Wheelchair Friendly Motorhome

[Jim]

Very interesting and informative video sent to me by Chris Gosling of Caravan Channel fame.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvHmo7eCPAc[/ame]

 

[Drew]

That's really cool :Cool:

 

[gawatt]

Excellent conversion!

 

[slobadoberbob]

interesting information

Interesting information for any disabled camper.

I would say the lift looks like it has a limited payload... but Ratcliffe Pathfinder do a lift that can carry much heavier loads. But any conversion is good.. thanks for posting it JIM


Boib

 

[hilldweller]

So worrying when fire considered.

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[slobadoberbob]

disabled people can move if required

So worrying when fire considered.

Most disabled wheelchair users would be able to get out... even if they had to drop out of an emergency window (like we have).. but if I considered every danger then I would not get out of bed.

One size does not fit all... but any conversion is a step in the right direction as far as I am concerned... I have had to put the cotton wall away long, long ago.

Bob

 

[smudger]

So worrying when fire considered.

nice to see the positive side of things brian

 

[ChrisG46]

So worrying when fire considered.

Oh, dear - health and safety . .

The fact is that many similar things are "worrying" if you want to worry . . . most caravans, for instance only have one ambulant exit, and the cooker, with gas and often mains electric, is frequently between the main bed and the door. Many motorhomes have a similar layout, disregarding the cab doors, which are often difficult to climb over from the habitation section.

I have little doubt that Mike, or the many other tough, smart and resourceful disabled people I've filmed and worked with down the years would do just as much or more to make an escape, as any other person. And because many are accustomed to manoevering without the bodily dexterity the rest of us take for granted, I suspect that many less able caravan and motorhome users probably have worked out their escape routes rather better than the rest of us, who think we'd just make a dash for it . . .

 

[slobadoberbob]

Hit the head on nail Chris

Oh, dear - health and safety . .

The fact is that many similar things are "worrying" if you want to worry . . . most caravans, for instance only have one ambulant exit, and the cooker, with gas and often mains electric, is frequently between the main bed and the door. Many motorhomes have a similar layout, disregarding the cab doors, which are often difficult to climb over from the habitation section.

I have little doubt that Mike, or the many other tough, smart and resourceful disabled people I've filmed and worked with down the years would do just as much or more to make an escape, as any other person. And because many are accustomed to manoevering without the bodily dexterity the rest of us take for granted, I suspect that many less able caravan and motorhome users probably have worked out their escape routes rather better than the rest of us, who think we'd just make a dash for it . . .

You have summed it up Chris .. I know how and where to get out of my RV if I had to... leaving the fire equipment aside... I can exit from 5 places. The Winnebago has two emergency windows that slid to allow someone even of my side to get out. Even marked as fire exit on the catches by Winnebago. I have the habitation door and the drives and passenger door as well.

Any promotion of disability in motorhomes or caravans is welcome by me. I see what fits one person but not another. I myself have written (and been paid for) articles by MMM in the disability magazine they produced each year. So I as a user welcome the info placed on this site. My comments were about the weight limits on the lift
in use. But there are others on the market. Smudger (Derek) has a serious lift for his power chair.... it is horses for courses.

The bathroom is the main issue for many wheelchair users... lifts or ramps are another area.. so good to see video's like this.

But health and safety issues sometimes have to be adapted to the needs of the user.

I would like to see more of this and less of the remarks that make disabled people feel they should not partake in this hobby.

While I know the remarks of Brian were in general and not aimed at anyone.. he makes a valid point which is fine.. but believe me the disabled person will get out if I know anything about self preservation.

Bob:Blush:

 

[ChrisG46]

I'm not so sure he has a valid point, because a quick check confirms that the modification work was carried out by a qualified professional firm, and therefore complies with all the regs - exactly the same as Swifts original unmodified van, I believe . .

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[slobadoberbob]

depends on how your read his remarks Chris

I'm not so sure he has a valid point, because a quick check confirms that the modification work was carried out by a qualified professional firm, and therefore complies with all the regs - exactly the same as Swifts original unmodified van, I believe . .

It all depends on how you read his remarks Chris.. I do not think he was questioning the regs or the way the conversion was carried out or the original build by the makers. I think his comments (and I could stand corrected of course by Brian?) were aimed at the issue of exiting the motorhome in a situation of a fire. I think he was using the words health and safety in the lose sense of the meaning.

The only concerns I had myself was that no indication was given the the weight limits of the platform.

Not sure if he travelled alone.. the piece seemed to imply that. But if travelling with a passenger I presume they would have to exit via the cab door as I did not see any grab rails for a able bodied person to hang on to while in decent or going up to the motorhome floor level.

But that is not intended as criticism in anyway.. just an observation from a wheelchair user. I did wonder also how he made out putting the bed together in the motorhome? ... can be hard even out of a wheelchair, so I would have loved to see how that was sorted out.

I personally feel we need to see more of these type clips and discussions about motorhomes for the less mobile of us.

Bob

 

[ourcampersbeentrashed]

We are thrilled this has been adapted to suit a disabled persons need


HOWEVER

When we attended the EXCEL SHOW

NOT ONE COMPANY

was prepared to adapt their standard motorhomes

to meet my needs - and I can walk

SO IF AND WHEN I BECOME A MULTIMILLIONAIRE I WILL CHANGE THIS

AND

NOT ONE COMPANY

wanted to work with me on adaptations to help people with disabilities

 

[ChrisG46]

I think you are right, no-one who does disabled conversions attended Excel, and the companies there couldn't help you - but I think you maybe went to the wrong place, that's all. Excel is designed for mass-market vendors, not companies working in specialist areas.

