popin up with disabilities?

[Rustyone]

Greetings All!
     
     Back in 2001 I used to practically live on this board, not so much contributing regrettably, but rather picking everyones brains as to the how's and why's of buying one's first popup.  (It's nice to see some old familiar names.)  Unfortunately within weeks of making the sale on a new Coleman (now Fleetwood) Niagara I became disabled and was forced to abandon those plans.  Thanks to the Lord and modern medicine I find myself 'out there' again only this time with some physical limitations, which brings me to a new set of questions, ones I might add I've never seen addressed before.  Popup camping with disabilities.  (might make a good article Dave).
     I walk with a cane and cannot bend down further than say lower shin level nor carry anything more than a longneck  :rolleyes:  without pain, and although not on oxygen become winded with the slightest exertion.  Would limitations such as these stop a person from setting up a popup?  Is anyone aware of any aftermarket products that would help in cases such as mine?  My DW insists that if I just get us there she can do the rest but understandably I'm not so keen on that.   I know a hydraulic roof lift and an electric tongue jack will make things more managable.  Do they make such a thing as an aftermarket power assist for the stabilizers or can they be fabricated for less than an arm and a leg?
     Neither DW or myself want to camp in anything more enclosed than a popup..just wouldn't be camping.  Any input you all have would be appreciated and respected.  
Hey!  Do they make motorized bed extenders?

[Calstate361]

I can probably touch on the subject since my husband, Sal (Calstate360) also has leg and breathing problems and uses a cane.  We started with a PU and it would take us several hours to get set up because he would have to sit down and rest.  This will probably help you as well.   Don't worry about it, just take your time and do it as you can.   We are both heavy and we just got tired of the manual raising, leveling, and unpacking of the PU and truck.  We went over to the dark side a couple of years ago and it is much easier with the hybred.  As far as it not being camping, we are only inside when the weather is nasty otherwise we are outside sitting under the awning reading, visiting, or whatever.  So you are still camping, but you have less work setting up.   Last year we purchased an electric jack for the front at Camping World when they were on sale.  That makes Sal's leveling much easier.   He still gets winded and has to rest, but there is a lot less to set up.   Now if I wouldn't take everything I think we might need I could get the inside set up much faster.  One thing that also helps is you can get a handicapped site that is usually next to the campground restroom.   Those sites are usually very level and sometimes the only ones left in a full campground.   So bottom line, we have not needed to purchase after market items for the disabled; we have been able to manage without them.  The NNCers know that Sal has these problems and understands that when he is not feeling well he doesn't come out much to visit with folks.  He basically comes because I need the break.    I know this wasn't much help, but at least you know that you are not the only one out there.

 
Joan

[tlhdoc]

A high quality 18 or 24 volt drill can be used to raise the top of the PU, put the jacks down and raise or lower the tongue jack.  If you wife is willing and able then you should be ok with a PU.  A travel trailer would be less work though.

[hoppy]

Me thinks out of all the different choices of RV selections, the PU would be the least kind to those with physical limitations.

  I would suggest a TT, due to the minimal amount of physical work is involved to perform the set-up and pack up of one. I realize that you don't care for the confinement feeling of anything less than a PU, but most of your camping time will be spent outdoors. I think a real bed would be easier than having to jump up or out of a bunkend bed.

  The TT will also be easier in the event of foul weather to break it down and leave as quickly as possible.

   In my opinion the fun of camping is the actual expierence, not the work involved getting to that point.JMHO.

   I'm 55 years old an in reletively good health, and I can get exhausted doing all the things needed to get the PU ready.

   But I'm sure you will make the proper choice that works for you.

 Hope to see ya out there..... real soon.

[sandykayak]

How about an A-frame popup?   I think it's something like 60 seconds.  

Less inside floor space and not the great wraparound porch feeling but the easy set up should offset that.

[Rustyone]

I thank everyone for the replies:
Calstate361 just knowing 'I'm not the only one' as you put it is encouraging beyond description.  Took me two years to admit I could'nt do what I used to.  Refused to use the special parking at wallyworld, got irked when someone opened a door for the "cripple".  I'm sure you are familiar with the routine having seen Sal go through it, thanks.
And Sandy and Hoppy;  having tent camped for nearly forty years I just can't see myself in a TT, too big a jump and I don't want to tow the darn thing!  DW thinks it's 'camping in a mobile home'.  We have four grandaughters we would like to introduce to 'roughing it' so a smaller A-Frame is out.  And thldoc your point is well taken.  We are going with the Fleetwood Niagara equipped with the new-fangled power roof lift thingy plus a powered tongue jack and I have two drills capable of cranking down the stabs and handling the BAL (I think)..
Now if I can figure out what to do with the grey and fresh water systems It will be a go.  I've been oogling over Tim5055's and Oz's sites.
As an afterthought I might add I am married to a true-blue-corn-fed-damn-the-torpedoes-mid-western girl who thankfully seldom reads these boards but is determined to get her hands dirty and kick it up when I can't.  Still,  it's a blow to the ego.  Thanks again to you all and if you should run into a tip that makes it easier on us 'gimps' post! post! post!

[tlhdoc]

You are getting a nice trailer.  Have a ball camping and tell your DW to stop in and post once in a while.  I am sure your granddaughters will have a good time.

[SkipP]

rusty, another option might be a Coleman/Fleetwood Montery. Discontinued last year, they had a powered roof-lift and power slide-out bunk ends.

There may be some remaining on lots, I have no clue. It's worth a look!
 
Ones things for certain...with your attitude...I'm sure you, the missus and the grandkids will have a blast.
 
Good luck.

[tlhdoc]

rusty, another option might be a Coleman/Fleetwood Montery. Discontinued last year, they had a powered roof-lift and power slide-out bunk ends.
 

Skip,
 
The 2005 Niagara is the same as the 2004 Montery.

[SkipP]

Skip,
 
The 2005 Niagara is the same as the 2004 Montery.

Whoops! Didn't know that. Thanks Tracy. Wait! The Montery was a Coleman, the Niagara is a Fleetwood:D
 
The important thing is we get Rustyone in a camper that works for them!

[tlhdoc]

Whoops! Didn't know that. Thanks Tracy. Wait! The Montery was a Coleman, the Niagara is a Fleetwood:D
 
The important thing is we get Rustyone in a camper that works for them!

Skip I messed up, it isn't the same as the Monterey, it is the same at the :banghead: , I can't think of the name.  It was the late model high sided PU Fleetwood came out with.  The Niagara is now a high side PU with the slide out.:yikes:

[Rustyone]

rusty, another option might be a Coleman/Fleetwood Montery. Discontinued last year, they had a powered roof-lift and power slide-out bunk ends.

Whoa!  Power slide-out bunk ends!  Is this an option on the 2005 Niagara?