THE CAMPING LIFESTYLE has boomed over the last decade, and RV manufacturers have built remarkable campers and innovative designs to help more people embrace the outdoor experience. However, wheelchair accessible RVs are still relatively rare in the marketplace. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of thoughtful, accessible floor plans created by engineers at Winnebago, Newmar, and Keystone.
Key Takeaways
- Wheelchair-accessible RVs feature lifts, wider walkways, lowered controls, and roll-in showers. Winnebago, Newmar, and Keystone offer notable options for Class B vans, Class A motorhomes, and travel trailers.
- Models like the Winnebago Roam, Newmar mobility lineup, Winnebago Inspire, and Keystone Outback 342CG offer varying accessibility levels, sleeping capacities, and layouts to fit different camping needs.
- Accessibility upgrades—such as lifts—require professional work, and renting a fully accessible RV can be a cost-effective alternative for short-term use.
What Makes an RV Wheelchair Accessible?
Many RVs will require a lift for wheelchair accessibility. However, it’s not just a lift that enhances the RV experience for wheelchair users. A truly accessible RV will have wider interior doors and walkways to ensure complete access to bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas. The handles, switches, and countertops will be lower, and a roll-in shower supports comfort and independence while traveling.
Top RV Brands for Wheelchair Accessibility
While more can be done, we appreciate the diligence these manufacturers have shown in creating a more accessible RV experience. Check out these two Class B vans, four Class A motorhomes, and a wheelchair-accessible travel trailer.
Winnebago Roam
Specs
- Length: 19’9” to 21’
- Chassis: Ram ProMaster
- GVWR: 8,900 to 9,350
- Sleeping Capacity: 2 to 4
The Winnebago Roam line includes two similar models at two different lengths. Both Class B RVs include wheelchair lifts, tie-downs, bathroom grab handles, lower countertops, and other amenities specifically designed for accessibility. The rear sofa converts to a sleeping space at night. The front two captain’s chairs swivel to provide more seating. Finally, the kitchen has a microwave, sink, small fridge, and a flip-up dinette with extension for a fully functioning eating area.
- 59RB – This model is the shorter camper and does not have access to the optional tent available in the 59RZ. The sofa is also smaller, measuring 51” x 67”.
- 59RZ – This camper has an optional pop-top tent to provide an additional sleeping area above the van’s roof. The sofa is larger than in the 59RB, measuring 67” x 69”.
Newmar “Stars” Mobility Lineup
Specs
- Length: 38’11 to 43’9”
- Chassis: Ford, Freightliner, Spartan
- GVWR: 26,000 to 52,000
- Sleeping Capacity: 4 to 5
The Newmar Mobility Lineup includes three motorhomes with amenities like roll‑in showers, lowered switches, wider aisles, electric lifts, and larger wardrobes. All three wheelchair-accessible RVs have a rear bedroom with wardrobes and dressers. Plus, they feature a split bathroom with a roll-in shower on one side and the toilet and vanity on the other. This lineup also has a dinette, sofa, and full-functioning kitchen with a pantry, microwave, stove/oven, refrigerator, and sink.
- Dutch Star 4311 – This accessible Class A RV is built on a Spartan chassis and features a power-adjusted kitchen table, king bed, and optional radiant heat beneath the main floor tile. It’s the largest and most expensive motorhome in Newmar’s mobility lineup.
- Northern Star 4011 – While the Dutch Star and Bay Star have the washer and dryer closet in the hallway between the bedroom and the kitchen, the Northern Star has its washer and dryer hidden in the rear wardrobe. There’s also an optional fireplace with a televator. This wheelchair accessible motorhome is built on a Freightliner chassis.
- Bay Star 3811 – The wheelchair-accessible Bay Star motorhome is built on a Ford chassis and has the standard entry door leading into the kitchen/living space instead of the driving area, like many other Class A campers. This splits the kitchen countertop in half.
