When it comes to choosing an RV, it really depends on what kind of lifestyle you want to have. Are you a rolling stone, or do you like to plant roots in one or two spots per year? There are lots of great communities online that can help you decide what’s best for you. The Facebook group Accessible RVing North America is a great resource, as is the Handicapped Travel Club, a group formed in 1973 to encourage traveling for people with a wide range of disabilities. The HTC publishes a newsletter, has local get-togethers and sponsors an annual rally that rotates among various sections of the country.

Regardless of your choice, Richards has two crucial pieces of advice for anyone on the hunt. “First of all, look used. Buying new is considerably more expensive than buying used. If you buy used, you can get a good deal and then modify the interior to suit your needs after you’ve been in it a while.” The second is that there is no such thing as the perfectly accessible RV, but don’t let that stop you from getting one. “Just be adaptable and get out there and enjoy.”

Drivable RVS

These apartments on wheels of all kinds can be diesel or gas. Diesel gives you more power and longevity, but at a steep initial cost. A gas rig is great if you’re not towing much and want to start cheap.

Class A: Think Rockstar tour bus. Richards says Class A’s are ideal for stays of at least one week or more per location, so you don’t have to pack up and out every single day of your trip. Burnett compromised on a smaller shower to allow for a washer and dryer for full-time living.

Class B: Souped-up Sprinter vans and the like are great for the minimalist manual chair crowd who want to stay mobile while covering a lot of ground, but don’t expect much wiggle room for yourself or friends.

Class C: The happy medium between Class A and B, these rigs offer the best of both worlds

Towable RVS

Drag-and-drop your rig wherever you please, and still have your everyday mode of transportation.

Travel Trailers: Easily towable by trucks, SUVs and even some vans, many of these trailers have fairly open floor plans so you may only need a ramp to get in and get going.

Fifth Wheels: These are larger trailers that attach to a gooseneck extension in the truck bed. Lots of pop outs mean extra room to relax.
Toy Haulers: Living quarters are in the front and space for hauling “toys” like motorcycles and other all-terrain vehicles is in the rear. The back or side hatches double as easy access for your chair. Jay Yost of Wheeling, West Virginia, squeezes a Harley motorcycle and an X8 Outdoor Power Chair into his.

Also This Month

The Accessible RV Life on the Road
DIY Conversions
Keeping It Classy & Affordable in a Class C