News: Mobility RV Lifestyle is seen at Mobility Expo
From Born Free Motorcoach / Dodgen Mobile Technologies on November 23, 2009
Dodgen Mobile Technologies exhibited November 6-8, 2009 at the Abilities Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. Gerry and Marilynn Stoloff, who recently purchased a new Born Free/Dodgen custom designed motor coach, exhibited the vehicle, which is equipped to allow Marilyn to travel and live the “RV Lifestyle” in spite of her mobility limitations.The Stoloffs approached Dodgen Mobile Technologies early in 2009 after two years of research and rejection from dozens of other manufacturers and dealers. The common response that they got during their visits to the dealers was that, although several other manufacturers would be willing to add a wheelchair lift, a transfer seat, or make one or two other “minor standardized” changes, the dealers did not know of another company who would build a fully customized floor-plan design, including the accessibility modifications. Instead, their typical recommendation was to accept what the manufacturers could provide, and then take the vehicle to a vehicle modifier to have any remaining changes made after-market.So, in the end, Marilynn & Gerry returned to the very first motor coach they had ever examined at the 2007 Good Sam Club National Rally in Perry, GA – a Born Free 22’ Built for Two. They made contact with the Dodgen Sales Department, and discussion and design ideas on a layout got underway. They reviewed various wheelchair accessible models Dodgen had built in the past, but none of the layouts were quite what they wanted for their vehicle. So a totally new design was worked out with the Stoloffs and priced specifically for them. As Marilynn describes, “I’ve retired after 25 years as a Rehabilitation Supervisor and want to see North America with my husband and our two cats. Just because I have physical limitations doesn’t mean we should have to compromise our lifestyle in order to live in an RV. This way, we can still travel and always know that we’ll have lodging and transportation that I can manage comfortably.”The RV is a 26’ long Wide Body model. It has a Ricon personal mobility wheelchair lift, with a split platform permitting walk-through passage. A rear electric step allows Gerry to enter or exit through the door when the lift is stored, reducing potential wear on the lift. The rear double doors have electric door openers, so that the doors can be opened and the lift deployed, all from a wireless remote control fob.A 6-way powered transfer seat, with rearward travel, elevation lift, and 180° rotation, was installed in the passenger seat position. With the rotation capability of the transfer seat, Marilynn can sit at a custom designed table that can also accommodate her scooter.The RV is also equipped with a queen-sized hide-a-bed with an inflatable air-over-spring mattress, so that it inflates to a slide transfer height of 17” above ground. A special remote-controlled day/night window shade was installed over the lounge area window, with a second manually-operated shade on the opposite window that can be easily and affordably converted to power at any time. A combination bathroom/shower design allows easy slide transfers from a wheelchair or scooter.The response to the vehicle at the Abilities Conference was overwhelming. Several visitors to the vehicle commented that they did not know that any company in the U.S. could build a vehicle quite like the Dodgen model. The Stoloffs were able to visit first hand with prospects and share their experiences with the design and purchase process, and
why they prefer their custom design.Dodgen Mobile Technologies would like to visit with you if you are also in the market for a specialized vehicle. Please contact us by completing the “Contact Us” page on our website, or by giving us a call toll free at 800-247-1835 if you need more information or a vehicle quotation.
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