Winnebago Inspire 34AE
Images by Winnebago
Specs
- Length: 35’9”
- Chassis: Freightliner
- GVWR: 26,000 pounds
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 7
The Inspire 34AE features a wheelchair lift, tie-downs, wider hallways, lower controls, lower countertops, and a roll-in shower. The living area sofa converts to a second sleeping space so friends or kids can comfortably camp with you. This motorhome also has an optional loft above the cab for a third sleeping area.
In the rear is a queen bed, a nightstand, and a large wardrobe. The full bathroom sits opposite a closet for the washer and dryer. The central kitchen includes a 2-door residential refrigerator/freezer with an ice maker, a microwave/convection oven, a 3-burner cooktop, a sink, a countertop extension, and a pantry. Finally, the dinette extends to provide additional seating and comfort for a wheelchair.
Keystone Outback 342CG
Specs
- Length: 37’5”
- Dry Weight: 8,220 pounds
- Cargo Capacity: 2,280 pounds
- Garage Length: 6’10”
- Sleeping Capacity: Up to 8
The Outback 342CG is the only travel trailer on our list of wheelchair accessible RVs. It features a front garage that doubles as a second bedroom with bunks. There’s also a ramp, like you find in toy haulers, for an easy wheelchair entrance and exit. The central living space features a sofa sleeper, a booth dinette, and an entertainment center. And a full kitchen includes a 10-cubic-foot 12V refrigerator, a microwave, a sink, and a 3-burner gas stove.
The rear bedroom has a king bed, a wardrobe, a dresser, and a barn door that slides closed for privacy. The bathroom does not have a roll-in shower like the other wheelchair-accessible RVs. This trailer also lacks amenities like lower countertops and handles, but the living area has a wider space to comfortably move about in a wheelchair.
Are Toy Haulers Good for Wheelchair Users?
Toy haulers like the Outback 342CG can be good options for wheelchair users since their ramps provide easier entry.. However, there are additional buying considerations when searching for a wheelchair-accessible RV.
Look at the door and walkway widths, the height of countertops, handles, and appliances, the bathroom size and ease of getting into the shower, and the accessibility when loaded versus unloaded. Even if you can easily get into a toy hauler RV with a ramp, you want to ensure you can enjoy all the comforts of RV living once inside.
Can You Make an RV Wheelchair Accessible?
Some RVs can be equipped with an entry lift to improve wheelchair accessibility. Burr Mobility Products and BraunAbility are two of the leading providers of RV wheelchair lifts. In most cases, these lifts will require professional installation. With the standard wheelchair width being roughly 24-27 inches, a minimum RV door width of 30 inches is a safe bet for wheelchair accessibility.
Just keep in mind that getting into an RV is one thing. Moving about and comfortably enjoying all the RV’s amenities is another.
Use these links to explore RV wheelchair lifts and installation services:
How Much Does it Cost to Make an RV Wheelchair Accessible?
A lift for an RV wheelchair ranges from roughly $2,700 to $3,900. While RV technician labor rates vary across the country, the average hourly fee is around $150 to $175, and the installation of a wheelchair lift could take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. By our calculations, the average cost to install a wheelchair lift on an RV will be anywhere from $3,300 to $5,300. Because factors like labor rates, installation requirements from the lift manufacturer, and your RV’s compatibility must be considered, contacting a service center for more information is a smart next step.
Can I Rent a Wheelchair Accessible RV?
There are various platforms out there to explore wheelchair-accessible RV rentals. Renting an accessible camper is more cost-effective because you get an RV that is fully outfitted for accessibility rather than just having a wheelchair lift. Retrofitting an RV for full accessibility can be complex and costly, which is why renting an already accessible model may be a more practical option for short-term use.
Manufacturers have come a long way in recent years to help campers from all walks of life embrace the RV lifestyle. Check out these additional resources:
Have you looked at wheelchair accessible RVs? We’d love to know the features you appreciate most and what suggestions you would make to manufacturers for future models!
