What type of RV is best suited for a wheelchair?

[Roman_Duck]

Asking on behalf of a friend who's DW is wheelchair bound. The chair has an overall size of 27" in width. My DF is on the older side and has challenges in getting his wife from the chair to the commode,He is Looking for something that allows easy access to the toilet and still has enough room for her chair. Any Comments would be appreciated and Thank you for taking the time to read/respond

[alchemy]

We purchased a Harbor View travel trailer in 2011. The parent company (Bridgeview) declared bankruptcy, but I believe the builder formed another company. The company specialized (specializes?) in wheelchair accessible travel trailers. We ordered it with a Surehands lift system installed for the bed, toilet and shower. The setup is very similar to what we have in our home. I pull the trailer with a SVM Mobility Silverado 2500HD with passenger lift. The setup allows us to use the tow vehicle for sight seeing. Motorhomes require that you also purchase a dinghy, unless you want to use the motorhome (very limiting). Newmar had just introduced their Canyon Star 3911 when we purchased the Harbor View, but it was, and is, considerable more expensive when you add in the cost of a dinghy. I am 66 and have not found setup/teardown to be a problem at the camp sights. IMHO the 3911 is the way to go if you can afford it, but we have gotten good service from the Harbor View.

[traveylin]

Wife is limited by polio, with crutches and braces can walk about 8-9 steps. Bathroom breaks when traveling seriously discourage the use of a trailer of any kind.
We used a class C for 4 months and found that the access to the front seats was a real problem.
We purchased a class a and have inhabited it each summer for a hundred days of travel for the last three years.

From there you can customize your solution.

pops

[opnyn8d]

Check out the Newmar Canyon Star 3911. It is a production model, so it has full value later for trade-in or refinancing. RVs that are modified are only valued at the base unit, without the modifications. We found that out the hard way. And it is cheaper than buying a motorhome as well as mods.

[Offroadmaniac]

First time poster and one week RV owner. My wife and I just went last week to Mesa, AZ to pick up our 28 foot Dune Sport Wheel chair accessible toy hauler. She has been a para since 94 and Dune sport was about the only manufacturer we found that would custom build a toy hauler for a wheel chair. The bathroom is huge and a roll in shower. Doors are wide and all controls are placed low and in reach. We ordered it in March and it was just completed two weeks ago. It was a long wait but we are very pleased with it. Just google Dune Sport and it will show their web page and facebook page.

[Pirate1]

bsinmich wrote:
Newmar will build wheel chair accessible for you.

x2. A class a is about the only way to go with a wheelchair. ab Newmar probably makes the best unit out there now. Winny can make them but I hate their shower designs in which they usually just bend and caulk vinyl flooring to make a shower/bathroom. On that note, money will decide which way to go.

A toy hauler is great to get you into a trailer but what then? How wide are the aisles? Can you get into the bathroom? Where do you travel while in the wheelchair?

Class C is a non-starter IMO as the drop-down to the cab will prevent someone in a wheelchair from looking out the front window.

[bsinmich]

Newmar will build wheel chair accessible for you.

[thestoloffs]

In the Class C market, Born Free is well known & respected for their quality construction, but many folks don't know that they have a commercial division that builds all sorts of custom vehicles -- including what they call "Mobility RVs.

DW is a full-time scooter user (post-polio quadriplegic), so we wanted a unit where she could use every element by herself -- kitchen, bath (wet was fine, since she would need a shower chair anyways), etc. -- and was small enough to not require towing a second wheelchair-accessible vehicle. (She's a retired rehabilitation counselor, so she's particular about her accessibility and access aids!)

You can find our design as "Mobility 3" on Born Free Mobility RVs. DW even gave the full tour video at Abilities Expo - LA.

Because it's a small town family-owned company where everyone working on your design has someone in their own experience with a disability, they truly get what disability means -- and how to work with it!

If you need any advice on design or accessibility aids, PM us. We'd be glad to discuss any questions you have -- whether it's a Class C or any other RV type.

[rockhillmanor]

Just a note they make Class A toy haulers also.
http://outlawrv.com/

[Hondavalk]

http://www.rvsandcargotrailers.com/towable/wheelchair-accessible-trailers.html

http://www.northtrailrv.com/content/wheelchair_accessible_motorhomes

http://www.handicapped-rvs.com/

[kalynzoo]

I believe Winnebago has a department to assist ADA need. A mid entry like the adventure is a thought. Also Newmar can modify a mid entry.

[SandW_Mc]

My wife has been in a wheelchair for thirty five years now.
We have looked for over twelve years and there are a couple of things I would like to ask. 

so hate spell check.

[SandW_Mc]

Hello dear WC user.
My wife has been in a wheelchair for over thirabout about wheety five years.to show you
We have looked for over twelve years and there are a couple of things I would like to ask.
If you would pm me I would be glad to talk to you about what works best for you both.
We went to a lot of RV shows and RV dealers. as soon as you talk about wheelchairs they all want to show you a toy hauler.
Hope to hear from you soon.
We finally found an MCI motorcoach, 102 wide 40 long. You may think thats to beg but not if your in a wheelchair. Manual or a power one.
we custom built ours so there is room for her to turn around. The coach has an elevator insde the rig not one of those lifts that hang outside. There not fun to be on when you are five feet off the ground.
Send me a personal message so we can connect.
William

[mrkoje]

I would say a toy hauler would provide the easiest access to get into the trailer however that might be negated by not so easy access in the bathroom. One poster already mentioned ability equipped RVs from Winnebago. I suppose the only limiting factor for what you want to accomplish is money (like everything else.)

[Beverley_Ken]

If they are looking at new, Winnebago Ability Equipped, make/modify several models. All A-class.

Beverley and Ken