For those who rely on wheelchairs for mobility, few things are as important as being able to safely and easily get wheelchairs into and out of vehicles. Wheelchair accessible vehicles provide increased mobility for those who rely on wheelchairs, and are commonly come equipped with a ramp or a power lift. Fortunately, if your vehicle is not already equipped with one of these things, there is a large variety of wheel chair ramps to choose from. Ranging in style and price, there is ramp option for every situation. Choosing the right one for your needs is as easy as knowing the different options and picking one that is right for you.
There are basically two types of wheel chair ramps: permanent and portable. Permanent ramps are actually semi-permanent, in that they bolt into the vehicles frame and can be installed and removed fairly easily, if necessary. When not in use the wheelchair ramp folds up into the van, and typically sits against the door wall. Some wheelchair ramps extend and fold electronically, and some are manual. These types of wheel chair ramps are ideal if you have one main vehicle that you drive or ride in. If, however, you have two or more wheelchair accessible vehicles that you regularly use, a portable wheelchair ramp might be a better choice.
Types of Portable Wheelchair Ramps for Your Vehicle
There are numerous types of portable wheel chair ramps available and the one you select should best fit your personal needs.
- Roll Up Ramps: This portable wheelchair ramp style is a beneficial selection for those looking for a wheelchair ramp that is easily transportable. It has hinges and is made from aluminum, making it easy to roll up and light enough to transport anywhere. There are different models to allow users access to both full and mini-sized vans.
- Suitcase Ramps: This type of portable wheelchair ramp is also compact and convenient. It folds in half lengthwise and features a carrying handle, hence the name. It is made of aluminum and works for most wheelchair types. There are larger models that are perfect for loading and unloading into vehicles.
- Multi-Fold Ramps: This has a similar design to suitcase wheelchair ramps but is easier to store than the suitcase wheelchair ramp because it does not just fold only in half. They are perfect if you require a larger ramp to maneuver around bigger obstacles.
- Telescopic Ramps: This type of portable wheel chair ramp extends much further to provide users with a number of different height levels to navigate onto any type of van. To store the telescopic portable wheelchair ramp, all you need to do is pick up the rail and press the guide buttons, which will then automatically make the wheelchair ramp collapse. It is one of the lightest weight options available for portable wheelchair ramps for vehicles and one of the most compact when it comes to storage.
- Track Wheelchair Ramps: The track wheelchair ramp is actually two completely separate ramps lined up together to fit the exact width of the wheelchair’s width. Keep in mind that this means the track wheelchair ramp does not work for three-wheeled scooters and wheelchairs. They are extremely lightweight as they are made of aluminum. The track wheelchair ramp is the beneficial choice of people transporting more than one wheelchair, especially if the wheelchairs have different wheel widths.
A portable wheel chair ramp is, well, portable! They can easily be moved from vehicle to vehicle, and don’t require fancy installation. A portable wheelchair ramp is available in two types: a solid straight ramp and a folding ramp. Both have advantages, and deciding which one is better is really a matter of preference. A decided advantage of portable wheelchair ramps is that they can be used not only to access vehicles, but also to access curbs, stairs and other places not easily accessed by wheelchairs. However, when looking at portable wheelchair ramps, make sure the portable wheelchair ramp can support the full weight of the wheelchair. Some portable ramps are a better fit with small manual wheelchairs, while sturdier portable wheelchair ramps may be required for motorized wheelchairs.
Once you know if you want a portable or permanent wheel chair ramp, the big decision becomes where to purchase your wheelchair ramp: online or at a real store. Since the advent of the internet, there are many top-quality online stores that focus on providing the best portable wheelchair ramps available. No matter what you choose, it’s a good idea to spend some time online, looking over the available options. Read customer reviews, and have a good idea in mind of what you want before shopping. Knowing what you are already interested in will make the shopping process for a portable wheelchair ramp a whole lot easier and quicker.
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