Now I've got to figure out a new project, a new wrinkle in my plans now look like I may have to figure out how to add a wheelchair lift to my eagle or at least a hoist mechanism to get the chair inside, any idea's or maybe anyone got one gathering dust somewhere? I've been out of my chair for about 4 years thanks to good meds but now it looks like I'm heading back into it so I'm working in that direstion. Could use some good idea's, right now my options are to keep it in the bay but I did design the inside to allow it, just didn't plan on needing it this soon. Only problem is getting the chair in and out of the bus so I can still use it.
you could do a total upgrade and get a used buw with an OEm lift. and l;ay the interior out so you could use the chair inside.
I have always thought about doing a conversion like this on spec....as with the average age of the bus.motorhome folks the market is there for anyone in direct need or those that are forward thinking
and these buses have low market value at present too
I've already got the interior chair friendly, just didn't think it would become an issue so quickly, I'm thinking maybe a hoist that could be anchored on the inside of the doorframe that could lift it inside. I'm still mobile at this point but that will be changing .
Cody, Don't know your situation but I have a couple of ideas that might work for you. If you need the chair at all times and can't climb up in the bus you could make a seated lift that the seat folds against the dash when in the bus. It would be similar to a lift you can get for stairs. There are several ways of getting you and the chair into the bus that could be built by yourself if you have the same welding skills as your woodworking skills. If not there are plenty of us that can help.
Ron
I can still get in and out of the bus so far, I have parkinsons with some bad balance problems and now I've been diagnosed with MS and depending on the speed of the progression of the problem I'm trying to think ahead. My biggest problem at this point is walking, I've added grab bars to the side of the entry both outside and inside that helps me a lot, but to climb into the bus and drag my chair in behind me is posing a problem. I have absolutely no ability to weld lol, wood I understand but welding seems to be beyond me lol.
Cody, I'm pretty handy with welding and have a good MIG welder that can handle Stainless or Steel welding. I'd be happy to help you out if you should be inclinded to come over to Minneapolis. My work schedule would not allow me to come over to Michigan, but count me in as a good source of help if needed. I have plenty of room for another bus on my property with a decent 20 amp circuit. If you can work out a design I can help you implement it!
Cody,
I'm with Ron on this, if you need help there are a bunch of us here down at the Busted Knuckle Corral that will be glad to give you a hand no matter what you need.
Whether it's a hydraulically operated lift system, electric or just a block and tackle mounted inside the door on a rotating arm, we'll be happy to assist in any way.
Dallas
Cody,
Sorry to hear of the double whammy......
At least the bus makes a good backstop for stopping.
In your design you may consider if you already haven't done so is not going with a standard chair.
A sport chair or one of the newer collapsable chairs will probably serve you better. Expensive but not as heavy,
bulky or wide foot print.
If you go with a lift chair then also consider and under step raiseable platform to get to the lift chair. There are a lot
of ways to skin this cat it is just what works for you. Sounds like others are ready to help with what ever you design.
Please don't be bashful in using their help.
Wish I was closer.
Skip
Cody, come on down to BK's. You will have Dallas, Ron, Bryce and his dad Gene. Dallas has welding skills, the others have great thinking skills (Dallas thinks pretty good to) and between them, I bet we can get something fixed up for you before you know it. On top of that, we can all have a great time talking, cooking out and just plain chillin'. Cat
Cody,
Almost everyone that buys an RTS to convert ends up removing a wheelchair lift. My old RTS just went to NC. Still a long way from you but closer than CA. I don't know what his schedule is on removing it but I know he plans to. I would bet that you could retrofit it into your bus. If you are interested I will try to find out.
Dale
Here's some thing to look at that would entail major renovations to your coach. Seen a few on SS Class A Rv's but not on a Bus ... but it should work.
http://myport-a-lift.com/index.html (http://myport-a-lift.com/index.html)
Ron
Quote from: Dallas on October 03, 2007, 11:51:41 AM
Cody,
I'm with Ron on this, if you need help there are a bunch of us here down at the Busted Knuckle Corral that will be glad to give you a hand no matter what you need.
Whether it's a hydraulically operated lift system, electric or just a block and tackle mounted inside the door on a rotating arm, we'll be happy to assist in any way.
Dallas
Cody,
I second or 3rd or 4th what ever # in line I am to welcome you to come down to our place! As I read here, there are Dallas, Ron, Dad, and several others I can
drag call favors out of! Seems like it would be an easy enough task, especially with all the talented folks available here!
So load up and head south! We're here Dallas has his welder out, Ron has his router out, and I got my cutt'n torch! If needed Mark has all the above and a plasma cutter! (and lots of scraps!) And there are a bunch of others that owe me favors, all I gotta do is call! ;D BK ;D
Quote from: prevost82 on October 03, 2007, 01:39:23 PM
Here's some thing to look at that would entail major renovations to your coach. Seen a few on SS Class A Rv's but not on a Bus ... but it should work.
http://myport-a-lift.com/index.html (http://myport-a-lift.com/index.html)
Ron
Cody,
I saw one of these work on my last camping trip on the RV next door.
