Disabled? How To Get Ready For A Road Trip

Modern version of "Continental Tire", on rear of a fullsize Dodge Ram Van (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Any road trip can make a most thrilling and fun vacation–maybe even educational. However, if you have mechanical or other car problems, it can completely ruin the experience, and make for one expensive trip back home.  This is especially troublesome for those who have a disability. Be prepared in the event of a breakdown, and you will have no concerns in the back of your mind when you set off for your trip.

Before departing on your road trip ask yourself if you should have your car serviced by your most trusted mechanic? When was the last time it had a tune up and a check up that paid particular attention to the belts and hoses? Is it making any unusual sounds or vibrations at highway speeds? Is something just not right? The last thing you need is a major mechanical issue during your vacation, especially in the middle of nowhere, miles away from any reputable service station! For those of us with mobility or health concerns, this become an even greater concern.

It’s a good idea to take your car in and have an experienced mechanic determine whether or not your car will be sound for the duration of your trip.  It’s far better to sacrifice a little time before your trip than lots of time and money when you are far away from home.

Check all the fluid levels in your vehicle. Make sure the oil, coolant, transmission, and brake fluid are all close to their optimal levels–and that those fluids are fresh in order to perform their functions efficiently. When it comes to tire pressure make sure to keep it at the manufacturer’s recommendation, as this will be safer, and even save you on fuel costs. Driving with under-inflated tires can cause damage and over-heating of the tires; over-inflating can reduce your riding comfort.

Different vehicles and engine types have their own unique oil change requirements. For example, a hybrid only needs its oil changed once every ten thousand miles. If you are taking a hybrid, you may not need an oil change for the duration of your trip. However, if you’re taking a standard vehicle you may need to stop along the way for an oil change, especially if you are driving more than 5000 miles (or 8000 kilometers).

If you will be driving a lot, it would be a good idea for you take a GPS or at the very least a good atlas or map set. This will help you get to your destinations in a more timelier and less costly manner.

If you happen to get a flat tire do you know how to change a tire? Are you physically capable of each of the parts of the process, such as lifting the spare from the trunk. If you are capable, you may want to review your owners manual to make sure that the procedure is clear to you. If you are not able to meet the physical demands, it would be a good idea to join a travel club that can provide such emergency services.

Also be certain that your spare is good. Some spares end up sitting in the trunk for years on end unchecked, have no pressure, and sometimes are even punctured. Ensure your spare tire is usable before you leave, so that you are ready should you get a flat.

Make sure you have a tool kit that contains any emergency supplies you may need.  This is a good idea even if you are not capable of using the tools yourself. You never know when a kind motorist might stop to assist you who may not have his or her own tools to accomplish what is needed. Equipment to make minor mechanical fixes, a tire iron, some water and food for a few days, and a simple first aid kit, should keep you sane should the worst happen. Of course, depending upon your own mobility or health requirements, you may need to also carry along extra medicine, batteries or other supplies.

Road trips can be great fun, but if something bad happens the fun is overshadowed by the problems. In order to be certain that the fun can continue, you need to be prepared for the worst, so that you will have the peace of mind that permits an enjoyable and safe trip.

Related articles

• Preparing My Car for a Road-Trip (alaskagirlatheart.com)
• How do I prep a car for a long road trip (ask.metafilter.com)

I’m visually impaired – I want to buy a car.?

I live in rural ky. I’m visually impaired and can longer drive – though I have plenty of vision.

There is no cab service, here. I often pay others for rides to go where I need to go – and there is too many issues with those peoples dependability, and their vehicles dependability.

What is the easiest way for me to own my own car and have insurance to cover licensed driver(s) that would “work for me” when I need to go somewhere? The car would go 50 miles per week.

I know someone is a similar situation (who has way more money than me and travels 1000 miles per week). She says it is easy for her because she has her own business, and the car is in the businesses’ name, and anyone on her payroll can drive it – as long as she submits the driver’s information to her insurance company, prior.

Do I have to go through all that kind of trouble to get set-up like her? What is the easiest route for me to accomplish the same or similar. I want to be the owner of the vehicle – but I can’t drive.

Thanks.

What To Look For In Vehicles For Handicap Travel?

Thanks to the lawmakers, the world has seen the introduction of facilities for handicap travel. Although, there is a lot more ground to cover in these areas but major building, vehicles such as buses, ships and planes contain specials ramps and elevators for traveling. It is easy nowadays then it used to be a few years back. Almost all travel services now contain special privileges for handicapped people.

There are a few important points to keep in mind and benefit from if you are such a person but would like to travel on your own either for work or for pleasure. While acquiring yourself a vehicle for traveling, look for specialized ones that include ramps, lifts and plenty of space if you have a wheelchair or crutches.

In case if you are looking for a car or a van, find out what options are available. On the internet, you’ll find several automobile shops offering specialized disability vehicles. Some shops even offer vehicle modifications to suit the needs of people with disability issues. So, this can be a good option if you do not want to or have a budget to buy a completely new vehicle. A few tips below can help you make a checklist of your needs while looking for a vehicle or for going forward to modify your vehicle.

You can look for powerful navigation built in your van. Keep it programmed for all possible destinations. Also, go for vehicles with automatic controls for opening doors, wearing seatbelt, gears etc. Etc. To make driving easier and comfortable. Always buy vehicles with low floors and seats. This will make it easy to get in and out of the van.

Consider vehicles that have lots of space to keep the disability equipment with you such as wheel chairs, crutches etc. And the space should be such that when you have to load and unload the equipment it should be easy.

Build in ramps and lifts that move on their own are best ones for disabled because you wouldn’t want to manually push them in and out when getting in or out of the vehicle. Automatically moving ramps are also good for moving your wheelchair in and out of the vehicles on their own accord.

Consider modifying an already existing vehicle as it would save you a lot of money. Another good point about modifying is that you can adjust and modify the vehicle as you like. As disability varies from individual to individual modifying the existing vehicle will also let you have the freedom of choosing which options you would like to have in the vehicle and which options and equipment you want to leave out. For example some people with less severe disability would like to have less automated car driving options and some depending upon severe disability would like a completely automated van.

Handicap travel should not be a problem nowadays since many handicapped friendly laws have been passed and many countries have laws for vehicles manufacturing companies to install handicapped friendly equipment. Such vehicles have made it easy for handicapped to travel without an escort.