What to do ? (1 Viewer)

geordie graham

Free Member
Jun 29, 2014
34
40
Seaton Carew Hartlepool
Funster No
32,181
MH
Still looking
Exp
Newbie
Hi everyone I am a power chair user who is looking to get a motorhome to get me out and about.Although I need to use the power chair to get around I won't really need to get around the motorhome and am wondering is there a lift of some kind that could be fitted to the back of the motorhome to transport the chair.

Graham
 

simply

Free Member
Apr 24, 2014
202
197
Devon
Funster No
31,121
MH
Renault Trafic
Exp
Newcomer
Have a look at the Callisto on Wildaxmotorhomes.com
 
Sep 23, 2013
2,579
8,603
Lincs
Funster No
28,231
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2008 (started in a VW T4 campervan)
On the back, outside doesn't work terribly well. That's a lot of weight just where you don't want it.

We have a panel van conversion & carry ours inside, underneath a high bed, with an Autochair hoist to lift it in. In a larger 'proper' motorhome, you can use ramps or a hoist to get the chair into a 'garage' at the back - usually through a side door. There is usually more height in these than we have in ours. What works will depend on whether you can fold the chair back down.

Finally, you can get 'close-coupled' mini-trailers that have castor wheels to take most of the weight, putting very little weight on the rear of the main vehicle. They are effectively what you ask for - a lift at the back, but the castor wheels support most of the weight.

What works best for you will depend on two considerations -
1. If you can load it yourself & then get back to the door & get into the vehicle, or if you will always have someone with you to load it, then any of the options will work.
2. Are you restricted to the size of vehicle you want? If you want to stay below 7m long, the side-loading rear garage might be ruled out.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
G

geordie graham

Free Member
Jun 29, 2014
34
40
Seaton Carew Hartlepool
Funster No
32,181
MH
Still looking
Exp
Newbie
The chair I use has 2 large batteries so picking it up is not an option. We were of the opinion that if you were registered disabled, you could buy a van from a dealer and if you had modifications done to the van, you would get the VAT off. We went to a dealer last week and asked about how the modifications were done and was told we would have to buy the van off them then we would have to take it to someone else to get the modifications ( door widened and possibly a lift fitted ) done.

Graham
 

Puddleduck

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 15, 2014
12,357
43,865
Scottish Borders
Funster No
29,703
MH
Without at present
Exp
On and off for many years.
VAT and disabled vehicles is a minefield and if you get it wrong can hit you hard in the pocket. You need an expert in that particular field of VAT before you commit to such a large spend.
 
Sep 23, 2013
2,579
8,603
Lincs
Funster No
28,231
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2008 (started in a VW T4 campervan)
The chair I use has 2 large batteries so picking it up is not an option.
So has ours. 120kg. We have an Autochair 150kg electric hoist to pick it up & swing it in under the bed. See adaptations below. You don't need strength to load it yourself, but you do need to be able to get from outside the rear of the vehicle, round to & then into the side door unaided, unless you always travel with someone who can do the loading for you.

My wife uses the chair & doesn't drive any more, so she transfers from the chair either into the front passenger seat or into the habitation area through the sliding door on the side of the van. I take the chair round the back & load it with the hoist.

We were of the opinion that if you were registered disabled, you could buy a van from a dealer and if you had modifications done to the van, you would get the VAT off. We went to a dealer last week and asked about how the modifications were done and was told we would have to buy the van off them then we would have to take it to someone else to get the modifications ( door widened and possibly a lift fitted ) done.

Graham
You are more or less correct.
Being registered disabled is not enough in itself. You must need to use a wheelchair (or stretcher) for mobility. The vehicle must then be adapted to enable the wheelchair user to use the vehicle. The adaptations must be necessary, substantial & permanent.

If the vehicle is sold to you ready adapted, the dealer may zero rate the whole vehicle, including the adaptations. This is a substantial saving when buying new, but if second hand, the vat is only on the dealer's margin & on the adaptations.

If you have the vehicle adapted after buying it, then only the cost of the adaptations is zero rated. So although you may need to do the leg work in finding, specifying & arranging the required modifications, they should be billed to the dealer, who can then sell you the complete, converted vehicle zero rated. Your dealer may consider this isn't worth while with a second hand vehicle, as the only saving to you is the vat on his margin. Sounds like you need to find another dealer!

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

ourcampersbeentrashed

Free Member
Apr 19, 2008
7,574
4,348
East London
Funster No
2,222
MH
C Class
Exp
well over 5 years
Hi George - how about the Harmar AL100 scooter lift



http://www.harmar.com/products/AL100

There was a funster about 2 years ago had one for sale. The company themselves are extremely helpful but unfortunately it did not fit our motorhome.

They are expensive but I know a few people who have had them and think they are great.

You can contact the company giving them the make and model of your vehicle or your vehicle registration and they can check whether or not it is compatible.

