New Motor Home for the disabled

[Gwynedd Wanderer]

Hello,

I hope you don't mind but I am conducting some market research into disabled motor homes to enable me to design and develop a motor home for the disabled. Prior to designing motor homes I designed patient handling equipment so I am very aware that disability comes in many forms so obviously one motor home does not suit all! Also my mother in law is registered disabled with sever arthritis and her needs are very different to say someone in a wheel chair.
I would therefore like to rack your brains if you don’t mind and please tell me the types of options you would like to see in a mobility home. Is there a particular type of layout you would like to see? Would you prefer to have the door at the back? Would you like to start with a blank canvas or would you like to see a range of options? And of coarse how much would you pay?
I would really appreciate any help with this task. I have already conducted a fair amount of research and found a lot of convertors of existing motor homes as well as after market add ons. What I would really like is to hear from people who are disabled and use motor homes to see what they would like from a motorhome. This is your chance now to be heard and I would really appreciate your input because I want to come up with a good solution.

 

[bazfergy]

Space to move about in your chair,or frame or crutches without falling or breaking things,bench seats are better than the wrap round type seating,removable table,auto gearbox,low fixed bed,wide door to toilet/shower,rather than just a curtain,wide entry door,oven and cooker at a level where you don't have to reach up, and stand a chance of pouring something hot all over yourself.Price wise 30-35k would be a price that i would certainly take notice of.Best of luck and keep us informed how you get on,I'm a wheelchair user and am very interested in finding a van that suits me AND my better half,all the best barry

 

[Wildman]

the option to remove the drivers seat and drive from the wheelchair. Hand controls etc.
the seat should be available should a non disabled person need to drive it. room for a wheelchair to turn around. without slides that would mean everything down one side of the van. The bathroom/wetroom full van width at the rear.remembering seating for ablebodied person

 

[rainbow chasers]

I would say it is a good idea - though quite a balancing act!

I have seen motorhomes which have widened doors and a slot to put a chair, a wide door to the shower/toilet but little room to move once in there.

I have also seen a much more spacious model - though 80% of it was taken up by a huge disabled loo/shower. Though it had plenty of space inside, the kitchen was virtually inside the tiolet, and the poor disabled person had little privacy when using that facility as there was just a huge curtain. I dread to think of associated damp/condensation problems!

Hardly dignified - especially if in use while the family are cooking dinner - as they would have to walk through the curtained off area to do anything.

I think it will be a fine balancing act between getting a comfortable motorhome for both disabled and their family/carer - and having something which looks like a portable shower block with a bed in it.

I think you could be on a winner if you get it right - good luck!:thumb:

 

[ourcampersbeentrashed]

In addition to bazfergy's excellent comments

Remember not all adaptations suit one disability however here are some more suggestions and statements to ponder on.

Many disabled travellers require specialist equipment e.g some require oxygen. So perhaps something to secure oxygen bottles but where they are used, eg living area and bed area without them being on the floor.

Access to the low fixed bed needs to be wide enough to manouvre.

All doors/drawers/cupboards need to remain shut whilst in transit but also need to be easily opened using little pressure or grip (eg people with arthritis and other hand problems). Again on this subject many gas cookers require 2 hands to operate, one to hold the button down and one to ignite it. Gas cookers should have an 12v ignition so that all items can be lit using just one hand.

Items in the motorhome should be able to be operated using one hand only - not two.

If you are creating one motorhome style I would suggest a full counter along one side of the motorhome that has two levels. This will accommodate e.g both the needs of a wheelchair user and any able bodied person accompanying them. You could then (on an individual basis, either put the sink in the lower area or the higher area dependent on each set of persons need.

If space is a premium you could have a ready made up bed that folds up against the wall or raises and drops into place at the push of a button.

Not everyone can reach the top cupboards. So a mechanism where items can be stored in the top cupboards but automatically open and drop down to a reachable height.

The body of the motorhome should be such that handrails can be put in on an individual basis and the roof strong enough to take a hoist should someone need this for getting into and out of bed or alternatively a way of incorporating a metal hoist within a metal bed frame.

