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Wheelchair ramps tips

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Must read Scooter and wheelchair ramp tips for the educated ramp consumer

In this article you will get detailed information about acquiring a wheelchair or scooter ramp, measuring for ramp, type of ramps and buying at a good price without compromising quality.

How to determine the right length for your scooter or wheelchair ramp
When planning your wheelchair ramp, you should keep in mind
that the slope is very important because the steeper the ramp is the more difficult it is to make a descent or ascent.
will you be self-propelling the wheelchair or there will be a caregiver who will be helping you.
Overall weight of patient and that of the wheelchair or scooter
The width of the wheelchair or scooter
Availability of brake on your wheelchair or scooter

First let us learn how to calculate the right slope of the ramp for safe and effective use transportation.

The most important information that will be needed will be the length of the rise, in the case of a stair this will be the measurement of the topmost part of the stair (where you normally start descending from the stairs) to the ground.

The ADA requirement is 1:12 slope, which means for every inch of the rise you should use 12 inches of ramp, requirement may vary by states, so please consult your state. If you are installing this in your own house or will be using this for purposes other than public access then the choice might be yours though it is still advisable that you consult your local authority for direction as to the slope. For easier ascent and descent a slope of 1:16 might be preferred, this means for every inch of rise you should use 16 inches of ramp so if your rise is 24 inches.

Calculate the length of the wheelchair ramp using a rise of 24 inches and assuming the target slope is 1:16

Ramp length = 24x16/12 = 32 ft of ramp will be needed, we divided by 12 because we needed to convert the result to feet as that is how ramps are sold.

Calculate the length of the wheelchair ramp using a rise of 24 inches and assuming the target slope is 2:16

This means for every 2 inches we use 16 inches of ramp sort of like for every 1 inch we use 8 inches of ramp

Ramp length = 24x16/12 = 32 ft for the final result we will divide the result by the 2 so our answer will be 16ft

The ADA requirement though very generous might not be enough for most people on wheelchair so you might want to experiment with the numbers if you want to self-propel yourself, if you are using a caregiver then the ADA requirement should be enough to calculating the size of wheelchair ramp needed. As mentioned earlier the ADA slope requirement for a wheelchair ramp is 1:12. A scooter ramp should be fine at any slope as long as it is not too steep, because scooters are powered by battery the user just needed to be strong and well balanced so that he or she does not fall off the ramp or the scooter does not tip over. A scooter ramps slope can have the minimum slope of 1:12 and that makes sure it meets the ADA recommendation while at the same time it is safe for the users, note that the higher the second number the lower the steepness of the ramp the better and safer it is to move the scooter up the ramp.

Measuring stairs for ramp
Measuring Van, SUV (sports utility vehicles ), truck and minivan for ramp
Measuring other surfaces for ramp

Weight capacity of the wheelchair ramp

The next thing to consider is the weight capacity of the ramp, you must make sure that it will be enough to carry you, the wheelchair and whoever normally travels with you an average portable ramp size have a weight capacity of 500lbs, please note that there are scooters weighs as much as 200lbs . Permanent and semi-permanent have higher weight capacity.

Weight of wheelchair ramp

If you are in the market for a portable or semi-permanent ramp it will be a good idea to consider the actual weight of the ramp because the lighter it is the easier it will be for you to move it around when the need arise, most aluminum ramps are lighter in weight than the wooden and metal ramps.

Types of Wheelchair Ramp

There are three types of wheelchair ramp that you can consider for the site and it depends on the purpose and how long you plan on staying there.

Permanent wheelchair ramp

This type of wheelchair ramp will be appropriate for a location you will be living in for a considerable length of time, it will be a permanent installation that cannot be removed or transfer once it is done. Permanent wheelchair ramp are commonly made with two types of materials, wood and metal and the metal is usually stronger and last longer, both of them are usually held in place by the use of cement or bolts.

Semi-permanent wheelchair ramp

Wheelchair ramps that are installed on top of a surface but not bolted to the ground are known as semi-permanent ramp for example they can be mounted on ground or on other hard surfaces. They can be used if you don’t intend to be in the same place for a period of time and will like it removed after you leave.

Portable Wheelchair ramp

These are wheelchair ramps that are foldable for easy transportation, it can be used at home to get your wheelchair in and out of vehicle while it is not in use, they are usually made of aluminum. This type of ramps are lightweight compare to the other ramps.

Wheelchair ramp materials

Wheelchair ramps are constructed with wood, metal or aluminum, the metals are usually for permanent ramps and they are stronger and more sturdy. The aluminum are mostly used for portable ramps because of the need for them to be lightweight.

