Hi, have been off the forum for nearly a year because my wife has had a stroke and is now confined to a wheelchair, we would like to try and continue to caravan. Looking for advice/info. on "how to move on" from our present normal 2 berth to a disabled caravan. Please does any one know of a suitable caravan or dealer to contact?
Disabled caravan
- Thread starter brianr
- Start date
Parksy
Moderator
- Nov 12, 2009
- 11,904
- 2,400
- 40,935
Hello Brian, glad that you're back on the forum.
I'm sorry to learn that your wife has suffered a stroke, I had one 6 years ago and I know how it feels to go from being apparently fit and reasonably healthy to having your life turned upside down quite literally overnight.
A friend of mine is a wheelchair user and she and her husband had a caravan door conversion carried out by White Arches Caravans in Wellingborough and Rushden.
http://www.white-arches.co.uk/
They are satisfied with the result and their warranty on their caravan was unaffected.
Please keep in touch and let us know how things go, all the best to your wife and although very tiring sometimes caravanning with your support will be good for her, trust me I know.
I'm sorry to learn that your wife has suffered a stroke, I had one 6 years ago and I know how it feels to go from being apparently fit and reasonably healthy to having your life turned upside down quite literally overnight.
A friend of mine is a wheelchair user and she and her husband had a caravan door conversion carried out by White Arches Caravans in Wellingborough and Rushden.
http://www.white-arches.co.uk/
They are satisfied with the result and their warranty on their caravan was unaffected.
Please keep in touch and let us know how things go, all the best to your wife and although very tiring sometimes caravanning with your support will be good for her, trust me I know.
Hi Brian
Nice to hear you are looking to be back on the road, Positive is the only way to focus ahead.
I was looking round a Motorhome dealership in Preston Lancs. Next door to Riversway they had a Motorhome that had been converted for wheelchair access using a hydraulic lift. I also noticed the bathroom was wider than normal. I am trying to remember the make it is the one with the maroon stripe down the side. I will try to work out which one it was and re post later.
Nice to hear you are looking to be back on the road, Positive is the only way to focus ahead.
I was looking round a Motorhome dealership in Preston Lancs. Next door to Riversway they had a Motorhome that had been converted for wheelchair access using a hydraulic lift. I also noticed the bathroom was wider than normal. I am trying to remember the make it is the one with the maroon stripe down the side. I will try to work out which one it was and re post later.
Hi Brian
We have a new caravan, bought in 2008 which was bought as an Avondale caravan designed and modified for disabled caravanners.
It has a wide door for wheelchairs and opened up interior, (shower and toilet area). A few months after buying it Avondale went out of business but the caravan luckily has had no major problems. it was purchased from a company in Driffield, East Yorkshire.
We have a new caravan, bought in 2008 which was bought as an Avondale caravan designed and modified for disabled caravanners.
It has a wide door for wheelchairs and opened up interior, (shower and toilet area). A few months after buying it Avondale went out of business but the caravan luckily has had no major problems. it was purchased from a company in Driffield, East Yorkshire.
I am sorry to hear about your wife and hope that things will get back to as anormal as possible quickly.
You may wish to look at the motorhome press, in particular MMM magazine as it often has complete sections on vehicles designed for the disabled. This also includes adverts from Companies offering everything from parts, to complete vehicles.
It appears that the majority of disabled outfits are motorhome based rather than caravan, possibly because the vehicle, particularly a van based model is stronger and can take extra fittings such as handrails and even toilet lifts. Of course the other reason is that the motorhome does not require manhandling, and if based on a camper vehicle, can also be used as a daily vehicle. The vehicles I am thinking of are based on the Ducato van and are about 6 meters long, not VW campers. Any such vehicle is also purchased VAT free, if that is any advantage.
I hope you find something that suits you and allows you to continue camping in one form or another.
You may wish to look at the motorhome press, in particular MMM magazine as it often has complete sections on vehicles designed for the disabled. This also includes adverts from Companies offering everything from parts, to complete vehicles.
It appears that the majority of disabled outfits are motorhome based rather than caravan, possibly because the vehicle, particularly a van based model is stronger and can take extra fittings such as handrails and even toilet lifts. Of course the other reason is that the motorhome does not require manhandling, and if based on a camper vehicle, can also be used as a daily vehicle. The vehicles I am thinking of are based on the Ducato van and are about 6 meters long, not VW campers. Any such vehicle is also purchased VAT free, if that is any advantage.
I hope you find something that suits you and allows you to continue camping in one form or another.
Hi, thankyou all for your replies which are appreciated. Would prefer to "hitch up" and if posiblle alter or present caravan(which we both love) door etc. to suit.Parksy's idea I liked to alter door but getting my wife up a step into our caravan may be a problem. Any suggestions?
Hi Gumbo
Been to that dealership my self and know the motorhome you are talking about we where ther two weeks ago..tom
Thank you to all who have replied, caravanning this year is a non starter, but I am hopeful next year with our present caravan modified we will again be on the move.
Hi Brian. Have a look at Duxbury Caravans Chorley Lancashire they have a wheelchair accessible caravan forsale .
Hi John (and others who have replied), that caravan would be suitable but I am glad to say that I have a physio & OT working with my wife, she can now "just sbout manage caravan steps" with support so would prefer to keep our caravan and add additional aids. Any suggestions would be most welcome. Cheers
For those who can stand for a short period there is a portable lift available from FMS Powerstep Ltd (www.powerstep.co.uk) which can be attached to the caravan (for stability only)or is available with feet and wheels.
This raising platform has been used on both caravans (its original purpose), motorhomes and in domestic situations.
I designed this product but have no commercial connection with the company that makes it now.
This raising platform has been used on both caravans (its original purpose), motorhomes and in domestic situations.
I designed this product but have no commercial connection with the company that makes it now.
Just had another thought. For those who are disabled there is a national voluntary association called REMAP who will design and make equipment that is not commercially available to overcome their particular problem, see www.remap.org.
There have been many solutions devised for caravans and motorhomes to aid access. There is no charge though donations are welcome.
Hi,
I am Stuart from Roma Caravans based in Hertforshire. We are makers of bespoke handmade Caravans.
I am sorry to hear about your wife and we at Roma produce wheelchair accesable caravans. We do this by installing a french door which can be installed in both the lounge area or as shown in our show model, both the lounge and bedroom. They are also wider than the standars 7'6" trailer by 6 inches, yes this makes towong more difficult but does make the difference inside.
We have just booked a stand for the 2010 Boat and Caravan show in which we will be doing the official launch of the all hew Roma.
Our trailers are like no other, you choose what you want and where you want it.
Please feel free to contact me on 08700 724365. As i say, we are based in Hertfordshire and we would welcome you for a tour of our factory and show you exactly what we are about.
If you would like some info via email please contact me on sa@romacaravans.com.
Many thanks,
Stuart Aitken
Roma Caravans Ltd
I am Stuart from Roma Caravans based in Hertforshire. We are makers of bespoke handmade Caravans.
I am sorry to hear about your wife and we at Roma produce wheelchair accesable caravans. We do this by installing a french door which can be installed in both the lounge area or as shown in our show model, both the lounge and bedroom. They are also wider than the standars 7'6" trailer by 6 inches, yes this makes towong more difficult but does make the difference inside.
We have just booked a stand for the 2010 Boat and Caravan show in which we will be doing the official launch of the all hew Roma.
Our trailers are like no other, you choose what you want and where you want it.
Please feel free to contact me on 08700 724365. As i say, we are based in Hertfordshire and we would welcome you for a tour of our factory and show you exactly what we are about.
If you would like some info via email please contact me on sa@romacaravans.com.
Many thanks,
Stuart Aitken
Roma Caravans Ltd
Damian
Moderator
- Mar 14, 2005
- 7,510
- 936
- 30,935
Whilst it is a nice thought that Stuart from Roma has sort of offered what may look like a solution please be aware that as Roma vans are 8ft wide you MUST have a tow vehicle with a GVW 3501kg or more.
This rules out every "normal" car, 4x4 and van until you get up to the really big vans which then require extra licence entitlements for LGV.
Please also be very aware that Roma vans ar etreated much the same as the large Hobby and Tabbert vans in as much as a lot of commercial sites will not allow them on site
This rules out every "normal" car, 4x4 and van until you get up to the really big vans which then require extra licence entitlements for LGV.
Please also be very aware that Roma vans ar etreated much the same as the large Hobby and Tabbert vans in as much as a lot of commercial sites will not allow them on site
Thanks for your comments.
We are buying in a 7'6" chassis in which we hope to have finished in time for the 2010 shows to accomodate for this as we are aware of this issue.
Many thanks,
Stu
Thanks for your comments.
We are buying in a 7'6" chassis in which we hope to have finished in time for the 2010 shows to accomodate for this as we are aware of this issue.
Many thanks,
Stu
We are buying in a 7'6" chassis in which we hope to have finished in time for the 2010 shows to accomodate for this as we are aware of this issue.
Many thanks,
Stu
Facebook
Twitter