Different surface textures for people who are losing or have lost their sight and metal labels in braille are also something to consider.

You may find it helpful speaking to your local council's accessibility officer and social services/physiotherapists that specialise in putting adaptations into houses/flats etc.

I am sure I will think of more things and hope Ive given you a little food for thought, however within your project if you remember these three things you wont go too far wrong:-

Accessability, useability, manouvreability.

Remember there is nothing stopping you experimenting yourself e.g sitting down and trying things out as if you were in a wheelchair, putting on a blindfold and trying things from a blind persons perspective, or putting on a boxing glove and using just one hand. Remember not everyone with disabilities has always been disabled.

Best of luck xxxxx

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[Gwynedd Wanderer]

Wow thanks everyone for the comments it is really eye opening to get so many different peoples views. If you have any more comments to add please feel free:thumb:

 

[Terry]

Hi Gwynedd Wanderer, although I like the idea :thumb: how / who exactly are you hoping to design the said M/H for ? and who will build such a vehicle ?
I personally think that you will have to get one off designs to suit each individual and as such each would have to be made one off's by small company's who probably already incorporate such designs.
If you are hoping a large manufacturer will do a design £60,000 plus is going to be a more realistic price
terry
Please do not think I am being negative or offensive
terry

 

[dazzer]

Got to agree with Terry here, each one will be custom made for each owner. I dont see how a standard setup will work. Surely a modular system of drop in components will be a much easier way of doing it?

Not everyone needs a wheelchair lift which will give more room for other things for example.

Also anything needing wheelchair access will need to be a pretty big unit before you start, this may well put people off as bigger motorhomes develop their own problems before you start to adapt them to individual users.

I think you would be better designing individual modular systems (lifts/doors, bathroom, toilets, kitchens, beds etc etc etc)and then incorporating them into an existing empty shell. This method would be quick and easy to produce, design and build.

Weight will be your biggest problem especially if using wheelchair lifts etc on European van chassis.

 

[weejohnw]

steps to take

Impossible task
but, there's always a but!!!
a low entry step and wider doors would be a great help.

Also the comments earlier about appliances being operated by one hand and not two is a very sensible and doable option.

A fold down shower seat would also be welcome

Regarding price, everyones pockets are a different depth.
Regards Weejohn

 

[bigfoot]

When it comes to disability requirements some people think 'one size fits all'. This is not the case, hence generally a one off at high cost.
Why don't manaufacturers design around modules which could be mixed and matched. Also a shower & toilet could be placed on opposite sides of the vehicle and a door concertina or sliding could then connect the 2 and make a larger wash room with space to move a wheel chair. Maybe look at an aircraft type wheelchair for use inside.
For people driving who have limited neck movement multiple cameras front and rear.
Extra power is a must for items like nebulisers.
Good luck with the design and production.

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[Gwynedd Wanderer]

Hi everyone thanks for the comments. I probably should have explained that I work for the company that will be designing and manufacturing the disabled motor home. We are a small manufacturer of luxury bespoke motor homes but we are looking to expand our knowledge of motor homes into the disability market. As we are such a small company I am conducting the market research as well as designing the M/H! I think the idea to make the home modular is a good way forwards as it gives us a great deal of flexibility. Does anyone have a preference on where they would like the door to be? The door it seems is usually on the side of the motor home but does this not cause you problems when you are in car parks? Would it not be better to have it at the back?

 

[dazzer]

I would say the door in the back will cause problems. Will the users of this vehicle not park in a disabled spot which has large areas each side to allow easy access anyway??

You dont see many doors in the back as it interferes with the best usable space for the bathroom or bedroom areas.

 

[bigfoot]

May I also suggest that you contact the Community Transport Association. They are the represenative body for accessible transport operators, thay have a wealth of knowledge regarding vehicle engineering and leglislation. The also have a vehicle exhibition every year.

