We recently received a comment that grabbed our attention. The user related a question about the practicality of making an RV handicap accessible – was it better to customize his RV to make it able to house a person in a wheelchair or should he just buy a new RV that is made accessible?
As we all know, traveling in an RV provides a unique experience for those looking to travel and camp; however, those who are handicapped still face many accessibility issues with motorhomes. We feel this is incredibly unfortunate, and even though there are more and more progressions made by manufacturers, there is still a dearth of information on how to make a motorhome wheelchair accessible.
There is very little information telling RV owners what to expect or what to look for in order to make their motorhome accessible for wheelchairs or even where to begin. While buying a new RV with handicap accessibility is an option, we know that buying an RV is not only financially taxing, but it can also bring on the stress of finding the right RV, which we have written about several times in previous blogs. Therefore, we want to dedicate this edition of our blog to providing information on what is needed to make an RV wheelchair accessible.
If you want to go the route of customizing your own RV in order to make it handicap accessible, as opposed to buying a new motorhome, then there are a number of options available for you to take.
The first step – and we cannot recommend this enough – is to pay us a visit in order to discuss the best route to take for remodeling your motorhome for accessibility. We can help you step by step to decide what needs to be modified, and with our in house interior designer and experienced technicians, we offer you unmatched RV services in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. The reason it is important to receive consolation is because there are a number of different procedures needed depending on what you personally need.
For instance, you will most likely need to install a wheel chair lift on your RV; however, depending on your RV and your preference, you will need to consider installing it on your door or building a custom cut out door. The decision to create a cut out door is tied directly to the amount of room needed for you and your comfort. Even if you decide to use your premade door, you will most likely need to widen the entrance. Other than the fact that a wider door will make it more comfortable for anyone in a wheelchair to enter, there are a number of wheelchair lifts that require 40” or more of door opening space in order to be installed. So, be prepared to at the very least widen your door in the beginning of this process.
Widening the door is not the only modification we recommend you add. Depending on the size of your RV, you may want to also consider widening the interior aisle in order to make it more comfortable for a wheelchair user. If you have a Class A RV, you will most likely have the necessary room for anyone in a wheelchair to not feel prohibited; however, anything below should be considered for widening. Other things to consider is to also install handles throughout the coach, grab bars in the bathroom, a shower seat, raise the toilet, and lower the bed. All of these features will make it easier for a wheelchair bound person to live content and secure day to day in their RV. Most importantly, you must create a pop out emergency exit.
While fire accidents are not common for motorhomes, you never want to put anyone in a situation where they do not have a means to escape from an emergency. All of these installations will make your RV accessible to any wheelchair bound person and provide them convenience and also necessary safety.
Coach Specialists is happy and ready to help you make any RV handicap accessible. We truly believe traveling through the great outdoors is a pleasure that should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of health or handicap, and we want to make any dream a reality in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. Please click on the link below to set up an appointment, and we can get you started on the process!