Handicapped Access

Retired and Happy · 10-02-2007, 09:41 AM

We're beginning to seriously consider a lift to help get our special needs kids into our motorhome. We have five kids up to 100 pounds, and five steps up to floor level. Between their increasing weights and our advancing ages, the steps get higher every trip.

I think because the main aisle is so narrow, we would opt for a seat type lift that swings into the step area, and we would move the kids manually to their seats. I've seen a couple that mount on the outside of the motorhome and the seat and lift pole are removed for travel. I've even seen one where the seat can also be moved to a mount adjacent to the shower to swing in and be used as a shower seat.

Does anyone have experience with such a device? Are they sufficiently rugged for long term use? Do they draw heavily on the batteries? If removable, are they easily removable? Cost? Ease of installation, etc??? Recommend? Avoid? We're looking for a combination of ease-of-use, rugged, economical, and safe.

Thanks for any comments.

Retired and Happy · 10-02-2007, 09:41 AM

We're beginning to seriously consider a lift to help get our special needs kids into our motorhome. We have five kids up to 100 pounds, and five steps up to floor level. Between their increasing weights and our advancing ages, the steps get higher every trip.

I think because the main aisle is so narrow, we would opt for a seat type lift that swings into the step area, and we would move the kids manually to their seats. I've seen a couple that mount on the outside of the motorhome and the seat and lift pole are removed for travel. I've even seen one where the seat can also be moved to a mount adjacent to the shower to swing in and be used as a shower seat.

Does anyone have experience with such a device? Are they sufficiently rugged for long term use? Do they draw heavily on the batteries? If removable, are they easily removable? Cost? Ease of installation, etc??? Recommend? Avoid? We're looking for a combination of ease-of-use, rugged, economical, and safe.

Thanks for any comments.

**"007"** · 10-27-2007, 02:37 PM

Here are some lifts that work off chassis battery or coach battery in pinch.

SEAT LIFTS

MH LIFTS

RVLIFESTYLE

most lifts must have to be safty approved by industry.

Retired and Happy · 10-28-2007, 06:00 PM

Thanks for the links. I've seen a Lectra-Aid and a Coach-Lift, and the pictures look identical. Coach-Lift said they would send installation instructions and provide phone tech assistance to a certified installer that I locate, such as a hitch installer, that meets their approval. Or they would send me the instructions to show a "reputable/certified" installer.