Everything You Need to Know About Wheelchair Accessible RVs and Camping

When it comes to destressing, nothing beats taking a long road trip. It’s a great way to take a vacation while still maintaining control over your itinerary, putting you (maybe even literally) in the driver’s seat. 

While taking a spin through the big city in your wheelchair accessible vehicle can be fun, those who like to spend more time outdoors might like to go camping in an RV instead. Luckily, there are accessible RV options available. It can be hard to know where to start when buying an accessible motorhome or camper van, but it’s just like purchasing any other accessible vehicle. 

[Pictured: Ram ProMaster Winnebago Roam | Photography by Winnebago]

Where Should I Start When Buying An Accessible RV?

As you would with any other vehicle purchase, you should start by assessing your needs. Keep in mind what kind of accessibility features you will need and look for a vehicle that has those. Tie downs, hand controls, adequate ramp size, and ramp operation are all features worth looking for, as not every RV conversion will have all of them in the configuration you may need. 

Once you get those details squared away, you should consider what you would like to do in your vehicle. Ask yourself a few questions about what your vacation is going to be like.

• How much space would you like to have in the vehicle?
• How many people will be sleeping in the vehicle?
• Will you need to have access to a shower in your vehicle, or will you shower at a campsite?
• What kind of amenities would you like to have in the vehicle?
• Will you be spending a lot of time in the vehicle, or will you be outside most of your trip?
• Will you be staying somewhere with capacity for a full-size RV?

[Pictured: Ram ProMaster Winnebago Roam | Photography by Winnebago]

These factors can all help guide you to which type of accessible RV or camper van you’d like to purchase. A bigger, fully-decked out Class A RV like the Winnebago Adventurer AE will come with pretty much everything you could ever need, but it will cost you. Lots of comfy seats, a freezer, fridge, stove and a 39” TV all come standard, but the Adventurer starts out around $240,000.

For those looking for a smaller vehicle, a Class B RV may be the way to go. These RVs are closer to the size of a cargo van, which can make them easier to drive and more affordable. The Winnebago Roam is built on top of a 2021 Ram ProMaster, making it the perfect vehicle for the accessible “van life.” While it’s still much smaller than the Adventurer, it does come with a fridge, microwave, bathroom and shower. It seats up to five people and can sleep up to two, but with the pop-top upgrade it can sleep up to four. It also comes with a smaller price tag — although pricing on the converted Roam isn’t finalized, unadapted Class B RVs from Winnebago start around $100,000.

Where to Find Wheelchair Accessible RV Parks?

RV parks are just like any other public accommodation, and are required to provide accommodations for people with disabilities. Any bathrooms or other facilities will be required to follow ADA guidelines. Of course, you may find some facilities are more accessible then others depending on how modern they are or how well they’ve been maintained. If you’d like to get an idea for how accessible a campground is before you go, check resources like the RVing Accessibility Group, which reviews RV parks based on their accessibility.

About Freedom Motors USA Handicap Vehicles For Sale

Why buy your wheelchair accessible vehicle from Freedom Motors USA? It’s simple. Freedom Motors is family-owned and has been creating accessible vehicle conversions since 1987, making us one of the first companies in the industry. We have experience getting our customers what they need.

• Don’t know where to start? Our team of Mobility Specialists will work with you to help find the vehicle that best suits your needs.
• Shop from Home – Freedom Motors will come to you anywhere in the country to provide a demonstration of any of our wheelchair conversions.
• Exclusive Stock – Shop our expansive list of Wheelchair Accessible SUVs that you won’t find anywhere else in the mobility industry, including the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Kia Sorento, Kia Soul, Kia Telluride and Honda HR-V.
• Hybrid Vehicles – Check out the industry’s first Toyota Sienna Hybrid Wheelchair Van wheelchair-accessible conversion, with a no-charge hybrid drivetrain making it the most efficient wheelchair van on the market.
• Premium Features – Freedom Motors conversions offer top-of-the-line features, like the automatic rear-entry ramp or our full and half-cut options that allow for more passenger seating options.
• Superwide Ramps – Freedom Motors offers the widest ramps in the industry that you won’t find anywhere else, including the Superwide 40” Dodge Grand Caravan and the Superwide 48” Toyota Sienna.
• Dedicated to Keeping You Moving – Contact us today and we’ll work with you to find the right vehicle for you.