Going on a trip in an RV has been something I've desired to do for years. I remember as being a teenager and seeing the Robin Williams movie RV in a theater. While I didn't want an RV visit to be as “interesting” because the one in the movie seemed, I had been immediately intrigued and believed that it would be so much fun to visit from the comforts of an RV. Since that time, I've Googled “wheelchair accessible RV” countless times with dismal results… until a few years ago, anyway.
I first heard about an accessible RV just a couple years back when Winnebago announced their AE (Accessibility Enhanced) type of RVs. It was groundbreaking when they made that announcement because for the first time, I knew it's a real possibility that I could experience RVing as a wheelchair user. Luckily, increasingly more companies, including Winnebago, are recognizing the strength of the accessible travel market and experiences that were once off-limits for wheelchair users are actually real possibilities!
Fast forward a few years and they at Winnebago actually reached out to me via email. They asked if I'd want to consider going on a wheelchair accessible RV trip and promoting their AE line of RVs. I'll admit, I've received some pretty incredible partnerships and offers within my seven years like a travel blogger, but I have never responded by having an enthusiastic “YES!!” as fast as Used to do to Winnebago. I was ecstatic to be able to use the Winnebago Inspire AE, their newest accessibility enhanced RV, and display it in public.
During our weeklong trip in the Winnebago Inspire AE, my mom, my pal Kayla, and that i traveled along the New england of Florida. Our journey were only available in Sanford and then visited Saint Augustine, Jensen Beach, and Kissimmee. My mother and I had never even been inside of an RV prior to this trip, therefore we weren't sure just what to anticipate, however it certainly surpassed our expectations. We're now huge fans of not just the Winnebago Inspire AE, however the RVing lifestyle blew us away as well.
In this web site post, I'll begin by telling you concerning the Winnebago Inspire AE and its accessible features. Then, I'll tell you about the four campgrounds that we stayed in and lastly, I'll answer probably the most popular questions which i received on my small social networking channels within my trip.
Accessibility of the Winnebago Inspire AE – A Wheelchair Accessible RV
The Winnebago Inspire AE is the newest model in the AE line also it was constructed with accessibility in mind, making it truly wheelchair-friendly. It's upscale and provides a smooth ride wherever you're taking it. To be honest, I was shocked at just how smooth it had been compared to my Honda Odyssey minivan. Whether i was driving down the highway in it or parked at a campground, the Winnebago Inspire AE provided us with an extraordinary experience. Here are a few of my favorite things about this accessible RV:
The BraunAbility Lift – A BraunAbility lift is on the RV to create getting into and out as a wheelchair user easy. There is also an awning that come out and cover the lift if it is raining. The awning is powered, so it is extremely easy to extend it within the lift.
The Quantity of Space Inside – I was able to fully benefit from the Winnebago Inspire AE since it had sooo much space inside, where I possibly could move easily. Within the living area, I possibly could even use circles without hitting anything. This RV is unquestionably luxurious!
Tie-Downs – To secure a wheelchair while driving, Q-Straint tie-downs are available right behind the passenger seat.
The Living Area – There's a RestEasy loveseat, a dinette table, and a 39″ HDTV, complete with a home entertainment sound bar system, in the living space. The dinette table even comes with an extendable section, to ensure that wheelchair users can pull up to the table easier. Moreover, both dinette table and the loveseat can convert into beds. Yes, you read that correctly… the table becomes a bed! It's awesome! The RV can comfortably sleep up to four people.
The Kitchen – With the cooking, there is a full refrigerator, a sink, a stove top, along with a convection oven/microwave. There are also plenty of cabinets to keep groceries. I loved that I could roll through the kitchen because it was quite spacious.
The Bathroom – The bathroom is spacious, specifically for a motorhome, and my shower chair rolled around in the bathroom effortlessly. There is a sink, a toilet, and a roll-in shower with a handheld shower wand. There are no grab bars, therefore if that's something you will need, definitely let Winnebago know upon purchasing.
Washer and Dryer – Since the Winnebago Inspire AE is a home on wheels, it does come with a washer and dryer. It had been great to be able to wash our clothes throughout the trip!
The Bedroom – A queen bed is incorporated in the bedroom at the back of the RV and also the head from it can raise and lower using the push of a button. There is also a 32″ TV, a nightstand, and a pretty big closet in the bedroom. My wheelchair could fit beside the queen bed, but I was without enough space to maneuver and obtain into this bed. A hoyer lift also couldn't roll in the garage and it was a bit too tall for self transferring, so I opted to settle the dinette bed, which was very comfortable and gave me more space to get to the bed. Basically bought the Winnebago Inspire AE, I would probably swap the queen bed for a full-sized or perhaps a twin bed to permit more access in the bedroom.
