Those who are wheelchair-bound have extra obstacles when it comes to RVing as the choices of wheelchair-accessible RVs are few and far between.
Enter the Winnebago Roam, one of the few wheelchair-accessible RVs on the market. In the video below, Joel from RV Management USA takes us on a tour of this unusual Class B motorhome.
Built on a Ram ProMaster chassis, according to the video, the front driver and passenger seats both swivel for easier access to the cab or to seating from the living area.
To make this a wheelchair-accessible RV, the side sliding door accommodates an automatic lift. An easy-to-reach remote control operates everything at the touch of a button. Watch the video to see how it all works, including the built-in safety mechanisms.
Inside, the aisles are wider than a typical Class B motorhome, giving the wheelchair room to maneuver around and access the kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area.
The small but functional kitchen has a small refrigerator-freezer, a little counter space, a microwave oven, and a small sink.
There is a fair amount of storage around the top of the van, which is nice. However, some of the taller storage would be difficult to reach for a person in a wheelchair. Some of the cabinets have accessible latches and are built in an innovative way that lowers them in order for someone in a wheelchair to be able to access the contents.
The rear sofa becomes a bed, but the conversion happens automatically at the touch of a button.
The solid wood table seems solidly built. Not only does it fold up or fold away, there is a built-in extension leaf that works well as a desk.
The open concept, meaning just a shower curtain, bathroom has a grab bar to help wheel in. From there you can access the toilet and also take a shower.
One more accessibility feature is the living space, which features built-in tie downs, and the RV comes with straps so that someone sitting in a wheelchair can travel in the back.
What’s not to like?
- The sink is so tiny, I can’t really see it being of any use for washing dishes.
- With only a microwave for cooking, I would consider this a partial kitchen.
- The bed is short, so if you are tall you might feel cramped.
- Of course, like all Class B camper vans, the Winnebago Roam is pricey.
Winnebago Roam Wheelchair Accessible RV Specs
- Ram ProMaster chassis
- Coleman air conditioner
- Length: 19’9”
- Fresh water: 12 gallons
Gray water: 13 gallons - Cassette toilet capacity: 5 gallons
- GVWR, depends on model, 8,900 to 9,300 pounds
- GCWR: 12,000 pounds
- MSRP: depends on model, but about $145,600
Learn more about the Winnebago Roam wheelchair-accessible RV here.
##RVT1122
$$$$$ Yikes !
I recently traded my 38 ft motorhome that I installed a chair lift in that I used to get my wife into the coach. We would spend 6 months in the south during the winter season. It was getting difficult getting my wife in and out of the motorhome and our tow vehicle. The Roam is the perfect vehicle to solve the problem. We use it as as our daily vehicle to use when ever my wife needs to go somewhere. For traveling it becomes our get to a destination where we would rent something to spend time for the season. It reminds me of camping in a tent which we did all the time when we were younger. Now the tent so to speak comes with a motor, refrig, bed, water and a wet bath. With a tent you would spend most of your time outside unless the weather was bad. And you cooked outside with a grill. I see the use of the Roam for camping as similar to tent camping. Plan to use an induction cook top to cook inside or outside.