Powerchair and car

[Alice]

Firstly sorry if i am approaching this all wrong my first time to this site. Looks good.

I have to have a powerchair (no experience with these, well very little) and have to have a new mobility car. My problem is i need to get sizes right, one to fit in the other. I have been guided towards the Vauxhall Zafria and Citeron Belingo. The chairs i have been looking at seem to be quite big, the new fusion powerchair, which looks to be more suitable for all terrain and alternative Mambo363, jazzy select etc.

Can anyone offer advice, on any of above, i am wanting minimum of 4 seats in car and wheelchair, do i need ramp, hoist I fortunately am able to stand and take a few steps but limited dexterity.

Many thanks for your time
Oh and to the guy that started the site well done, i will publicise its existance in my line of work. I am sure many people would find it useful.
Alice
X

[Martin O Refurbisher]

Alice,
Welcome.
I suggest you visit a local Motability dealer. They will be best able to both assess you and your needs, and to show you vehicles to try. When you have a vehiclew in mind, come back with a pec of what you need from the chair. There are also thousands of pages on the main site which Burgerman has written just for people like yourself, but it will take a time to read it all.

Best,

Martin

[Alice]

Martin
Thanks for your quick response.

What a great site. There really is alot of information on here it will take me years to read it.

I have narrowed down to a Zafira Vauxhall and a Belingo, not being slightly aware of mechanical things I am afraid i go by colour and shape - yes pretty pathetic i know but have been guided slightly by adaptions engineer. He is not allowed to make to many recommendations personally something to do with contracts....

I would like a wheel chair to set me free and have some independance. I am able to walk just not very far, I have an autoimmune disorder. I dont have very much strength so cant self propel. After reading some of authors notes i have been looking at The New Fusion Pride.

I am an office worker so will need to be able to get chair out of car in car park and use chair around office, like most women love shopping so will need to do this also, my biggest challenge is i also like woodland walks, or did and am hopeful that this may be able to cope if tracks are reasonalbe like in Dalby forrest or Centrepark sites prehaps. I like so many others i suspect loved walking now lucky if i make it to the car.

Thank you for your time.
Alice

[LROBBINS]

The Citroen Berlingo is the same chassis as our Renault Kangoo. We have a lowered-floor, kneeling suspension modification and Rachi's front wheel drive Bobcat with Rachele aboard fits pretty snugly, but without any real problem. I was able to load an older Pride 6-wheels-on-the-ground center-wheel drive monster that doesn't have the articulated caster arms of current mid-wheel drives, but had to add a piece of board because the front casters couldn't get up over the front of the drop floor without some help. (The drop in droppped floor conversions of the Citroen is a bit different though.) There are few chairs larger than those things, so most any chair should fit though it might need some shoe-horn help. If you can make an in person trial of loading and unloading, that would surely be best. Ciao, Lenny

[Alice]

Thanks Lenny. Useful information - appreciated.

[Martin O Refurbisher]

I've read the Pride Fusion literature. 4mph is not usually enough for any distance outdoors. Also, it is reported to have a range of just 15 miles.

Have you read the material on the Pride website?

It also has only a 70A controller, leaving little or no room to perform or to upgrade.

Best,

Martin

[Alice]

OK car now purchased just waiting for delivery.

Lenny Bless you, i went with the Kangoo, Ramp it may not be the hottest car but i like it!
Alice

[LROBBINS]

Hope it works well for you, it has for us. Ciao, Lenny

[redandwhite]

Renault are soon to stop importing the Kangoo Passenger Car to the UK , presumably because they generally only sell them to Motabilty and make no money out of them.
They will still be selling the Kangoo Van here though.
So if you live in the UK you may soon have a collectors car.

Colin

[Alice]

Ha so if i wait long enough, it could be a Hot car!
Thx
A

[Step]

I have a 1100cc Kangoo with a lowered-floor and kneeling suspension as well. Cheap and not much of a fuel guzzler.
It has taken me everywhere the past 6 years...

I doubt it will ever be a hot car though