My Plans Have Been Squashed! Time for Plan B

[investigator77]

Hi Nicole:<br><br>I'm glad that someone is interested in my thinking process! LOL<br><br>I wasn't aware of the summer RTR. Thanks for the info.&nbsp; I checked it out, and if for some reason I'm not able to attend the winter one, that is definitely one that I'll aim for.&nbsp; It would really save me money on the hotel rooms, and save me worry about driving in the middle of winter.<br><br>Thanks for the tip about the book too.&nbsp; Sounds like I'm going to have to search for it on Amazon and see what the price is.&nbsp; With my CAA membership, they'll plan out my entire route, with stops planned along the way, and it's free.&nbsp; They're pretty good maps, that show accomodations, sight-seeing stops, restaurants, you name it.&nbsp; If you ask for it, they'll include it. <br><br>The hot showers at truck stops sound good, but it just sounds so weird to me to stop at a truck stop when I'm a solo woman traveler <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/eek.gif">.&nbsp; I just have images in my head of good ol' boys parking their rigs, and looking at me like I'm in the wrong place.&nbsp; I must admit I've never stopped at a truck stop in my life.&nbsp; Maybe I should visit the one near me, and take a look around!

 

[Stargazer]

Truck stops are great! There are many women truckers now so you won't be alone. Often, they'll let you park there overnight, too. And they have the coolest 12V gadgets. And good bad food, like chicken fried steak, biscuits and sausage gravy! Never touch the stuff myself but I can sure enjoy sniffing all that fat. Yum!

 

[investigator77]

Hi Star:<br><br>I'm definitely going to have to check out the truck stop near me.&nbsp; It's a huge one!&nbsp; I never thought about women truckers.&nbsp; I'm going to get past my preconceptions about road travel, that's for sure.

 

[my_vantasy]

OK, I've never showered at a truck stop, but I do love to stop at them to refuel and poke around their store. I've spent a night in the lot and felt safe. And I have to admit to eating some of that good bad food!

 

[investigator77]

Oh my wise friends, I need you to talk me down.&nbsp; I'm starting to really stress again about getting to the RTR.&nbsp; I've tried to cover every base, planned 4 days a week with things to research or buy, and have been doing really great.&nbsp; <br><br>The problem I'm having is that I use a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, and cannot do without it.&nbsp; Everyone I've asked advice of, has told me different ways to run it using 2 car batteries, or a generator.&nbsp; Even if I buy two car batteries, they would only do me one night, and then I'd have to recharge them in the daytime.&nbsp; How am I supposed to recharge them, without electricity?<br><br>I feel so stupid,&nbsp;but when I start looking at the technical drawings&nbsp;I'm clueless.&nbsp; The advice I've gotten (even from books) is&nbsp;so complicated, or seems so complicated to <strong>me</strong>,&nbsp;that I'm ready to throw in the towel.&nbsp; <br><br>I just can't camp without electricity.&nbsp; I can do without a lot of things to get to the RTR, but electricity isn't one of them.&nbsp; I'll sleep in my car in the middle of winter, pee in a bucket, and shower at truck stops, but I NEED my CPAP machine to sleep, end of story.<br><br>Generators that are the size I would need are over $1,000.&nbsp; That's out of my price range.&nbsp; I found a solar powered generator&nbsp; online that looks promising, but it's still $355 on sale.&nbsp; It can be charged with a 12V battery, wall plug, or with the solar panels that come with it.&nbsp; It would really be ideal if it works for me.&nbsp; I can't afford to have it shipped to me, because I would have to pay the duty on it coming across the border, as well as $20 postage, plus any taxes.&nbsp; I could wait until I cross the border, and try and find the nearest Cabelas in MI, but by then I'll already be committed to the trip and won't be able to try it out before I'm long gone from Michigan.<br><br>My budget for this trip is so tight that it squeaks!&nbsp; Another $400 to spend will be my limit, but I'm not guaranteed that the unit will still be on sale for that price, as the regular price is $439.<br><br>I feel like I'm running into obstacle after obstacle.&nbsp; If I had unlimited $, it wouldn't be so hard, but I live on a fixed income and these curve balls I keep getting thrown, are starting to wear me down.&nbsp;It all just seems like SO much work.&nbsp; Maybe I should just give it up for this year, and plan on attending the 2014 summer GTG in Flagstaff instead, but I'm really stubborn and hate to give up on the plan!&nbsp; I'm so looking forward to meeting everyone at the RTR.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Nancy,<br><br><a href="http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...Master+Eliminator+800A+Powerbox.jsp?locale=en" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...Master+Eliminator+800A+Powerbox.jsp?locale=en</a><br><br>This is a link for an inverter/battery combination that you could get at Canadian Tire. It's a 800 Amps, I don't know how much juice your Cpap requires but this could be a solution for you. You have a bit of time before you leave so you might be able to buy it on sale or with coupons. That brings me back a few years to talk about Canadian Tire. Do they still give gas coupons? I used to fill up my car on Tuesdays, double coupon day.<br><br>I don't have any experience with this unit but this Canadian guy called Johnny_Canuk recommend it. I contacted him by PM to ask a few questions, very nice guy. He has 2 of them. I don't think it would be the solution for a full timer but might just be the ticket for you.&nbsp; You need to find out exactly how much energy&nbsp; your machine uses and than take it from there to find a solution. Something will work out, not to worry.<br><br>Nicole

 

[ilovemyvan]

PS: my niece is a truck driver instructor now, she said that she never had any problems at truck stop when she was on the road.

