Although most wheelchair users overlook this decision as if it is a minor issue, there are a few things you should consider when choosing the best wheelchair ramps for cars. In this article, we will cover wheelchair car ramps and all you need to know to make the right decision when purchasing one.
The Two Main Types of Wheelchair Car Ramps
There are two types of wheelchair ramps you can have installed in your vehicle. They are:
In-floor Ramps
This type of ramp can be retracted from the car when not in use. It can be folded under the vehicle's floor. It does not obstruct the entry of other vehicle users.
Fold Out Ramps
The fold-out wheelchair ramp folds upright when stowed. They obstruct other passengers who enter the car from the back.
Choosing between these two wheelchair car ramps can be confusing. Here are the factors you should consider:
How frequently do you travel with other passengers?
In-floor ramps are the best when traveling with passengers, because they can be folded to allow access to the car. If you are not expecting any passengers to come with you or sit at the back, you can opt for a fold-out wheelchair ramp.
The type of weather in your area
Falling leaves, rain, and snow will land on your ramp when it is extended. When you enter the car and fold the wheelchair ramp back up, all the contents will be poured on you in the car. That is where the difference between fold-out and in-floor wheelchair ramps will become obvious.
How important is the price tag?
Usually, in-floor ramps are more expensive than fold-out ramps. The cost difference might be outweighed by convenience. Also, note that different manufacturers have different prices.
How do you plan on using the ramp?
Built-in wheelchair car ramps are more efficient and appealing than foldable and portable car ramps. As always, built-in products are more customized and don't take up much space or get in the way of other vehicle users trying to enter.
However, the disadvantage of a built-in wheelchair car ramp is that you can't take it with you wherever you want to go. A portable solution comes in handy when visiting a place where they don't have ramps.
Is the ramp detachable from your car and portable?
When traveling to see a friend or even going states away and you have to take a ramp with you, then you need a portable ramp. There are ramps that fold to fit into almost any car. They usually have handles installed for more effortless movement. If you need a permanent solution, modular ramps are designed to cover taller rises, and they are also longer in length. They can easily be dismantled and moved to other places or storage.
Additional Features
Wheelchair ramps for cars are designed differently. Some have traction lines and a grit coat. Other types of ramps have pins and mounting holes for semi-permanent or even permanent installation. They have lip extensions that help ease the traction on the ramp and the connecting point.
The Vertical Rise
The height of the step you want to roll over is one of the essential things to consider when purchasing a wheelchair ramp. This little piece of information will guide in calculating the ramp length required. This will ensure that when rolling over, the incline will not be very steep, and chances of falling over will be reduced.
The current ADA guidelines state that for every 1" rise, there should be 12" of the ramp. Still, some situations and step length require a more gradual incline. Sometimes, a steeper one can also be needed.
5 Benefits Of A Wheelchair Ramp For Your Car
These ramps are practically cost-effective ways to improve people's lifestyles with limited mobility, due to different reasons. There are different types of wheelchair car ramps in the market today, and users will experience the following benefits:
Helps navigate easily
Some of our cars and homes are designed with a high door threshold. When in a wheelchair, you require a lot of effort to overcome such an obstacle. There are wheelchair ramps intended for this purpose. They cover blocks and allow you to roll over easily. These ramps ensure that wheelchair users move about in the house and access other rooms quickly without struggling.
Enter the car easily
A wheelchair user may find it very difficult to get inside a car without the ramps. Sometimes caregivers will assist the wheelchair user in a different way or even carry him over the step. This is a tiresome process, and wheelchair ramps are designed to help the user roll over into the car without much effort.
Independence
Like everyone else, wheelchair users want to be independent and move outside the house or inside the car on their own. Ramps can be installed in the vehicle and in various places to help ease movement for wheelchair users. These ramps are designed to provide one with an independent lifestyle for wheelchair users who want to be left on their own.
Independently run errands
Ramps installed in the house and the car will give a wheelchair user the freedom to run errands alone without any assistance whatsoever. Daily tasks like going to check the mailbox and buying groceries are easy tasks that can be done independently.
Rainy day safety
As a wheelchair user, you know that trying to move in water puddles can be difficult, and this happens frequently. To prevent the wheelchair from getting stuck in the mud, you can fix one end of the ramp on your car and the other on a pavement. You can then roll over to safe terrain where you will not get stuck.
Conclusion
We hope you liked our article on wheelchair ramps for cars and how to choose one, and that it was helpful. Please let us know if you have any questions or if you would like to see more of these types of articles to our site.
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If you are more interested and looking for other related articles, our staff compiled a great list of articles like The Harmar Wheelchair Lift System and our The 8 Best Mobility Scooter Ramps and have had some great feedback on those articles as well.
Feel free to write me anytime at kellon@electricwheelchairsusa.com if you have any questions or comments. At Electric Wheelchairs USA, we truly love helping our customers make the best choice for their needs whether it is a power chair, mobility scooter, or lift chair.
