Ultimate wheelchair friendly motorhome takes shape

Even when you're fit and healthy, travelling around in any recreational vehicle has its own set of difficulties, whether it's setting up the rig in foul weather or dealing with on-the-road breakdowns.

However, having a severe disability can make life on the road very trying, if not impossible, unless you have a custom-built rig that's designed and built to cater to the special needs of less able family members.

Gold Coast-based Paradise Motorhomes is currently building such a vehicle for a family of four from Port Macquarie, NSW, who want to provide their wheelchair-bound 11-year-old son with all the conveniences of home life while enjoying long-term travel in a luxury motorhome.

Paradise recently erected the custom framework for the unique 11.5m long, twin slide-out 'Independence' motorhome, which is based on an Iveco EuroCargo 160-220 truck powered by a 6.7 litre, six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with nine-speed transmission.

The family enlisted Paradise Motorhomes' help after finding their current wheelchair-friendly Avida motorhome wasn't quite up to the task for long stretches out on the road.

"The family struggled for so long to find a motorhome that was suitable for them, and they went to other manufacturers but were turned away, " explained Paradise Motorhomes' Dealer Principal Clint Ward.

"We've designed a motorhome with purpose-built, drop-down wheelchair access and a full hoist system that runs on tracks from the roof so they can move him around in the motorhome. It will also have multiple intercoms so they can communicate with each other at all times," he said.

With a large slide-out on each side of the motorhome to help create more wheelchair friendly floorspace, the interior layout boasts separate living quarters for the older teenage daughter, including a murphy bed/lounge, ensuite and 'office' for on-the-road schooling, while a central, café style lounge area converts to an additional bed for a full-time carer.

The main bedroom and kitchen will house a large double bed for the parents and their disabled son, with an adjoining wheelchair-accessible 'wet room' including toilet and shower.

Ward said the biggest engineering feat will be the construction of the custom one-piece, load bearing roof.

"The inside of the motorhome will have a full roof-mounted track system so they can get their son out of the wheelchair and put him in the hoist that's suspended from the roof, and then move him to the bathroom or to the bed, or the lounge area without having to pick him up and carry him," he explained.

"It will be a big section of roof and it needs to be strong enough for the wheelchair lift to cover the full interior living space."

Body construction includes Styromax sandwich panels and a one-piece Holypan composite floor, and Ward said the custom motorhome will be fully-loaded with appliances including three air-conditioners, an 8kg washer/dryer, four 32in Smart TVs hooked up to an automatic satellite dish, 'cappuccino' machine and 'wine cellar', not to mention a CZone digital switching system.

It will also boast a full off-grid, all-electric power set-up, including an NCE/OzXCorp 14.3kWh lithium battery pack, 5000W inverter and 2400W rooftop solar panels, plus 614 litres fresh water and 285 litres grey water capacity.

The EuroCargo truck will also be fitted with an Aeroz Aero kit and automatic hydraulic levelling, with an external TV and BBQ, 6.0-metre awning and custom two-pack paint finish among other external highlights.

"It's gonna have everything," Ward said about the circa $600,000 custom motorhome which is expected to be completed before the end of the year.