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rpgresearch's avatar
rpgresearch
Explorer
Sep 25, 2015

List of Trailer Toy Hauler Manufacturers?

Greetings,
I just joined this forum, though I have been reading postings here for a few weeks.

I am registered with the Washington State Department of Health as a Recreation Therapist, though still an undegrad student working on degrees and certifications in related areas. Though I've never RV'd (yet), rather I usually travel on my motorcycle or offroad vehicles, then hike and tent camp in as much wilderness as I can find, I am looking at buying an RV trailer soon, to meet some business goals.

I am looking to either find (unlikely) or have custom-built (only real option?), a wheelchair friendly Toy Hauler for recreation therapy related purposes. It needs to be able to seat at least 6 people in wheelchairs in the back half of the trailer, around a (removable) table. Basically 2 on each side, and one on each end of the table. It then should have a basic kitchenette, wheelchair friendly (ADA compliant) bathroom (door, Sink, toilet, & shower), etc.

I have been trying to find any manufacturers in the Northwest, so that I could get a closer look at build quality and such.

There is a company in Arizona, selling through Dune Sports RV, that seems to be the only company specializing in wheelchair friendly RVs, but some of the postings in this forum, and elsewhere have me concerned about build quality. And since it is so far away, I cannot easily confirm that one way or the other.

Is there a list anywhere of all the RV manufacturers in the USA?
Better yet, does anyone know of any in the Northwest US?

Starting in Washington state the closer the better, and northern Idaho State (I'm in Eastern Washington), and spiralling out farther from there.

Many thanks for any help!
-Hawke
Seeking Advice
  • rpgresearch's avatar
    rpgresearch
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2015
    There are two options.
    1) Close the ramp (the default plan).
    2) Use the "Extend a ramp" soft shelter (not sufficient for heavy weather, but adequate for Seattle style drizzles and the like).

    That is why the rear of the Toy Hauler needs plenty of open space. I do not need a bedroom (though an overhead pull-down bed is fine), and only a minimum kitchenette and fridge necessary. The ADA bathroom is in case at a remote location for some activities, that normally either has no bathroom facilities or non-wheelchair accessible honeypots at the sites.

    I've been working on a floor plan design in Sweethome 3d, that I should have posted soon.
  • rpgresearch's avatar
    rpgresearch
    Explorer
    Sep 25, 2015
    Thanks Y-Guy!

    That list is very helpful, as well as your suggestions. Very much appreciated!

    Regarding the ramp. There are other recreation therapists using plain trailers with similar ramps for their adapted sports/recreation clients (adaptive bicycles for example).

    Also, I have taken a few friends in wheelchairs to check out ramps, and yes, the default toy haulers usually have far too steep an angle, and they get stuck in the transitions between the ramp at the bottom and top.

    It does seems as long as I get the lower ride-height with the flaps to smooth out the transitions, as the DS place offers (and hopefully others?) that it might work well.

    So far I have only found one Toy Hauler that had the lower height and flaps (but didn't have the other requirements I am looking for).

    Having these tested, they were pretty happy with that combination (height & flaps). Testing with self-hand-pushed and electric-assist wheelchairs, as well as an assistant moving them in and out.

    The problem with a lift is that it would make transiting 4-6 people in and out a rather lengthy process, and they already have rather full schedules with other therapists.

    Definitely safety is number one priority, but hopefully the adapted ramp is sufficient? Again, another reason to try to find somewhere that these things can be more thoroughly tested before putting down a big deposit.

    I'll contact those that you specifically mentioned and see what their options are.

    Again, thank you very much!

    I appreciate any additional guidance folks may have.
  • Y-Guy's avatar
    Y-Guy
    Moderator
    Sep 25, 2015
    I've kept up the Complete List of Toy Haulers in the toy hauler forum for a number of years. It's fairly complete considering things change all the time.

    What you need really is a custom unit, trying to use the ramp for wheel chair users would be risky. You'll want/need a true ADA accessible lift. Friend of mine is disabled and used one in their custom motorhome. Which was a custom Rexhall, you might check them out to see if they offer something helpful. I think they are just building motorhomes at this point but anything is possible for the right amount of money.

    I know that Keystone has a plant in Pendleton, thought I'm not sure what toy hauler units they are producing now since they dropped the Energy. I think Forest River has a plan in Dallas, OR and Harrisburg, OR.

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