Disabled access solutions for PVC

[Albacore]

Hi all,

I've had my van since October, and my elderly mother and I have very much enjoyed weekends away through the winter and then attempted a much longer trip to France in April. That trip turned into a disaster with her being hospitalised (due to misdiagnosis at home) and resulted in her losing much of her foot. Hence my quandary...how can I get her back into the van? She really wants to, not yet obviously but in the future; but I am really worried that we will not be able to use the van again with her severely reduced mobility. She is currently only able to stand lightly on the ball of her right foot, and I fear this will not change as her heel is unlikely to heal enough to bare weight. Does anyone have any experience of mobility aids to enter motorhomes? Steps are not really an option, I would like to think in the future it could be possible, but think its unlikely with her heel situation. Are there hoists that can be used above the sliding or cab door to lift someone from a wheelchair for example? I've seen the website for Motorstep but I am concerned that it looks rather heavy for my payload, and how is it on uneven ground? (and the price!)

I would appreciate any advice you may be able to offer - I really hope that our much loved van adventures are not over, especially as we have only just begun.

Fingers crossed for a future vanlife
Thanks
Clare

 

[Cal54]

Sorry to hear of your predicament Clare - hope mum recovers quickly.
My sister once bought a van that had a lift on the door and the van had been used by someone with mobility issues. I’ve also seen lifts/rising electric steps on a PVC but never took much notice I’m afraid. I hope someone comes along soon that has experience of such things and can offer some insight.
I hope you can both be back on the road soon and start to enjoy the experience again.

 

[Roby2008]

A quick question, is it just access to the van you require or wheelchair mobility within the van when Mum is in?

My other half is a full time wheely and I did a lot of work to make the MH accessible so might be able to offer some insight.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

On Million Pound Motorhomes (channel 5 last Sunday and available on catchup) was a Transit used by a disabled athlete who had a lift for her wheelchair using some chains and it was really slim and looked lightweight too. The design really would lend itself to lifting a platform or wheelchair as it worked on going over centre from the outside to inside without needing anything permanently connected to it.
No idea who makes them but looked like a great solution for a PVC

 

[Albacore]

A quick question, is it just access to the van you require or wheelchair mobility within the van when Mum is in?

My other half is a full time wheely and I did a lot of work to make the MH accessible so might be able to offer some insight.

Just getting her in is the issue... There would be no room for a chair on the inside, but plenty of furniture for her to hold on to when moving around.

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[Albacore]

On Million Pound Motorhomes (channel 5 last Sunday and available on catchup) was a Transit used by a disabled athlete who had a lift for her wheelchair using some chains and it was really slim and looked lightweight too. The design really would lend itself to lifting a platform or wheelchair as it worked on going over centre from the outside to inside without needing anything permanently connected to it.
No idea who makes them but looked like a great solution for a PVC

Yes I saw that too and thought it looked perfect, haven't been able to find anything though. I saw something similar with an arm to lift people on a sling seat into a car seat but apparently there's nothing that would cope with the van seat height.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

Yes I saw that too and thought it looked perfect, haven't been able to find anything though. I saw something similar with an arm to lift people on a sling seat into a car seat but apparently there's nothing that would cope with the van seat height.

I would contact some converters and see what they would suggest. Contact Motability as they will have details of all the providers who fit modification’s to vehicles

 

[bubble63]

Ask Jaws , member on here , he sourced a rising step

 

[dash300]

Not sure where you are but this is our local specialist Tiverton Devon. There must be many similar around the Country who could advise

Home - Courtside Conversions

Elevate your vehicle experience with Courtside Conversions. Custom solutions tailored to your needs. Transform your ride today.

www.courtsideconversions.co.uk

 

[Jev88]

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[St3v3]

There is a step thing that rises up to the door that you can get. When I'm sober I'll try and find it lol.

When our boy couldn't get up the steps I bought a 7.5t that has 3 steps that fold out to a wheelchair platform that is then push a button to go up into the truck. I suspect that's a bit more than you're looking for, but it gave me loads of room to accommodate his big electric wheelchair with a wet room, track hoist and all sorts

 

[phil1946]

We have a Motorstep to enable my, disabled, wife to access the caravan. Could not manage without it. There is currently one on Ebay that might be worth a look, when we bought ours it cost about £40 to get it from Manchester to the Isle of Wight (Parcelforce 48). Good luck whatever you decide.