 

[smudger]

the option to remove the drivers seat and drive from the wheelchair. Hand controls etc.
the seat should be available should a non disabled person need to drive it. room for a wheelchair to turn around. without slides that would mean everything down one side of the van. The bathroom/wetroom full van width at the rear.remembering seating for ablebodied person

you obviously have knowlege of and experience in this field....the vehicle that you quoted,
is already and available on the market......www.nirvanner.comoh:

 

[dylan]

The link you gave to the web site appears broken

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[GregM]

I do agree with what has been said, it's imposible to design a one fits all unit, but there are some basic things you could incorporate into a 'basic' model with options for those that need them.

Basic model would have wider doors, wider 'coridoor', easy ignite cooker and fridge, LPG tank, decent size battery bank etc.

Options I would think could include :

Electric ramp instead of step (not wheelchair user but assume this would benefit)
Low fixed bed
Other mods that have already been mention

 

[EzeeRider]

GregM is right, a basic model to meet the requirements of the majority of disabled motorhome users is the way to go. There will always be a minority who will have specialised needs and I think the only way forward for them will be a custom build.

It is very rare to find a disabled person motorhoming alone, there is usually an able body partner to assist, so things like low lockers are not an abosolute necessity for the majority.

To me the basics are:

1. The ability to easily enter and leave the vehicle. This means a wide accommodation door, minimum width of 30 inches for wheelchair users with an option to fit a wheelchair lift.

2. The ability to be able to move end to end. This means no change in levels and an end to end aisle with no obstructions and a minimum width of 30 inches to accommodate most wheelchair users. Aisle chairs are all very well but they are impractical for everyday use.

3. Whether there is a fixed bed or one that has to be made up, it should not be so high that it is difficult to use. I would suggest a floor to matress top height of 20 inches.

4. An accessible toilet and shower. This is perhaps the most difficult if you are designing for a wheelchair user and in this case there aren't many options for how it can be done. A wet room is much preferred and a shower seat. However it is done, for a wheelchair user there has to be adequate access. You might find inspiration by looking at Winnebago's ability equipped RVs at http://www.winnebagoind.com/products/commercial/ability/ Whilst these are large vehicles it can be done in a vehicle less than 28 feet long and only 7-1/2ft wide.

5. A decent payload. Disabled people tend to need more everyday items which are often quite heavy. A lift for instance will weigh 120 to 150Kgms, a scooter 80Kgms

I think the above are the basics. If you cannot accommodate the above then its not worth
bothering.

ezee

 

[jhorsf]

I know very little about the needs of the disabled but do wish you well in this venture, as we all one day may need a van like that. I am sure you will get plenty of input from the Funsters on here

 

[USRVSALES]

Motorhome for disabled here

Very difficult to find. If you are looking for one I just happen to have a 2005 Itasca Suncruiser. Model is the 38J with 25874 miles.

Link Removed

 

[niggle]

there is all ready a company in tilburg holland that will uild you one from the ground up ,,, it includes all of the fittings that have been listed plus more,,,, that have been listed,,the guy who owns the choc shops in yepes has one,,saw it in france boy it put a lot of new homes to shame ,, the finnish was fab,, hand built :thumb::thumb:

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[Wildman]

Amazon motorhomes (Somerset) as mentioned in MMM october issue will build to your specification. Give Bryan Evans a ring on 07775 98096 for further details, mention me and motorhome fun and maybe he will start advertising here. I have an Amazon motorhome built by them in 2000.
But no other connection to the company.

 

[spannermanwigan]

Hi everyone thanks for the comments. I probably should have explained that I work for the company that will be designing and manufacturing the disabled motor home. We are a small manufacturer of luxury bespoke motor homes but we are looking to expand our knowledge of motor homes into the disability market. As we are such a small company I am conducting the market research as well as designing the M/H! I think the idea to make the home modular is a good way forwards as it gives us a great deal of flexibility. Does anyone have a preference on where they would like the door to be? The door it seems is usually on the side of the motor home but does this not cause you problems when you are in car parks? Would it not be better to have it at the back?

