Thanks, everyone! We did have a good time- despite the challenges!!!

I talked to my friend last night.
She went ahead and bought a $150 Tubus rear rack that has a carrying capacity of 80 lbs, fits on her rear skewer (since she has no eyelets) and will NOT break down. She said a month ago she would NEVER have spent that much, but after breaking down in the middle of nowhere, she doesn't mind spending the money and has learned her lesson- you get what you pay for.
Her last rack was aluminum, cost $11 and was held onto the frame with padded p-clamps (which was a good idea, but it just couldn't handle the weight- and one of the rubber deals fell out and scratched her beautiful racing frame to the bare metal).

The fact that she's still comitted after that fateful introduction to touring has me psyched!!! I can't wait to do it again!!!