Motor Step step lift 12v or 240v in excellent condition and working order | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Motor Step step lift 12v or 240v in excellent condition and working order at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Gromett]

Puddleduck may be able to advise?

 

[dryad]

personally in your situation, i think the only way is going to be something like the step lift or a wheelchair cassette lift fitted under the side door as neither involves having to step up or down and wouldn't impact on the interior of the van apart from stowing away the step lift if there is room for that..

both pricey options of course but worth their weight in gold if it means being able to carry on enjoying motorhoming..

a ramp to shuffle up would be useless because of the length involved of course..

.

 

[Emmit]

Hope you find something to assist Mum back in the van but something that will help is the issue of a Blue Badge.

Get that application in.

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[tinks703]

Hi, I have used a MOTORSTEP for the past 18months to assist lifting my wife up to her seat in our pvc. It has been very helpful. However she is now unable to use it any longer and is for sale. It is powered by a rechargeable battery so it can be used anywhere. It is 2 years old an has charger.

 

[VXman]

Are there hoists that can be used above the sliding or cab door to lift someone from a wheelchair for example? I've seen the website for Motorstep but I am concerned that it looks rather heavy for my payload, and how is it on uneven ground? (and the price!)

Have a watch of Million pound motorhomes on channel 5 - last Sunday nights edition. There was a lady there in a wheel chair in a camper van. Had a good hoist system that looked very compact and light. (and didn't cost a million pounds!!)

My5

www.channel5.com

 

[Albacore]

Not sure where you are but this is our local specialist Tiverton Devon. There must be many similar around the Country who could advise

Home - Courtside Conversions

Elevate your vehicle experience with Courtside Conversions. Custom solutions tailored to your needs. Transform your ride today.

www.courtsideconversions.co.uk

Yes, that's in my part of the world, they fitted my e&p

 

[Albacore]

We have a Motorstep to enable my, disabled, wife to access the caravan. Could not manage without it. There is currently one on Ebay that might be worth a look, when we bought ours it cost about £40 to get it from Manchester to the Isle of Wight (Parcelforce 48). Good luck whatever you decide.

Motor Step step lift 12v or 240v in excellent condition and working order | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Motor Step step lift 12v or 240v in excellent condition and working order at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Thanks, I think this is the way we will need to go. Is it difficult to store oe heavy? Just concerned about payload, I may need to uprate the van. How does it fare with sloping ground or rough surfaces?

 

[Jev88]

Jaws Hi John, Can you comment about your step weight and storage etc?

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[Albacore]

Thanks, I think this is the way we will need to go. Is it difficult to store oe heavy? Just concerned about payload, I may need to uprate the van. How does it fare with sloping ground or rough surfaces?

Presumably it need power to operate? Just wondering how it would work if off grid...how much does it need? I have an ecoflow maybe that would suffice?

 

[Jaws]

Presumably it need power to operate? Just wondering how it would work if off grid...how much does it need? I have an ecoflow maybe that would suffice?

We are only ever off grid
The motorstep has been a godsend for us. Without it I am afraid the van would have been sold off by now
It comes with a long lead and a cigar type plug on the end
It does draw a fair bit ( I did measure the draw but canna remember what it is, only that it far less than 10 amps ) but it is only for a minute and the solar panels soon put that little bit back in

While traveling we just store it on the floor of the van..
We have used it in all types of terrain without a problem. even in the mud at Peterborough show

It is not that heavy as I can lift it in and out of the M/H with relative ease.. I think its about 22kG

 

[Albacore]

We are only ever off grid
The motorstep has been a godsend for us. Without it I am afraid the van would have been sold off by now
It comes with a long lead and a cigar type plug on the end
It does draw a fair bit ( I did measure the draw but canna remember what it is, only that it far less than 10 amps ) but it is only for a minute and the solar panels soon put that little bit back in

While traveling we just store it on the floor of the van..
We have used it in all types of terrain without a problem. even in the mud at Peterborough show

It is not that heavy as I can lift it in and out of the M/H with relative ease.. I think its about 22kG

That's brilliant to hear, thank you very much, sounds like it will certainly be a good solution.... I'd hate to have to give the van up.

 

[Norfolk Nige]

That's brilliant to hear, thank you very much, sounds like it will certainly be a good solution.... I'd hate to have to give the van up.

I used a Motorstep when I had lost the use of my legs. It worked well for me. Raised it to the height of the van so I could support myself in. Folded down and stored under bed. Rechargeable one is best as you can use it anywhere

 

[Puddleduck]

Puddleduck may be able to advise?