Detailed seller description of the wheelchair ramp

When ordering a wheelchair ramp online, you must pay close attention to the description provided by the seller and make sure that the specifications information provided will match the space where the ramp will be used, does it have all you need to make a decision?, will wheelchair ramp fit your walkway, if you are unsure contact the seller to straighten this out, you wouldn’t want to return a wheelchair ramp at your own cost, it might cost as much as the price of the ramp if not more to ship click here for important specifications information you will want to follow.

Wheelchair ramp return policy tips

If you do not understand the return policy of the wheelchair ramp dealer, contact the merchant by email or call them make sure you get something in writing stipulating the return policy or print out the return policy information published on their site. Because of the weight of this item, it is in your interest to get it right once so that there will be no regrets. Unless the seller ship you the wrong wheelchair ramp you will most certainly be responsible for the cost of returning it to them plus they will charge you up to 30% restocking fee depending on the merchant.

Tips : Calculating lowest sale price for the wheelchair ramp or scooter

Shopping for wheelchair ramp can be confusing and time consuming, the goal of this section is to make you be ready for the task at hand. You should approach this task intelligently, by documenting your requirements, measure the space and determine the slope needed, make sure you have determined the length, weight, and the weight capacity the ramp will be handling.

The goal is to work is to focus on the total price, that is you total out of pocket cost. Avoid any company that advertise their ramp at a ridiculously low price only to end up charging you a arm and a leg for shipping and handling, so we must consider price+shipping+tax as this will give you your actual out of pocket cost. If you use this simple rule a sale will not turn out to be a rip off.

Let us use an example of seller “A” offering a wheelchair ramp from manufacturer XYX for sale, the product number is XYX001, the seller is asking for $350 and the shipping is $200, seller “B” is selling the same wheelchair ramp for $500 with free shipping, it is obvious that seller B have a better price however before you proceed with the purchase make sure that seller “B” special sale is worth your time by contacting the seller, and clear out any issue you might have with return policy once this is taken care of your, you can then go ahead and take advantage of the sale.

Why would seller “B” promote a sale in which he seems like he offers the lowest price but in the end he is actually more expensive Seller A, the most obvious reason is make make sure his sales promotion works and the you buy from him but the other reason is that in case you choose to return the wheelchair ramp he still make his profit which is already hidden in the shipping charges, because he will only refund the actual cost of the ramp and not the shipping charges.

Tips : Where to buy your wheelchair ramp

Where you buy your ramp depends on what type of wheelchair ramp you are in the market for, if you are in the market for a portable then your options are limitless, you can buy online, in store or order directly from the manufacturer. A semi-permanent wheelchair ramp can also be purchased online but you must make sure that you give all measurement information correctly to the dealer otherwise you might be in for a surprise, it might be better to just act as if it is a permanent ramp and let the dealer send in their technician to measure your location just to be on the safe side, because it won’t be fun if you are unable to use your scooter because of an error caused by measurement or if you have to return the ramp.

Tips : Difference between wheelchair ramp and a lift

There is a different between a scooter ramp and a scooter lift, with a ramp you have to roll the scooter or wheelchair into where you want it placed while a lift will do as the name suggest, it will lift the scooter and place it where you want it to be. A lift is used primarily to move your scooter to where you are storing it mainly in a storage or in a vehicle while the ramp is for all uses.

Tags: mind, ascent, descent, steeper, scooter, helping, difficult, slope, ramp, ramps, tips, important, width, wheelchair

Prairie View Industries SFW430 Portable Singlefold Ramp, 4 ft x 30 in

Manufacturer: Prairie View Industries
MSRP: $264.00
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $134.99
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Description: Portable and lightweight aluminum ramp folds conveniently in half for ease in carrying and storage. It comes with a handle and carries like a suit case. The ramp has welded fabrication for strength and the entire walking surface is covered with anti-slip traction tape and provides maximum traction even when the ramp or wheels of chair are scooter are wet. Uniquely safety tested and listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc provides the assurance that the ramp will hold its rated capacity. The ramp width is 30" and designed to work with any wheel configuration of wheelchair or scooter. Ramps come complete with safety instruction video and security pins for additional safety.

Prairie View Industries WCR630 Portable Multi-fold Ramp, 6 ft x 30 in

Manufacturer: Prairie View Industries
MSRP: $436.00
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $221.99
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Description: Portable and lightweight aluminum ramp folds conveniently to approximately a quarter of its opened size for ease in carrying and storage. It comes with a handle and carries like a suit case. A patented center joint hinge eliminates the major pinch point that is common with other manufacturers folding ramps. The ramp has welded fabrication for strength and the entire walking surface is covered with anti-slip traction tape and provides maximum traction even when the ramp or wheels of chair are scooter are wet. Uniquely safety tested and listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc provides the assurance that the ramp will hold its rated capacity. The ramp width is 30" and designed to work with any wheel configuration of wheelchair or scooter. A visual aid is attached to determine if the ramp is on a safe slope prior to use. The ramp can also seperate into two sections for carrying Ramps come complete with safety instruction video and security pins for additional safety.