Mike Hervey-Murray, the man in the video, went to a Mobility show at Peterborough (http://www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk/) where there were a number of companies who could help. It's on in June, maybe you should go.

He found someone call Coachbuilt UK (http://www.coachbuiltgb.co.uk/) who did exactly what he wanted. It cost (he said) a lot, as always when it's specialist technical work, but he expected that.

Maybe you should have a look at these specialist services - go to some experts, rather than try to persuade people who don't claim to have any expertise in the areas you need, into trying to do something they don't know much about!

 

[hilldweller]

nice to see the positive side of things brian

It was you I was thinking of when I said that. Mainly because yours is the only wheelchair adapted MH I've been in.

If I make you and others think of the possibility then you'll be considering escape routes and that's my job done. Just think of me as an air hostess with short skirt and big boobs saying "And here is your nearest escape chute".

 

[hilldweller]

I'm not so sure he has a valid point, because a quick check confirms that the modification work was carried out by a qualified professional firm, and therefore complies with all the regs

I have it on good authority that the risk assessment was undertaken by the same firm that did the risk assessment on the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors, so you quite rightly correct me, there is no risk to the wheelchair bound occupant.

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[slobadoberbob]

pleased to see it has opened up a debate

I am pleased to see it has opened up a debate on disabled friendly motor homes.

The fact we have non wheelchair users discussing the issues is good. There is a great big pool of information available from our membership, many have different forms of disability. Not all disability can be seen in the form of a wheelchair or white stick (have we any???) but disability is often pushed under the carpet.... so these debates are good if nothing else to discuss the pro's and con's of getting out of a motor home in an emergency.

Please do not stop the debate.. I am sure many could throw some useful information in to the pot.

Bob

 

[hilldweller]

Oh, dear - health and safety . .

The fact is that many similar things are "worrying" if you want to worry . . . most caravans, for instance only have one ambulant exit, and the cooker, with gas and often mains electric, is frequently between the main bed and the door. Many motorhomes have a similar layout, disregarding the cab doors, which are often difficult to climb over from the habitation section.

>> Oh, dear - health and safety

I hate the ridiculous lengths morons have taken health and safety to but behind the nonsense is 200 years of necessity. Don't forget all the mutilated workers in the textile mills. Arms shredded and kicked out with no compensation. The miners where pits have collapsed or exploded. I'll never forget a man with arm wrapped in tea towels, in a surreal state, waiting calmly for the ambulance to take him to hospital with fingers at his side in an ice pack.

>> The fact is that many similar things are "worrying" if you want to worry . . .

And if folk don't "worry" they will get caught out if it goes pear shaped. They will become a statistic. Assessing the risks first of all helps prevent them and if that fails helps save those few seconds that means the difference between "that was close" and "RIP".

I that conversion video, it's your worst case scenario, cooking and electrics between his sleeping position and exit. If it was me I'd be working out how to exit via the rear windows.

Anyone on here......

Your frying pan goes woooooooooooooooosh. Where is your fireblanket ? If it looks worse than fireblanket, how do you get out ? If you don't know these answers you may die unnecessarily - BUT, don't panic, it is a very small chance.

In a very similar vein we have threads on being robbed, it's just the same, if you are not prepared it goes pear shaped, well done Keith, they didn't get you. Not so well done A N Other who lost a valuable handbag.

 

[jhorsf]

I think Brian was being positive in his contribution saying people with mobility problems need to be able to exit somehow in an emergency,I do not think he was being negative

 

[slobadoberbob]

that was my reading of it as well

I think Brian was being positive in his contribution saying people with mobility problems need to be able to exit somehow in an emergency,I do not think he was being negative

That was my reading of it as well.

Being a wheelchair user I am fully aware of many issues... the fire blanket is on the wall at the exit as is the fire extinguisher .. Kitchen is opposite the exit door... habitation has two full size slide fire exit windows and access to the cab (unrestrictive) to the cab doors... only risk area is the loo to the left of the exit... but within easy reach if I had to.

Horses for courses.

But I welcome the debate as at least disability issues are aired and regardless of Brian's words that has happened.

Bob

 

[Creation Campers]

Hi Guys,
Mikes motorhome is great, if you have a spare £50k+!!

For the past few years we have been building motorhomes.

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[wizzer59]

It was you I was thinking of when I said that. Mainly because yours is the only wheelchair adapted MH I've been in.

If I make you and others think of the possibility then you'll be considering escape routes and that's my job done. Just think of me as an air hostess with short skirt and big boobs saying "And here is your nearest escape chute".

Mmmmmmm nope it don't do it for me Brian

 

[peter marshall]

My mate has a similar set up on his MH, a lift gets him in and the shower room is a wet room with curtain sides, he drives and his Mr,s does the rest ie water elsan and any other thing needed, he is paralysed from the chest down due to an accident and a most cheerful guy you can meet, spent many a good visit with them. Peter :thumb:

 

[sidan70]

hi guys, just been looking for a camper and come across this, looks very interesting - http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/s...elchairauto-campervan-motorhome-for-sale.html

nice to see someone doing disabled campers!