Rear entry would not be practical as most sites and aires are set out for side entry to vehicle also to allow for tow bar fitment for trailer or built in garage can only realasticaly acheived at the rear of vehicle.
regards steve

 

[ourcampersbeentrashed]

Rear entry would not be practical as most sites and aires are set out for side entry to vehicle also to allow for tow bar fitment for trailer or built in garage can only realasticaly acheived at the rear of vehicle.
regards steve

Our motorhome is rear entry and we have had no problems whatsoever with pitches and sites

 

[Terry]

This was first posted in may last yr oh: perhaps Gwynedd Wanderer could give us a update :thumb:
terry

 

[hovis]

motorhomes for the disabled

I used to be a bus driver 3 years ago, have you thought about travel safety, buses can carry wheelchair bound passengers and ride facing to the back of the bus,because pulling up quickly won't send them crashing out of their wheelchair.
Another point which might be helpful is a wetroom placed at back with a drain hole going straight into the grey tank.

I would also suggest to lobby the motability organisation so those of the diabled who are on highest rate of mobility can go and get one on lease so the cost of procuring a motorhome can be minimal.

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[ShiftZZ]

Gwynedd Wanderer, have you thought of splashing out £12 for membership of this forum?

 

[hovis]

membership

Yes I have, I recently just come out of hospital after spending 10 weeks recovering from a stroke, which affected my left side. Although I can walk a little my left arm has along way to go, my funds are low at the moment so I have to wait till next month, to pay for my subscription.

 

[coldstreamer]

Gwynedd Wanderer,

Just a thought where space is at a premium, have you looked at the American Idea, where the bed is raised the ceiling; I know there is at least one European manufacturer which has now a queen size bed which powers up and down very easily. This space frees up the area a fixed bed takes up.
Our traveling companions had this brilliant system in their ‘Trek’ and the floor space became immense.
Best Regards Mac

 

[slobadoberbob]

a year old post seems to have come back

I have read the posts with interest. Now as a lot of the membership know I am in a wheelchair 98% of the time and use crutches to transfer. I have a manual wheelchair and also a power chair (wheelchair) I also use a 4 wheeled mobility class 111 scooter. Being an amputee through the hip and disabled since 10 I feel more than qualified to give an opinion.

I have been motor homing for 25 years now. I started off with a Glendale on a Merc chassis with hand controls. These days I am on to the American RV.. had a few over the past years from A class to C class and even Dayvans.. currently I drive a Winnebago B class .. a link is on this page that shows the RV.

As stated by another poster the Safari Trek has a middle bed that is lowered from the roof and provides room for a wheelchair to move about inside and has a reasonable size bathroom.

My winnebago is not a monster in size, in fact it is one of the small RV's about at 23'9" long with the trailer we come in at 33' (trailer carries two scooters and one wheelchair) but we do have a tow bar wheelchair carrier of the manual wheelchair and this brings us up just over 25' long. But it does have a slide out and that allowed me room inside. Plus I have a bathroom across the back of the RV with a 33" doorway.. all standard made by Winnebago.

We travel to france most years for 3 weeks plus and are often at the shows around the UK.

It is a mind set issue mainly and if you decided as a disabled person to make it work you will do.

I had the best compliment paid to me the other day by Bill (Landy Lover).. he was not even aware he made it.. he remarked I was not disabled really as I got over the various problems.. give me the leg back Bill I would be very happy then.. but I am what I am and any disabled person can either just sit in doors or get out there and make the dream come true.

It does not have to be a swankiy yank, there are lots of ways to do camping from a chair lift ot hoist to a full lowering lift.

No post will ever do justice to the subject and If you are thinking of designing a disabled friendly vehicle I think you are very brave and again fool hearty as well. There are many professional companies that do and have been doing it for years. Some are excellent others are dogs ears.. But Roy Wood Transits make a good product and Simon at Mercury RV's in Kent do the big RV's and there are dozens or others. A look at the MMM October 2010 issue ..MMM MOBILITY .. these are several pages of suppliers and convertors.. plus I wrote a two page article on a trip to France in 2010. I suggest a letter to MMM and purchase the supplement it is worth it's weight in gold for the details of the suppliers and makers alone..

Bu if you want to p.m. but you do need to be a paid up member to do that I will always send you a copy of the magazine as I was supplied with some extras as I contribute to the magazine (paid) .. just about to set to and do the article for the Oct 2011 issue.. Not only a retired lawyer but these days a paid writer... so disability has nothing to do with life if you decide it will not stop you.

