Portable ramp for scooter - what length?

[wisbucky]

I've been using a scooter for years when we go to WDW. My husband has always been able to lift the scooter in a rental van we get. But as of the last trip it is getting to be too much for him. I was looking at purchasing a portable ramp but am not sure what length will work. We want to use it to load the scooter in the van from a side door. I was looking at the 4' length or the 6' foot length. Obviously the 4' would be much easier to carry and use but I am concerned the length is too short.
Any suggestions from those who have used them?

 

[Twende]

We put a scooter into the bed of our pick up truck and we use a 6 foot ramp. DH does not ride it up he guides it up holding the speed control. I don[t know if that helps or not.

 

[Bete]

A 4 foot ramp will be very steep and to me that's a problem. I think a 6 foot would be safer and easier.

I don't have any personal experience. I was checking into these ramps myself for a wheelchair, but I never got one.

 

[Chip_Dale]

If you are using the side door you might not have room if you use a longer ramp unless you get the end spot. There might be a parked vehicle in your way. Might have to move your vehicle to the parking lot driveway to allow access to your side door with the ramp.

 

[Kathy Erdreich]

can u rent these ramps as well ?

 

[SueM in MN]

You need to measure how high you are going.
The higher it is, the longer the ramp you need.

Here's a good reference with measurements.
https://mobilitybasics.ca/wheelchair-ramps/rampchoice

 

[SueM in MN]

can u rent these ramps as well ?

Yes, you can rent them. The places that rent handicapped accessible ramp vans usually also rent ramps.

 

[cobright]

When in doubt, go with the longer option. Worse case, you will have to load/unload scooter then park.

If the rental van has a trailer hitch reciever and the renter allows towing, you can use an option like this:
http://m.harborfreight.com/aluminum...r-67599.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

It's not common for rental cars to allow towing but not unheard of, especially with vans.

 

[SueM in MN]

When in doubt, go with the longer option. Worse case, you will have to load/unload scooter then park.

If the rental van has a trailer hitch reciever and the renter allows towing, you can use an option like this:
http://m.harborfreight.com/aluminum-mobility-wheelchair-and-scooter-carrier-67599.html?utm_referrer=direct/not provided

It's not common for rental cars to allow towing but not unheard of, especially with vans.

that actually has a pretty steep ramp.

 

[lanejudy]

I don't have first-hand experience, however we own both a pick-up truck and a mini-van, so based on Twende's report of using a 6-foot ramp for to get a scooter into the bed of a pick-up, I would think the 4-foot ramp could work for a mini-van. I don't know how steep a pitch that makes, though, or if you plan to drive it up or just steer it up the ramp, which could make a difference.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have first-hand experience, however we own both a pick-up truck and a mini-van, so based on Twende's report of using a 6-foot ramp for to get a scooter into the bed of a pick-up, I would think the 4-foot ramp could work for a mini-van. I don't know how steep a pitch that makes, though, or if you plan to drive it up or just steer it up the ramp, which could make a difference.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

Unless it's a lowered floor ramp with a built in ramp, there would not be enough head room to drive in, so they would need to push it in.

For pushing, the recommended length would be one foot of length for every 3" of rise if the wheelchair or scooter is pushed up without anyone riding in it (the ramp is only used for loading and unloading the equipment).

You can measure the rise by putting a ruler or tape measure on the ground and measuring straight up to the van's floor level.
So, a 9 inch rise would need a 3 foot long ramp.
A 12 inch rise would need a 4 foot ramp.

A longer ramp would be easier to push up and a shorter ramp would be steeper. It might be OK to push up, depending on how heavy the device is and how strong the person pushing it is.

 

[Pridemom]

You could see about renting a van equipped with a ramp. Or, if your ECV breaks down into smaller parts, I would do that. My mom's would come apart into four pieces, making it easy to put in a car trunk.

 

[SueM in MN]

You could see about renting a van equipped with a ramp. Or, if your ECV breaks down into smaller parts, I would do that. My mom's would come apart into four pieces, making it easy to put in a car trunk.

don't be surprised at the price.
They are very expensive to rent compared to a regular van

 

[lanejudy]

Unless it's a lowered floor ramp with a built in ramp, there would not be enough head room to drive in, so they would need to push it in.

Of course! Sorry, I wasn't thinking that through. I was mainly commenting on the difference in height between a pick-up truck and mini-van. Thanks for sharing the info about rise and run for a ramp.

 

[cobright]

that actually has a pretty steep ramp.

The steepness of the ramp is determined by the height of your hitch receiver. On my SUV the platform is about a foot off the ground and the ramp is about 3.5' long. A very manageable incline. More often, I'll pull up to a curb and the ramp only has to defend 5 or 6 inches to the sidewalk making the incline pretty forgettable.

It's not an all purpose solution but if your vehicle choice permits it the convenience is worth the expense. The aluminium is very light but the whole thing is very sturdy. I've outfit mine with a series of proximity sensors and a clip I can attach to most mobility scooters that let's the scooter power itself up the ramp without human assistance.

 

[wisbucky]

We will actually be just pushing it in or using the lever to make it go by itself. I will not be riding it in. Just the thought of me driving it in made my husband fall to the floor laughing.

 

[SueM in MN]

The steepness of the ramp is determined by the height of your hitch receiver. On my SUV the platform is about a foot off the ground and the ramp is about 3.5' long. A very manageable incline. More often, I'll pull up to a curb and the ramp only has to defend 5 or 6 inches to the sidewalk making the incline pretty forgettable.

It's not an all purpose solution but if your vehicle choice permits it the convenience is worth the expense. The aluminium is very light but the whole thing is very sturdy. I've outfit mine with a series of proximity sensors and a clip I can attach to most mobility scooters that let's the scooter power itself up the ramp without human assistance.

thanks for the explanation.
The picture and video were pretty misleading. I actually saw someone using one of those recently, but theirs was really steep, so didn't plan like you seem to.

 

[KPeveler]

Also something to consider - ramps will mar the bumper if it rests against it. I have a portable ramp I use with my old PT Cruiser. It is a 6 foot ramp and that is as steep as I can handle. I got one of those non-skid bathtub mats to put over the bumper to keep it from scratching. You will need something non-skid to protect the bumper so you don't mess up a rental car.

 

[chelynnah]

I would look at the ones that break down if they would be suitable for you.

 

[wisbucky]

Also something to consider - ramps will mar the bumper if it rests against it. I have a portable ramp I use with my old PT Cruiser. It is a 6 foot ramp and that is as steep as I can handle. I got one of those non-skid bathtub mats to put over the bumper to keep it from scratching. You will need something non-skid to protect the bumper so you don't mess up a rental car.

Actually this is going to be on the side door of a van.

I am leaning towards a 4 foot ramp. Just don't know if I will regret it and wished I went to a 6 foot.