RVs and CPAPs

[Kiralynx]

Well, we finally bit the bullet and got an RV after some ten years of thinking about it and 5 years of serious research.

We have a Newmar Baystar 3419, which means is a big beastie. (8.5' wide and 34'11" long.) Driving it is gonna take some getting used to.

The nightstands by the queen bed are JUST big enough for the husband's and my machines.

Any tips on using CPAP in an RV?

[rcobourn]

Well, we finally bit the bullet and got an RV after some ten years of thinking about it and 5 years of serious research.

We have a Newmar Baystar 3419, which means is a big beastie. (8.5' wide and 34'11" long.) Driving it is gonna take some getting used to.

The nightstands by the queen bed are JUST big enough for the husband's and my machines.

Any tips on using CPAP in an RV?

Well, here's an easy one... always empty the water chamber before hitting the road!

[Jack Burton]

Well, we finally bit the bullet and got an RV after some ten years of thinking about it and 5 years of serious research.

We have a Newmar Baystar 3419, which means is a big beastie. (8.5' wide and 34'11" long.) Driving it is gonna take some getting used to.

The nightstands by the queen bed are JUST big enough for the husband's and my machines.

Any tips on using CPAP in an RV?

I'm jealous.
The online doco doesn't say much about the rv's electric so not much to say.
Most of the electrics stuff applies generally to rv living and not to cpap so you folks will figure it out.
Youtube is full of videos about rv living.
Hope you 2 have a ball.

[Jas_williams]

If you have 12v power at the night stands use that with an appropriate dc adapter for each machine as it's more efficient use of your power. Aldo get an electric hook up when you can as that saves running the generator to recharge the batteries.

[realshelby]

I have a Berkshire 400 QL. Yes, there isn't much room on the stands beside the bed. BUT...there is room under the edge of the bed where it hangs over the support frame. I sit my cpap on the floor usually now. I did try putting it in one of the cabinets above the head board. This works quite well as long as you don't need to turn it off/on during the night.

[palerider]

Any tips on using CPAP in an RV?

'couple things...

1) use the 12v power, not the inverter, it'll use a LOT less power out of your batteries.
2) If you're not using water in your humidifiers... you could do like someone else (can't remember who it was) that just velcro'd his machine to the wall of the bedroom.. out of the way, but where it needed to be

[Kiralynx]

Well, here's an easy one... always empty the water chamber before hitting the road!

Uh, yeah. Kinda obvious.

[Kiralynx]

I'm jealous.
The online doco doesn't say much about the rv's electric so not much to say.
Most of the electrics stuff applies generally to rv living and not to cpap so you folks will figure it out.
Youtube is full of videos about rv living.
Hope you 2 have a ball.

Truth to tell, I'd rather NOT need it. But we've both reached a point where loading and unloading the car is a pain.

Literally.

I've watched loads of videos. Most don't mention CPAP.

[Kiralynx]

'couple things...

1) use the 12v power, not the inverter, it'll use a LOT less power out of your batteries.
2) If you're not using water in your humidifiers... you could do like someone else (can't remember who it was) that just velcro'd his machine to the wall of the bedroom.. out of the way, but where it needed to be

Don't think we have 12 volt power by the bed. Our first adventure will be to a full service campground -- no shortage of power, theoretically.

So far, my travel machine is my 950 ASV. Husband's is his Dreamstation Auto CPAP. Not sure what 12 volt cables we would need -- and mine may need 24 volts. My old Beast did.

My husband could get away with no humidifier -- he keeps forgetting to fill it. I couldn't. But the velcro idea is a good one. Put some velcro on those tiny nightstands and reduce the probability that we or the Hounds will knock the machines off. But I think I will still pack the machine in its hard shell case for actual travel. (Always remember: just because you are paranoid doesn't mean the universe ISN'T out to get you!)

[chunkyfrog]

Truckers might have access to more info than rv-ers.
There are a lot of them--and they spend a lot of time on the road.
I would have breakfast at a truck stop, and look for mask lines . . .

[nanwilson]

I kept my cpap in the overhead cupboard in my motorhome. When it was time to move, I would just empty the humidifier and tie the doors on the cupboard shut...…. nothing ever fell out in travel I did travel with a battery set up though..."just in case".
Good luck and of course...…..HAPPY CAMPING!!!!!
Your thread has reminded me of all the happy times around the camp fire, but had to sell my rig due to health issues
Cheers
Nan

[palerider]

'couple things...

1) use the 12v power, not the inverter, it'll use a LOT less power out of your batteries.
2) If you're not using water in your humidifiers... you could do like someone else (can't remember who it was) that just velcro'd his machine to the wall of the bedroom.. out of the way, but where it needed to be

Don't think we have 12 volt power by the bed. Our first adventure will be to a full service campground -- no shortage of power, theoretically.

So far, my travel machine is my 950 ASV. Husband's is his Dreamstation Auto CPAP. Not sure what 12 volt cables we would need -- and mine may need 24 volts. My old Beast did.

All newer (System one and later) Respironics machines use 12 volts, the newer dreamstations require a more expensive cable, but it doesn't matter, 12v is all that's needed.

Dreamstation: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-dre ... ed-dc-cord

950: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... power-cord

(Always remember: just because you are paranoid doesn't mean the universe ISN'T out to get you!)

True dat.

[Kiralynx]

I have a Berkshire 400 QL. Yes, there isn't much room on the stands beside the bed. BUT...there is room under the edge of the bed where it hangs over the support frame. I sit my cpap on the floor usually now. I did try putting it in one of the cabinets above the head board. This works quite well as long as you don't need to turn it off/on during the night.

I don't usually get up in the night; husband does.

With two lively Hounds, I don't think I want the machine on the floor, either.

That Berkshire is a nice coach -- we looked at some in the course of of our research. We ended up getting the Bunks model on our Newmar Baystar because that is where the dog crates will go.

[Kiralynx]

I kept my cpap in the overhead cupboard in my motorhome. When it was time to move, I would just empty the humidifier and tie the doors on the cupboard shut...…. nothing ever fell out in travel I did travel with a battery set up though..."just in case".
Good luck and of course...…..HAPPY CAMPING!!!!!
Your thread has reminded me of all the happy times around the camp fire, but had to sell my rig due to health issues

I've got a bunch of different length bungee cords to secure cabinets and things. I also have a 50 amp surge suppressor.

I'm looking forward to it -- we will be using it to go to dog shows. Sorry to hear that you have had to give up something you enjoyed. This should allow us to continue, for more years than we might have. Just too hard to load the car and unload the car.

[realshelby]

Any chance you have the cabinets under the nightstands? I would not be above modifying them to hold the cpap machines. Function is beauty. Close the door back up and they disappear.....