Drive Medical Single Fold Suitcase Style Wheelchair - Scooter Ramps with Carry Bag, Gun Metal, 2' x 30"

Manufacturer: Drive Medical
MSRP: $205.40
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $85.99
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Description: Designed to transition wheelchair or scooter from one surface height to another. Durable, lightweight construction. Comes with carry bag. Perforated slots keep water form collecting on ramp. Variety of sizes to meet many elevation changes. Weight capacity: 600 lbs. Limited Lifetime Warranty.

96" Portable Folding Aluminum Wheelchair & Scooter Ramp

Manufacturer: Prairie View Industries
MSRP: $379.99
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $314.99
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Description: 8 foot long x 29-7/8" wide portable Multi-folding Aluminum Wheelchair-Scooter Ramp. Folds up and carries like a suitcase! Ramp can be split into 2 by flipping a single lever to make transporting easier. This USA made ramp is loaded with quality features at rock bottom prices! DWR-8

400 Lb Capacity Power Scooter and Wheelchair Folding Cargo Carrier Rack

Manufacturer: Wheelchair Cargo Carrier
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $199.00
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Description: Power Scooter Hitch Mounted Medical and Wheelchair Rack is a quick, simple, safe, and affordable means for transporting scooters or wheelchairs. The rack surface is 48" long X 28" wide, providing enough space for most of today's mobility devices. 3" high side rails feature 11 different tie down points for securing the power wheelchair or scooter to the rack. Folds up when not in use, and with a 400 lb capacity, this rack can quickly attach to most 2" Class III or IV hitch receivers

24" Portable Wheelchair Ramp

Manufacturer: Rage Powersports
MSRP: $89.99
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $67.49
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Description: The SCG-2 is lightweight and can conveniently load manual or power wheelchairs, scooters or just about any thing with wheels onto porches, curbs, landings. The Usable: 2' x 29" Folded: 2' x 15" SCG-2 weighs only 11 lbs and can hold up to 600 lbs!

Mabis Dmi Healthcare 5? Telescoping Wheelchair Ramps, Silver, One

Manufacturer: MABIS DMI Healthcare
MSRP: $181.10
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $106.33
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Description: Adjustable with push-button locking mechanism. u-shaped, rust-resistant aluminum tracks with non-skid treads. 3 section design contracts for storage in a nylon carrying bag, which hangs over wheelchair handles. 6 lbs. per ramp; 7 inchx 3’– 5’. generous 660 lbs. weight capacity; 330 lbs. per ramp. 1 pair

120" Portable Folding Aluminum Wheelchair & Scooter Ramp

Manufacturer: Prairie View Industries
MSRP: $529.99
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $461.99
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Description: The DWR-10 has usable dimensions of 10' x 29-7/8" and can hold up to 500 lbs. They fold up to ¼ their usable size for storage and transporting, and also separate into two sections allowing easier carrying and set up of the longer ramp models. They also include a carrying handle on both sections so they can be carried like a suitcase together or separately.

6 Foot Double Fold Literamp Detachable Portable Wheelchair Ramp

Manufacturer: Nova Health Products
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $195.00
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Description: Double-fold Detachable Portable Ramps Allow for Increased Mobility with Double-Fold Wheelchair Ramps Unlike traditional portable ramps, these portable, double-fold wheelchair ramps are not only foldable, but also detachable. This means less carrying weight and less storage size. After all, weightlifting is no fun for people with limited mobility. These portable, double-fold handicap ramps are made of two foldable pieces that can be quickly detached and/or attached without any tooling. To use LiteRamp double-fold ramps, just unfold and mount one piece, attach and unfold the other piece, and it's ready to go. After use, detach the two pieces and fold them away one piece at a time.

Prairie View Industries TH1232 Threshold Ramp, 12 in x 32 in

Manufacturer: Prairie View Industries
MSRP: $66.00
On Amazon, price of new starting from: $38.58
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Description: This small threshold ramp is designed for doorways. Made of aluminum and surfaced with anti-slip traction tape it is lightweight yet durable. This will accommodate a threshold heights of 3/4" to 1". Holes are pre-drilled in the top corners for easy installation. Comes complete with hardware for securing in doorway.

Category: Wheelchairs