Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Ramp Buying Guide

Choosing the correct ramp for your requirements is vital for safe use - this Essential Aids Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Ramp Buying Guide will help.

It is advised that for wheelchairs, the ramp should create a minimum gradient of 1:6.

This means that for every foot of rise (load height), a ramp of 6 feet in length is required.

Mobility scooters, being heavier and with a lower ground clearance, require a minimum gradient of 1:8.

So for these vehicles, a rise of a foot (load height) an 8 foot ramp is needed.

It's also important to remember that the ramp you choose must be wide enough for the wheelchair or mobility scooter you have in mind, but also narrow enough to fit the doorway to be bridged.

Essential Aids have various styles of ramp available.

Channel Ramps

• For vehicle access, bridging kerbs or steps.

• Compact, light and portable.

• These are not usually recommended for mobility scooters because of their side walls.

• Essential Aids always recommends using channel ramps with the aid of a carer or support individual.

Threshold Ramps

• Usually deployed for single steps and doory thresholds.

• Made with aluminium, rubber or fibreglass.

• Durable and easy to install.

Folding Ramps

• Folds down to half width, perfect if it needs to be moved regularly.

• Lightweight, durable and have an anti-slip surface.

• Suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Non-folding Ramps

• Require no installation.

• Suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

• A conventional straight ramp.

Multi-folding Ramps

• Fold to half their length and then to half their width.

• These ramps durable and feature anti-slip surfaces.

• Idealfor wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Premium Bi-Fold Ramps

• Two halves that lock together for use.

• Available in longer lengths: 1.8 metres to 2.7 metres, making them suitable for higher rises.

• Lightweight and very strong.

Premium Cross-Fold Ramps

• Folds to half its length so easy to store.

• Lightweight, with anti-slip grip surface.

Premium Length-Fold Ramps

• Folds down the whole length of the ramp.

• A 300kg (47 stone) weight capacity.

• These ramps require not installation.

Premium Non-Folding Ramps

• Available in shorter lengths - ideal for lower rises.

• Easy to set up.