How To Get a Wheelchair Through Sand and Gravel


Moving through life in a wheelchair should not be a limitation at all. If you worry about getting stuck in the sand on a beach or find it hard to move the wheelchair through gravel, then the good news is that there are many options to solve this problem. 

To get a wheelchair through sand and gravel, use specially designed wheelchairs, access mats, or portable plastic floor tiles. Wheelchair accessories such as off-road wheels and conversion kits can also help to get through sand, gravel, and other rough terrains.

Looking for the right equipment and learning about its functionality can be a hectic task, but I have made it easier for you in this post. Keep reading, as I’ll explain the options available for how to get a wheelchair rolling through sand and gravel without trouble. 

1. Use a Specially Designed Wheelchair

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one in seven individuals in the United States suffers from mobility issues. It implies that having a great day at the beach or some other outdoor event is a problem for many.

Yet, gone are the days of old wheelchairs with minimal features that prohibit users from enjoying life to the fullest. The wheelchair market has specially designed wheelchairs for outdoor activities for you to consider: 

  • Beach Wheelchairs: These are designed specially to provide users with a pleasant beach experience. The sand at the beach can cause regular wheelchair tires to sink. In comparison, the beach wheelchair tires are much larger and wider to keep them moving smoothly. Beach wheelchairs are available in manually operated and battery-powered categories. 
  • All-Terrain Wheelchairs: As the name implies, these wheelchairs handle all types of terrains, including gravel, sand, and even snow. These also come with manual and battery-powered options and can be used for many outdoor activities. Tires are extra-wide to provide the required grip on uneven surfaces. The downside, however, is that these are heavy to lift and hard to transport. 

An excellent option to consider is the AccessRec TerraWheels All-Terrain Wheelchair for Beach and Outdoor Use (available on Amazon.com). The all-terrain and rear-swivel wheels are made from heavy-duty rubber that ensures this wheelchair gets through sand, gravel, grass, snow, or any uneven terrain you may encounter. The frame is made of stainless steel and aluminum; the chair easily folds for storage or transportation. It also features a reclining seat with a safety belt.  

2. Get Wheelchair Access Mats

Another great solution to get a wheelchair through sand or gravel is using mobility or access mats. Wheelchair access mats are non-slippery walkways that prevent the wheelchairs from sinking into the soft sand, as featured in some US beaches where the local authorities have installed them. 

Access mats are an excellent investment and budget-friendly solution for those without the need or ability to invest in a special wheelchair. They are made of durable plastic that can take a beating, plus they are easy to transport anywhere you need them. Simply roll them up for travel, and roll them out for use wherever you like. 

For moving a wheelchair over uneven surfaces like gravel, I recommend using Rubber-Cal Non-Slip Outdoor Rubber Mats (available on Amazon.com). A simple spread-and-roll method and a strong, non-slip grip make it an excellent option for getting a wheelchair across non-level surfaces. You also have a range of sizes available, spanning from 1ft (0.3m) to 20ft (6.1m) long. 

3. Invest in Portable Plastic Floor Tiles 

If you have smaller patches of sand and gravel here and there that you need to get a wheelchair through, portable plastic floor tiles may be a solution. Portable plastic floor tiles can be assembled easily to make temporary flooring. The idea behind these tiles is the same as the access mats, yet tiles are made of highly durable material and work well on gravel and other rough surfaces. 

Portable tiles are great for use in a garden or yard to help get a wheelchair through grass, gravel, and other bumpy terrains without getting stuck. This option is also cost-effective and customizable, as you can choose the number of tiles you wish to buy and how to arrange them.

I recommend using Goovilla Plastic Interlocking Deck Tiles (available on Amazon.com) because they easily snap together without tools and allow for any configuration you need. They are made from quality plastic and are easy to maintain. These tiles are also lightweight yet have an excellent capacity to bear a heavy load. Best of all, they are waterproof and can be used outdoors in all weather. 

4. Use Wheelchair Conversion Kits

Another option to smoothly move through sandy or rocky surfaces is to modify your manual wheelchair using the readymade conversion kits. A special conversion kit allows you to turn a manual wheelchair into a beach wheelchair. These conversion kits have prefabricated body frames with big balloon tires and rods. Attaching this frame to the manual wheelchair can make your wheelchair ready to be used on a sandy surface in no time. 

Swapping your regular wheels with off-road wheels is also a possible conversion. This option is a bit technical. According to Wheelchair Junkie, you can invest in an entire assembly, which may cost you around $300 to $400. Or you can choose only tires to set up on your rims for as low as $40$ to $50. I recommend getting an entire assembly if you regularly need to get through rough terrains, including sand and gravel. 

Sometimes, getting a wheelchair over a threshold can be harder than it looks. I’ve written a complete guide on what to do if you were in this situation. Check out my guide to find a step-by-step guide. How to Get a Wheelchair Over a Threshold (Easy Guide)

Final Thoughts 

If you frequently need to get a wheelchair through sand, gravel, or other challenging terrains, then investing in a specially designed wheelchair is probably the best way to go. You may find it a bit costly, but this one-time-investment can offer a priceless return. 

Other more cost-effective and convenient options to improve your wheelchair’s functionality include using access mats or plastic floor tiles. You could also consider getting a conversion kit or off-road wheels to modify your existing chair.

While we’re talking about improving mobility and independence, have you thought about communication devices specifically designed for the elderly? Jitterbug devices by Lively are an excellent choice. These easy-to-use phones and medical alert devices provide not just simple communication, but also an Urgent Response button for emergencies. It’s comforting to know that help is just a button press away. Interested? Check out the range of Jitterbug products here.

tatorchip

Roger L. "Chip" Mitchell is the owner of Growing Gray USA. Having worked with seniors and their families for over a decade as the owner of ComForCare Home Care of Northwest Georgia, Chip is able to share his insights working with aging senior adults and their adult children who are now finding themselves in a new role as caregivers for their parents.

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