Community Forums

Corvette joe · 03-07-2019, 09:51 AM

Hey folks, anyone ever add a seatbelt and wheelchair tie downs to a class a motor home? We have a daughter in a wheelchair but are having a hard time finding a coach we like (within our budget of course) . So the other option is to add, or have a shop add a seatbelt and tie downs whereas she can remain in her chair while driving? Any information would bè helpful. Also we are located in Canada. Thanks in advance

mobilemike · 03-07-2019, 10:16 AM

I am sure you daughter would enjoy getting out of the wheel chair and sitting in a more comfortable chair or couch for the trip. Most rvs have a pretty simple system for bolting down chairs and attaching seat belts. You can open up your options if you realize you can move or remove or add a chair or couch. It is more desirable to have a chair or couch behind the front passenger seat so the driver can see and converse without turning their head too far. You could even position a chair for her in between but behind the driver and passenger seat that is secured but can be removed once you reach your destination. She will have a good view out the windshield and be part of the conversation easier.

Corvette joe · 03-07-2019, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the reply mobilemike. She is unable to sit without lateral support as she has no core strength..she absouloutly loves her wheelchair as crazy as that sounds. We have a full size car seat (Columbia Medical) but she still prefers her chair. Can you explain the couch behind the captain's chairs? Sounds very interesting

Bob_C · 03-07-2019, 11:21 AM

Couchs I've seen face out away from the wall.....but butted up against....

Pirate · 03-07-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobilemike

I am sure you daughter would enjoy getting out of the wheel chair and sitting in a more comfortable chair or couch for the trip. Most rvs have a pretty simple system for bolting down chairs and attaching seat belts. You can open up your options if you realize you can move or remove or add a chair or couch. It is more desirable to have a chair or couch behind the front passenger seat so the driver can see and converse without turning their head too far. You could even position a chair for her in between but behind the driver and passenger seat that is secured but can be removed once you reach your destination. She will have a good view out the windshield and be part of the conversation easier.

Some simply cannot be out of their wheelchairs. Just the way it is.

Op - Putting in tie-downs is completely doable but the problem you will face is finding a place to do it without crying about liability. Another problem with putting in tie-downs is anchoring them to something sturdy, which is most cases will be the frame. It can be done though so I would google "rv wheelchair conversions" and call some of the shops it brings up. More than likely one of them would help you with tie-downs or ez-lock system. I personally would try for tie-down points vs. ez-lock system so the ez-lock plate does not have to be in the middle of the floor tripping people. My wifes wheelchair butts up the rear of the dog house so it serves as a wheel block. The foot rests come off the wheelchair and she rests her feet on a larger cushion I made to rest on the dog house. I can barely fit between her wheelchair and the seat to get into the driver seat but I can. I have a tie-down point I put into the step well side and one more I put in the slide-out floor. They are far from the wheelchair location so I use heavy nylon tie-down straps to reach the chair. Additionally, I attached another seat belt to both driver and passenger chairs to form a lap belt for my wifes chair.

RickNC · 03-07-2019, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corvette joe

Hey folks, anyone ever add a seatbelt and wheelchair tie downs to a class a motor home? We have a daughter in a wheelchair but are having a hard time finding a coach we like (within our budget of course) . So the other option is to add, or have a shop add a seatbelt and tie downs whereas she can remain in her chair while driving? Any information would bè helpful. Also we are located in Canada. Thanks in advance

A few years ago I installed a wheelchair dock on a pontoon boat, Pretty simple devices commonly used in hand control vans. I used a 6x6" 3/8" thick 6061 aluminum backing plate on the bottom side of the 3/4" decking. secured it with 4- 5/16" bolts. I think the whole system including adapter plate for wheel chair cost about $500.

WorldCat25 · 03-07-2019, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corvette joe

Thanks for the reply mobilemike. She is unable to sit without lateral support as she has no core strength..she absouloutly loves her wheelchair as crazy as that sounds. We have a full size car seat (Columbia Medical) but she still prefers her chair. Can you explain the couch behind the captain's chairs? Sounds very interesting

Joe, good luck finding a solution. I have a special needs son and have also given boat rides to wounded warriors and other special needs people. It's far easier in a boat than an RV.

I have seen a few RV's with a foward facing chair behind the co-pilot seat. I imagine you could remove than seat and use the attachments to lock in the wheelchair and also add a seat belt.

Best wishes.

Corvette joe · 03-07-2019, 11:39 PM

Thank you for all the replies. I will call Winnebago seeing they have purpose built ones to see if I can get any direction..

mobilemike · 03-08-2019, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corvette joe

Thanks for the reply mobilemike. She is unable to sit without lateral support as she has no core strength..she absouloutly loves her wheelchair as crazy as that sounds. We have a full size car seat (Columbia Medical) but she still prefers her chair. Can you explain the couch behind the captain's chairs? Sounds very interesting

Some floor plans have a couch on either side of the MH just behind the front seats. I would prefer having the couch on the passengers side making conversation with the driver easier.

As far as a chair. Either the wheel chair or a lounge chair could be mounted in temporary mounts behind either the driver or passenger seats or in between the seats just to the rear. Depending on your mechanical ability it could be something you can do yourself with out the expense of custom instillation.

The actual tie downs are available retail with no problem. Fabricating a mount to the floor is a little more difficult but can be done DIY.

https://www.discountramps.com/qrtdlx...hoCGzUQAvD_BwE

TCollins · 03-08-2019, 12:03 PM

Joe, we took our jack knife couch out that already had seatbelts in place and replaced it with two recliners. If you have that option you could remove the couch, use some of the space for the wheel chair and the remaining space for a chair or recliner. That way the seat belts would already be in place. You would just need to figure a way to anchor the wheel chair.

It would probably be very expensive to have a shop do it since they will have to meet all state and federal regulations for such an install.

Corvette joe · 03-09-2019, 03:20 AM

Thanks again folks, it's looking more and more like I'm going to add the wheelchair tie downs myself. I have an extensive mechanical and design engineering background so I'm not too worried about it. I'm in the process of purchasing the hardware to do the install. I will post some pics when complete. Thanks again. Awesome forum.

WDW · 03-09-2019, 04:09 AM

Go to / search a bus or school bus supply company as a source.

mobilemike · 03-09-2019, 02:17 PM

If you are a design engineer, then design what you want. Then had it to a mechanic to see if it will actually work.

**hamm2018** · 03-09-2019, 07:13 PM

I drive part time for a company which transport individual to medical appts. and such We transport wheelchairs everyday and use mini vans and smaller buses. As a restraint system it is called Q-Straint. Check it out this may be what will work for you.

https://www.qstraint.com/

This place is also from Canada