We have learned over the course of Vistabule’s history that our trailers have been a really good fit for certain wheelchair-bound customers. For us, accessibility is physical and financial.
Numerous accessible trailers are physically accessible but hardly financially accessible for many people. The complexities of towing/driving larger options along with campsite set-up requirements can also be an obstacle. To help navigate these complexities, we have created this guide!
We wanted to write a piece incorporating one of our wheelchair-using customer’s stories, with their permission, to share why Vistabule could be the accessible camper you’re looking for. We are doing our best to use respectful disability language, as outlined by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.
WHAT MAKES A CAMPER WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
The term “accessible” means “in compliance with the accessibility guidelines.” An accessible facility has no barriers that could bar the passage of a person using a wheelchair — they’re entirely operable and accessible by all people.
People in wheelchairs have certain needs to successfully maneuver and operate certain things. In vehicles, the common variations they require are larger and wider doors and doorways, lifts, ramps, and more space. Only if a vehicle has all of these different variables does it get classified as wheelchair accessible.
WHAT MAKES VISTABULE A WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL TRAILER?
At its core, a Vistabule trailer provides plenty of features that make them an attractive wheelchair-accessible option.
Door dimensions: 36’’ x 36’’
Door height: 24’’ off the ground
Counter height: 39’’ off the ground
Back canopy height: 79’’ off the ground
Trailer hitch box height: 38’’ off the ground, to the top opening of the box
Bill and I have camped for most of our lives with family, friends and the last 20+ years together. We’ve primarily car camped and generally prefer the simplicity of that camping lifestyle…except when it rained. We were tired of rain flies and huddling in the back of the truck during downpours. It was time to step up our camping comfort to remain warm and dry. That meant towing something or buying a small camper van. A camper van was a non-starter. Neither of us wanted another vehicle to maintain that would sit idle for most of the year – and, could Bill mobilize around inside a van?
Once we whittled down our list of what we wanted from a trailer and how we planned to use it, a small teardrop trailer was clearly the answer. When we stumbled upon the Vistabule, the first thing Bill said was, “look at those doors!”. The side door’s huge opening and ability to swing 180 degrees allows Bill to easily transfer to/from his chair to the bed, crawl in and close the door behind him. Everything stored in the galley drawers and under the sink is easy to access – it’s all right there.
1. Large Side Doors
As you can tell from the testimonial, the biggest accessibility perk of a Vistabule trailer is the size of the side doors. These doors make it easy for anyone to enter and exit, and adding pull rope on the hatch handle makes it low enough that most can reach it to pull it down and close it, even when seated in a wheelchair. An available front-mounted tongue storage box has a flip-up lid that offers easy access height from either side.
Truthfully, it was the HUGE side doors that sold Bill on the Vistabule. The oversize front window is really nice, the birch paneling is beautiful, the craftsmanship is stunning…but those side doors are MAGNIFICENT! There is no perfect camping set up for us, but our Vistabule gets us really close, and that makes us very happy.
2. A Vistabule Doesn’t Fill the Entire Paved Area in a Campsite
If you are in a wheelchair, you may need plenty of space around the vehicle in order to easily enter and exit. With a Vistabule trailer, you won’t fill up the entire paved area of a campsite, which leaves you with plenty of room to maneuver as you enter and exit the vehicle without having to struggle to operate the wheelchair on grass or gravel.
We generally prefer a state park campground with electrical hookups and a paved parking spot. The Vistabule trailer is narrow enough that it doesn’t completely fill the paved parking spot and Bill can easily navigate around the entire trailer, access the tongue box, unhitch…etc. without rolling off the pavement. In addition, the overall length of the trailer tongue allows us to open/close the rear hatch of our tow vehicle (2019 Toyota Sienna) without uncoupling.
