Knees are Going, Need a Lift

[someday25]

Wife and I want a new TC but the climb in is getting difficult. Looking for ideas on mechanical lift to aid mobility. Have seen these on Class As (mobile-lift.com) and this as a hitch lift for pickups (pbhitchlift.com). Anyone have experience with adapting to use with a TC? Anyone "invented" their own assistance system? Thanks for the advise.

[jefe_4x4]

1. Get the new knee. Sports medicine surgeons are the best at this.
2. Look for a very low side entry, 24 foot Lazy Daze class C.
This should get you across the finish line.

Two weeks ago I had a total reverse shoulder replacement, right arm, due to this bad dislocation 20 years ago when I put my arm out to lessen the roll and my shoulder popped out and ripped my cuff to shreds. With the buildup of arthritis only there the surgeon said there was nothing left: 1998.

I should have done this 20 years ago. I shouldn't even be typing this. At least I have all new lightweight titanium parts, shaving a little off the GVW.
8 weeks in an immobilizer and P.T.
52 weeks totally back. So far so good, but I won't be hoisting myself up the steps on the TC anytime soon.
jefe

[Naio]

That's why I went with a van conversion instead of a truck camper. When vans are built they have a huge amount of clearance underneath, and can go pretty much anywhere truck camper can. Many class Bs fill up that space with stuff, losing the clearance, but it doesn't have to be that way. Maybe look at Sportsmobile?

What works for me and my knees is to do most of my daytime indoor stuff at the doorway of the van. With the side door open, and coming from outside, the floor is at chair height, so I just sit on it!

Things I will need in the daytime are within reach -- the fridge and microwave are next to the door, for example. I spend most of my time outside, anyway. Then at night I step up into the van properly and stay there. The bed is not a cabover, so getting in and out if it is easy and comfortable.

[SidecarFlip]

Amy and my big issue is getting in the cab over bunk, especially with the big black dog sleeping on the floor (takes up a lot of room and gets crabby when disturbed). Bought myself a Topline ladder to get in with. It works ok.

No knee issues, just old age issues.

[bodacious]

DW has the same knee issues. Sold our beloved truck camper and currently shopping for a small TT

[jimh406]

Sounds like a case for a TT with a low step and low bed, towed by a truck that isn’t so high.

[mkirsch]

I gotta ask: If you can't climb the steps into the camper, how do you get into the cabover bed? Better yet, how do you get back OUT of the cabover bed?

[realter]

I’m scheduled for a knee replacement the first part of a November. 50 years, 3 months of pain and periodic problems. As Kenny Rogers sings, “I didn’t start that crazy Asian war, I just did my patriotic chore”. Only I never got that far....only to Ft Riley.

[d3500ram]

Even thought this is versing towards medical comments about knees may I add my .02,,, It is only my opinion and it what has worked for me. I am not offering advice but perhaps my experience might work for others:

I have had knee trouble for years. The injection shots only went so far. MRI confirmed degenerative arthritis due primarily due to age but not enough to cause the excruciating pain when recreating. Strong pain killers allowed me movement but I did not want to constantly take medication.

Doctor prescribes Physical Therapy because of Iliotibial band syndrome- AKA: IT Band Syndrome. Even though this condition is largely associate with runners, the doc said it can be a very common cause of knee pain for a lot of folks and the causes of it are many. ITBS does not always necessitate surgery to correct.

Basically the outside of my legs were stronger than the insides which caused a physiological imbalance of the lower extremities that would affect the weakest point first which for me were the knees.

For me, strengthening abductors and quads and massage therapy on the IT bands to loosen them up allowed my patella to return to a more normal position. Exercise, PT and dropping a few pounds did wonders for my knees.

[coolmom42]

I agree, just go ahead and get the knees fixed. Don't spend a bunch of money on mobility aids. Find a good orthopedic surgeon who does a LOT of knee replacements, and do exactly what the surgeon and PT people tell you.

If I had known it wasn't going to be any worse than it was, I would have done mine sooner. I won't lie and tell you it's pain free, but it's better than being in pain indefinitely. 6-8 weeks will have you in good shape.

Find a physical therapist and ask what surgeon's patients have the best outcomes. They can give you the real scoop.

[DutchmenSport]

I struggled with a blown knee for 3 years. I tore the cartilage in August 2014 and had surgery. Over the next three years, the knee only got worse. I was limping, couldn't climb steps, hurt all the time, on pain killers, and nothing was getting better. The worst was, the struggle to get inside the camper.

Finally had enough and met with my doctor and said it was time for a new knee. Fast forward a couple months, in August 2017 I had the knee replaced with an artificial one. After surgery, I worked that leg like a crazy man to get 100% mobility back.

Here it is, 8 months after the knee replacement, and today I was on the roof of my trailer replacing trim. Up and down the step ladder like I was 8 years old again! Unbelievable difference now.

My only regret was, 3 years and 8 months ago, when I blew the cartlidge, I wish I would have gone for a new knee then, instead of staying in pain for 3 more years.

Rather than attempting to band-aid your aching knees, consider getting them fixed! Your life will be greatly improved. I'm now walking with absolutely no limp, and can do absolutely anything I want. Dr. said the knee will last the rest of my life.

Just saying ... something to think about!

[Lwiddis]

Sometimes, Someday, what we want and what we can use easily differ. My backpacking days were great! But they are gone. Buy a TT.

[Bedlam]

For rear door camper, maybe something like this receiver lift?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hitch-Lift/51985956

For a side door camper, maybe a ramp and rail that folds over the outside of the door?

Think about bed height too. You may want go for a large camper where the floor is above the bed rails making access to the cab over bed easier.