DISQUS

HW · 4 months ago

We keep a pair of jumper cables and tools for changing a flat tire in each car so they are always available when we need them.

Stacey W. · 4 months ago

If you have roadside service coverage with your car insurance company, they'll come to you and help fix or tow the car. I get this and it comes to a couple of dollars a month - worth it if you drive an older car / van (which I do). This wouldn't have helped much with no cell phone coverage, though. My husband has suggested we keep a prepaid cell phone on another cell network for emergencies when our network is down or unavailable, but another network might be available, but we haven't done this yet.

Jodi - Food Storage Made Easy · 4 months ago

We had AT&T and Verizon phones and neither worked in the location we were. Although we could have found a payphone at the small town and used AAA if we had it ...

Shana · 4 months ago

I would like to suggest a "jump box" in addtion to jumper cables. They are very affordable and Sam's Club carries them.(other places probably do too.) They cost about 50-60 dollars and hold a charge for quite a long time- you can jump your own car off ( much better than waiting for someone to come along to help in this day and age) plus you don't have to worry about having your car in the right position in a parking lot to be jumped off. It also can charge a cellphone.It also has a compressor to put air in your tire! I am glad you got back home! Oh I just thought of something else, having something like Triple AAA or Sams Roadside service would be good too. That way if you need a tow or gas it could come in handy.

Jodi - Food Storage Made Easy · 4 months ago

Ah yes, my husband actually has one of those jump box thingies at home too. I am so mad at myself for not being more prepared for this trip. AAA would probably have been a good service to have as well since we were driving an older vehicle. Great tips!

facebook-592191340 · 4 months ago

AAA has saved us more than once. They also have a route planning service, and many hotels have AAA discounts.

Samuel Peery · 4 months ago

Jodi,
I felt so bad about not being able to come help you. We should have caravaned. I even have AAA which you can use for other people as long as you're with them. I'm sad you missed out on 4th of July festivities but glad you made it home safely.

Janie Graziani · 4 months ago

That's quite an adventure. I'm glad everyone made it home ok. I work for AAA and just want to suggest that motorists carry an emergency kit in the car. The kit usually holds things like jumper cables, reflectors or flares, flashlight, etc. You can get them at most AAA offices or sometimes big box stores. Also, if you have a laptop with you, you can contact AAA roadside assistance online (no phone service needed) as long as you can connect wirelessly. AAA's TripTik Travel Planner is online as well so you can create your own maps, review different routes, add hotels or other stops to your map, and print it before you leave home. If you're driving in the winter you'll need different things in your emergency kit such as a shovel (for snow) and a space blanket for warmth. For more tips on staying safe while driving (or if you break down) see www.AAA.com/publicaffairs and click "On the Road".

Jodi - Food Storage Made Easy · 4 months ago

Janie, Yes I'm ashamed, I have a full car emergency kit in my OTHER car that I neglected to move over to the vehicle that we took on the trip. Silly me. Thanks for the extra tips!

Jane · 4 months ago

I am so sorry you all had a rough trip back but at least you are all o'kay. I want to share with you all my little lesson learned About 12 yrs ago when I first met my husband and we started taking trips together I started learning a few tips and tricks. My Dear sweet FIL told me to make up a list after our first big adventure. I did and after every trip since then I add to my list revamp it I even keep a road trip journal. This has helped me pack for our trips and be even more prepared. It was a military thing for my FIL. I was told to think of it as a SOP (standard operating procedure) for our trips. Even after 12 yrs I find I learn something new after every trip. I would in the past frequently lose this sheet of paper but I keep it in my Preparedness binder that I got from foodstoragemadeeasy.net. At least you have a great list to start with next time. Glad you all are home safe,

Jodi - Food Storage Made Easy · 4 months ago

Jane, That's a great tip. I have started documenting my family's history including trip info on a personal blog but it's also helpful to have it in a printable format. I love that you are using your Food Storage Made Easy Binder for that purpose. That is exactly what we created it for ... emergency preparedness info all in one place and printed out.

light29id · 4 months ago

Being in the Military, growing up on a farm in SD and the wife an Air Force brat from MT, we both knew that preparation can solve a lot of headaches on the road. We've traveled from San Diego to Billings and from Washington DC to Billings many times. We always traveled with extra spare parts (fluid, cables, belts, hoses etc). In addition we had duct tape, 550 cord, food, blankets, water and shelter. Also you need at least $500 in cash or Travelers Checks, some remote places don't take credit cards and and ATM isn't always around the corner. Having a good tool set (the Craftsman Mechanics 230 piece is my choice) is invaluable. You might also consider a power converter in the vehicle with a portable fridge.

The wife and I always had the kids with us so we had to be prepared if something happened.

One other thing I always carried was a handgun. Some people think that it's excessive but I love my family.