3. Easily Accessible Bed
When it comes time to go to sleep, you want a bed that’s easily accessible and not a hassle to deal with. Large doors on both sides allow you to choose your favorite side of the bed so nobody has to climb over their partner. Vistabule teardrop trailers also feature a sofa bed mechanism that can easily be folded up for comfortable seating plus access to the extra front of the cabin and under-bed storage.
4. Accessible Sink and Galley
Everything stored in the galley drawers and under the sink is easy to access – it’s all right there…The sink is easy to access for washing hands or doing dishes.
With the sink and galley stored behind the trailer, it’s easy for anyone to access them from the outside — making it so that everyone can utilize all aspects of the trailer.
5. Car Access
Vistabule trailers attach and detach easily from your vehicle, meaning that the trunk of the vehicle can easily be opened. For those who store their wheelchair accessibility ramps in the trunk of the car, this makes it easy for everyone to get in and out of the car without the trailer being in the way.
6. Inexpensive Customizable Changes
Feel like there’s something missing from the standard Vistabule trailer that you or your partner may need? No worries — contact the Vistabule team to see what sorts of accommodations are possible to make your trailer a travel solution for everyone!
In the past, we’ve dropped axel height, which reduces entry height 2” and lowers galley cabinets, sink, and cooktop by 2” to improve seated accessibility of those features. We’ve also squeezed in grab handles inside the cabin near the doors to improve flexibility with entry/exit and maneuvering inside.
Our goal is to get as many people out on the road as possible, and we want to do what we can to make this trailer a viable option for you.
IS VISTABULE THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?
For those who are unfamiliar with Vistabule trailers, they are custom-built luxury teardrop trailers. They provide you with the opportunity to travel with a portable “room” that gives you the ability to bring all your essentials with you on the road in a small, compact trailer — small enough to be towed behind a car and stored inside a typical garage.
But a Vistabule may not be the right fit for everyone. A Vistabule does not have a lift or a bathroom, which may be challenging to some folks with disabilities. It works best for someone who is able to use a transfer board. If a bathroom or lift are prerequisites for you to have a safe and comfortable camping experience, you may want to consider a larger accessible vehicle.
OTHER WAYS TO GET THE WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE TRAILER OF YOUR DREAMS
Despite the features and accessibility that a Vistabule trailer provides, some people just want or need something different. Some people need an electric lift, their own facilities or even something bigger and completely custom-made for their needs.
Although a Vistabule teardrop trailer is one of the cheapest and smallest wheelchair-accessible travel trailers available, it isn’t the only option.
Look at Larger Travel Trailers or RVs
If someone has less mobility, needs a bathroom, or just wants more bells and whistles to their rig, then they may want to seek out a larger trailer or a wheelchair-accessible RV.
Here are some of our favorite wheelchair accessible RVs for sale:
Rent an Already Available Accessible Trailer
If you want to rest assured that you will have everything you need for your journey, some opt to rent a travel trailer that’s wheelchair accessible and already available. This is a popular option for those who don’t travel often or don’t want to store their own rig — just rent the trailer, take your trip and return, with no strings attached.
Outfit a Custom Rig Yourself
Do you have a trailer or transportation device at home? There are certain things you can do yourself to make it wheelchair accessible! YouTube is the best place to go to learn how to do this — videos like this offer you step-by-step instructions on how to make an RV more accessible.
Shop Used Wheelchair Accessible Trailers and RVs
If you’re looking to travel on a budget, then you may want to find a used wheelchair-accessible trailer or RV. Be sure to do your research and buy from a reputable source – if possible, get out to see the rig before you purchase. But you may just find that someone else with similar needs is looking to pass on their trailer, and you could be in luck!
WORKING WITH YOU TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT
If you think a Vistabule is a match for you, contact our team today or check out our interactive pricing sheet. We’ll work with you to customize your teardrop so that it’s the right fit. In the past, we’ve added grab handles, lowered the floor and cabinets, and even added a drain port for a catheter. We are willing to meet you where you’re at. It’s time to stop searching, and start adventuring.