I had to talked to the Owner and he said it worked great.
Looks like a good lift.
Best of Luck
Cliff
Cody, don't get into too big of a hurry on this. I've been pondering this for a while ever since NcBob asked about a wheel chair lift. I have a design in mind that is very simple and not too intrusive to your entryway. I will need some info from you about your size and your bus. I would be glad to build the lift arm for you for free as a prototype and have you test it. The operating mechanism would be a remote control winch which you would have to supply. I'm not too familure with eagle buses so I would need to know a few things. Like does your door open where its flush with your dash? What do you have behind your dash to mount to? Is there a spare tire compartment in the front of your bus under drivers area?
You can call me at 239-292-1750
Ron
Cody, anther option is detailed at: http://www.coachlift.com/rv-lifts.htm
It basically looks like a trailer jack modified to lift a person. I have seen one work and it seemed to function rather well. Should be easy to install. They have advertised in FMCA for quite a while and I saw the unit over two years ago, so they must be good enough to still be in business.
Jim
I sure appreciate the idea's and the offers, they mean a lot to me, I spent yesterday afternoon checking out different options, I'm still somewhat mobile just can't walk well or balance as good as I want too so getting in and out of the bus is still manageable, I'm thinking that a hoist of some sort that will attach to the wall by the door and swing out, with a cable winch that will lift the chair up and then I could swing it in thru the door onto the floor would be the way to go, got a speed bump dealt to me, now I've either got to climb over it or roll around it lol. For now I'll keep the chair in a bay but at some point I'll need it inside, just trying to solve some problems before they become a way of life, I won't give up bussing because of a minor thing like this.
Cody, I'm glad you have a good attitude about it, that makes a big difference. The lift I have designed in my head will be useful in many ways. It will lift you into the bus, or just the chair, It can be used to haul groceries into the bus and also be a hand/grab rail and not be intrusive to the opening of the bus. I'm going to build one regardless just to see if it will work then hopefully be able to market them as most bus owners are older and could use one in their bus in the future
Have you looked at the lifts for the electric chairs and scooters advertised on TV? I installed one of these in the back of my suburban for an electric cart. Only three bolts. Works great and it picks the cart up and then swivels almost 180 degrees to get it inside the vehicle. Are you by chance able to qualify for an electric scooter from VA or Medicare or your insurance?
Richard
I checked with medicare on this, they basically told me if I can afford the bus I can afford whatever I need for whatever handicapper equipment I need. I told them I'm not asking for a handout from them, that I'll pay for what ever I need, just like I alway have done, wow, were they a trip to talk too lol. I was just contacting them for idea's lol. This is new and somewhat unknown territory for me so I'm checking into a lot of different possibilities.
Quote from: cody on October 04, 2007, 10:56:50 AM
I checked with medicare on this, they basically told me if I can afford the bus I can afford whatever I need for whatever handicapper equipment I need. I told them I'm not asking for a handout from them, that I'll pay for what ever I need, just like I alway have done, wow, were they a trip to talk too lol. I was just contacting them for idea's lol. This is new and somewhat unknown territory for me so I'm checking into a lot of different possibilities.
Cody
Let the sales folks at the chair/lift company check your eligibilty, they seem to be able to cut through the "BUROCRAP" and get things done better than the common mortal.
If you have medicare and your doctor will sign that you need it, then do as CS recommends and let the scooter sales staff do the work. They do not even have to know it is going in a bus.
This is the way I handled it for my wife and no problem. I do not know if they can get the lift approved or not. I never tried for that as I had one from my sister.
Richard
Cody,
There is a company in my town that builds mobility carts and the equipment that loads them into the vehicle. (Bruno Independent Living Aids) A very large family owned and operated company. I think they have 8-10 engineers on staff, I would be surprised if they didn't have something that would bolt in.
I'm not all that far from you, it might be worth a trip down here in the bus to see what they can make up. I have talked with some of the engineers when they were helping the local high school kids build a robot for competition, they are really neat people. I would be glad to set an appointment with them for you.
http://www.bruno.com/
Keep it in mind,
Jim
"I won't give up bussing because of a minor thing like this"
That's the spirit - and why should you give up something you enjoy - NOT
FWIW - here is what some young engineers that i know did -
The Tank: Travis Watkins used to love going to the beach and golf course with his dad. But when his father came down with Lou Gehrig's disease and had to use a wheelchair, off-road outings stopped. Travis and his teammates invented a device with wide ATV tires and a system of rollers so a wheelchair can travel into sand and mud and along wooded paths. Mark Chase, Robert Burn and John Hopkins also worked on the project.[Last modified May 13, 2005, 09:48:04]
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Unfortunately they sold the patent to a SLOOOOOOOW moving company -