Hi, I love my caravan but I’m finding it impossible to enjoy my trips recently. Many years ago I had an accident where I damaged my neck. Now if I strain my neck I get terrible migraines. I find each time I visit I end up with an attack, and believe me it’s no fun throwing up in a caravan toilet!
I’m putting it down to the uncomfortable seating, the backs for the seating are low, and so I’m not getting any support for my neck. I’m quite short so when seated my feet aren’t on the floor. Due to the windows being behind the seating I can’t support my head and neck properly. The front section slopes inwards so if I sit with my feet up along the seating it pushes my neck forward. Does anyone have any ideas for something or some way to improve this as I’m seriously considering selling the van as my visits are being spoilt.
Im sorry to hear of your problems Jools, but as the saying goes 'where theres a wiil theres a way'.
Have you tried using foam block wedges for support?
Im Disabled myself, and need to sit and sleep upright fully supported with my feet raised. I bought and covered a foam block wedge with a back height of around 90cm, with a top edge of around 15cm deep and approx 40cm at the base. I use this at the opposite end of the long front benches to the window, which gives me a slightly backward support similar to a high backed domestic sofa.
I have also gone a step further by buying a memory foam V-pillow from Dunhelm, which l lean up against my wedge for extra comfort and softness for sleeping at night. You can also buy memory foam neck pillows if you wanted to take this even further. You need to buy the medium to firm grade foam for the wedge itself, but dont be tempted to buy the cheaper firm bonded foam crumb type as its rock hard and very heavy in use and a total waste of money. The width of your wedge should be just slightly narrower than the seat base cushion, mines 80cm and works fine for me, being a similar width to the comfy chair backs l have at home.
Julia
Post last edited on 10/03/2019 17:59:36
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I was wondering if something similar to a childs car seat, the upto 12 yr old design would work, ok I guess its unlikely you would fit into one, but surely they make something similar for disabled older kidsadults in cars? you could then use that to lean back a bit and support your head/neck and if you look on ebay you can get inflatable foot rests, my daughter has one that she used to inflate in the gap on the seats of a airplane to turn the seat into a small bed for the kids
B&M bargains were selling the memory foam neck pillows last summer for around a fiver each, made from a propper piece of cut memory foam for good support, not the crumb filled cheaper option that flattens with time.
Another tip if you want to sit facing across the caravan on the side benches, is to pull out the slats that form the double bed base slightly, gather them up to form a solid base at the draw end, and top with one of the short back rest infills from the window end if you have them. These are often the sme depth as the seat bases, and topped with a small throw, make an excellent foot rest.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets