With summer right around the corner, it's time to start planning for some fun in the sun! Here are our top tips for getting yourself and your power wheelchair ready for those summer adventures.
Never in the water
The most important thing to remember is to never drive your power wheelchair into the water. And if there are waves breaking onto the beach, that means leaving a good safety margin in case a big wave makes it past the tide line unexpectedly. Electric motors and water just don't mix!
Choose the right chair
While some Magic Mobility wheelchairs can be fitted with off-road tires that take you safely onto the sand, people who want to get a bit more adventurous should seriously consider getting into a 4x4 Magic Mobility Extreme X8. Purpose-designed to handle even the roughest, steepest, or softest terrains, the Extreme X8 has four powerful motors driving each of its four off-road tires, making it ideal for tackling the often steep entrances to and exits from the beach.
Before she got her Extreme X8, Nicky from New South Wales in Australia had to come to terms with the fact that she would likely never be able to get onto the sand – even though she lived right on the coast. So, the day she took to the sand in her Extreme X8 was "incredibly liberating," she said.
Nicky thought she'd never get on the sand until she got her Extreme X8.
"I was constantly looking at the Magic Mobility website and looking up YouTube videos," Nicky said. "I hoped that one day I could be having as much fun as the people in the videos. Wheeling off the boardwalk and onto the sand made me feel alive and very happy."
The Magic Mobility Frontier V6 with its long wheelbase is another chair that can handle most beach environments with ease. This mid-wheel drive chair has the option of switching between smaller hybrid tires and larger off-road tires, delivering a great year-round indoor-to-outdoor mobility solution.
Rolling with the right tires
Thinking of hitting the sand can cause concerns of potentially getting stuck and stranded on the beach. The right tires at the right pressure will help you get onto the sand and off again, providing users with peace of mind.
Fitted with our knobby tires, our all-terrain wheelchairs are designed to handle sandy or rocky beaches while providing excellent traction, safety, and comfort for the user. Built for extreme terrains, the knobs on these tires also provide exceptional traction to help you tackle challenging terrains like sand, uneven ground, or even snow. They also provide the grip needed to take on slippery surfaces such as wet sidewalks.
Get out on the sand, but be sure to choose your tire pressure wisely.
The width of this tire increases the contact area with the ground to provide superior traction, keeping the user safe and in control. When driving on soft surfaces like sand, you can reduce the tire pressure to increase the surface area and delivery more grip and a smoother ride.
We've also designed puncture-resistant tire liners for our range of tires. These are made of hardy aramid fiber and fit in between the tire and the inner tube for improved protection and tire preservation. The tire liners provide peace of mind for those concerned about punctures when driving off-road.
Keep it clean
When your Magic Mobility powerchair has been used in coastal, damp, or salty environments, extra cleaning is critical to remove dirt, salt, and sand in order to reduce the risk of rust. For your tires, allow them to dry fully and then drive the chair. The dirt and sand will usually come loose and fall away. Make sure you give your power wheelchair a gentle wipe-down using a soft, clean cloth and some warm water.
Cleaning is vital to maintaining optimal performance for your powerchair.
We make seating from a range of different materials – generally vinyl or fabric – but the best type of cleaning agent for your seating is mild detergent and water. Don't be tempted to use harsh cleansers, which may corrode or damage the fabric over time.
Down inside the crevices of the cushioning can be a trap for waste, sand, and dust. Use a soft brush or a vacuum to remove any built-up residue. Your powerchair should then be left in a warm and dry environment to dry thoroughly.
Unlike many of us, your chair does not enjoy a good soaking. Never, ever hose down your power wheelchair or immerse any part of it in water. A damp cloth will keep it clean, fresh, and ready for the next adventure!
Talk to your local dealer to learn more about how to clean your chair, or whether your Magic Mobility power wheelchair can be fitted with knobby off-road tires.
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