Wheelchair in an RV?

JoeGood988 wrote:
Almost all fifth wheel trailers have steps inside. Bathroom doors are usually 24-30"...As far as I know, unless you order a custom unit, a class A motorhome is all on one level. You can order a chair lift on some models also.

I've already considered that. I have some limited mobility and I think I wouldn't have too much problem getting upstairs and into the bathroom. I would use the wheelchair primarily downstairs. I'm anxious to get back to my RV. I'm paying almost $3,000/month at this assisted living facility. The rv park is only $350/mo in comparison.

garyhaupt wrote:
Would one of those ATV type winches work in this application? Using a remote controller..one could be 'on line' going down and then for the return. Just asking.

Good idea Gary. We have used an ATV winch in the bed of our pickup to load heavy (750 lbs.) Harley motorcycles inside, up steep ramps.

The Harleys are gone and now we use it to load a small golf cart and a mobility scooter. The beauty is you can winch in and out so it is very controlled.

As I am facing wheelchair use in the future, when that day comes I plan to use a decent lightweight ramp, a 30 inch wide entry door,(Available on most later model trailers) and my trusty winch mounted inside.

Good luck to you and Happy camping.

As far as narrow wheel chairs go - a friend fell off his motor home ladder backwards landing on the heels and shattered both of them. He had surgery and a two month prohibition on walking.
We found what they called a transport chair that would fit through the hallway going to the bedroom. It folded up and fit in the trunk of my Honda when we took him to doctors appointments.

mr. ed wrote:
I've located some narrow wheelchairs on line that may work in my fifth wheel. Are any of you using one? Any advice appreciated.

Provide some more info...:@

What about the entry stairs outside and also *inside* the 5th?

There are solutions for *almost* all - the exception might be for
the stairs (inside) to the bedroom area of a 5th.

BTW - 24" width wheelchairs are readily available at reasonable cost.

.

thestoloffs wrote:

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I was considering a toy hauler model, with a fold down rear ramp. One model by Heartland has a small bathtub and toilet in the back area, as well as the normal larger bath that would be up a few steps in the front area.

Fred, before you get that toy hauler, better measure the angle of the ramp and try going up it unassisted in your chair.

The ANSI standard for wheelchair ramps is 1' of length for every 1" of rise, or equal to a 10% grade. When we looked at toy haulers, none of them even came close to that specification. DW's power scooter couldn't even make it up that ramp, and she can manage a 20% grade in it!

Would one of those ATV type winches work in this application? Using a remote controller..one could be 'on line' going down and then for the return. Just asking.


Gary Haupt

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I was considering a toy hauler model, with a fold down rear ramp. One model by Heartland has a small bathtub and toilet in the back area, as well as the normal larger bath that would be up a few steps in the front area.

Fred, before you get that toy hauler, better measure the angle of the ramp and try going up it unassisted in your chair.

The ANSI standard for wheelchair ramps is 1' of length for every 1" of rise, or equal to a 10% grade. When we looked at toy haulers, none of them even came close to that specification. DW's power scooter couldn't even make it up that ramp, and she can manage a 20% grade in it!

Newmar makes a wheelchair accessible motorhome you might want to look at. Www.newmarcorp.com

Will you be able to climb the steps to get into your fifth wheel? If not the entry door may have to be widened because lifts need extra room even when used with narrow wheelchairs. This site has a lot of different types of lifts - http://www.startrackslifts.com/

Another option might be to buy a used RV that has been modified - http://www.disableddealer.com/item_search.asp?category=1020

We fulltime in a small class C that has been built to make it accessible for me(Karen). It has a Super Arm lift, a wider door, the dinette is cut down to half and the bathroom door and a wall section has been replaced with a folding door. With just those few alterations I have access to everything in the motorhome and room to spin in a complete circle at either end.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

I was considering a toy hauler model, with a fold down rear ramp. One model by Heartland has a small bathtub and toilet in the back area, as well as the normal larger bath that would be up a few steps in the front area.

I don't know how much I would modify a fifth wheel to accommodate the wheelchair. I have seen some lifts that are mounted just inside the door, and the wheelchair lifts up with a sort of screw jack, up to the floor height, then is swung into the RV. So just about any door can fit the wheelchair inside.

Good luck on your RV selection!

Fred.

Almost all fifth wheel trailers have steps inside. Bathroom doors are usually 24-30"...As gfar as I know, unless you order a custom unit, a class A motorhome is all on one level. You can order a chair lift on some models also.