Making Your RV Handicap Accessible for You and Your Pets

Making Your RV Handicap Accessible for You and Your Pets will make sure everyone gets in on the fun!

Camping and traveling is enjoyed by many people and pets, despite health issues, thanks to today’s technology. Many of us have pets that need special accommodations and with some minor changes to your RV or upgrading to a more handicap accessible RV you can continue to travel comfortably.
In 2017-2018 American Pet Products Association (APPA) conducted a survey that sixty-eight percent of households own a pet and thirty-seven percent of those pet owners travel with their pets.

For most of my life I have had a dog and my dog always went on adventures, too. My pal was Little Bit. She was a Mountain Feist. I’ll talk more about Little Bit in a little bit. In this blog I’d like to share my story and give you ideas for making your RV handicap accessible for yourself and your pet.

I have camped in everything from a tent to a thirty-foot pull behind. I would like to offer ideas for all situations. First a little about my dog, Little Bit, she was a medium size dog who had a lot of health problems. We rescued her at the age of eight from a dog pound. She lived to be sixteen in people years. When her health started to fade, we made accommodations for her which also benefited us. Below you will learn more about what you can do to make your life and your pets’ life better.

Steps/Ramps
One of the simplest modifications is adding a ramp or purchasing automatic steps. There are some great products on the market and Life Essentials RV motorhome step lift is one of them. It will keep you on the road to travel; stand or sit the step lift is an asset and worth the investment. Click here to view Life Essential products.

At the time, when Little Bit was at her worst, we had a conversion van and we built a homemade ramp for her to go up and down. She also had a seat assigned especially for her. It was adorned with her favorite blanket and accommodated her needs. There are many ways to create a dog ramp for your truck, RV or van. The best version for the money is one created by Goo and Lou. Inexpensive, sturdy, easy to store and perfect for your pooch.

For someone who has a daughter who uses a wheelchair on occasion and has friends who have family members in wheelchairs full-time I understand the need for accommodations to RV’s. They do make and sell wheelchair accessible motorhomes much like the one talked about in this video. I find that toy haulers also make excellent campers for the disabled. Easy to access and lots of space once you are inside.

Inside Table
I feel it is important to include everyone in dinner time and therefore making adjustments to the dining area of the RV is an easy thing to do. As I mentioned we have owned everything form tents to pull behinds and at one point we had a thirty-foot travel trailer that we loved. To make mealtime more accessible for our daughter, there were no slide outs, we removed the manufacturers dinette set and put in a bar. She could wheel herself up to the bar to do schoolwork, artwork or to eat. While Mountain Modern Life removed their dinette and made a custom entertainment center vs a bar they demonstrate very well how to remove the dinette. Here is another example of what can be done to modify the dinette area to make your RV more handicap friendly. Ours was not as fancy as the ones listed above but it was functionable.

Related Read: Accessible RVs: Disabilities Not a Hindrance to RV Fun

Handrails/Bathroom Modifications
Many times, it is hard to navigate through the RV itself. Installing handrails in hallways and in the bathroom gives those who need it a little something to grab onto. Doing something as small as adding a shower chair in the RV shower can make a huge difference for those who need a little time to sit and wash. Now what about your pet? What can you do for them? Even a pet needs a bath from time to time and dear old Fido deserves help as much as we do. By installing a handheld bath sprayer it will double as an assist for you and your pet. Lessons from A Paralyzed Dog talks about how to bathe your pet properly and safely. Many RVs come with outdoor shower attachments so this would work well inside or outside your camper. It would be beneficial outdoors too for you because if you are getting a haircut and want to wash your hair this set up would work for that too.

Electrical Options
When it comes to buying an RV choosing one with electrical options is beneficial. Look for one with an electric awning, stabilizers, and tongue jack. A hydraulic leveler is another option. Technology is great when it works and to keep your systems working properly maintenance is, they key. Check out this video on hydraulic levelers.

Related Read: An Easy (and Imperative) Guide to Daily RV Maintenance and Inspection

Conclusion

It is my belief that camping and traveling improves the mind, body and spirit. Therefore, do not let your health keep you from doing what you love. For me, when I hit the road, my blood pressure stabilizes, my anxiety improves, and I am happier. It is as simple as that – camping makes you happy. Upgrade, modify and transform that motorhome into a handicap happy home on wheels.