Traveling across the U.S. in a recreational vehicle is a staple of American culture, and it’s also been a dream for many wheelchair users. Recently, Winnebago has introduced two accessibility-enhanced RVs designed to make it easier for those with mobility disabilities to get out on the road. I had the opportunity to explore the inside of the smaller model, the 19-foot-9-inch Winnebago Roam, and while it’s not suited for all wheelchair users, many with mobility limitations could benefit from its features.

Getting into the Roam is a breeze with the BraunAbility Under Vehicle Lift, which can be controlled with a pendant or optional remote control. Once inside the Roam, you can transfer to the driver’s or passenger seats, or stay in your chair using the Q’STRAINT tie-down system. 

Moving from front to back, the first space to consider is the driver’s compartment. The Roam is built on a Dodge Ram chassis and designed to ride like a minivan. The two captain’s chairs rotate 180° to enable transfers between the front and main compartments. The chairs are several inches higher than a standard wheelchair, so you would need some combination of arm strength, sliding-board skills, or enough leg function to stand up and pivot for self-transfer. Hand controls can be installed on the driver’s side. 

Further back, the galley area offers a small refrigerator, several drawers and cubbies for storage, and a 12-gallon sink, all easily reachable from my power wheelchair. The microwave is installed high above the counter, however, and out of my reach. I would need a companion to operate it. Moving around the cabin is tight — it is a camper van, after all — but I was able to manage in my Whill, a smaller power chair. Most manual wheelchair users should be able to navigate the cabin, but those with larger, more complex power chairs might find the interior aisles too small to be functional.   

Right next to the galley is the toilet and shower compartment. There is a 3.5-inch step up to the toilet, with a removable waste tank that detaches like a cassette. The toilet has two grab bars and rotates 90° for easier showering while seated. The shower compartment has a handheld showerhead with hot and cold water, and a magnetic enclosure to prevent spillage. The bathroom may be the most challenging feature of the Roam because it requires that extra step up to the toilet. A strong manual wheelchair user might be able to make the lateral transfer, but it would be tricky. 

Across from the bathroom area is the dinette. It features a table that folds and locks into place, has an extender and is high enough for a wheelchair user to easily roll underneath. There’s also a 24-inch pivoting television with USB ports and streaming capability. Above the dinette is a storage compartment with a strap that you can reach from a seated position. Many of the controls, including temperature, lights, sofa bed and water heater, are located on a panel to the left of the television, and were within easy reach. 

The Roam has a toilet inside the shower compartment. The toilet is raised, which could make transfers tricky.

There is a dedicated tie down area for your wheelchair, while the front seats rotate 180 degrees to make transfers easier.

The control panel in the Roam is easily accessible from a wheelchair.

At the rear is a custom-sized sofa that converts to a flat bed with push-button controls located at the back of the vehicle and on the control panel. The bed measures 5 feet 10 inches from one side of the RV to the other, has a memory foam topper and is quite comfortable. There is a grab bar to help with transfers, and it’s slotted to accommodate a cupholder. While Winnebago describes the bed as accommodating two people, they would have to be two average-to-smaller-sized people. 

The Winnebago Roam isn’t a good fit for everyone. One chair user with a companion is probably the maximum you could comfortably fit — it would likely be too small for family travel. And some of its accessible features do require a bit of mobility. Still, for those with the right amount of function, the Roam could be a great option for road trips or longer camping vacations. Having amenities like a toilet and kitchenette could also make day trips or long days of running errands easier and more comfortable.   

The Roam has a starting MSRP of $179,684. For more information check visit Winnebago’s website.