I need some DIY advice

[flower]

Hi,
So I purchased a mobility scooter. The big plan is to be able to go to the zoo, and the museum this summer with the grandkids, going to the mall or to the Shed aquarium would be a wonderful possibility too....anyway... no way can I walk around all day...it's sure nice to have the freedom to go someplace besides Walmart or a grocery store where they had scooters available.
I want to make my own portable ramp to put in my van. The scooter can be broken up into 5 pieces, the heaviest piece is 38lbs. Which I can lift with no problem. I don't want to take apart the bottom piece because bending over is truly a pain.
As of right now, I remove the seat and battery so it's not that heavy, leaving the bottom sections together, and I then put the front end on the lip of my van, and shove the scooter on in...a ramp would really help. I purchased some heavy duty metal wire shelving 24 X 72 each from Lowels...I figured I would need two shelves side by side, one under each wheel. It's plenty strong enough to hold the dismantled (bottom section in tact) scooter. I need a way to hold the wire shelf onto the van lip so it stays put while I roll the scooter in. LOL..if it doesn't work I can have somebody put the shelves up in the garage for storage space..
So any ideas...what could I use to hold it in place, or how I can attach it to the van?
LOL...Remember who you are talking to guys...I can't weld....

 

[dragonzim]

Something like these might be your easiest choice..
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200304485_200304485?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Ramps-_-Ramp%20Kits-_-33221&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=33221&gclid=CNne55u26LUCFUVN4Aod7XQACA
You would need to get a couple of 2x8 pieces of lumber to attach them to. If you can lift the 38lb scooter easily you should have no trouble manuevering these into position.
Not sure what your budget is, but they also make carriers for scooters that mount to a trailer hitch and the whole thing just hangs off the back of your vehicle.

 

[flower]

I like those...it's a little pricey considering what it is, but that would work great...Thanks
The cheapest I found those ramps for is around $300.00 on e-Bay, everywhere else is double that, and it's just a runner for crying out loud. It seems to me that people jack the price on medical stuff because they know a person who needs wheels can't usually build something for themselves. It's looks so simple even that even I can see myself making it....and my reason to not get a rear attachment ramp is because I don't want something hanging off the back of my van ...#1 - It would make it hard to load groceries and other things...#2 - I have enough trouble backing my van up without another couple of feet to worry about.

 

[reefraff]

If there is a track or channel on the bottom of the door opening of the van you could get L brackets or corner brackets and bolt them to the bottom of your ramps. The L part would lay in the channel and keep the ramp from sliding.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/394839/i-need-some-diy-advice#post_3514498
If there is a track or channel on the bottom of the door opening of the van you could get L brackets or corner brackets and bolt them to the bottom of your ramps. The L part would lay in the channel and keep the ramp from sliding.
Yes there is a space there...I know I can hook something to keep it from sliding. It's just a matter of what and how. Wood would be easier to work with, but I liked the light weight of the shelves. Those wire shelves won't allow for bolts....LOL...originally I thought that a couple of 2X4s would work, but that requires the ability to steer my scooter, and push it at the same time on a narrow track, so I opted for something a little wider... I got 24" x 72" shelves...I may use the shelves in the garage, and make my ramp out of something else that the brackets can be attached to easier. The ramps only have to hold about 60lbs.

 

[reefraff]

Another possibility would be to mount some straps somewhere in the van, like to the seat frames that you could hook onto your ramps to keep them from sliding. Another maybe would be bite the bullet and buy some ATV ramps. They are not that expensive, under 100 bux for the ones meant to load on in a trailer.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/394839/i-need-some-diy-advice#post_3514502
Another possibility would be to mount some straps somewhere in the van, like to the seat frames that you could hook onto your ramps to keep them from sliding. Another maybe would be bite the bullet and buy some ATV ramps. They are not that expensive, under 100 bux for the ones meant to load on in a trailer.
...I will google them right now and see what they look like...

 

[flower]

I checked it out, and that's just what I need without the fancy medical name....$90.00! You are a doll...Thanks! Heavy duty, folds up, and has handles...

 

[reefraff]

Just make sure you get ones with the mesh. Some have slats that your scooter wheels will probably drop through, not good LOL!

 

[beth]

What about a wheelchair lift?

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/394839/i-need-some-diy-advice#post_3514554
What about a wheelchair lift?
Wheelchair lifts are super expensive and I'm not so sure a scooter would fit on one. The way a wheelchair is designed you can pull right in...but a scooter would have to go longways to get on the lift, and it can't be turned so that it can be rolled inside the van. They do make them for scooters, but it loads on the back and you drive the scooter in....just the same as an ATV ramp for 3Xs the cost. If anything is medical, the price goes up.

 

[flower]

Now that I know to look for ... ATV ramps instead of mobilty scooter ramps...On e-Bay I found lots of choices, thanks for the heads up on the wide slates...my little wheels would fall through most of them...but those made for the lawnmowers are perfect...$113.00 and they fold up for storage. It's a buy it now too, so I don't have to bid and wait to see if I get it.