Carrying an occupied wheelchair?

[HectorPascal]

My mother-in-law is a lovely 92 yr old who is 100pc with-it. She has recently lost the use of her legs. She lives in a care home and needs assistance to do anything at all.

We were wondering if it might be possible to push the bench seat back, lift her -chair and all- into the van, strap it down to the rails and take her out for treats now and then.

No ramps or anything, just a couple of hunky guys - well one hunky guy and me tbh.

Should work shouldn’t it? But would it be legal? Are the racks rated for such a thing?

If anyone has some knowledge on this I would be grateful.

 

[Wildcamper]

See:

Occupied wheelchairs in cars and private transport – reminders of safe use

Guidance on the main issues of wheelchairs in cars and private transport - reminders for safe use.

www.gov.uk

There are specialist installers to make wheel chair safe vehicles. I expect a DIY may not be legal, ask your insurer.

 

[andyinluton]

[QUOTE="HectorPascal, post: 646850, member: 12463]

Should work shouldn’t it? But would it be legal? Are the racks rated for such a thing?

If anyone has some knowledge on this I would be grateful.
[/QUOTE]
This came up on a thread a few years back do a search for “wheelchair” I posted a link to a specialist company that did purpose made tested & certified wheelchair tie downs and seat belt that were designed specifically for the vw floor rails.
Nothing at all unsafe or illegal about them.
I’ll have a look for the post when I get home.

One of the companies that came up was killer.Co.uk - look for their vw caravelle fittings.

 

[WelshGas]

My mother-in-law is a lovely 92 yr old who is 100pc with-it. She has recently lost the use of her legs. She lives in a care home and needs assistance to do anything at all.

We were wondering if it might be possible to push the bench seat back, lift her -chair and all- into the van, strap it down to the rails and take her out for treats now and then.

No ramps or anything, just a couple of hunky guys - well one hunky guy and me tbh.

Should work shouldn’t it? But would it be legal? Are the racks rated for such a thing?

If anyone has some knowledge on this I would be grateful.

Could you not lift the wheelchair up into the California and then transfer her to the bench seat. That would be the easiest and safest way without incurring the expense of specialist equipment to anchor the wheelchair, which may have to be changed to be compatible. Normal wheelchairs are not built to cope with the forward/backwards and lateral forces that would be incurred travelling in a vehicle.

 

[HectorPascal]

Could you not lift the wheelchair up into the California and then transfer her to the bench seat. That would be the easiest and safest way without incurring the expense of specialist equipment to anchor the wheelchair, which may have to be changed to be compatible. Normal wheelchairs are not built to cope with the forward/backwards and lateral forces that would be incurred travelling in a vehicle.

Thanks for your input. Agreed that would be best but she needs lifting equipment just to get from a chair to bed. Not because she is over large. A few months back, whilst enjoying her third night in her new care home she managed to break both bones in both legs whilst being assisted to the loo. The recovery takes a while at her age. Safe to assume that her legs have ‘retired’ from all transportation and support duties.

 

[HectorPascal]

See:

Occupied wheelchairs in cars and private transport – reminders of safe use

Guidance on the main issues of wheelchairs in cars and private transport - reminders for safe use.

www.gov.uk

There are specialist installers to make wheel chair safe vehicles. I expect a DIY may not be legal, ask your insurer.

Thanks. I was looking for such a document but did not find it. B helpful. It seems if you do a risk assessment and have proper restraints then it would be okay.

 

[HectorPascal]

[QUOTE="HectorPascal, post: 646850, member: 12463]

Should work shouldn’t it? But would it be legal? Are the racks rated for such a thing?

If anyone has some knowledge on this I would be grateful.

This came up on a thread a few years back do a search for “wheelchair” I posted a link to a specialist company that did purpose made tested & certified wheelchair tie downs and seat belt that were designed specifically for the vw floor rails.
Nothing at all unsafe or illegal about them.
I’ll have a look for the post when I get home.

One of the companies that came up was killer.Co.uk - look for their vw caravelle fittings.
[/QUOTE]
I tried that link but it is now defunct. I need to find some tie-down cleats that will fit the T6 rack system. Must be some. Thank you.

 

[andyinluton]

@HectorPascal Its been auto corrected try koller.co.uk

This is copied & pasted from last time so price has probably changed....

EXCEL ARIES
Product Code: KFP0081/K

COUNCILS, CHARITIES, NHS TRUSTS, VEHICLE CONVERTERS AND OTHER TRADE ORGANISATIONS
Please contact us on 01935 426695 for pricing

£302.40 RRP£252.00 EXCL VAT
Pack Qty: 1
excel(2).jpg aries(2).jpg

The Koller EXCEL Aries Combined Wheelchair & Passenger Restraint is the first commercially available restraint designed specifically to fit VW T5/T6 Caravelle rail. Aries enables the Caravelle to become wheelchair friendly by simply removing or repositioning the rear passenger seats.

The EXCEL Aries Advantage:

Crash-tested to ISO 10542
No vehicle modifications required - uses the rail already in the vehicle
Precision machined carriages provide secure anchorage in the rails
Quick release tie-down fittings for fast release in an emergency and security
TITUS passenger harness for maximum comfort and safety. As simple to use as a car seatbelt
Future-proof. A 3-point (upper anchorage) belt can be added to the TITUS harness
Colour-coded TITUS belts for easy identification
Covers on TITUS retractors and stalk buckle for durability and protection
EXCEL Compact over-centre buckle rear straps for maximum adjustability and tensioning
Static front straps for easy wheelchair alignment
Wide wheelchair tie-down webbing for strength and wheelchair stability
Black webbing - looks good for longer
Colour-coded key components for easy identification
Engineered for Safety
DOWNLOAD BROCHURE HERE
Weight: 8.00kg

 

[StephPea]

Hello everyone - I'm new to the forum's having recently bought a 2010 180 SE and have to say the forums have been brilliant and very helpful. Reason for posting here is that I've just spoken to Andy from Koller as we are looking to see if we can get my father-in-law and his wheelchair into the van for trips out. I have to say first impressions are excellent. I'll update again when we've got things sorted.