The Exterior and Awnings – First, the exterior of the Winnebago Inspire AE is just gorgeous. I loved the exterior colors and how sleek it looked. Secondly, while at the campgrounds, I possibly could usually be found sitting outside the RV underneath the awning. In addition to the awning within the wheelchair lift, there's also a huge powered patio awning with Leds that come out toward the rear of the RV. An inferior TV is on the outside of as well. It was awesome so that you can sit under the patio awning watching TV while at the campgrounds!
The Winnebago Inspire AE has so many incredible features, both ones specific to accessibility and ones that anyone could enjoy. I had been in a state of almost shock the entire trip because I couldn't believe that an RV might be this unique and accessible. It is by far the most wheelchair accessible RV available on the market and made for one of my personal favorite vacations ever. There's just nothing quite like being able to live, sleep, and travel all-in-one space!
Check the video below to determine the Winnebago Inspire AE for action (Video originally produced for Go RVing)!
Wheelchair Accessible Campgrounds I Stayed At
Over the course of my RV trip, I had been in a position to stay in four different Florida campgrounds. Each one offered something and I would actually recommend all of them. If you have an accessible RV and therefore are in the region, these four campgrounds could be great places to stay for a few nights:
Orange City RV Resort – Orange City, FL
This was the first campground we stayed in. In the end only stayed for one evening, it were built with a perfect location in Orange City and was just a short drive from La Mesa RV, where we picked up the Winnebago Inspire AE. At Orange City RV Resort, we had a pull-thru site, which made driving in and out with the RV easy breezy. We'd full hookups as well and also the resort had amenities like a pool, games, a playground, and a lobby area, that was serving breakfast for any small cost in the end have there been.
Anastasia State Park – St. Augustine, FL
The next stop on our RV adventure was St. Augustine and while in the city, we were able to stay at the beautiful Anastasia State Park for three nights. We'd a back-in spot here, therefore it wasn't as simple as a pull-thru site, however it did give my mother some good practice with driving the RV. The spot where we parked the RV was quite large and that we were built with a picnic table and fire pit, which we made use of a few times. Anastasia State Park were built with a beach having a beach access mat and complimentary beach wheelchairs as well, so this is a wonderful location for wheelchair users.
Ocean Breeze Resort – Jensen Beach, FL
Out from the four campgrounds that people stayed in, Ocean Breeze Resort was probably my favorite. It is an RV resort in Jensen Beach and it has every amenity that you can imagine, which makes it a luxurious place to stay. There is an enormous zero-entry pool, a fitness center, billiards room, a cafe or restaurant and bar, and lots of of Jensen Beach's shops and restaurants were just a short walk/roll away, such as the beach. For the RV, we had a pull-thru site with full hookups and a picnic table and grill were at our spot too. Ocean Breeze Resort had a community feel into it and everybody that we spoke with was super nice. I would like to stay once again!
Orlando/Kissimmee KOA – Kissimmee, FL
For our last night in the Winnebago Inspire AE, we stayed at the Orlando/Kissimmee KOA. We had a pull-thru site with full hookups, a grill, fire pit, along with a picnic table at our website. It had been a real perfect site! The KOA also were built with a pool with an access lift, bike rentals, along with a lobby area with a few groceries too. If you're searching to visit central Florida's most widely used attractions (including Walt disney world), this is a convenient location, as it is merely a 15 minute drive away.
Accessible RVing FAQ
Where can you rent an accessible RV like the Winnebago Inspire AE?
Unfortunately, the Winnebago Inspire AE isn't now available to rent. It is just available to buy at this time, but the team at Winnebago wants it to be available to rent and they are working on making that a reality. It's as much as the RV dealers whether they rent it out or otherwise (not Winnebago's decision), but hopefully soon it will be rentable. For now, be vocal and let dealers know how much a wheelchair accessible RV rental would mean to the disability community.
Do you'll need a special license they are driving it?
Surprisingly, no! I was actually shocked by this, however for any vehicle under 26,000 pounds (which is most RVs), a regular license is all that is needed in all 50 states.
Can special customizations be produced (ceiling hoist, hand controls for driving, etc)?
Absolutely! Almost anything on the Winnebago Inspire AE can be customized upon purchasing. Previously, they've installed ceiling hoists, hand controls, and more. The wheelchair accessible RV is your home on wheels, therefore it could be customized to give you probably the most comfort possible.
How much will the Winnebago Inspire AE cost?
The Winnebago Inspire AE starts at $299,000. This price includes all of the accessibility features, like the BraunAbility lift, roll-in shower, etc. Additionally, it has a 3-year/100,000 mile warranty.
Where are you able to see the Winnebago Inspire AE in-person and check out it?
The Winnebago Inspire AE is available exclusively at La Mesa RV locations. La Mesa RV has locations across Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, and California. Learn more about La Mesa RV locations online.
RVing became one of the largest ways to travel in the last year and thankfully, it's now completely possible if you are using a wheelchair. My RV adventure was one that I'll always remember and when you have always wanted RVing just like I used to, I'd recommend checking out the Winnebago Inspire AE.
Learn more about the Winnebago Inspire AE on this link.
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