle will be totalled and you could be severely injured.
Cheers
Helen & George VE3INB and Max (Bichon Frise)
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RangerJay
Northern Ontario
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Hamops wrote:The one thing that no one mentioned is that there are moose roaming the highways, especially at night and you need to careful and on the lookout for them.
Ditto the caution regarding moose - most moose accidents do occur at night - one of the reasons is that they are so hard to see - traffic will be very quiet during the night hours - but his is not a reason to pick up speed - in fact, the reverse is true - take your time. These critters appear first as a dark mass or shadow in your headlights - and it takes a second or so to figure out what it is you are looking at - by then it may be too late. Many night-time truckers, particularly in the logging industry, have what are loosely called "moose lights" - an extra set of high intensity roof-top lights that light up the shoulder and the highway far in advance of the truck.
Jay
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