What is an RV Stair Lift?

Taking a vacation in a recreational vehicle is a favorite pastime enjoyed by millions of people who want to maintain some comforts of home such as beds and kitchens. If you or someone in your family is mobility impaired you can still enjoy an RV by having an automated stair lift installed which will help to transport people in and out of the vehicle.

Function

• RV stair lifts are automated machines that are intended to make it easier for people with mobility impairment issues, such as the elderly, disabled, or wheelchair bound, to access the inside of a recreational vehicle. An automated lift removes the need for someone to have to walk or be carried up the RV stairs.

Features

• An electric motor that is hooked directly into the recreational vehicle's engine powers the chair lift. The lift swivels from the outside wall of the vehicle, through the door and then on to the inside wall. A remote control is connected to the motor through a cable that allows the person sitting in the chair to turn it on or off and control the speed that the chair moves.

Types

• Several different RV and wheelchair manufacturing companies offer RV stair lifts and each has different features or methods of construction. Lifts are usually made either with aluminum or steel and can be customized for higher or lower heights, additional weight load, wider seats, or have removable arms for easier wheelchair access.

Considerations

• Check the height of your RV and the width of the door before purchasing a stair lift to ensure that the lift you choose will properly fit your vehicle. Lifts can be very difficult to install so you may want to consider having it professionally installed by the manufacturer or a third party installation company. You may also have to have an extra step fabricated on your RV or have extra bolts connected to the wall to be able to use the lift.

Warning

• Do not exceed the maximum weight limit designated by the manufacturer by having multiple people ride the lift at the same time. It may break off or ruin the engine, potentially causing you serious injury. Always wear the belt buckle if your lift comes with one.