Dandy conversion helps campers in need

CAMPING life for paraplegic campers is about to change for the better thanks to Camping magazine reader, Bob Pugh, who has inspired the development of a novel folding camper conversion.

Bob was left unable to walk as a result of a bad motorcycle crash in 2005. He was determined that this would not effect his outdoor life and approached Richard Olphin from Dandy Hire and Transformations in Staffordshire, to help build a camper for wheelchair users.

Richard says: “Regulations for ramps state that for every inch of ramp height you need a foot of ramp length. This normally rules out trailer tents and caravans with ramps.

“Further, even if a long ramp could be fitted it would be very difficult to negotiate in the wet. We had to come up with a unit that could be lowered to take a shorter ramp.”

As the name suggests, the resulting Mark I Dandy ‘Dalek Transformer’ is based around a Dandy folding camper – chosen for its superb build quality and the ease with which it can modified. An electric drill is used to lower it from 13ins above the ground to just three inches to allow a short three-foot long ‘suitcase’ ramp to be used.

Further, the bed is at the right height to get in and out of the wheelchair and the lightweight kitchen is at the right working height for Bob to rustle up a meal. As long as there is someone to help with the erection of the unit then Bob can enjoy independence.

Bob says: “Coupled with the gas struts fitted to the bed assemblies and the lightened kitchen unit these modifications have allowed my family to regain a part of our life that we had to give up after my accident.”

Dandy Hire and Transformations is offering Dalek Transformer units for just £4,999. Richard is also looking for good-quality Dandy Deltas to buy for conversion.
 
If you would like to know more about the units, or have one that Richard could buy off you then call him on 07800 735836, or drop him a line at [email protected]

* This news story was first published in Camping magazine.

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