{"id":128203,"date":"2023-01-18T12:34:47","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T18:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movemobility.ca\/?p=128203"},"modified":"2026-02-12T13:18:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:18:00","slug":"manual-ramps-wheelchair-vans-everything-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movemobility.ca\/fr\/resources\/manual-ramps-wheelchair-vans-everything-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Manual Ramps for Wheelchair Vans: Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you\u2019re thinking of getting manual ramps for your wheelchair vans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you live in a very cold location in winter and want to know if a manual ramp is best for you. Or maybe you had a ascenseur<\/a> on your last wheelchair van and are looking for a less noisy option for your passengers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For whatever reason you\u2019re here, choosing the right mode of getting inside a fourgon pour fauteuils roulants<\/a> is vital to the efficiency of your transportation, the comfort of your passengers, and the overall success of your organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you choose the wrong kind of ramp\u2013a powered ramp, for example, instead of a manual one\u2013and live in a remote location, you could pay more for repairs because of the \u201cwear and tear\u201d of cold temperatures and rough winter roads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, being informed on the ins and outs of all kinds of manual ramps, rampes motoris\u00e9es<\/a>, and powered lifts is essential to choosing the right ramp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s where we come in. In this article, you\u2019ll learn how manual ramps work, their pros and cons, and who they\u2019re generally right for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get your free wheelchair van buyer’s guide<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Manual ramps for wheelchair vans: what are they?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A manual ramp is an angled surface with a hinge in the middle that allows it to fold in half. The ramp is stowed inside the van doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To deploy the ramp, you unfold it and gently guide it down. They are \u201cshock assisted\u201d, making them easy for lowering and raising. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use the ramp, there are three options:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. If your passenger has a power wheelchair, they can simply ride up and down the ramp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. If your passenger has a manual wheelchair, they must be wheeled up and down the ramp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. If your passenger is a walker-user, they can walk up or down the ramp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cliquez ici<\/a> to see a comparison of ramps vs. lifts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you understand what a manual ramp is, you may be wondering what the pros are to having a manual ramp installed on your wheelchair van. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Manual ramps for wheelchair vans: what are the pros?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Manual ramps are easy to use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the name suggests, a manual ramp doesn\u2019t have any electrical or hydraulic elements\u2013instead, the ramp is secured using a seatbelt-style latch. It doesn\u2019t use any hooks, pins, straps, or other complicated tools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You simply take hold of the handles and deploy the ramp to the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Manual ramps work in any climate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With no hydraulic or electrical elements, the manual ramp is reliable even when tested by a Canadian snowfall. Many northern communities rely on a manual ramp because it\u2019s not likely to break down in cold temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Manual ramps are lightweight for simple deploying<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The manual bi-fold ramp is lightweight to deploy and fold due to the materials they\u2019re made from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Manual ramps are quiet when deploying<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Manual ramps are very quiet compared to hydraulic lifts. They don\u2019t typically make noise while deploying because there are fewer moving parts to rattle or squeak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Manual ramps accommodate heavy wheelchairs, bariatric use, and stretchers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The manual bi-fold ramp at MoveMobility is 36\u2019\u2019 wide and 112\u2019\u2019 long, making it easy for bariatric wheelchairs and stretches to access the van. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manual ramps are also available with swing-and-fold functions that allow the ramp to provide full stretcher access to the rear entrance of the Ram Promaster and Ford Transit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This makes it easy for non-emergency patient transport organizations to transport wheelchairs and stretchers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know the pros of having a manual ramp, you may be wondering about the cons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Manual ramps for wheelchair vans: what are the cons?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Manual ramps can be steep and long for heavy wheelchairs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pushing a large or heavy wheelchair up a ramp may cause physical strain on the driver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is a potential for passengers\/clients to fall if safety precautions are not taken<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While manual ramps are fast and easy to deploy, your drivers should take extra caution when loading and unloading wheelchair passengers to make sure the wheelchair doesn\u2019t veer to the side of the ramp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid this, drivers must make sure they have a strong grip on the wheelchair so that it doesn\u2019t veer\u2013if it does veer, stop, correct the direction of the wheelchair, and then keep going. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Faites le quiz sur les fourgons pour fauteuils roulants<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Manual ramps for wheelchair vans: who are they right for?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n