IVECO Eurocargo broadens Abby's horizons

For Abby Van Baar, who uses a wheelchair and who is affected by cerebral palsy, this new IVECO Eurocargo motorhome is expanding her world.

Getting around has its challenges for Abby, especially when it comes to longer trips.

Her parents, Kim and Paul, know the difficulties well, especially when it comes to selecting a suitable holiday destination.

"Abby wasn't a particularly good traveller in a car, and then when we'd arrive at a holiday destination, we found that many of the places we'd stay at weren't very wheelchair-friendly, even though they claimed to be," said Kim.

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The issue eventually led the Van Baars to look at different alternatives, the journey eventually leading them to examine motorhomes and eventually high-end horse transporters – and a chance encounter with an IVECO representative at an equine show.

"We saw some beautiful transporters online and many were based on an IVECO platform; when we saw one in the flesh we thought that an IVECO was the right direction to go," Kim said.

The family eventually settled on a Eurocargo ML160 cab chassis and had it shipped from Melbourne to Majestic Motorhomes in Bega.

The truck features IVECO’s Tector 6 turbo-diesel engine producing 180hp and 950Nm, providing ample urge for the 13-tonne RV.

Making light work of the driving task is an Allison S3000 five-speed automatic transmission and rear electronically controlled airbag suspension.

Both Kim and Paul have their Heavy Rigid truck licences, but driving duties are normally taken on by Paul, who loves driving the vehicle, according to Kim.

"The truck is so comfortable to be in, Paul says it's like driving a plush couch – we have driver and passenger air suspension seats as well, which are really nice," she said.

Abby enters the truck via a Ricon wheelchair lift and stays seated in the wheelchair, which is then secured to special anchor points on the floor towards the front of the motorhome. A large section of the rear of the truck's cab has been removed to allow walk-through access and vision into the body.

The truck features all the amenities that allow the family to spend extensive time on the road, although at the moment Abby’s health prevents the family from travelling too far afield from medical care.

Included in the set-up is sleeping for six – Abby is treated to a queen-size bed while Kim and Paul make use of a wall-mounted, pull-down queen. A leather double sofa bed also provides additional space should one of Abby's carers accompany the family.

There are also full interior kitchen and bathroom facilities, with the body's slide-out feature providing generous living spaces.

For year round comfort, the truck is equipped with two split-system air conditioners, a diesel-powered heater, a solar power system with batteries and a generator.

On the outside the family has slide-out laundry facilities and a shower while on-board tanks provide up to 900 litres of water. The family is also having a custom annexe made to fit the external pull-out awning. The annexe will be fully enclosed with windows and fly screens providing the flexibility for Abby to enjoy an outdoor space.

Kim said that Abby is enjoying the extra freedom the Eurocargo is providing.

"It's just so much more convenient to have everything we need right here in the truck," Kim said.

"Before having the vehicle even short trips and organising a night away were major undertakings.

"Abby is also thrilled with the truck and everything it's allowing us to do. She's named the truck 'Purple Ivy' – purple is her favourite colour and 'Ivy' is short for IVECO."