Handicap / Wheelchair RV Info wanted

[artywoof]

My mother and step father would like to go on trips, likely 2 weeks to a month long (I am going FT next year, and I will likely drive them when they would like to go to a spot I plan to go). My step father is in a motorized wheelchair that is 29" wide and has a combined weight of about 500lbs. He can transfer out of the chair but would likely not use say a push chair at all. We would tow his ramp van so they can get around in towns or parks.

 

We have looked at the RV Property website and RV Trader for accessible RVs and found a few. So I am asking for advice or information or other places to find already converted RVs or companies that have done them for you.

 

The most practical seems to be a Class A or C with the larger slides. The biggest issue is always at the bathroom as they are almost always to narrow for his wheelchair. Has anyone converted one themselves rather than going through a company?

 

Any info you can provide would be great.

[Truckman]

Newmar makes several different class A models that meet ADA specs with a wheel chair lift installed from the factory.

[Al F]

My wife is handicapped. Outside the RV she uses a power chair as well as a walker. Inside the RV she is able to stand and move from place to place by holding onto counters and door jams. We have a power lift chair she sits in to move from the ground to the inside floor of MH.

 

If your father is unable to stand and move inside the RV w/o a wheel chair, non of this would help you.

[Kirk W]

I did a Google search and found several dealers who sell the type equipment that you need.

RV Property

Holiday World RV

Dick Gore RVs

[artywoof]

My step father can not stand so he must be in a wheelchair all the time. I have looked at RV Property and on RV Trader for used units. I have found that Newmar and Winabago are good for new units.

 

Has anyone done conversions to their RV adding a larger door and lift?

 

Have you done modifications inside?

[Clay L]

As stated above Winnebago makes wheelchair/handicapped accessible Class A motor homes. I saw one in use at the factory several years ago. It was parked next to me. The guy had both legs missing above the knee, He was alone and It was amazing how well he handled all of the outside set up including unhooking the toad. I didn't go inside but he said it was designed well for him.

[Kirk W]

Has anyone done conversions to their RV adding a larger door and lift? Have you done modifications inside?

I think that modifications like the door width in an existing RV are pretty major in that it probably means modification to the wall structural design. Most wall structures are made in a lamination process as a complete side wall with all structural members, wire harnesses, and window frames bonded into the layers with foam insulation, interior & exterior surface materials all bonded into one finished unit before being setup and installed to the RV as a unit. In most cases the door frame is an integral part of the structural strength. There are aftermarket person lifts and door lifts that can be added to the side of an RV to help one into the RV but those do not lift the chair as it probably won't fit through the door.

 

Interior modifications would also be pretty major as the bathroom often doesn't have room between the tub and the toilet for a wheel chair and few if any doors are wide enough for a chair. It probably could be done, but it would be a major undertaking and most of us are likely not skilled enough and the cost would probably be prohibitive. I really think that shopping used is a better approach. If you want a do-it-yourself approach you would probably be better buying a bus and doing a home conversion.