26 replies to this topic

[Xeres21]

I have an 05' Nissan Titan with 35" tires and an air suspension lift, this was obviously my baby before I suffered my SCI. I'm a T5 tetra so I have full use of my arms, I'm trying to find a fairly cost effect device that helps bridge the gap for the transfer (mind you it's the height of the transfer not the distance across I need help with) I'm also fairly large bodied, 6'5 240 lbs and currently can lift my own weight with my arms but not enough to transfer. I have found multiple devices online but they range from 5,000$ and up and at this time I do not have that kind of money to spend. My next attempt will be with http://www.1800wheel...w-cart.aspx?a=1 to help raise me high enough that a slideboard could be of use. Seeing if theres anything out there people may know of! thanks in advance!

The common response I'm expecting to get is "get something more practical like a car or handi-van." For most guys out there, I'm sure you can relate with how your vehicle is like another appendage of your body, something you just can't live without. Ladies.. I don't expect you to be able to relate any other way then.. say? selling my truck to make my life easier would be like giving your baby up for adoption so you wont hear crying anymore. a peer mentor told me in rehab that "The day I allow my disability to prevent me from doing anything, is the day I become handicapped." I will find a way, hopefully with some others help! thanks for your time!

Below is a picture of the target goal

[Scrappy]

Start working out haha ;) na but for real that truck doesn't look that high, nice truck tho.. jus put 1 foot up grab the "oh shit" handel with your right kinda tough but reach, other hand on the seat n count to 3 ready set go.. maybe later I'll put a pick of my bros tahoe, now that thing is a beast! N the punk makes me get up on my own hah

I have an 05' Nissan Titan with 35" tires and an air suspension lift, this was obviously my baby before I suffered my SCI. I'm a T5 tetra so I have full use of my arms, I'm trying to find a fairly cost effect device that helps bridge the gap for the transfer (mind you it's the height of the transfer not the distance across I need help with) I'm also fairly large bodied, 6'5 240 lbs and currently can lift my own weight with my arms but not enough to transfer. I have found multiple devices online but they range from 5,000$ and up and at this time I do not have that kind of money to spend. My next attempt will be with http://www.1800wheel...w-cart.aspx?a=1 to help raise me high enough that a slideboard could be of use. Seeing if theres anything out there people may know of! thanks in advance!

The common response I'm expecting to get is "get something more practical like a car or handi-van." For most guys out there, I'm sure you can relate with how your vehicle is like another appendage of your body, something you just can't live without. Ladies.. I don't expect you to be able to relate any other way then.. say? selling my truck to make my life easier would be like giving your baby up for adoption so you wont hear crying anymore. a peer mentor told me in rehab that "The day I allow my disability to prevent me from doing anything, is the day I become handicapped." I will find a way, hopefully with some others help! thanks for your time!

Below is a picture of the target goal

There are also videos on YouTube if my way don't work or if you don't understand.. the way I do it is easier for me.. you might find a method your comfortable with

[RZ94]

I do this multiple times a day into a '02 chev, but I'm 160lbs and 6' 1"........I seen a guy build a ramp outa pallets workin' his way up to close enough (you know like stairs), then use plywood fer yer ramp surface and disco, yous in. You can church it up nice so it ain't a eyesore. 'Course that plan only works when yous home, not much fer when you be goin' to the store.

But I do just like Scrappy.....toss a leg in and pull up. My personal best feat was gettin' into a Dodge so tall I could roll under it.

[tsh3406]

You about have to pull yourself up instaed of push. I went the $3500 lift route just to avoid any wipeouts on wet or icy ground, but I've seen guys install something similar to 1/2 a roll cage inside the door that some heavy duty handles can be welded to. My Dakota has the stock 32' tires and it was managable after I slimmed down and hit the weights for a few months. Being a para and the Titan being more of a mid-sized truck, it'll just take practice. I'm really wanting to go with a Ram Mega Cab next, but the height of those lifted 3/4 ton 4x4's poses quite a challenge for me.

T

[Xeres21]

I'm not to worried about what the future will bring as far as my getting into and out of it, I'm not entirely far away but I too need to lose some pounds and work out more as well. I will be "eligable" to drive again shortly, and was hoping there was a cheap manner in which to get this bal rolling.

[Scrappy]

You just need sum practice.. for bein 6'5 ur not THAT heavy u can do it with out a lift.. honestly if u have full ARM movement and strength getting a lift would be just lazy.. like I said its a nice truck but its not that tall at all

[tsh3406]

My bet is your strength alone will be enough to get you over that extra half a foot you need, do you use the steering wheel or just push straight up?

[Xeres21]

I use the top of the door and the oh shit handle, I can pull myself up to just about the height of the seat, but cant advance INTO the truck from there, I'm not looking to get any of those full size holy sh*t chair lifts that is just easy mode, I ordered that item i linked to give it a shot. The seat itself is not high at all compared to some of the trucks out there, when I'm next to it with the door open, the seat is at my shoulder blades. Strength wise I'm prob a good month away, I have a fusion from c4-t3 and when I put all my weight on my arms it feels like I'm being stabbed between the shoulder blades (my injury level is t5, just below the nipples) one of those little seat pad lifts could give me that extra 6-10" i need to make it workable while my strength improves and pain subsides.

