John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on May 20, 2014 21:29:25 GMT -8
OK, maybe not full handicap access is possible due to the narrow door widths and space restrictions, but what kind of ideas do you have that have helped someone with a little difficulty getting "in and out" of a vintage trailer safely?
My wife recently had a fall out of our trailer (at the Mission Bay Rally) and broke her foot. She has had some past medical challenges, and it does not take very much for her to twist an ankle, or break a bone. I'm of the belief that this is a common problem for many people, and we have to admit that we are not going to get more agile as time goes by and we still want to enjoy our hobby.
In order for her to attend the Pismo Beach Rally this past weekend, I fabricated a sturdy hand rail out of 1 3/8" chromoly tubing. It has three parts, was made to be quick release, and is secured with only three set screws. It attaches to a bracket bolted to the slide out step. It has a base that is supported by the weight of the trailer, and the weight of the person standing on the step. It is very solid and sturdy. It all comes apart and fits under the seat and bed.
We used it all weekend, with hundreds of people walking through our trailer on the open house Saturday. We received lots of comments about where did we buy it? LOL
What ideas have others used to make their trailers a little easier to use for those that have a little problem getting around?
Vikx, You might want to figure out a way to have a section for Vintage Safety Access? |
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ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on May 21, 2014 13:18:00 GMT -8
I fell off of the step on my trailer a few years ago and broke my ankle. The step was just too high, sine then I have purchased a wide aerobics step from walmart, which we use as necessary. However, when I had the accident I was camping alone with my young girls and was suddenly handicapped for several days. One thing I noticed right away is that RV beds are not that stable due to the fold out/ put away aspect. I was using the dinette one as it was most accessible, but it kept tipping forward every time I got up. In addition, one side broke off due to the cheap shoddy construction of the side support rails. They were only screwed into the cheap wallboard with nothing behind them. I had never noticed because we did not use the dinette bed until I broke my foot. This was a Forrest River Hybrid trailer we had at the time.
I asked my husband to beef up the side supports, and we also cut a piece of PCV pipe to the right height to use the tubular table support in the bed height position and add extra stability. The PVC pipe was smaller than the chrome table support tube, so it slipped inside nicely when not needed. It's not a bad idea to inspect the bed structure on any dinette bed, before you have to use it.. I found out the hard way.
On my vintage trailer, I will be designing the dinette from scratch and will make sure it's done right.
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Post by bigbill on May 21, 2014 16:34:57 GMT -8
Over the years I have seen a lot of people hurt using the slide out metal steps on a camper. My wife broke her leg in Sept of 2012 (not on a step) and due to complications she is just now learning to walk again so I totally understand the problem. My thoughts right now is to build two wooden boxes one about 3'x4' for a base then 2'x3' for the next step (this would allow access with a walker if needed) Then have a handrail that would bolt to the side of the box steps holding them together plus providing a stable hand rail. To secure the steps I am thinking of a small jack between them and the bottom of the trailer to prevent shifting. Also covering the tops with rubber mat to prevent slipping if wet. The two steps would be safer than one higher step for access to my Shasta and by building the entire thing in three pieces it would be light enough to handle and small enough to haul inside the trailer. Making each step about 5" tall and by each step being 3' wide and 2' deep it would handle a walker/Cane with ease.
Then I will make a sturdy bag to put each one in to protect the trailer when hauling them.
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John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 575
Currently Offline
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Post by John Palmer on May 21, 2014 19:56:26 GMT -8
BigBill, I guess two old gezzer's are "thinking alike", LOL. Both of our concepts are close.
I first tried to use a small hydraulic bottle jack to apply downward pressure on the hand rail base using the trailer as weight. It worked well, but the jack was old and it leaked down pressure in a days time period. The next try was with a very old scissor's "screw type" jack. It's not pretty, but it worked very well all weekend. One thing I needed to make adjustable was the rail height because not all camp spaces are really level, so the handle is adjustable up and down. I still need to refine the jack mount a little more, but it will use the screw type jack.
I also use a modern type wide RV "fold up step". So in effect, we have four levels counting the ground, RV step, the slide out step, and the trailer floor. I would agree the closer the steps are, the better. I like your two level platform/box idea. The rail base is designed so the RV step sets on top of the rail base and when someone stands (body weight) on the RV step it stabilizes the rail even further.
I think properly designed, these kinds of aids can be very useful, and still not take away from our vintage look mission.
I will be getting some photos posted (with Vikx's help), so it will make more sense after you look at the photos.
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Post by vikx on May 21, 2014 21:05:25 GMT -8
I like the idea of a safety section, tho we have so MANY now...
What about starting your thread title with SAFETY: and then Handicap Access? That's sort of what I tried to do in the repair sections: ROOF or FLOORING or FLOOR. That way, it's easier to see what the thread might be about.
John, drop me a line and I'll be glad to help with the photos.
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Post by bigbill on May 22, 2014 5:37:13 GMT -8
BigBill, I guess two old gezzer's are "thinking alike", LOL. Both of our concepts are close. I first tried to use a small hydraulic bottle jack to apply downward pressure on the hand rail base using the trailer as weight. It worked well, but the jack was old and it leaked down pressure in a days time period. The next try was with a very old scissor's "screw type" jack. It's not pretty, but it worked very well all weekend. One thing I needed to make adjustable was the rail height because not all camp spaces are really level, so the handle is adjustable up and down. I still need to refine the jack mount a little more, but it will use the screw type jack. I also use a modern type wide RV "fold up step". So in effect, we have four levels counting the ground, RV step, the slide out step, and the trailer floor. I would agree the closer the steps are, the better. I like your two level platform/box idea. The rail base is designed so the RV step sets on top of the rail base and when someone stands (body weight) on the RV step it stabilizes the rail even further. I think properly designed, these kinds of aids can be very useful, and still not take away from our vintage look mission. I will be getting some photos posted (with Vikx's help), so it will make more sense after you look at the photos. John I guess life experiences cause us to look down a different path. I am thinking of using a jack like the one in my Silverado as it folds very flat. My first thoughts was a small hydraulic jack but bleed down and height were my first concerns. I went to the dble platform to make it easier to step up. My wife seems to be able to handle a 5 inch step fairly well, but a standard 8 inches riser takes much more effort. The 24 inch deep step allows room for her and the walker to stabilize before advancing to the next level. I am still thinking of how I plan on shaping the base to allow it to maintain a secure footing on uneven ground. I have drawn up four different preliminary designs and must likely will build a couple of different models to tryout in the real world. |
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Post by vikx on May 26, 2014 21:48:47 GMT -8
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ladywendolyn
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1964 Golden Falcon
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Post by ladywendolyn on May 26, 2014 22:31:43 GMT -8
You seriously made that? You need to sell that to camping world for big $$$$
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Post by vikx on May 26, 2014 23:49:47 GMT -8
Sell it yourself and get RICH!!!
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Post by bigbill on May 27, 2014 7:27:51 GMT -8
John that looks very nice. Might I suggest a channel to use under the other side of your lower step as I have seen those individual legs sink in the ground causing a fall. With that addition the only thing that I can think would be any better would be an enclosed elevator.  |
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John Palmer
Senior Member
Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 575
Currently Offline
|
Post by John Palmer on May 27, 2014 10:18:22 GMT -8
John that looks very nice. Might I suggest a channel to use under the other side of your lower step as I have seen those individual legs sink in the ground causing a fall. With that addition the only thing that I can think would be any better would be an enclosed elevator. Hmmmmmm, an "enclosed elevator"!
Let me sleep on that idea for a while.
BigBill, we are from California, we have NO rain, or NO water, the ground is like cement in these parts. LOL
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Post by bigbill on May 27, 2014 11:01:22 GMT -8
Famous last words as the mud slides down the slope. I guess you are Ok As long as you don't go where it rains but if you do or anyone is copying your design that lives where it rains I think that would be a good idea. |
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