Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Child Disability issues Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonJana101
12/7/2015 at 2:32pm
 Location: Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered View Jana101's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jana101 Reply   Quote Jana101 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi, We are planning on buying a caravan (two adults + one 3 year old child). Our girl has Angleman Syndrome (AS), a genetic disability. She finds it hard to get to sleep, will fidget and try to get out of bed etc. She does not talk and has problems balancing, but will try to crawl into any space available! We are looking for a caravan design that will keep her safe at night; that her sleep space can be 'blocked off' somehow so that she does not get into mischief while we are asleep. Are there any manufacturers or dealerships out there that cater for such needs or would we need to have the caravan specially adapted and if so have any of you had similar needs? We would appreciate any feedback from other families with disabled children (especially the energetic/destructive types) :-)


PersonJayen
12/7/2015 at 3:05pm
 Location: Button Moon
 Outfit: Currently tentless View Jayen's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jayen Reply   Quote Jayen Quote  
Joined: 16/8/2012

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   156
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We had a Swift challenger five berth (think it was a 550se 1998) that had at the back a double bed made out of two bench seats and a table and there was also a little bunk above. There was a sliding wooden door that could divide this area off into a little bedroom. I suppose you could put a little hook and eye latch on it so it could be secure at night? Might be the ideal set up for your circumstances.

Post last edited on 12/07/2015 15:19:02


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

PersonBaileyjake
12/7/2015 at 5:34pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 570 6 + Shogun SG4 View Baileyjake's Profile View Profile   Reply to Baileyjake Reply   Quote Baileyjake Quote  
Joined: 06/1/2015

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   846
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 4
Site Nights 2019: 2
Site Nights 2018: 2
I looked at a ranger 540/5 that had a room with a bunk and a double at the back with a door you could close. I sometimes think that's a better layout than the fixed bunks we have with just a curtain. Basically my boys 3 and 6 won't go to sleep until we do and often they end up on the front double with us by the morning. They can also easily open the door to the outside that's next to their beds. Luckily until now they have only gone in the awning in the morning.


PersonBaileyjake
12/7/2015 at 5:39pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 570 6 + Shogun SG4 View Baileyjake's Profile View Profile   Reply to Baileyjake Reply   Quote Baileyjake Quote  
Joined: 06/1/2015

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   846
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 4
Site Nights 2019: 2
Site Nights 2018: 2
Oh yeah and my boys are not registered disabled but they certainly are destructive. They don't do it deliberately it's just British light weight caravans aren't particularly robust. Either buy a heavier German van or an older van and accept they will break bits on it.

I have heard of adria caravans with a door for wheelchair access. So maybe they have dealers who can offer disabled access solutions.


PersonJana101
12/7/2015 at 6:57pm
 Location: Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered View Jana101's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jana101 Reply   Quote Jana101 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thank you Baileyjake and Jayen. Useful advice about the bunk at back with door. Will start invesigating.


Advertisement



Personalbee
12/7/2015 at 7:44pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View albee's Profile View Profile   Reply to albee Reply   Quote albee Quote  
Joined: 08/6/2010

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   482
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi, we had a caravan with a double seat area at the rear, for this I made a ply wood panel out of approx 6mm ply. on the top edge a curved wooden moulding for added strength and to smooth the edge. this went across the caravan held against the wash room wall by the cushions, rested on the bunk bases and slid into a plastic channel on the wall the other side made out of the white channel used to conceal wiring. it can be covered with sticky back plastic. when not in use we stored it under seat cushions. the exact measurements would need to be worked out once you had the caravan. but it was easy and cheap to make and worked well for us as a play pen and cot. hope this makes sense.


PersonRainbowsend
13/7/2015 at 4:21pm
 Location: Staffs Cheshire bord
 Outfit: None Entered View Rainbowsend's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rainbowsend Reply   Quote Rainbowsend Quote  
Joined: 02/7/2004

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1080
Site Reviews Total: 7
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
We have a caravan with rear double seat as others have suggested, its a Lunar Quasar 525 but the divider is a pull across concertina door that wouldn't stand wear and tear. As Albee says a wooden panel cut to size/shape would work. I understand your problem as I worked with adults with special needs and challenging behavior. Don't forget that caravan windows and doors do not lock from the inside and everything in a caravan is made to be light so might not be that hardwearing.
If you're looking for this layout its classes as a double dinette.