 

[Stargazer]

If you get across the border to a Cabellas, you're not commtted to anything but Cabellas. If you can't find what you want or need, turn around and go home. There's no such thing as a commitment that you can't change along the way.

Take a break for a few days. Come back to it later. It is exhausting and if you don't take care of yourself...well, you know the rest!

 

[ozzie roamer]

Hi Nancy,<br><br>Sorry you could't get back to me I changed my Internet provider and the 1 thing I forgot to change<br>was my email for cheaperliving.<br><br>Thanks<br><br>Have a fellow 4x4 club member who uses a cpap machine,I know he uses the largest jumpstarter pack<br>you can get here in Aust,But not sure if he uses an inverter for it will try and find out for you.<br><br>You Don't want the smell of petrol,in your car as you are travelling.<br><br>With my crockery,i put non slip matting in between the plates and bowls,and wrap mugs in old teatowels,so if one breaks easier to put in rubbish bin.These days thermo mugs are the way to go.I have seen some 12vones but have not used one.<br><br>Have a 12v lunchbox heater cooker great for use with stews to reheat whilst I drive.<br><br>Keep living your dream it will come true.<br>Take your time when travelling and stop every 2 hrs and walk around have a cuppa,and enjoy the trip.<br><br>Ann

 

[havingfunnow]

I would focus first on working out a power source for your CPAP. That's the one thing you really can't do without, so it's the one thing to spend your money on; everything else can come later. Why don't you post the question in the energy forum here? You'll probably get a big range of responses. If you need to travel to a Canadian Tire or a Cabella's to get the power source you choose, let that be a small trip in itself.&nbsp; Practice using the power source at home for a night or two, so that you feel completely confident with it.<br><br>It sounds like you have a big truck stop nearby, so spend a few afternoons there now.&nbsp; Get familiar with the atmosphere, look through the store (heck, they might have a power source), maybe eat a meal there. You want truck stops to be comfortable places for you.&nbsp; I think you'll like them when you get to know them.<br><br>As soon as you have the power source figured out, camp overnight near home somewhere that feels comfortable -- a provincial park, a friend's driveway, whatever feels good. For that, you only need to add bedding, a jug of water, and a bag of food. Do it now, while the weather is warm. Then do it a few more times. Then try it in your familiar truck stop. Keep a running list of items that would make you more comfortable or more secure, and use that to make your purchase list. It's really hard to put together a kit from somebody else's experience. <br><br>I think I'm sounding a bit overbearing here -- sorry! I've always found that starting small and building from good experiences works for me, so that's what I recommend. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>

 

[investigator77]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!&nbsp; I pretty much think I've decided on the <strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><a href="http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camp...4356980.uts&amp;WTz_l=DirectLoad;cat104356980" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);">Goal Zero <span class="js-showingSwatch">Escape 150 Explorer Kit<br></span></span></a></span></strong><br>It specifically says it's good for CPAP machines, and can be charged with solar panels that come with it, A/C power, or 12V. This is part of what the description says:<br><br><em>Perfect for powering up medium-sized appliances, LCD tvs and portable devices including: cell phones, laptops, cameras, portable DVD players, fans, radios and CPAP machines. Recharge the Escape 150 from Goal Zero’s Escape 30 Solar Panel or power up from a regular wall outlet to be used whenever or wherever you need it. And don’t worry, there are backup and replaceable fuses to protect from power surges. Also there is a built-in temperature control and fuse systems to ensure safety and long-term performance. No need to hold back because this is your independent power source on or off the grid. Built-in LED monitor tells you the power level in 20% increments. Solar panel recharges power pack in about 5-10 hours. Add an additional solar panel and cut recharge time in half. Use with USB, 12V and AC outputs. Built in 80-watt inverter.</em> <br><br>It would cost me more to travel to the U.S. to buy one, than it would to just pay the duty on it.&nbsp; I'm still considering all of my options at this point.&nbsp; <br><br>I do like the idea of going to the local truck stop and investigating the store, and maybe having a meal there.&nbsp; I'll have to set that as one of my goals for next week. (I checked it out on line and found that they have a great menu!)

 

[havingfunnow]

That looks like a great device! I think you may have found the solution to your biggest problem. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> I do love something that can be charged from multiple sources. (By the way, if you decide to have it shipped to a Cabela's in MI for pickup, let me know. I might be able to meet there for a day.)<br><br>I'm looking forward to hearing your impressions of the truck stop.<br><br>I've been thinking about routes to Quartzite (never been there). You'd have milder weather and easier driving if you went straight south, then headed west. Of course, it's a longer drive. Just an idea.

 

[jaxtonsgram]

Nancy. Let me know if that works. May be what I could use to power my sons ventilator.

Having fun now. Are you in/near mi? I am in sw mi
Nora.

 

[investigator77]

HI Nora:<br><br>I'm in Toronto, about 6 hours from where you are.<br><br>I'm not ready to order the power thingy just yet, so I won't be able to tell you how it works until I do.<br><br>Nancy