Disabled passenger
Hello All,
We have just bought a 2008 Merc Sprinter LWB with coachbuilt living quarters. Jess (my wife) has to use an electric wheelchair all the time and we were wondering if anyone has solved the problem of getting to the roadway from the hard standing on gravel. We were thinking about rubber matting as a pathway or asking if we can park sideways, which would not be possible on all sites. Any help appreciated.
I'd also like to ask if anyone knows of the best wheel clamp for twin wheels on the rear, or if it would be better if I clamp the front wheels. Both front and back have stainless drums/caps fitted for bling. I'm also getting a Disklok and ignition lock.
Thank you for reading this.
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I can’t really help with the problem of moving the wheelchair across the chippings but the mat idea sounds good. It'll be a rare event to find a pitch on a club site where you’re able to pitch sideways in view of the fire gap that needs to be maintained, especially as your van is a LWB model.
Not many people use wheel clamps on MHs, particularly on site as they impede the 'get up and go' nature of MHs and eat into the payload. It’s a good idea, in my opinion, to fit a steering lock and your Sprinter should have an immobiliser as standard. Unless your insurance demands it, or you park in doubtful areas, I’d not bother with a wheel clamp but it’s ultimately your choice.
Enjoy your van.
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All I can suggest is to buy an awning ground sheet (say) 3.9m by 2.5m, cut in half, heat seal edges if necessary, eyelet the cut edge and peg down to make 4 feet wide runway.
I saw a similar solution for an active wheel chair user a few years back ....... he also had a hand cranked recumbent cycle and his wife would try to keep up!
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Several Caravanners and Motorhomers use long plastic strips to help them move on waterlogged or snowy/icy conditions. If you were able to get 2 long ones of these it may act as a driveway for the chair.
I'm using my android which is useless for attaching a photo but I'm sure some kind hearted CT member will oblige.
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This subject has been raised before see
I find a gentle push improves traction.
peedee
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I fully understand your question, My Wife is disabled and has spent sometime in a wheel chair on and off, and my mother in law who lives with us, is a full time wheelchair user.
The gravel used on club pitches and pathways is very difficult to roll a wheelchair over, as we have found out in the past and have given our feedback to the club.
I have no recommendations how to overcome the issue but I would suggest when booking you phone the site. They will do their very best to reserve you a pitch which will minimize the issue you raise in my experience.
Re your wheel clamp question, a decent steering wheel clamp, the type that covers the whole steering wheel is much easier to use, and as our friends have discovered is an excellent security device and satisfies their insurance requirements for their £55K Burstner
Enjoy your Van
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There is a type of matting that comes in 2' square interlocking sections. The version available from Aldi/Lidl is quite thick and soft and is great for children playing, but there is another thinner and stiffer type that would better suit your needs. I got mine from Costco, but I have also seen in splaces such as Toolstation and Machine Mart.
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Thank you all for your helpful answers. I think I might try the matting, as the company said it would be adequate for the job.
I am buying a Disklok, which seems to be the consensus of opinion here and is Thatcham approved. Thanks again.
PS - How do you follow a thread so that you get an email if there is an answer? TIA.
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Hello Lornalou,
It's an electric wheelchair, so not easy to reverse in a straight line!
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The logic is that when sitting in the chair it is harder to reverse than going forward. A steering wheel is much easier to control than a joystick.
The rear wheels are the driven ones.
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Thank you Robsail.
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Wheelchair user here, I second the advice to reverse especially as the chair is rear wheel drive. Maybe some time spent practicing would pay off. A good powerchair with correctly inflated tyres should cope with gravel and very easily on grass.
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Great looking stuff! Pity I need it about half as wide again and 16 feet! Roughly £1600. I think I might look elsewhere.
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Bob, as some have already mentioned there is always " Three in one MONSTER MAT " from www.smartoutdoors.biz 07563 725 095. well that was the address when I bought mine. Designed to bear the weight of vehicles when running over wet grass or mud but light enough to carry in one hand. BUT the Club Shop appears to have Milenco mats of the same idea but very expensive at about £20 !!
The monster mats come in pairs & have a foto of a yellow levelling block on top BUT they are separate items and have to be obtained separately. Doubt if you would need them, just the green foot wide, corrugated surface plastic strips.
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Thank you for that, ABM.
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