How to Modify a Travel Trailer for Travelers with Disabilities

One of the best ways for someone with disabilities to travel is via an RV or travel trailer. Why? Because these vehicles avoid a lot of the hassles that people with disabilities have to put up with when planning a vacation: where to stay that can accommodate them, how to control their environment for their comfort and how to get to their destination without a struggle.

You do, however, need to make some alterations to a travel trailer in order to make it more disability-friendly, but in many cases, this isn’t actually hard. Howdy RV in Mathis is your Texas travel trailer dealer. Here are a few ways you can alter a travel trailer or other RV for your beloved traveler with disabilities (or yourself).

1. Mobility Modifications

Using a mobility aid such as a wheelchair, walker or cane means that the confines of an RV can be something of a challenge to navigate without modifications. Fortunately, in many cases, an RV mechanic or even the manufacturer of the RV can help alter the floor plan to create more space for movement. Removing furnishings and changing the layout to have wider entrance points will help, and a wheelchair lift or ramp can be installed to accommodate mobility aids.

For those who have limits to their reach, raising up or lowering counters will help to prevent too much straining. In the bathroom, grab bars by the toilet and shower can be installed to help with standing and sitting.

2. Sensory-Processing Adjustments

A lot of chronic conditions come with sensory-processing disorders that result in a heightened sensitivity to light, heat, cold, sound and texture. Some conditions that may increase these sensitivities include autism, depression and other mental health conditions, fibromyalgia, arthritis, ADHD and other behavioral disorders.

For temperature control, installing a heating and cooling system in the RV or ensuring that you purchase a model that has these options will help you control the interior temperature. Adding fans or space heaters may also help.

For sound and light, heavy blackout curtains on the windows will help to block out both, and increased insulation can further dampen exterior sounds. You can even install dimmer lighting inside the RV to prevent glare.

For texture, covering or changing the fabrics used on RV furnishings will help ease anxieties by creating a more calming environment.

3. Improved Safety

Some travelers may have disabilities that necessitate a higher degree of attention to safety protocols. For example, you may be with a traveler who has a developmental condition and they shouldn’t be out by themselves, so you can add locks to doors and windows that prevent their departure. You can also add locks to cabinets where dangerous chemicals or medications are kept to protect your traveler.

We hope this guide helps you to make your travel trailer as welcoming as possible for everyone in your traveling group. Looking for travel trailers for sale in San Antonio, TX? Visit our dealership in Mathis, TX, today to check out our fine selection of new and used travel trailers for sale. We can even assist you with financing and trade-in options if you like. Howdy RV proudly serves the cities of Corpus Christi and San Antonio, TX.