[tsh3406]

Just don't make any plans to get rid of it. Keep the truck maintained, give yourself time to heal completely and get your full strength back. It was over a year before I could even transfer without a board, let alone think about a truck.

[MTB John]

Where are your legs and feet while your pulling on the Holy shit handle?
I've watched a guy do it. He swung his feet in first then pulled up..

[Tetracyclone]

This fellow is a complete para working out the transfer. Lean build though.



This guy makes it look so easy I can't tell how he did it:

[Xeres21]

This fellow is a complete para working out the transfer. Lean build though.



This guy makes it look so easy I can't tell how he did it:

The video of the black truck is actually the reason I opt'd to keep my truck, I watched that video while I was in spaulding rehab in boston debating on having my truck sold! because if someone with a worse injury then me can get into that beast, I know I can make mine work!

Where are your legs and feet while your pulling on the Holy shit handle?
I've watched a guy do it. He swung his feet in first then pulled up..

I have tried with legs out and in, biggest problem I have is my SCI wasn't my only injury in my wreck. I shattered my left hip so bad that I now have 18" of heterotopic ossiphication or however its spelt.. Basically it nearly locks out my left hip flexor from the obscene overgrowth of bone in my hip, so lifting my left leg in is completely out of the question. Even getting into bed I can only get in on the right side then have to do a roll and drag the left leg in

[Tetracyclone]

Hey Xeres, at least you are hetero!

[Xeres21]

Hey Xeres, at least you are hetero!

lmao

[wheeliebear75]

What about using the "running board", to the floor of the cab, to the seat?

[Pilotdan92]

What about using the "running board", to the floor of the cab, to the seat?

Not the worst idea!

[nknight.92]

Your truck doesn't seem like it's up that high. I'm very tiny and I actually find it easier to transfer into my 94 Explorer than a Ford Focus! And you have alot more height than I do! I'm only 5'2" and can't even reach the oh shit handle! I've figured out if I grab the doorframe/windshield and the far side of the seat and have one leg in, I can get in easily! You just have to keep building up your arm muscles and it'll get easier. Good luck if u haven't gotten there yet!

[Jonny Bell]

I would definitely keep going, it might be a little tough now but once its perfectly customized you won't look back. Remember 'don't settle!' (steve jobs)

[hglad]

I know a lot of people don't use them but I always used my arm rest, when transferring into trucks and suvs. I sit first on my arm rest then pull myself into the truck. I transfer my legs last. When getting out I transfer my legs first then lower myself into my chair. I have to be careful about my legs not getting banged around too much. I am not strong enough to just pull myself straight up.

[Big D]

I concur with the people that say you should be able to do it yourself. You may have to try a few different things, but with your height that truck should be no problem. Personally, when I'm entering a high vehicle I put my legs in first, then I grab either the roof of the car, or the "oh shit" handle, and just lift myself in. Might take some practice.

[Dries]

I drive a Pajero, Jeep cherokee and a jeep hemi. All are about the same getting in. The main thing is your arm strength. I weigh 115kg and Ive been transferring in and out for over 4 years now, my fastest time of getting and loading my chair is 1min 30sec.

What I do is to firtsly put my feet in the truck, then I pull myself up from the door frame, like you said you can do, and place my other hand on the seat and in one movement I pull myself up and in the car, you basically end up sitting on you hand.

You then need to adjust yourself in your seat. Then you grab hold to the overhead handle by your door and lean over to fetch your chair. easiest way is to lift you chair and let it rest on its footplate and lean forward against the open door, this allows you to easily take off the wheels, place them on the ground leaning on the side of the car.

then put your seat back so that you can easily lift the chair over your lap and place it either on the seat next to you or on the back seat. take your wheels and place them on your wheelchair seat.
This works very well, you can adjust your own transfer style, every one does it different, but the thing is, its possible to transfer in and out a high trucks without hassles.

[nknight.92]

A good idea is also to go on YouTube and search "wheelchair truck transfer" they show different ways of doing it, it might help you come up with your own way.

[Modeus]

i got a bruno lift for my F150
http://www.sparrowha...=transfer-seats

[Colorado Boy]

I have a Raptor and use a Bruno lift too. I used to pull myself in, but that took a toll on my shoulders. Especially when you're out running errands, and getting in and out multiple times. I only use the lift to get in. To get out I just reach down to my chair and then it's pretty much a controlled fall to the seat!

[ZacharysGirl]

I use the Bruno lift in my f250 and works well just a little slow but good things take time it's just nice to be back in your own vehicle. The only thing is you have to be able to reach down far enough to reach your chair or if you can't they make a crane that goes In the bed and that will swing out and grab your chair and place it in the back of the bed.

[cathyann0823]

Do you think a Beasy Board  would work?

 

http://beasyboards.com/

[rAdGie]

This fellow is a complete para working out the transfer. Lean build though.



This guy makes it look so easy I can't tell how he did it:

the guy in the red 4x4 is L1 incomplete you can see him use his legs in some way getting in.

 

it would be best trying to see people your level or similar getting in and out of a high truck/car it will give you a better idea