A friend of ours is interested in RVing but is wheelchair bound. Are there any RV's that are better than others to modify and what are some of the things that we should tell him to look for and consider. He is a couple so there will be someone to manage the dumping, etc. Thanks so much.

try accessunlimited.com or unlimitedmobility.com.There are others an i think if you google in mobility lifts for rvs There are all kinds of different lifts available but be prepared to spend 4 to $7000 dollars.

A cousin of mine that posted quit a bit on here before he moved to the cemetery used a bumper pull toy hauler because his wife used a wheel chair. I don't remember the brand but I'll look for it.

i JUST ORDERED ONE TODAY----CALL ME IF YOU LIKE 419-674-3289

When we decided to take care of my dad with dementia, we eventually had to modify our 5th wheel when he was no longer able to walk. I installed a Burr Handi-Lift. http://www.burractuators.com/lifts/handy_lift.htm This was the least expensive alternative. I did have to modify the wall of our 5th wheel to support the lift mount.Based on the experience with my dad I would look at Toyhaulers (trailer or motorhome type). The ramp makes getting in and out easier. The garage area can be customized to fit his needs.

Toy hauler is a great idea. I'll pass the information on.

Wheelchair assessable | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

thestoloffs
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
Pirate wrote:
thestoloffs wrote:
Pirate wrote:
thestoloffs wrote:
Born Free makes very high quality, fully customizable Class C Mobility (their term for wheelchair accessible) RVs.

The advantage of these units' size is that it's possible to travel without towing a wheelchair accessible vehicle -- which often requires a four-wheel dolly.

Also, their steel roll-bar cage design allows for easy installation of a Hoyer-style patient lift.

The disadvantage of a class c is the step down into the cab, and the lowered front window. If confined to a wheelchair, a class c just will not work.

Not in our unit, Pirate. For the record, BF has built units with Q'Straint QLK electric tie-downs in the cab, so they've dealt with your concern.

Any actual transition between the cab & the coach floor is so short that it can be covered by a piece of 1/4 round molding or a short threshold ramp.

But, then, we don't try to bring the chair into the cab; DW uses a B&D transfer seat from the dining area to the front passenger area.

Thanks. I would like to see pictures of that.

There are 3 sets of photos & floor plans shown on that link; ours is "Mobility RV 3". Also, DW is videoed showing "Elsa" (it is a Born Free, after all) -- her tape is the right-hand link at the bottom of the page. She's a retired rehabilitation counselor -- Masters in Rehab Counseling, CRC board certification -- and a polio patient since 1955.

The key point in this "boast" is that, as BF's commercial division (Dodgen Industries) makes mobile units that are required to be ADA-compliant (medical clinics, etc.), they are already Ricon lift and Q'Straint certified dealers / installers. Furthermore, each member of the Mobility RV design team happens to have a mobility-impaired family member, so they have a personal motivation to make the coach work for you.

PM me if you (or anyone else) want more details. I don't want to make this thread seem like an advertisement for a particular firm.
paulie327
Explorer
Jul 28, 2015
We just switched to a Hurricane 33G because it is easier for my wife to move around in her wheelchair. The differences from our older Class A are: there is no carpeting, which makes it easier for my wife to move around. It also has a wider hallway and wider door to the bathroom. Lastly, there is no step up to the rear bedroom, so she can get the wheelchair closer to the bed.
Pirate1
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
thestoloffs wrote:
Pirate wrote:
thestoloffs wrote:
Born Free makes very high quality, fully customizable Class C Mobility (their term for wheelchair accessible) RVs.

The advantage of these units' size is that it's possible to travel without towing a wheelchair accessible vehicle -- which often requires a four-wheel dolly.

Also, their steel roll-bar cage design allows for easy installation of a Hoyer-style patient lift.

The disadvantage of a class c is the step down into the cab, and the lowered front window. If confined to a wheelchair, a class c just will not work.
Thanks. I would like to see pictures of that.

Not in our unit, Pirate. For the record, BF has built units with Q'Straint QLK electric tie-downs in the cab, so they've dealt with your concern.

