Neep help-wheelchair hauler

[saltbranch]

Background info- my wife has had 4 reconstruction surgeries on left ankle. Ankle still gives out her at any time. July 4th she stepped in a small hole and shattered her right ankle-the good ankle. We have done the reconstruction surgery and all that. Brings me to the fact that I want to get an electric wheel chair for her, so far insurance will not cover it. Blah, blah ....to the point, I need to build a way to haul the chair once I buy one. K. google wheel chair lift...chit is expensive! I can build using an electric trailer jack, but thinking I would rather use an electric winch. The E-winch would be the only part to replace on failure. Now to my question....who makes a good small 12V power in/power out winch? Are the E-winchs for boat trailers -power in /power out?

 

[Crash5291]

Look at the atv stuff, prices are decent and there tough.

The one on the 04 grizzly here is power in and out, its a Warn 3000lb unit.

When you do find one and fit it in, use only the wire on it you need to do the job. Take all the extra off as it will only be hurting the pull rating.

Winches are rated for max pull on the first layer of the drum, the more layers the less pull.

The left over wire will also serve as a replacement cable down the road.

Not sure where you are so
3,500 lb 12V DC High Performance ATV Winch | Princess Auto its a Superwinch and is on sale for 200.

Northeren tool has some too, Id personally stick to a Warn or superwinch

i would also avoid the style that look like this i haven't seen one that's lasted when used often.

Joe

 

[creekbend]

My Wife has a Jet 3 Ultra Mobility Chair and a Regular wheelchair. We have a Silverado PU Truck. I have a carrier that fits into the Trailer hitch assembly. It folds down in case you want to lower the Tailgate. You can purchase one online. The carrier has a ramp also. Please be sure to measure the exact width of the conveyance that your Wife is going to use. Allow at least an extra inch on each side of the carrier and check the weight limit. BTW, the ones at TSC were not wide enough or the ATV carriers for our needs. Best wishes for your Wife.

 

[timster2]

Craigs list is your friend. When I needed a wheelchair I found a near new chair for $300 original cost several thousand. There are quite a few around. Plan on a new set of batteries @$150 or so for a pair. After a loved one passes seems that a lot of families wait a while before selling the wheelchair and the batteries may not have been properly charged and loose capacity. Depending on usage and charging habits a set of batteries should be good for three years or more depending on use. I didn't want to go through the hassle of insurance and then they only pay for the minimum.

I have a full size GMC van that I haul the chair around in. I bought an aluminum ramp from Harbor Freight Aluminum Loading Ramp - 1200 Lb. Capacity that works OK if you don't transport a lot. I find it a bit cumbersome to use in a confined space. They also had one that was half that size which is great for getting in and out of the front door or up a curb.

Recently I found a Bruno lift Curb-Sider - The World's Favorite Crane/Hoist Style Vehicle Lift again on Craigs list for $250. It has power lift and rotate again in near new condition. I am just waiting for some help to install it, not a big deal just the kind of work that is hard for me to do, working under the van as opposed to sitting and fixing things. I got lucky and ended up with another chair and scooter when the neighbors father passed. She just wanted to clean out his house and gave me all his equipment.

I just went through this whole process over the last year or so if you have any questions PM me.

 

[BWSSR]

Harbor Freight has the Bad Lands winch....I have the 3500 on my Mule and works great..they are way less $$$...from 1 TBHer to another

 

[PhysAssist]

Harbor Freight has the Bad Lands winch....I have the 3500 on my Mule and works great..they are way less $$$...from 1 TBHer to another

What vehicle(s) are you thinking of this for?

If it is a pick-em-up truck, thinking about a powered lift gate.

I think I recall seeing them for less that that curblift thingy.

God bless and best regards to your boss (wife), I can certainly empathize, as I am currently absent a left knee and hoping that they can reinstall a new one in a couple more weeks, after 9 weeks w/o a joint there 2nd to a sudden and unexpected infection.

Tell her to just keep with the PT and take one day at a time, little by little she'll get thru this, with your support.

Thomas

 

[locker]

you might try the platforms made for wheelchairs that slide in your hitch, they have a side gateabout 5 ft long doublefold, biggest problem is your hitch may be too high or too low and it will not work very well, but you can buy them for 300 0r more, good luck. I would not use the winch, that is asking for trouble

 

[danktx]

Where are you located?

 

[turnkey4099]

Can't help on the lift but the electric chairs, hovaround, etc. are dirt cheap on Craig'slist.

I also saw an ad for a lift the other day in the "money saver". Don't recall the price on it and can't locate the ad now.

Harry K