Hope this helps
 
Sep 23, 2013
2,579
8,603
Lincs
Funster No
28,231
MH
Globecar Campscout
Exp
Since 2008 (started in a VW T4 campervan)
Those rear mounted lifts are great if you have a suitable vehicle. The lift & chair together will weigh at least 200kg. That may exceed the permitted loading of many vehicles without additional chassis modification. The effect on stability & axle weight transfer also needs to be considered for motorhomes with large rear overhangs.
 
OP
OP
G

geordie graham

Free Member
Jun 29, 2014
34
40
Seaton Carew Hartlepool
Funster No
32,181
MH
Still looking
Exp
Newbie
Thanks everyone for the great advice. It's awkward in that I have to have the chair outside the van but not inside. We are in the process off trying to make our life a little bit more simpler. As any disabled person knows just because somewhere says it is wheelchair friendly once you get there you find that the person who said that is not disabled. We are thinking that if we can get a decent van that is adequate for our needs then we can get out and about knowing that a huge majority of the bigger sites will have disabled facilities and we can get to see the wonderful countryside and get me out of the house. Seeing beautiful scenery and wildlife and just getting to talk to people can make such a massive difference to a disabled person.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

K8ELIZABETH

Free Member
Jul 10, 2014
2
0
Funster No
32,353
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2011
Hi..... I've looked at all the above with a need for this too, but then found Coachbuilt GB in the midlands.

Looked at there website and visited them.... really helpful, knowledgable people. They adapt standard motorhomes with your 'wish list' to make it accessible by wheelchair, their expertise and knowledge was brilliant. I saw some of their existing conversion work... you honestly cannot tell where their adaptation work starts and the original finished.

Definatley, recommend getting in touch just even to pick their brains about access, VAT, couldn't recommend them enough. They also mentioned about hiring wheelchair accessible motorhomes.... which may help too!

Hope this helps.
 
OP
OP
G

geordie graham

Free Member
Jun 29, 2014
34
40
Seaton Carew Hartlepool
Funster No
32,181
MH
Still looking
Exp
Newbie
I have been in touch with Coachbuilt GB and they quoted £2600 to fit wider door. They also said they could fit a underneath cassette lift which would be good but also looks expensive. They do show long ramps to get into the motorhome but not quite sure if they would be strong enough to take a powerchair with two large 75 amp batteries and a 12 stone bloke, without bending in the middle
 

Steveonley

Free Member
May 14, 2014
19
3
Bromsgrove
Funster No
31,467
MH
Swift Sundance 636L
Exp
Newbie
Hi Graham. Maybe a daft question but do you need a power chair or can you use a manual with a powered trike attachment ?
Company called Team Hybrid can fix a docking pipe to a rigid frame manual wheelchair (not ones that fold in half) then get a 'Viper' battery powered trike wheel controlled by handle bars fitted. The version with two batteries has 20 mile distance and costs around £3,800. The whole thing only weighs about 12 kilos and has a top speed of 10 mph.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
G

geordie graham

Free Member
Jun 29, 2014
34
40
Seaton Carew Hartlepool
Funster No
32,181
MH
Still looking
Exp
Newbie
Hi Graham. Maybe a daft question but do you need a power chair or can you use a manual with a powered trike attachment ?
Company called Team Hybrid can fix a docking pipe to a rigid frame manual wheelchair (not ones that fold in half) then get a 'Viper' battery powered trike wheel controlled by handle bars fitted. The version with two batteries has 20 mile distance and costs around £3,800. The whole thing only weighs about 12 kilos and has a top speed of 10 mph.

Thanks for the info but unfortunately I have to have a power chair as my spinal problems means I am unable to use a manual

Graham
 

Steveonley

Free Member
May 14, 2014
19
3
Bromsgrove
Funster No
31,467
MH
Swift Sundance 636L
Exp
Newbie
Could be worth going back to Coachbuilt and asking their advice on which Motorhome to get for conversion. If you can get out the chair to get around the Motorhome then you will not have my problems of being in a wheelchair all the time but the cost of my new Swift Sundance six berth plus conversion was £80,000, £65k for the home and 15k on the conversion but they gutted the Motorhome completely and rebuilt it. If you are buying used Motorhome they do find the Swift range best to convert so 45k or less would get you a decent Motorhome plus conversion for the door widening and lift installation plus enough payload for your power chair and partner. We just travel with empty water tank with my Mybility all terrain chair then off load it at the site with a waterproof wheelchair cover over it, plus a good long, strong lock to secure it. For balance and safety it is best to have the chair travelling in the Motorhome with you. I guess I am fortunate in having a claim for medical negligence but the Swifts are good with most space for disability needs.
 

ourcampersbeentrashed

Free Member
Apr 19, 2008
7,574
4,348
East London
Funster No
2,222
MH
C Class
Exp
well over 5 years
There are a few wheelchair adapted motorhomes out there. I know Johns Cross occasionally gets one, and mentions it on fun when they do.

Keep your eyes peeled on ebay too.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top