We see lots of disabled people at shows, and I would say Warners and the other show promotors have many Blue badge areas for those with mobility issues at the shows .. I am talking hundreds and hundreds not 10...

Anyway wish you luck.

Bob:Blush:

 

[mercuryarv]

DISABLED RV's

I have read the posts with interest. Now as a lot of the membership know I am in a wheelchair 98% of the time and use crutches to transfer. I have a manual wheelchair and also a power chair (wheelchair) I also use a 4 wheeled mobility class 111 scooter. Being an amputee through the hip and disabled since 10 I feel more than qualified to give an opinion.

I have been motor homing for 25 years now. I started off with a Glendale on a Merc chassis with hand controls. These days I am on to the American RV.. had a few over the past years from A class to C class and even Dayvans.. currently I drive a Winnebago B class .. a link is on this page that shows the RV.

As stated by another poster the Safari Trek has a middle bed that is lowered from the roof and provides room for a wheelchair to move about inside and has a reasonable size bathroom.

My winnebago is not a monster in size, in fact it is one of the small RV's about at 23'9" long with the trailer we come in at 33' (trailer carries two scooters and one wheelchair) but we do have a tow bar wheelchair carrier of the manual wheelchair and this brings us up just over 25' long. But it does have a slide out and that allowed me room inside. Plus I have a bathroom across the back of the RV with a 33" doorway.. all standard made by Winnebago.

We travel to france most years for 3 weeks plus and are often at the shows around the UK.

It is a mind set issue mainly and if you decided as a disabled person to make it work you will do.

I had the best compliment paid to me the other day by Bill (Landy Lover).. he was not even aware he made it.. he remarked I was not disabled really as I got over the various problems.. give me the leg back Bill I would be very happy then.. but I am what I am and any disabled person can either just sit in doors or get out there and make the dream come true.

It does not have to be a swankiy yank, there are lots of ways to do camping from a chair lift ot hoist to a full lowering lift.

No post will ever do justice to the subject and If you are thinking of designing a disabled friendly vehicle I think you are very brave and again fool hearty as well. There are many professional companies that do and have been doing it for years. Some are excellent others are dogs ears.. But Roy Wood Transits make a good product and Simon at Mercury RV's in Kent do the big RV's and there are dozens or others. A look at the MMM October 2010 issue ..MMM MOBILITY .. these are several pages of suppliers and convertors.. plus I wrote a two page article on a trip to France in 2010. I suggest a letter to MMM and purchase the supplement it is worth it's weight in gold for the details of the suppliers and makers alone..

Bu if you want to p.m. but you do need to be a paid up member to do that I will always send you a copy of the magazine as I was supplied with some extras as I contribute to the magazine (paid) .. just about to set to and do the article for the Oct 2011 issue.. Not only a retired lawyer but these days a paid writer... so disability has nothing to do with life if you decide it will not stop you.

We see lots of disabled people at shows, and I would say Warners and the other show promotors have many Blue badge areas for those with mobility issues at the shows .. I am talking hundreds and hundreds not 10...

Anyway wish you luck.

Bob:Blush:

Hi, you are correct that we have carried out many conversions on RV's for disabled customers, one of our previous customers has drawn our attention to these posts. The comment that a 'One size fits all' is certainly far from the truth, each person is different and even more so when it comes to disability's. We operated wheelchair accessible bus services for many years and hope we learnt many things from that, the knowledge and adaptations we implemented in bus operation we then carried over into the sales and adaptation of American Motorhomes. We have in conjunction with a engineering company developed and fitted a new type of passenger lift that can be fitted without huge cost or cutting about of the RV, even better than that, we could take it out and move it to another without destroying the donor RV. We have on our website a Safari Serengeti that had many modifications tailored to the customers requirements, all carried out in house. If you have a need for a lift, take a look on our for sale section at some pictures. So one size fits all? I have never found that to be true, but happy to be wrong and learn any day. Kindest regards to you all, Simon

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