-------------
Jean

Sometimes a little rain must fall before you reach a rainbow.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work.


PersonJana101
13/7/2015 at 7:49pm
 Location: Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered View Jana101's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jana101 Reply   Quote Jana101 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thank you albee and Rainbowsend. I will bear your comments in mind. We are going out this weekend to look at caravans and will take Kitty with us. I hope that the staff will be 'understanding' when we let her loose in the interior!


PersonGrampian91
13/7/2015 at 9:08pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Watch out for the windows near the bunk, The catches are not exactly child proof and if you limit access to everything else this maybe the only thing to tinker with.

A few threads where children have been returned to vans/tents with the parents oblivious to them being gone.


PersonJana101
13/7/2015 at 9:43pm
 Location: Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered View Jana101's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jana101 Reply   Quote Jana101 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote by Jean above [everything in a caravan is made to be light so might not be that hardwearing], are european caravans more hard wearing than the English? Also as Kitty is very strong and likes kicking and shaking furniture. Albee's idea of building units gave me an idea of perhaps padding the walls.   


Advertisement



PersonBaileyjake
14/7/2015 at 7:37pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 570 6 + Shogun SG4 View Baileyjake's Profile View Profile   Reply to Baileyjake Reply   Quote Baileyjake Quote  
Joined: 06/1/2015

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   846
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 4
Site Nights 2019: 2
Site Nights 2018: 2
German caravans such as hobby, hymer and burstner are more solidly built than the common British built vans but I believe some like buccaneer are also well made. Problem is the more well made vans might be too heavy for the average car to tow so a compromise has to be made. Having 2 young scamps my self I would recommend an older van to begin with, possibly already with wear and tear. Then you won't be so stressed when they break something off. You might also be more willing to start screwing brackets into the walls etc if you want to modify it. But if I were in a position to buy another caravan, already have my bailey, I would buy an adria.


Personalbee
14/7/2015 at 7:54pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View albee's Profile View Profile   Reply to albee Reply   Quote albee Quote  
Joined: 08/6/2010

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   482
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi, Good hunting, your problems can be overcome, with a bit of thought if you have a cot at home have a look at that for ideas. in the words of my old mate Pete, "every problem has a solution" don't let them put you off letting your daughter enjoy the world of caravanning.


PersonJana101
15/7/2015 at 9:53pm
 Location: Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered View Jana101's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jana101 Reply   Quote Jana101 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thanks Baileyjack and albee. We certainly got the caravaning bug now, and looking forward to seeing one in real life! Good idea about an older model and getting it modified.
Gosh! trying to find out how much weight my Mazda CX5 can tow is a whole physics course! What is all this GTW, MTPLM, MIRO and MAM - they don't make it easy, do they? Never mind, I'll ask the car dealer for guidance.


Personkazo2014
16/7/2015 at 6:02pm
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View kazo2014's Profile View Profile   Reply to kazo2014 Reply   Quote kazo2014 Quote  
Joined: 03/11/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   724
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
if your car is the 2.2 auto awd 150 hp model then you can go to a caravan that is 1300kgs fully loaded according to whattowcar.com


Personminikings
23/7/2015 at 8:37am
 Location: Norfolk
 Outfit: Lunar Ariva 4 Ren Grand Modus View minikings's Profile View Profile   Reply to minikings Reply   Quote minikings Quote  
Joined: 26/8/2011

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   64
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Hi, we have an Avondale Rialto 535-5. It has a separate room at the back with bunk beds. Our boys have ASD and it is the perfect caravan for us. They have their own space and love it.


PersonJana101
23/7/2015 at 10:25pm
 Location: Sussex
 Outfit: None Entered View Jana101's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jana101 Reply   Quote Jana101 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2015

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   6
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Thank you Minikings - I have put the Rialto on our list of vehicles to view.
Thanks Kazo2014, Great website. I will check out what our car can tow.

Great feedback from everyone. I really feel much more confident in moving forward.



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

5767 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder