I am interested in what mods would be helpful for an RVer with spinal injuries and some mobility issues, mainly trouble bending and stooping. This would be for a new TT that I am thinking about purchasing. I have already thought about an electric tongue jack, a few extra grab handles, elevating the toilet, and possibly upgrading the mattress to something more comfortable. Is there any mods or other things I should be considering or have done? Thank you in advance for any replies.
You didn't mention what size TT you are thinking of getting, Skip. My first thought is that if you need to add equalizer bars on the hitch, you may need to get an oversize extension breaker bar to set the chains. Also an additional portable step might help ease your entry and exit from the rig. Good luck in your travels.
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I am planning on a 26 footer if nothing causes me to change my mind. I had thought about an equilizer hitch and that is a concern to me, another concern is operating the dump valves due to their usual locations.
Are you really set on a TT? Perhaps you might want to consider a motorhome as I believe there is less physical effort required in managing such a unit.
Wife is handicapped, so I do hook/unhook. I have very bad back. With oversized electric tongue jack, and Equal-i-zer WDH, there is no bending, and no chains. When we unhook in CG, I leave bars on TT front. I wipe grease off ball, but DO NOT EVER take the drawbar off TV, as it is very heavy. After you both hit your knee a few times when walking around the TV, you will thereafter remember and have no more trouble. Haven't hit our knees on drawbar in many years now. When ready to hook back up, regrease ball. Works for us.
Chuck
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Downunda,
I am pretty set on a TT due to cost, having another engine to keep up with and the added cost of insuring a MH as compared to a TT.
Chuck&Gail,
Thats really helpful info. I have even found motors that could be added to the leveling jacks if absolutely necessary. The weight of the WDH and its bars is one of the things I have been looking at for options. BTW at what weight is a WDH really necessary? The tongue weight on the unti I am considering is just over 300#.
Ok, quick opinion. To tow properly you want about 13% of FULLY LOADED WEIGHT (for most folks that is near the TT GVWR) on the tongue. So be careful to IGNORE unloaded tongue weight. If tongue really is 300#, the FULLY LOADED TT should be about 2300#. That is a pretty small TT, so first be sure the TT GVWR really is 2300#.
Weight where WD hitch is required depends on tow vehicle. That little on a pickup would likely not be noticed, but on our Olds 88 years ago we sure needed a WD hitch with our 2600# Casita. We also REALLY needed sway control.
Note VERY few TT's have leveling jacks, they have stabilizer jacks. If you try to level most TT's with stabilizer jacks you bend the frame. To level a TT, when needed, you put plastic Leveler Blocks down on ground and drive up on them. Some "strong" folks use big pieces of 2x6. FYI one tier of leveler blocks can be thrown on ground and kicked in front of tire. They can be picked up (I think, haven't tried it) with the grabber gadget you use in the house to get stuff off floor, once TT is pulled off blocks to leave. Maybe they can be stacked that way, never tried. Note many CG's can give you a level site if you tell them WHY you want it, and that you're handicapped.
I really appreciate all of the responses so far, they have been quite helpful. Thanks for clearing up the leveling/stabilizer jack definitions, I wasn't aware of the difference until now.
Interior aids which might be helpful - those suction cup grab bars, bedside commode (place over existing toilet), grabbers (get several so you don't need to drag them around) for picking up stuff or reaching where you can't. They also make a 'sock' put-er-oner thingie where you put the sock on a plastic sleeve with ropes attached, then slide your foot into the sleeve. Tub transfer seat/bench is helpful too. I know they make back scrubbers that are longer/more arched than regular back brushes for the shower/bath.
If you have a chance to stop by a medical supply place, take a look at the various aids they have and if they have a catalog, look through that.
I have a bad enough back I am on Morphine. We had trailer, then tried a Motorhome and I loved it. Wife still wants the trailer back.
Hookups are a problem for me. The 50amp electric cord, in freezing weather is difficult for me to roll up. If your rig will use a 30 amp power cord, you might not have these problems. I even asked Monaco about converting the rig to two 30 amp cords, like my boat uses. No luck there.
The worst thing about a TT was hooking it to the truck. I had trouble with that from day one. OH....we bought, on sale at Big 5 Sporting Goods store, two of the ...oh, what is the name...small FM hand held radios that can travel a few miles on level ground. They are on sale at Big 5 all the time. Under $30 usually. It saves embarrassing times of yelling instructions to each other. Blush.......
OH YEAH, MAKE SURE TO BRING YOUR TV ANTENNA DOWN BEFORE YOU DRIVE OFF.
Some people hang their ignition keys on the handle, then they are reminded to bring the antenna down before a tree does it for them.
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