[Just2Fish]

Hi, has anyone got any tips on buying a folding or telescopic ramp, including make, for loading a wheelchair into a car? Is 6ft ok for a lightweight chair? Thanks.

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[SaintsMan]

I’ve got a 6′ folding ramp used in my BMW Gran Tourer.

I use it for my heavy pride powerchair. The only problem is the angle is a bit too steep for the centre wheels so sometimes it gets the front wheels on the ramp and the centre wheels just spin as they are off the ramp. The solution is to go a bit fast at the start, get the wheels on to the ramp then stop and turn the speed down.

I use a number of bungee cords to secure the ramps in the car otherwise the bump and rattle constantly.

The ramps fit into the boot area without folding any of the rear seats, so if you’re buying some make sure they fit in the back.

[Just2Fish]

Thanks SaintsMan.

[vinalspin]

The boot in my Alhambra is guite high from the ground and I use a 6′ suitcase ramp but I split it down the middle and cut the width of each ramp by 3 ” to reduce carry weight, I also use a couple of bungee’s to keep them from rattling about, best solution I could comee up with as my puma powerchair weighs 128kgs.

[JS]

Spoke to a friend today that often travels in other vehicles not just his own and he takes his ramps everywhere with him, if he is visiting for instance he uses the ramps to put on the front door threashold for easy access to the house as well of putting his chair in the car, He swears by telescopic channel ramps there are various makes but At present he has 6 or 7 foot (he can’t remember specs) made by AIDAPT. He paid £80 on ebay but as prices vary from £80-£180 for the same ones he suggests checking your local Mobility shop as you should get them VAT free but he wasn’t offered that option online.

these are the Aidapt ones extended and bagged (stock photos)

Edit: just checked the email he sent me with above info he also says you may be able to get them free through your local council if they have a occupational therapy or similar department. He had permanent ramp and handrails fitted so couldn’t claim for his.

 

[Just2Fish]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, I’ve just ordered a ramp from Ebay.

[SaintsMan]

I forgot about telescopic ramps. They were my first option but I couldn’t use them with my chair as the motor caught on the inside sides.

I split mine as well vinalspin, makes it much easier to carry, I just got some new angle grinder blades ready to cut them down a bit.

[vinalspin]

Cool, only thing to mention is that it’s best to use the ultra thin cutting discs and to cut it before you drill out the rivets as the plate part of the ramps are made up of about a dozen separate sections and that way you get an even sized cut. Then it’s just a case of drill and rivet plus I bought an extra matching handle as it only comes with one.

[vinalspin]

I also have the Aidapt 6′ telescopic channel ramps and have had to make a diagonal cut to the top of both inner channels to stop the chassis and motor fouling when going over the threshold, can’t use them with the chair though as there is a big width difference between front and rear wheels.

[SaintsMan]

Funnily enough vinalspin my son just walked in from work with a set of new cutting discs, he’ll do it while I’m away. (Probably for the best)

[vinalspin]

So all fingers intact then. ?

[Author]

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