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Topic: Handicap Mobility Issues (Read 2 times) previous topic - next topic
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Handicap Mobility Issues
Yahoo Message Number: 56343
Greetings Everyone,

A week from today, I should be picking up our new-to-us 2000 30IB in AZ and driving it back to NY.  It has been back to the mothership for a check up and some minor adjustments so I feel confident that all will be well when I arrive there. So, I am moving on to some other issues.  We got the 30IB because of my wife's back problems.  There are a few other things I must deal with: 1) Does anyone have ideas about installing a larger hand rail at the entry?  The factory said that the ref would have to come out so that additional blocking could be placed along side the framing in back of it.  2) Has anyone experience with taking an electric scooter (3 wheel like a Rascal) along with you?  Ed was talking about a carrier that fits into the 2" receiver.  As usual your thoughts are appreciated.

Greg and Karen

Finger Lakes Gonnabes
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56345
"grenge"  wrote:

We got the 30IB because of my wife's back problems.  There are a few other things I must deal with: 1) Does anyone have ideas about installing a larger hand rail at the entry?  The factory said that the ref would have to come out so that additional blocking could be placed along side the framing in back of it.  2) Has anyone experience with taking an electric scooter (3 wheel like a Rascal) along with you?
------

You might check the "Enabled RVers" web site:
 http://maxpages.com/enabledrver 
Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56348
1) Does anyone have ideas
 
Quote
about installing a larger hand rail at the entry?  The factory said that the ref would have to come out so that additional blocking could be placed along side the framing in back of it.

It just doesn't make sense that a *larger* handle would require more support than the regular small one, if they're being asked to bear the same load and it would be attached to the door framing.  I'm considering adding something like following item from Campingworld so my mom can travel with us:
 http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=26063&src= SRQB

tiny version:

http://tinyurl.com/72up2
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56351
1) "Does anyone have ideas about installing a larger hand rail at
 the entry?  The factory said that the ref would have to come out so that additional blocking could be placed along side the framing in back of it."

Quote
Greg and Karen Finger Lakes Gonnabes
Greg & Karen

I also have a 30'IB.

What you describe is quite similar to my experience. Anticipating the need for a handicap assist bar on the INTERIOR wall just inside the entryway I asked Steve Newton to reimforce that area. He did as I asked and I now have a standard grab rail mounted on that wall, great for pulling the weight of a challenged adult up the steps.

As I understand your question, you are thinking about an EXTERIOR hand rail. I believe the factory gave you good advise and I wish I also had had the forethought to ask for reinforcement in that area.
Removing and reinstalling the fridge should be no big job for a competent RV repair facility. It's a little stretch for you to utilize the mothership but you should be able to find some facility in the wilderness of upstate New York (I was born and grew up there). ;>)

Steve S.
Lazy Bones
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Handicap Mobility Issues
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56353
Don't know if this helps or not, but when we placed our order, we asked about a large bar at the entry (on the refrigerator side).  They told us the only option was to have it blocked as it was built, so we went with this option.

I have no idea how to do it aftermarket.
 Sorry!  That said, the 30IB is so spacious I'm sure your wife will have an easy time navigating inside.  We went with the 30TB for just a bit more room.

Hope to meet you on the road one of these days!

Kate
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56354
Quote
Greetings Everyone,
 A week from today, I should be picking up our new-to-us 2000 30IB in AZ and driving it back to NY.
We had two 10/12"  handles installed for my disabled husband.  One in place of the elliptical one outside and one inside where we had to sacrifice the drop down extension. We have a 26.5 R/B.  Handles came from Home Depot, chrome, less than $10 I think.  They have worked very well with NO re-inforcement. Husband says he is 175, I suspect more.
Not easily weighed because of disability.  Also use 2 folding platform steps, Lowes, Home Depot, Camping world, one cut down to half of other's height for ease of entry. These steps have been much admired.
Please e-m me for tel. # if you need other advice.  SC
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56355
Quote from: joanne0012"

(snip) "...installing a larger hand rail at the entry?....I'm considering adding something like following item from Campingworld so my mom can travel with us: http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=26063&src= SRQB tiny version: http://tinyurl.com/72up2"

I would think this one would give quite a boost for those who have problems getting in and out of the LD:
 http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm? prodID=1820&src=SRQB

(Sorry, don't know how to get the tiny URL.)

Anne Johnson

Very Warm La Verne, CA
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56357
Greg and Karen,  The guys at the mother ship are probably correct about the need for additional blocking.  The blocking for the factory installed handle is probably strong enough for a larger handle it just may not be in the right place for the new handle.  Depending on how handy you are and how much muscle you have access to it is possible to slide the frig out and install the necessary blocking and handle at home.  Remember you can't make the handle attachment too strong.
As for the 3-wheel scooter, we have carried my wife's Sierra/Lark for several years/miles on a home built platform attached to the back of our 22' LD using the factory installed hitch receiver.  As long as the total weight doesn't exceed the rated tongue weight of the receiver you shouldn't have a problem.  We used to carry the scooter on a similar rack on the back of a Buick Skylark, that was scary, but the 10,000 pound MH doesn't seem bothered.  If you would like pictures and more information on the scooter platform please send me your E-mail address and I will send them.  Good luck  Gene
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues - Now Tiny URL web site
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56364
"Barry Barnes"  wrote: (snip)  "Here is the Tiny URL web site: http://tinyurl.com/ "Anne Johnson"  wrote: Hi Barry:  Thank you for this web site, will be a great convenience! -----
 TinyURL and SnipURL (www.snipurl.com) *are* handy tools; I'm surprised they're still free!

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues - Now Tiny URL web site
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56368
We asked Tim at the 'Mothership' about installing the larger handles, especially the one Anne linked. His answer was to make sure that whoever was installing it, did a good job.
There's solid wood around those doorframes, so I'd think that a larger handle would be no problem. Before I'd add one, though, I'd call the factory just to double-check exactly what the limitations are.

Ilene & John 2004 26.5MB 'Red Zoe' Still looking for 'Zeke the Jeep'
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues P.S.
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56369
Quote
Greetings Everyone,

1) Does anyone have ideas
 about installing a larger hand rail at the entry?
I went to our LD and carefully checked to see if there was any evidence of stresses, strains or loosening around the 10" grab bars that we both use to haul our selves in and out of coach. All is tight.
The long foldable one from Camping World would also be an option.
Forgot to mention My husband uses a foldable Easy-Travel scooter which I, a LOL of 73 load onto a bicycle ladder hanger from camping world. I see scooter advertised under other names. Separates into 3 light parts.
Please let us know of your progress, best wishes.  SC.
 
Re: Handicap Mobility Issues
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 56391
Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions about mobility issues a couple of days ago.  You were all very encouraging.  I suspect that I will get some help and add blocking to enable use to add the grab bars my wife wants.
 As for the hitch, I raised the issue of the scooter when I was at the factory last January and Ed recommended building a homemade rack to be used with the 2" hitch.  He seemed to think that that would be no problem as long as we did not exceed the hitch weight limitation.
 That said, I will be flying off to AZ on Sunday and expect to take my time driving back to NY.  So, I will delay further consideration of the modifications until I get back.

Thanks again,

Greg and Karen Finger Lakes Gonnabes