I have no experience of the adaptions that Albacore is looking for as I get into the van in a very inelegant way (using a sort of step ladder, on my behind and pushing up steps with my good foot and pulling with hands and arms)!!!!

Hi, I have used a MOTORSTEP for the past 18months to assist lifting my wife up to her seat in our pvc. It has been very helpful. However she is now unable to use it any longer and is for sale. It is powered by a rechargeable battery so it can be used anywhere. It is 2 years old an has charger.

That looks like an ideal solution but only you can assess what will work as everyone's needs are different.

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[Hezbez]

We were talking to Peter at AS Bikes recently and he has a new product coming online.
It's an elevating platform thing.

He envisages it having multiple uses, eg lifting gas bottles up to locker height, lifting heavy bikes/trikes into garages and could be used to lift people. From memory it weighs less than 10kg and will be circa £800.

 

[Albacore]

Hope you find something to assist Mum back in the van but something that will help is the issue of a Blue Badge.

Get that application in.

Yes got one of those already

 

[Albacore]

Hi, I have used a MOTORSTEP for the past 18months to assist lifting my wife up to her seat in our pvc. It has been very helpful. However she is now unable to use it any longer and is for sale. It is powered by a rechargeable battery so it can be used anywhere. It is 2 years old an has charger.

Sorry I must have missed your post Tinks, is it still available? Where are you based?

 

[Albacore]

Thanks everyone, I did actually manage to get her in the van last weekend using our old 3-step caravan steps with full handrails... Not really practical for out and about as they are so large, but at least we had a day out. She wants to go to cornwall now but I've said we need to try her moving around the van first, as all she has done is climb steps, fall into driver seat, swivelled round and transferred to passenger seat. She really enjoyed the day but getting down from the van was more difficult that getting in. Anyway she did it so it's a huge milestone, I think a motorstep is the way forward but we need to check she can walk around first (which I fear will probably be too much right now). Poor mum wants to do things on her own but it seems her brain is further ahead than her feet... She says she can because she's done it before, but I keep having to remind her she had full use of both feet before. Good news is her foot is healing very well and is making rapid progress, aside, unfortunately, from the heel which is the crucial bit for her mobility... That we are told will never heal and re-pad.

 

[june]

Hi all,

I've had my van since October, and my elderly mother and I have very much enjoyed weekends away through the winter and then attempted a much longer trip to France in April. That trip turned into a disaster with her being hospitalised (due to misdiagnosis at home) and resulted in her losing much of her foot. Hence my quandary...how can I get her back into the van? She really wants to, not yet obviously but in the future; but I am really worried that we will not be able to use the van again with her severely reduced mobility. She is currently only able to stand lightly on the ball of her right foot, and I fear this will not change as her heel is unlikely to heal enough to bare weight. Does anyone have any experience of mobility aids to enter motorhomes? Steps are not really an option, I would like to think in the future it could be possible, but think its unlikely with her heel situation. Are there hoists that can be used above the sliding or cab door to lift someone from a wheelchair for example? I've seen the website for Motorstep but I am concerned that it looks rather heavy for my payload, and how is it on uneven ground? (and the price!)

I would appreciate any advice you may be able to offer - I really hope that our much loved van adventures are not over, especially as we have only just begun.

Fingers crossed for a future vanlife
Thanks
Clare

Hi all,

I've had my van since October, and my elderly mother and I have very much enjoyed weekends away through the winter and then attempted a much longer trip to France in April. That trip turned into a disaster with her being hospitalised (due to misdiagnosis at home) and resulted in her losing much of her foot. Hence my quandary...how can I get her back into the van? She really wants to, not yet obviously but in the future; but I am really worried that we will not be able to use the van again with her severely reduced mobility. She is currently only able to stand lightly on the ball of her right foot, and I fear this will not change as her heel is unlikely to heal enough to bare weight. Does anyone have any experience of mobility aids to enter motorhomes? Steps are not really an option, I would like to think in the future it could be possible, but think its unlikely with her heel situation. Are there hoists that can be used above the sliding or cab door to lift someone from a wheelchair for example? I've seen the website for Motorstep but I am concerned that it looks rather heavy for my payload, and how is it on uneven ground? (and the price!)

I would appreciate any advice you may be able to offer - I really hope that our much loved van adventures are not over, especially as we have only just begun.

Fingers crossed for a future van life
Thanks
Clare