Breaking Down & Being Stranded

[VanFan]

We are part-timers. The van broke down in a small-ish town last week. We were able to get a tow, and the camp host gave us a ride to town. There were no Lyft, Uber, or taxi options. Period. Also no rental cars (beaters or no). It all worked out okay (from my perspective), and following two nights in a motel, we were on the way. However, being without transportation options took my husband way out of his comfort zone. If we had had to stay any longer, my plan was to beg the lady at the feed store to deliver a 15' UHaul (all there was) and take it to a town with rent cars or, possibly, to our stick-n-brick (only 100 miles away).

I understand breaking down on occasion is a fact of travel. However, I'm entertaining the idea of taking two vehicles in the future: the Prius and the van. Combined, the mileage is still better than most RV's.

Any other ideas?

 

[hugemoth]

I haul a small motorcycle or a scooter on a lightweight open trailer. Works great for getting around in case of a breakdown. Many vehicles are able to haul one on a hitch carrier so no trailer needed.

 

[maki2]

You did just fine. You cannot predict what circumstances will be when or even if such a thing will happen again. I would not over react and plan for the worst every time you head out on a trip. Towing insurance and money for a motel should suffice just as it did this last time. I have been in that same circumstance once years ago when traveling in a van and did the same thing you have done. Got to town in the tow truck, got a motel, etc. No taxi service, predated Uber era but I did have a bicycle along and that came in very handy for getting around while I waited for my van to get repaired.

If you can ride pedal bikes that is what I would suggest taking along. There are even folding bikes and of course bike racks too. Also electric bikes. They weigh and cost less and are easier to maintain than a motorcycle. Not everyone knows how to ride motorcycles but the majority of us know how to ride bicycles or an adult 3 wheeled trike.

 

[INTJohn]

The old sayin:
“Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

Every year I drop my vehicle off and have my mechanic go thru it top to bottom and “fix” anything that even looks like it’s ready to break.

I’ve never broken down on the road since started doing this ummm 1990. Flat tires don’t count.
jonny boi sayin.

 

[INTJohn]

Addendum:
The 2 vehicle concept I’m tryin to wrap my head around……..
If one can’t afford the preventive maintenance on one vehicle how does one afford the preventive maintenance on 2 vehicles; lil lone the purchase price involved in buying the 2nd vehicle?

I’m thinkin better off using $$$ spent on 2nd vehicle to optimally maintain the first vehicle that is also one’s home - even if only part time rather than have 2 vehicles that one cannot afford to maintain either one in optimal condition.

But hey; just me. OP asked 4 ideas and I’ve volunteered mine……
jonny boi……..out

 

[Tony's Dream]

I'm with John, the cost of the two cars would not be a good long term fix. You should figure out the cost of driving the second car and put that money in the back for such an ocassion. Or perhaps apply for a credit card that would only be used in such cases. I am a traveler, not full timer, and I have only had one issue that caused an overnight. When that did happen, I let the repair shop know that the van is my home....so each night I will be staying in the van in their parking lot until its fixed. They ordered the part and it came in the next day. They installed it and got me back on the road. Unless it's an accident requiring a lot of work, most repair shop time is waiting for parts. Living in their parking lot might get you moved up on the list.

 

[Happy Camper]

Since you already own a Prius, there a few things to consider.

Would towing the Prius impact how and where your travel and park your rig?

If not, what is the mpg hit while towing it? Can you separate and use the Prius at times to make up the difference?

You can use the Prius as a rolling generator. As well as a cooling or heating space if needed. It can also hold items so you have more space in your main space.

You'll need a dolly to tow a Prius, as it can't be flat towed.

Will having the Prius available add to your experience? If you can work with the above, I say go for it.

Great towing services might be a better idea depending on the above, and cost.

 

[bullfrog !]

^^^My wife and I have always traveled with at least two vehicles as we both continued to work separate jobs several years while living on the road. Our primary vehicle, a large older RV got a maximum of 11 mpg and 8 mpg minimum while towing. I had wanted to get a Prius and install an inverter to power the motorhome doing away with the generator as well as use it for transportation saving lots of fuel in our case. Instead we used 2 older Honda Civics with manual transmissions, towing one and driving one when moving to a new location which was usually every few months. It worked well even though we never had a breakdown on the road.

 

[WanderingRose]

I’m with the folks that say stick with your van, keep it in good repair, and expect there will be times when you are waylaid by a repair.

Purchasing, towing and maintaining a second vehicle just in case is a very expensive step.

I have also overnighted more than once at a repair shop, in my van, and never had a problem with being allowed to do that.

 

[bullfrog !]

A lot will depend on where you travel and your physical abilities. In remote locations a reliable, well maintained vehicle is a given but a second means of transportation or traveling in a group or with a second vehicle can be a life saver. We find a little Suzuki Samurai 4x4 works great (25 mpg and can be flat towed) as it allows us to explore more areas we couldn’t with the motor home or camper as well as make town runs for supplies. Sometimes we use a folding e-bike in the back of Samurai even, if no friends are around to adventure with us. I’ve discovered I’m too old to walk out 20 miles if something happens to the vehicle! Lol!!!

 

[Happy Camper]

Just for clarification.

