Portable Wheelchairs for Weekend Trips

There is something about a weekend away that changes everything. A change of scenery, a bit of time out from the routine, somewhere new to explore. For wheelchair users, that feeling is just as real. The only question is whether the chair you have makes the trip easier or harder.

A standard everyday wheelchair does the job around the home and locally. But load it in to a car boot, navigate a hotel corridor with it, fold it on to a train and back off again, and you quickly notice its limitations. A portable wheelchair designed for travel is a different thing entirely. Lighter, more compact, faster to fold and genuinely suited to being taken places. If weekend trips are something you want to do more of, its well worth understanding what makes a good portable chair and what to look for before you buy.

Folded size matters as much as weight

A chair that folds small enough to fit in a standard car boot without the rear seats being folded down gives you a good deal more flexibility. It means room for luggage, room for a passenger and less rearranging every time you load up.

Before buying, its worth measuring your car boot at its smallest usable dimensions, then comparing against the folded dimensions of the chair you are considering. Manufacturers list these in the specifications and its a check that takes two minutes but saves a good deal of frustration later.

Transit or Self-Propelled for Travel

This is a question worth thinking through carefully rather then defaulting to one or the other.

Transit portable wheelchairs are generally the lighter and more compact option. They have smaller rear wheels, fold down to a smaller footprint and are the better choice when:

• A carer or family member will be pushing the chair throughout the trip

• The user does not have the upper body strength or endurance to self-propel independently

• Maximum compactness and minimum weight are the priorities

Self-propelled portable wheelchairs are slightly heavier but give the user considerably more independence. They are the better choice when:

• The user can and wants to move themselves independently for at least part of the trip

• The trip involves longer distances where self-propulsion would reduce the load on the carer

• Independence and confidence on the trip matter to the user

Some folk find a self-propelled portable wheelchair is the best of both, since push handles mean an attendant can take over whenever needed, while the hand rims allow the user to manage independently when the terrain allows.

Key Features to Look For

When choosing a portable wheelchair for weekend trips, these are the features worth checking carefully:

• Quick release rear wheels — these reduce the weight of the main frame lift and make boot loading considerably more manageable on a self-propelled chair

• Folding or removable footrests — footrests that swing away or detach completely shorten the folded length and make the chair easier to store in a narrow hotel wardrobe or under a restaurant table

• Half folding backrest — this further reduces the folded height and is a useful feature on any chair that will be stored in a tight space regularly

• Puncture proof tyres — solid or foam filled tyres remove the risk of a flat tyre on a day when you are nowhere near a bike shop or a repair kit

• Attendant brakes — useful on slopes, ramps and uneven surfaces, and worth prioritising if the chair will be pushed on varied terrain

• Compact overall width — a chair that is narrower overall is easier to navigate through hotel corridors, restaurant doorways and older buildings where access is tight

Loading the Chair in to a Car

This is something that catches people out more often then you might expect, particularly when they have not done it before. A few straightforward habits make it considerably easier and protect both the car and the chair.

Lock the brakes before folding. Swing the footrests out of the way or remove them entirely before lifting. On a self-propelled chair, pop the quick release rear wheels off first and place them flat in the boot to create a level base. Lift the folded frame by its balance point with both hands and keep it close to your body as you place it in the boot. A boot liner or a folded blanket under the chair protects the boot floor and stops the frame sliding on corners.

Please bear in mind that the sill height of your car boot affects how easy this process is. Estate cars and larger hatchbacks generally have lower sill heights then SUVs, which makes loading and unloading a lighter chair considerably more manageable. If you regularly struggle with this, its worth looking at whether your car is working against you as well as considering a lighter chair.

Hotel Stays and Accommodation

A few things are well worth checking before you book accommodation for a weekend trip.

Most UK hotels are legally required under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled guests, but what is available varies considerably. When booking, its worth asking specifically about:

• Step free access from the car park or entrance to the room

• Whether the room has a wet room or roll-in shower rather then a bath

• The width of the bathroom door and the turning space inside

• Whether the bed can be accessed from both sides for transfers

• Whether the hotel restaurant or breakfast room is on the same level as the accessible rooms

VisitEngland's accessibility scheme rates accommodation on a standardised basis and is a useful resource when planning. Properties that carry an M1, M2 or M3 accessibility rating have been assessed in person, which gives a good deal more confidence then relying on a generic accessible room description.

Planning the Trip Itself

Good planning makes the difference between a trip that works and one that does not. A few straightforward steps before you travel reduce the chance of unexpected problems on the day.

• Check step free access for any train stations on your route using the National Rail accessibility guide or the Passenger Assist app

• Look up the accessibility information for any attractions, restaurants or venues you plan to visit in advance rather then arriving and hoping

• Book Passenger Assist if you are travelling by train, and do it as early as you can

• Carry a small repair kit and a compact pump if your chair uses pneumatic tyres, as getting a flat in an unfamiliar location is a good deal more stressful then dealing with one at home

• Pack a pressure relieving cushion if you use one, as hotel chair cushions and restaurant seating are rarely adequate for a full day of use