Any actual transition between the cab & the coach floor is so short that it can be covered by a piece of 1/4 round molding or a short threshold ramp.

But, then, we don't try to bring the chair into the cab; DW uses a B&D transfer seat from the dining area to the front passenger area.
thestoloffs
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
Pirate wrote:
thestoloffs wrote:
Born Free makes very high quality, fully customizable Class C Mobility (their term for wheelchair accessible) RVs.

The advantage of these units' size is that it's possible to travel without towing a wheelchair accessible vehicle -- which often requires a four-wheel dolly.

Also, their steel roll-bar cage design allows for easy installation of a Hoyer-style patient lift.

The disadvantage of a class c is the step down into the cab, and the lowered front window. If confined to a wheelchair, a class c just will not work.

Not in our unit, Pirate. For the record, BF has built units with Q'Straint QLK electric tie-downs in the cab, so they've dealt with your concern.

Any actual transition between the cab & the coach floor is so short that it can be covered by a piece of 1/4 round molding or a short threshold ramp.

But, then, we don't try to bring the chair into the cab; DW uses a B&D transfer seat from the dining area to the front passenger area.
Pirate1
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
thestoloffs wrote:
Born Free makes very high quality, fully customizable Class C Mobility (their term for wheelchair accessible) RVs.

The advantage of these units' size is that it's possible to travel without towing a wheelchair accessible vehicle -- which often requires a four-wheel dolly.

Also, their steel roll-bar cage design allows for easy installation of a Hoyer-style internal lift.
The disadvantage of a class c is the step down into the cab, and the lowered front window. If confined to a wheelchair, a class c just will not work.
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Jul 20, 2015
Thanks all, Ill pass this on.
traveylin
Explorer
Jul 20, 2015
Wife restricted to a scooter . With a trailer she would have to exit the truck and go to trailer for bathroom stop. That was not going to work. We spent 3 months in a class c and while she could get her legs over the engine hump it was a pain We bought a class a and went to Alaska and back very easily. I did add a burr to get into with the higher floor. Two consideration for the burr. Put an additional cover on it to keep it dry. It will knock over road hazard cones, I average one every 6 thousand miles
Goldstar225
Explorer
Jul 17, 2015
My wife is an amputee and is restricted to a wheel chair or scooter. We installed a burr handi-lift on our Outback 277RL. It has worked great for her. She will ride her scooter up to the lift, transfer to the lift and ride it up to the thresh hold. Originally we were going to place her wheelchair inside the door but she didn't like taking up the space (though there was plenty of room). Instead I installed oversize wheels on a craftsman mechanics stool. Our total cost was just over $2000.00. The lift with a 45" shaft version was about $1400.00 delivered and $600.00 to install at our dealership. The only thing we would change is a motor that speeds the lift up. It takes about 1 1/2 minutes to go from ground to thresh hold level. In our opinion, it was worth every penny.
thestoloffs
Explorer
Jul 10, 2015
Born Free makes very high quality, fully customizable Class C Mobility (their term for wheelchair accessible) RVs.

The advantage of these units' size is that it's possible to travel without towing a wheelchair accessible vehicle -- which often requires a four-wheel dolly.

Also, their steel roll-bar cage design allows for easy installation of a Hoyer-style internal lift.
tonyandkaren
Explorer
Jul 08, 2015
A toyhauler seems like a good solution but the ramps are often too steep and have a high lip where they meet the ground. Class As work the best. Both Winnebago - http://winnebagoind.com/products/specialty-vehicles/2016/ability-equipped/overview
and Newmar make accessible motorhomes - http://www.newmarcorp.com/motor-coaches/gas/canyon-star/wheelchair-accessible/

Used accessible RVs are also available - http://www.disableddealer.com/item_search.asp?category=1020

http://www.handicappedtravelclub.com/htc-classifieds/browse-categories/51/rvs-travel-trailers/

Your friend may be interested in this facebook group- https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvingwithdisabilities/

I use a wheelchair and post information about accessibility on my blog. Please give the link (in my signature below)to your friend.