Mobility Issues

[Andyboy]

Hi,

I’m trying to find some information about something that may not even exist so hang tight!

I’d like to get my dad into a T6 size / style camper as it would suit him perfectly. However he has a fairly serious mobility issue in terms of his ability to climb any kind of steps, for example he can’t climb into my transit custom without some assistance. His day to day vehicle is a 2003 Ford ranger 4x4 pickup which has a perfect seat height for him to navigate into.

So my theoretical solutions are as follows:

An air ride style suspension system that would lower the whole vehicle down so he can sit straight into the seat, this may not drop down low enough.

An air adjustable seat that could be lowered right down and then raised once on board.

A stowable ‘power step’ that he could stand on and then raise himself up.

Has anyone got any experience of anything along those lines?

Or am I just clutching at straws?!

Thanks

[Scrump]

I think some of the Japanese import campers have lower seats than a Volkswagen. I am thinking of Toyota Alphard and the like.

Wellhouse convert a wide range of Japanese imports, may be worth asking them which has the lowest seat height etc.
https://wellhouseleisure.com/

[ferret50]

May be worth seeking out a specialist firm in the mobility conversion marketplace, perhaps be able to give you an idea of what can be done.

We do have at least one such member...... got4wheels....I think, who drives from a wheelchair, so 'just' aids to get your dad into a vehicle should be possible!

[z4goon]

Ranger you say?



Appreciate it might be a bit difficult getting in the back with mobility issues. We use a small stepladder with ours although the truck is lifted and has a flatbed instead of the factory tub which makes it sit higher.

[agent006]

Chap round the corner from me has a T5 on air that goes low enough to sit the front bumper on the ground. Suspect it's needed some amount of work to achieve this, but it is doable.
Hgv seats are air suspended so that's an option that's possible with a bit of fabrication etc.

[GreatGranny]

Is the T6 going to be used instead of his Ranger or as a campervan?

[TwinKam]

EmailAddress said:

No experience but a quick Google...

LINK

That's just brilliant.

[Got4wheels]

ferret50 said:

May be worth seeking out a specialist firm in the mobility conversion marketplace, perhaps be able to give you an idea of what can be done.

We do have at least one such member...... got4wheels....I think, who drives from a wheelchair, so 'just' aids to get your dad into a vehicle should be possible!

I'd say Ferret is pretty spot on OP. Sirus and GM coachwork are major ones and do accept private work. There are many others, so I'd say it'd pay to shop around as quotes are rarely cheap, sadly.

What may be beneficial for your Dad is where the drivers seat is put on a motor which can pivot out and lower down to street level so your Dad can get in far easier. It'd be far easier than an air suspension and can be fitted to most vehicles of many ages. I follow the company based in Germany that provided the hand controls for my van on Instagram and they have fitted similar seating systems to mid 90s onwards motorhomes, so there should be a solution that works for him.

Michael