This name is simple for me. I am trying to steal mobility from any source that I can find it. Obviously I am not actually stealing but that is the thought behind it. If I can build me a stand up chair and stand up for the first time in a long time then I am going to attempt it. If I can build an off-road chair to be able to get around on my property, then I want to attempt it. Most of this stuff already exists but being able to afford the thousands of dollars they charge for them, on top of the fact that you need multiple different ones and they all are that expensive is why I don’t already have them.
I plan on calling all of my vehicles that are for me this, at least that is the plan right now.
The first race vehicle I plan to start with would be a 4×4 pulling truck. I have been putting in the work to figure out how to make this truck work. I would like to be different and start with a newer chevy truck (somewhere around a 2017). This is different as the rules in most pulling classes tend to lean towards older trucks. The truck needs to be a regular cab, long bed (136 in wheelbase) and has to be steel. I have been reading up on all the rule requirements for the association that I plan to run in that is in this area. I am pretty sure that I have it all worked out on how to make it handicap accessible and give it a hand throttle and convert the steering to what I need.
I almost want to make this a full Smokey and the Bandit theme and get a W-900 Kenworth that is black and gold to use as my tow vehicle. Biggest issue with that would be the fact that the sleeper has a step down into the cab and is narrow between the two. Something like a Freightliner Classic with a condo sleeper would be easier as far as maneuvering inside the truck with being in a powerchair. I know any truck will have to have a custom sleeper door made to get into it and a bus lift. The lift part of it I believe will be easier than the door part of it, but it is one of those things that you won’t know exactly what it will take until you get into it. I guess because of some of the issues that I have to overcome here is why I might not go the smokey and the bandit route, but as I explained above, I do plan to stick with the mobility bandit name.
I am starting to embrace being known as the mobility bandit, wearing a cowboy hat and all. Its kind of fitting in a way, as that anyone that knows me knows I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan for decades. You add in that the health department wants us to wear a mask right now and I kind of fit the logo with my cowboy hat and boots and a mask.
I just need some sponsorship money to make this dream a reality.