Higher ground clearance for a mobility scooter?

[SamTexas]

Here's my BIL's ride. His main complain is the very low ground clearance that results in the scooter being caught several times crossing breaks in the sidewalk, or on slightly uneven unpaved ground. Being a handicap, he's unable to free himself.

I'm looking for the simplest way raise the ground clearance by 1" (one inch). Thanks.

 

[Rassy]

Looks like a tough one. I would see if some spacers could be used to lower the wheels/axles/etc. That would raise the body a bit and maybe allow bigger tires also.

The easiest solution might be to set him up with a trike.

 

[Alan B]

I see three magic pies with rubber tires on them. All wheel drive and a bit more ground clearance. There was a thread awhile back with a four wheel drive mobility chair. Maybe just upgrade?

 

[Drunkskunk]

2" larger tires will give you 1" more ground clearance, but that would take a new fork from the looks of it, and some fender trimming. The advantage is it would roll over small obsticles (threshholds, guttersw, uneven pavement) better.

 

[SamTexas]

Looks like a tough one. I would see if some spacers could be used to lower the wheels/axles/etc. That would raise the body a bit and maybe allow bigger tires also.

Thanks. I'll look into it.

The easiest solution might be to set him up with a trike.

Do you have a specific trike in mind?

 

[SamTexas]

2" larger tires will give you 1" more ground clearance, but that would take a new fork from the looks of it, and some fender trimming.

I've been thinking about the fork too. I might have to lengthen it as the last option.

 

[Rassy]

Sam, I wasn't thinking of any particular trike or style of trike. It depends a lot on the person and their particular needs.

I set my brother up with a Sun EZ3 AX after his stroke. He has no use of his left arm and limited use of his left leg, but can pedal ok when clipped in. I am saving a 16" wheel with a Bafang laced into it if he ever wants me to add an electric assist. He and his wife have been thinking about one of the power chairs, probably because the cost would be covered, but I'm trying to convince them that an assist on the trike would be a better fit.

One nice thing about his trike is the front wheel turns like a bicycle and he can make a u-turn in the length of the trike.