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Old 01-05-2018, 01:34 PM   #1
vipermanden
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California up to Western Canada

Are there any precautions on crossing the border in our total 60 foot long truck and 5th wheel? Do they search the trailer, so don't bring a gun? I am assuming a passport is required. Any must see spots or RV parks in Western Canada? Thanks
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Old 01-05-2018, 02:32 PM   #2
waynemoore
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A definite no on the gun. Yes you will need a passport to go both ways into Canada and back into the US.
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Old 01-05-2018, 02:49 PM   #3
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I think they came in to look at the frig one time.
Depending how far West you are looking, you must visit the Banff and Jasper area. There is a nice campground in the park with hookups. I think it is Tunnel Mt. 1 or 2. Beware of grizzlies!! Well at lest Beware of bears.
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Old 01-05-2018, 03:06 PM   #4
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I figured as much on not bringing my small handgun I keep in the bedroom. What about bringing in our Two Golden Retrievers? They don't have quarantines for dogs do they? Since dogs don't have passports? :-)
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Old 01-05-2018, 03:28 PM   #5
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You can bring a shotgun or rifle but no handguns. You need to fill out paperwork for the shotgun. You can get the forms online. When we were driving through Canada the summer of 2017, we just parked in areas off the road or rest areas unless posted that it was not allowed. Very few posting not allowing you to. We were on our way to Alaska so we did not stay at any campgrounds because we would only stay over night. As far as pets, just have current shot paperwork.
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Old 01-05-2018, 03:31 PM   #6
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We crossed over at Port Huron, MI into Sarnia, ON a few years ago and then last July crossed at Sweet Grass, MT into Milk River, AB. Both times we had our Lab mix dog in the back seat, looking out the window at the border agent.

They asked a few questions (which always includes the gun which we do not have--ever), did not enter the trailer, did not ask about the dog (although we had all records from our vet), then waved us on through.

Might be different next time, but that's our experience so far.

We stayed at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Park which has full hook-ups. It is all pull throughs along the roadways (like parallel parking.) better than it may sound. You will have to make reservations months in advance to get a spot, but it is certainly worth it. Only negative is all "those" tourists! Don't expect to park at Lake Louise. We solved that problem by taking a ride on the gondola which included free shuttle to the lake.
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Old 01-05-2018, 03:57 PM   #7
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As for dogs, I think several years ago I found you are supposed to have shot papers but they have to be new in the last 6 months. Check it out online.
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Old 01-05-2018, 04:54 PM   #8
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Going into Canada could not be easier. Took a shotgun and my dog last year. Canada collected $25 Canadian for the gun permit and was asked if I had shot record for the dog but did not ask to see it. They will also ask if you plan to work in Canada, sell anything there, have firewood, how much alcohol you are carrying, fruits and vegetables or have $10K or more with you. Very friendly and very easy. Pretty much the same coming back the other way but not near as friendly.
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Old 01-05-2018, 05:37 PM   #9
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So far I am not seeing many good RV parks in BC or AB Canada. I thought we would go from Seattle and stay in Chase BC at a place called Cottonwood Cove RV Resort, and then in Banff at the only place I could find which is the Tunnel Mountain Trailer Park, which you can not make reservations yet for June! So I have to get on the phone or on line on January 11th at 8 am mountain time. Why do they ask you how much alcohol you have? Is there a limit? :-) When you say current within 6 months for the dogs, you mean current paperwork from your vet that is less than 6 months old, since our dogs don't have to get shots that often! Or do they require Bordatella shots?
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Old 01-05-2018, 06:07 PM   #10
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We made all our reservations online, here at home. Were able to find a suitable site--in fact an excellent site. We did have to make one move within the park to extend our time there. We found plenty of campgrounds, but we only stayed in two more places on our visit to Alberta: one in a nice municipal park in Claresholm; the other in a private RV park just outside Waterton Lakes National Park. These were all we needed for our particular route.

Here is a view of our campsite in Tunnel Mountain Trailer Park:



