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09-18-2016, 11:05 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
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Park model trailer floor stability for wheelchairs
Hello,
I have never owned an RV or trailer, but I am considering purchasing and modifying a park model trailer as a permanent home.
I use a motorized wheelchair that weighs just over 500 lbs. with me in it.
I'm concerned about the long term stability of the floor.
Do folks here with experience know if I should reinforce the floor somehow?
Any other thoughts?
Thanks
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09-18-2016, 11:15 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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When you set the trailer in it's spot, support the frame with multiple jack stands or blocks. It should be plenty stable and secure that way.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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09-18-2016, 11:23 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BFlinn181
When you set the trailer in it's spot, support the frame with multiple jack stands or blocks. It should be plenty stable and secure that way.
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Great advice, thank you
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09-18-2016, 11:23 AM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 19,203
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There's is not an active Park Model community on iRV2, but you might start a change there.
I would submit that the flooring of all HUD compliant built Park Model homes would have no problem with a 500 lb loading on the average footprint of a wheelchair.
The obvious problems would be doorway widths and fixture heights (sinks, countertops, etc.)
It might be less expensive in the long run to just start with an ADA approved/compatible floorplan. The large makers (Athens, Delta, etc.) offer these floorplans. Changing doors and fixtures in these prefab units (similar to RV modifications) could get expensive.
Best luck
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09-18-2016, 11:35 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: N. E. Ohio & Lady Lake Fl.
Posts: 1,120
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I can't speak to wheelchair, but a friend uses a three wheel Rascal in his with no problems.
__________________
Ron WD8CBT
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left
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09-18-2016, 12:11 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scarab0088
There's is not an active Park Model community on iRV2, but you might start a change there.
I would submit that the flooring of all HUD compliant built Park Model homes would have no problem with a 500 lb loading on the average footprint of a wheelchair.
The obvious problems would be doorway widths and fixture heights (sinks, countertops, etc.)
It might be less expensive in the long run to just start with an ADA approved/compatible floorplan. The large makers (Athens, Delta, etc.) offer these floorplans. Changing doors and fixtures in these prefab units (similar to RV modifications) could get expensive.
Best luck
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Well, park model community or not, I'm already impressed with how responsive and helpful this group is, and its much appreciated.
I won't be able to live within a standard interior of any RV with my particular needs. Even ADA models won't really work for me. My plan is to either gut a used one or see if I can talk a manufacturer into selling me an empty shell.
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09-18-2016, 12:20 PM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 19,203
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rva2112
Well, park model community or not, I'm already impressed...My plan is to either gut a used one or see if I can talk a manufacturer into selling me an empty shell.
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Exciting idea
Buying used and gutting it would probably be very affordable. And, with the floor exposed, any reinforcement desired would be so easy.
Buying a new empty shell is surely an option...this builder even offers it...see "They only look expensive"
Home - Rich's Portable Cabins & Tiny Homes
Best luck
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09-18-2016, 12:43 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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I would think that manufactures have ADA compliant models, accommodations for wheel chairs including flooribf, etc. Given much of the targeted market segment.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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09-28-2016, 08:00 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vsheetz
I would think that manufactures have ADA compliant models, accommodations for wheel chairs including flooribf, etc. Given much of the targeted market segment.
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I have found a few ADA models that have some of the features that I need, but I will still have to do quite a bit of renovating. Also, after reading through this forum and learning more about the RV vehicles, I'm beginning to consider a class A RV as an option. Since I am unable to drive, I had dismissed the RV option before, but if I find one large enough it might actually work out really well for me and be more portable. I also think that the floor will be more suitable for my wheelchair (as per this thread). Right now I'm looking at all of the possibilities.
........
FYI, I do not want to post a link in the forum, because I assume it is against the rules and I don't want to be one of "those" guys anyway, but this morning I decided to take a chance on a gofundme page for this project. If anybody is interested in at least seeing the details just for the sake of seeing what I'm trying to accomplish feel free to pm me for the link. I'm sure I will be back on this site frequently to get advice if I ever get this off the ground.
Thanks all!
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09-28-2016, 10:16 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Mesa/Payson, Arizona
Posts: 887
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09-28-2016, 10:26 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Huntsville, AL/Helen, GA
Posts: 1,555
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rva2112
I won't be able to live within a standard interior of any RV with my particular needs. Even ADA models won't really work for me. My plan is to either gut a used one or see if I can talk a manufacturer into selling me an empty shell.
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Park models are often made buy small volume manufacturers. They could easily custom build one with wider door faces and a handicap bathroom/kitchen facilities.
The modern park models are very nice inside for minimal square feet. They're equipped with normal bathrooms and kitchen appliances, and should work fine for you.
The only problem I see is finding a place to put tiny homes as housing regulations of most cities prohibit them, RV's and mobile homes in nicer parts of town.
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09-28-2016, 10:57 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bamaman
Park models are often made buy small volume manufacturers. They could easily custom build one with wider door faces and a handicap bathroom/kitchen facilities.
The modern park models are very nice inside for minimal square feet. They're equipped with normal bathrooms and kitchen appliances, and should work fine for you.
The only problem I see is finding a place to put tiny homes as housing regulations of most cities prohibit them, RV's and mobile homes in nicer parts of town.
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Thanks for the advice, I'm still leaning toward the park models because of these very reasons.
The target location for the home is the Florida Keys and there are numerous places where I could put the unit.
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09-28-2016, 11:01 AM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GoneToTheDog
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wow! that looks roomy!
the bathroom is almost perfect too
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09-28-2016, 07:15 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,682
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If you're unable to drive I don't think a Class A would be a good option. They are meant to be driven.
Gutting an older Park Model and redoing it could also be just as costly by the time you hire a carpenter and purchase new materials.
Have you considered a regular mobile home already set up in a community? It would give you a lot more floorspace and they are built better than Park Models and better insulated for the Florida heat. Your air conditioning bill would be more reasonable. There have to be lots of them in Florida with all the retirees down there. You could even do a search for one that's already been modified for a wheelchair as I assume there would be many users of such in Florida.
....just more to think about. Best of luck to you whatever you do!
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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