They are part timers.
They already own the Prius.

They can trailer or 2 wheel dolly the Prius. It cannot be flat towed. I assume that they maintain their Prius so they already have to maintain two vehicles. It's not an added thing.

While towing the Prius might not make sense for some full timers, it might make perfect sense for them

There are pros and cons to this, so it really depends on what they feel works in their favor.

Pros
Full time generator. Minimal noise.
Cheap and reliable local transportation.
Excellent backup.
Gas and money savings on side trips.
Heating and cooling space on demand.
Extra storage.
The ability for two people to do two separate things if needed.
And a host of other things that come to mind.

Cons
Buying a tow dolly or trailer
Driving with a tow dolly or trailer
Lower mpg towing a tow dolly or trailer
Parking space with a tow dolly or trailer

It really just depends where you're going, what you're doing, and if it's worth doing in your situation.

 

[WanderingRose]

You can go places in your van that will be difficult or impossible towing your Prius.

One of the big advantages to staying small is the go-almost-anywhere factor.

You’re asking for feedback, so there it is.

 

[Happy Camper]

You can go places in your van that will be difficult or impossible towing your Prius.

One of the big advantages to staying small is the go-almost-anywhere factor.

You’re asking for feedback, so there it is.

I would agree with all of those statements. It's definitely an interesting choice.

One thing you might want to try. Rent a 2 wheel dolly and tow the Prius around for a day or so.
You might love it, you might hate it. Most likely somewhere in the middle. Theory is great. Try it out first.

 

[bullfrog !]

We often just drive rather than tow, especially if where we are going is just a day or two away. There are two of us so driving two vehicles is easier than dealing with a towed vehicle as in hitching and maneuvering. Since they are part time you just budget a little extra for fuel. Simple is often better in my opinion.

 

[vanbrat]

Waaaay back in the 80's we moved from west coast to the east coast with 3 dogs 2 teens and an 8 foot snake. We drove our cars cross country. I drove one, hubby drove the other. 2+ vehicles. It worked because the teens went in separate cars and the dogs went in separate cars, muuuuuch more peaceful, not much blood shed. This was before cell phones so we each had CB's and stayed close to each other. We listened when one said next rest area we need to stop Or talk to me I'm getting sleepy... or we are trading kids NOW.
We wanted our kids to see the country they lived in and that was why we drove. We took 2 cars because we didn't want to hear the kids fighting and the dogs barking and needed a big space for the snakes house since the moving company of course would not move him. 2 cars worked great for us. Got a few funny looks when getting gas though when the gas attendant saw the snake....
The point is 2 cars can work and if he needs that for peace of mind for a bit, try it. Rent a dolly or whatever first then decide if you want it permanently.

 

[lonerwolf52]

Tow the Prius

We are part-timers. The van broke down in a small-ish town last week. We were able to get a tow, and the camp host gave us a ride to town. There were no Lyft, Uber, or taxi options. Period. Also no rental cars (beaters or no). It all worked out okay (from my perspective), and following two nights in a motel, we were on the way. However, being without transportation options took my husband way out of his comfort zone. If we had had to stay any longer, my plan was to beg the lady at the feed store to deliver a 15' UHaul (all there was) and take it to a town with rent cars or, possibly, to our stick-n-brick (only 100 miles away).

I understand breaking down on occasion is a fact of travel. However, I'm entertaining the idea of taking two vehicles in the future: the Prius and the van. Combined, the mileage is still better than most RV's.

Any other ideas?

?

 

[lonerwolf52]

Tow the Prius?

 

[maki2]

Sounds like you are the person who wants it for your own peace of mind. I know exactly what it is like to have a husband who gets anxiety attacks. But you can not stop them from having anxiety attacks if traveling makes that person anxious.

Towing another vehicle is another stressor so consider carefully before leaping into adding in a second vehicle with it’s own things that can go wrong as well as a car trailer dolly that might also develop issues. You are essentially adding in way more things to go wrong just to to save his potential stress that might never occur again. You need to ask his opinion. He is the one who had the stress. He might not want to tow a car that adds yet more potential issues.

 

[WanderingRose]

And, part of enjoying travel is a) being as well prepared as possible, and, b) learning to roll with the occasional unexpected issue.

 

[VanFan]

Each of you has been so generous in sharing your insights and suggesting options, which is greatly appreciated. Lots of good thoughts and ideas here!

Maki read between the lines quite well. In truth, 99% of our discomfort was psychological. At the risk of being a bit of a Polly Anna, I found elements of this glitch to be quite enjoyable. Seriously, we had some incredible luck and some sweet moments. It was instructive on a few levels, as well.

While I don't feel wholly responsible for mitigating my husband's stress, I do try to be compassionate and think through possibilities for relief. Just (ahem...) observing that we were safe, warm & dry, well fed, and not without financial resources helped. Seriously, we had very little to worry or complain about, and realistically, didn't need to go anywhere we couldn't walk (thanks to the camp host, mechanic and the auto shop proprietor close to our home).

The hardest part was not knowing the first day whether we were looking at a two-day or three-week scenario. Having gotten myself in a tizzy over nothing more than a few times, I prefer not to churn too much until the facts are in. Sometimes, there's just nothing to be done. That's fine.