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Old 01-05-2018, 06:02 PM   #11
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There is a limit on alcohol without paying a duty. I do not believe they need shots within 6 months - shots just need be be current and they are concerned about rabies shot - no others. We took a health certificate with us as it was supposedly required for AK (but again going into AK we were just asked if we had shot records and not asked to show them). RV parks in Canada are a little more spartan than in the US but they are still nice places. 50 amp is real hard to find but you don't need much A/C there. We wound up boondocking for a few nights. You also want to look at parks around Jasper.
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Old 01-05-2018, 06:58 PM   #12
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The CBP brochure: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citize...-before-you-go. I would consider the crossing at the Peace Arch a little tight for rigs. Consider the truck crossing Sumas a mile East of I-5. Going into Canada is usually the 20 questions of how long, where and weapons. Stay outside of Vancouver and drive in to sight see as the roads are very congested and hard to get around. Everything is metric and camera speed traps are everywhere. I've received a few in the mail and didn't know it. They have reciprical agreements with the US for license plate info and will use a collection agency to collect on a ticket at least once upon a time.
The Return is usually more intense getting back and the Officers conduct a 3 hat inspection at the border. 1st is to determine status, Passport, 2nd conduct Customs declaration and animal health questions and 3rd is to look for Agriculture concerns. The Agriculture aspect can be a hit and miss sometimes depending on the experience of the officer. Bananas should be OK, but the next one determines them as a prohibited item, cooked meets; No- problem, but some confiscate them. The real agriculture specialist work's the inspection areas. Just be ready to declare all fruits, vegetables, meats and plants and everything should go pretty good. The failure to declare is all they need and they can present a $500 fine, which plagues you indefinitely crossing the borders. I tried to find a descent campgrounds in and around the south area, but no recommendations. Within 5 miles of crossing into Canada is the US possession called Point Roberts, WA, maybe a state park is there. You have to cross the tiny border every time you go out.
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Old 01-05-2018, 07:53 PM   #13
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RV parks in that area are not plentiful. Neither Tunnel Mountain in Banff or Whistler in Jasper can be considered upscale resorts. No pools, spa, clubhouse, paved sites, or concierge service. But they do offer access to spectacular scenery and the historic communities..

Below are pictures of us sitting outside at Banff and what we were looking at across the canyon, My profile picture in my signature was taken at Jasper

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Old 01-06-2018, 10:34 AM   #14
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There is a website that has up to the minute crossing times at the border crossings. Since there are 3 crossings within about 20 miles at and East of I5, you can take your pick. I have camped at a park called Cottonwood Meadows in Chilliwack that was ok. Also Bridal Falls Camperland at Bridal Falls was ok. Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in Fairmont was very nice and a real 'resort' type place. The others were just bare bones campgrounds, but clean and ok. (Bridal Falls was a bit hilly tho)
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Old 01-06-2018, 02:32 PM   #15
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I beleave the pets health certificate can't be over 30 days old to enter Canada.
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Old 01-06-2018, 02:44 PM   #16
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A health certificate is not required according to the Canadian government website.
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Old 01-06-2018, 07:58 PM   #17
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Have any of you taken the ferries from the mainland to Vancouver Island? We are going to stay at an RV park called Living Forest Oceanside RV Park in Nanaimo, BC on the island. We will need to take the ferry to get there, and of course to get off going to Banff. Any of you have any issues with these ferries carrying 58 feet long truck and fifth wheel?
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Old 01-06-2018, 09:54 PM   #18
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I have taken most of the ferries in that area. I usually take the car or walk on. I haven't taken the 5th wheel on any yet. However I see commercial tractor/trailer combos on the most of them.

The Canadian ferry system seems to accept long vehicles on all their ferries. The
Vancouver - Nanaimo (Tsawwassen-Duke Point) route is no exception. So you should be fine. I assume you are aware that route is one of the most expensive for RVs.
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Old 01-06-2018, 09:57 PM   #19
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I can chime in on the Vancouver Island questions. The ferry handles semi`s so your 5th is no problem(ours is a 3270)its not cheap looking at your rig you will need about 6 hundred Canadian bucks to get on and off the Island. Living forest is awesome we go there a couple of times a year we also go to Country maples RV resort in Chemanius just south of Living Forest. Living Forest would be a bit more upscale and Nanaimo(where Living Forest is)is known as the hub city as its about halfway between the most populated parts on the island. Take the Duke Point ferry its closer and you won`t have all the traffic that Departure Bay dishes out. From the ferry terminal in Tswassen(the mainland side) figure on 1 over night stay between Vancouver and Banff its about a 10-12 hour or so drive. Most of the rv sites in the Rockies , Banff or Jasper are federal parks so more basic than a resort facilities but the views make up for the lack of a pool. From Naniamo you are about 1.5 hours to Victoria to the south or Campbell River to the north and a couple of hours or so to Long Beach. Have fun make your reservations as soon as you can because they book up quick, even for us locals we book 1 year in advance for Living Forest or we don`t get in. Let me know if you need any other info
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Old 01-07-2018, 10:06 AM   #20
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Ragtacker,

Just barely got my reservation in last night for Living Forest for June 16th! So are you saying it will be $600 Canadian total for taking the ferry two times, or 600 each way? That is about $500 US dollars! Yikes!! Yes we will take the Duke Ferry both ways, and yes we will be staying in Chase BC at Cottonwood Cove RV Resort at lake Shuswap, then on to Banff and hopefully staying at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court, but can't make reservations for June for a few more days. What sites in Victoria are a must see! Thanks
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