Winnebago Makes #Vanlife Fully Accessible


Winnebago just introduced a unique and versatile RV, the Roam, which fits an accessible living space into a van-sized package. At just over 20 feet in length, the Roam fits into most parking spaces or onto the narrowest of backcountry roads and is designed from the ground up with wheelchair access in mind.

“Winnebago Specialty Vehicles has been building Class-A accessible RVs for decades, and we are passionate about enabling people with physical disabilities the opportunity to travel comfortably. We believe the Roam, with its smaller size, will help many more wheelchair users experience the flexibility and fun of an RV,” said Robert Kim, director of Winnebago’s Specialty Vehicle Division. “We designed the Roam to support many uses, including camping, road trips and even daily driving.”

The Roam comes with a BraunAbility under-vehicle wheelchair lift, wheelchair tie-downs, a kitchenette, a wheelchair accessible shower/bathroom area and a powered sofa bed. Additionally, all the lights and systems controls are designed to be wheelchair accessible. There is seating for five, and it sleeps up to four with an optional pop-top.

The Roam joins Winnebago’s wheelchair accessible Class A options, the Inspire and the Adventure AE. For more on any of these models, visit Winnebago’s Specialty Vehicle Division webpage. Winnebago says that pricing for the Roam will be available in the next 1-2 months, and the vehicle is available through La Mesa, Campers Inn and Pleasureland RV dealers.


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Brian McDonald
Brian McDonald
2 years ago

So is the driver’s area accessible, it doesn’t appear to be wheelchair accessible for a disabled driver?

Jeremy Phelps
Jeremy Phelps
2 years ago
Reply to  Brian McDonald

If you take a closer look The van in the picture has a six way power seat which I am sure if somebody wanted They could just have it removed like pretty much every other van if I needed to drive from the wheelchair.

Brian McDonald
Brian McDonald
2 years ago
Reply to  Jeremy Phelps

Actually, for transferring its best to be able to get the wheelchair as close to the seat as possible. The floor area is lower than the drivers area and the object on the floor between the driver and passenger seat make the raised drivers area more inaccessible.

Mandy Carmack
Mandy Carmack
2 years ago
Reply to  Brian McDonald

Actually the 6 way seat should have enough travel to accommodate the driver and passenger position. I am curious how you overcome the lip at shower and reach the microwave

Mandy Carmack
Mandy Carmack
2 years ago
Reply to  Brian McDonald

It has a six way seat in the driver and passenger front seat

Brad
Brad
2 years ago

What a pathetic attempt to promote disabled travel! That van is raw and bare bones at it’s best! Hardly functional! A lift does not suffice to make something accessible!

Lea McQuade
Lea McQuade
2 years ago

Do they assume the user with disabilities has an able-bod chef along? I assume driver’s seat could be adapted as that is common practice. Can’t use anything in kitchens in any of these Winnebago models – no underneath or height adjustable access. Microwave up high. Can’t use community BBQs for same reasons

Bill McConnel
Bill McConnel
2 years ago

A front wheel drive Ram ProMaster is a poor choice. Any of the other chassis would work better for both driving, and camping. Its easy to see that the designers and engineers are not individuals with physical disabilities or have thought this all out in a comprehensive method. 45 years of experience tells me that an under-the-vehicle lift is asking for trouble.

Tim
Tim
2 years ago

It’s a step in the right direction! Maybe out of price reach for most disabled people! But it’s a good start!

Last edited 2 years ago by Tim
DAVE DOMBROWSKI
DAVE DOMBROWSKI
2 years ago

I’M WITH YOU. MISNAMED…SHOULD BE CALLED LAME. MAKE IT DRIVER ACCESSIBLE AND QUIT ASSUMING THE WHEELCHAIR IS ONLY PASSENGER MATERIAL. SOMEONE AT WINEBAGO MGMT REALLY NEEDS AN EDUCATION ABOUT THE DISABLED. I JUST GOT BACK FROM A 2 WEEK 6,000 MILE TRIP TO THE WEST COAST AND BACK…SOLO IN MY GMC SAVANA HIGH TOP WITH FOLD DOWN BACK SEAT. WAS PLENTY AND SURELY BEATS THE PRICE OF ‘WE’LL TELL YOU IN A MONTH OR 2″ AND YOU(IN THE WHEELCHAIR) CAN’T DRIVE IT.

David
David
2 years ago

Can you drive yous from a wheelchair?

David
David
2 years ago

And is there room beside the bed to do a slide board transfer? Winnebago, probably not.

Gail
Gail
2 years ago

I purchased a Roadtrek Carado Banff on a 19′ Dodge RAM Promaster chassis and had it made accessible, Out of all the Class B RVs I looked at, this was the easiest one to modify. It is pretty much bare bones, but has a shower, sink and toilet in the back with a mid-ship galley (twin propane stove top, refrigerator and microwave oven), 1 twin bed that can be converted to a double size, and BraunAbility under-vehicle wheelchair lift. Up front, I have hand-controls and have to transfer into the driver’s seat. My RV only has seat belts for 2 people and with the modifications is still a tight fit. It is a little tight with the one wheelchair, I would never attempt 2 wheelchairs inside. The Winnebago listed above says, “There is seating for five, and it sleeps up to four with an optional pop-top.” It also says it is just over 20′ (probably 21′). That many people in that small a vehicle… I vote to put the kids outside in a tent under the awning!

Tony Sauer
Tony Sauer
2 years ago

Applaud Winnebago for their ongoing efforts to manufacture accessible RVs. Six years ago we tried to get several travel trailer manufacturers to modify an RV to pull behind our full size van, and none would entertain the idea. In fact they warned us that if we did a door and lift modification it would void the warranty. Fortunately we were able to find a nice used Winnebago that we love and are on a cross country trip in this summer. It’s nice sleeping in our own bed and being able to isolate when we come upon an area where COVID rates are high. As our Winnebago ages, we plan to upgrade to a newer model as long as I can stay healthy enough to travel. We do to my Toyota Braun van on a tow Dolly, which gives us lots of flexibility to explore. These new smaller RV afford people the option to travel more simply and not need to tow an additional vehicle.

Sarah Ramirez
Sarah Ramirez
2 years ago

I notice it was printed without the price tag (which is undoubtedly huge). There are so many things wrong with this layout. Does it meet mobility needs, sort of. How exactly does one move the chair to lay the bed down and transfer to the bed? No access for knees anywhere, under vehicle ramp – no thank you too many problems. This is why we have purchased a shuttle bus and are converting it for our family member who uses a wheelchair. He gets to help make it custom to his needs.

Geoffrey Olsen
2 years ago

Winnebago designers, marketing and executives should be ashamed of themselves for producing a Wheelchair Van that can only be used by a few people. Certainly not a T5 complete paraplegic.