PVI Modular XP Ramp

When the rise at a door, porch or deck is more than a portable ramp can serve at a safe slope, the answer is a run that stays in place and has handrails on both sides. The PVI Modular XP is that run: welded aluminum sections combined to the length you order, from 2 ft to 40 ft in 1 ft steps, with a 36 in usable deck between 4 in curbs, double-bar handrails and adjustable legs, all bolted together on site with little or no site preparation.

It is a kit for a straight run, not a complete system on its own. Turns, resting landings and a platform at the door come from the PVI Modular XP platforms sold separately, and PVI requires a handrail on every system. PVI's manual sets the slope between 1:12 and 2:12 and recommends 1:12 where space allows, so a 24 in rise wants a 24 ft run at the recommended slope; runs and landings above a 26 in rise also need PVI's long leg supports.

Key Features

• Length to the foot: PVI welds sections in 3 ft and 4 ft lengths (its brochure also lists 2 ft) and combines them so the run matches the ordered length from 2 ft to 40 ft.
• 36 in usable width: The deck is 36 in wide between the curbs and the unit is 42 in overall, per the PVI assembly manual.
• 100 lb per square foot: PVI rates the system as a distributed load of 100 lb per square foot rather than a single total, so a longer run carries more in proportion to its area.
• Double-bar handrails on both sides: Two 1.5 in bars per side at a 34 in to 38 in height, per PVI's web page, come with every run, and ADA extended handrails are available separately.
• 4 in curbs: A 4 in raised edge along both sides of the deck meets ADA edge protection standards, per PVI.
• Grooved aluminum deck: The slip-resistant grooved planking is designed to shed water, and the all-aluminum frame needs little or no maintenance.
• Moves and reconfigures: Sections bolt together, so the run can be lengthened, shortened or taken to another address later.

Who It Is For

Homes where a porch, deck or raised entry sits too high for a portable ramp, rental and temporary medical situations where the ramp has to come out again, and churches, clinics and small businesses that need a code-minded entrance route. Residents who use a power chair or scooter without an assistant get the most from the 1:12 slope and the handrails. For a 3 ft to 10 ft run that needs no landings, the PVI OnTrac is the simpler alternative; turns and resting landings call for platforms, and any rise above 26 in calls for PVI's long leg supports.

Dimensions

• Run lengths: 2 ft to 40 ft in 1 ft steps, one length per variant; PVI's manual sets 4 ft as the minimum for an entrance ramp, so the 2 ft and 3 ft runs are top ramps that meet a landing
• Usable width 36 in; overall width 42 in, per the XP3 manual
• Rise served at the recommended 1:12 slope: 1 in of rise per 1 ft of run (a 12 ft run for a 12 in rise); PVI allows up to 2:12 for occupied use with an assistant
• Weights: 4 ft run 56 lb, 8 ft 96 lb, 12 ft 152 lb, 16 ft 192 lb, 20 ft 248 lb; other lengths not published

Measure the rise from the ground where the ramp will start to the top of the landing or threshold, divide by the slope you will use (12 in of run per 1 in of rise at 1:12), and add any platforms for turns or the door landing.

Installation

PVI's XP3 manual estimates about 1 person-hour of assembly per 20 ft of ramp and lists the tools: saw horses, a ratchet with a 1/2 in deep well socket, a 1/2 in wrench, a 1/4 in masonry bit, a 5/32 in Allen wrench, a cordless drill with a #2 Phillips bit, a tape measure and a bubble level. Legs and assembly hardware are included with the 4 ft to 20 ft runs.

1. Unpack and check every section, leg, post and hardware bag against the manual's component list.
2. Assemble any top landing first, then the top ramp section that meets it, then the lower landing and bottom ramp if the layout has them.
3. Leave all hardware loose until the whole run is in position, then tighten everything.
4. Set the legs so the deck slopes evenly between 1:12 and 2:12, and add PVI's long leg supports wherever the rise exceeds 26 in.
5. Anchor the run at its upper and lower ends after locating any underground electrical, gas and water lines; do not use concrete anchors in asphalt.
6. Inspect fasteners and anchors regularly once the ramp is in use.

PVI Modular XP overview, about 2 minutes

PVI modular ramp installation walkthrough, about 9 minutes

Manufacturer documents: Modular XP product sheet (PDF), XP3 assembly manual (PDF).

Warranty

PVI Manufacturing Limited Lifetime Warranty

Limited lifetime warranty, which applies to all end purchasers other than residents of the State of California: PVI Manufacturing warrants to the original end purchaser of the product that the product is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. This warranty does not apply to any product that has been subject to misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, accident, usage not in accordance with product instructions, acts of God, or improper installation, or that has been used for rental purposes or repaired by someone other than PVI Manufacturing. This warranty does not cover normal deterioration of the product due to wear and exposure.

Five year warranty, which applies to residents of the State of California: For a period of five years after the purchase of the product by the original end purchaser of the product, PVI Manufacturing warrants to the original end purchaser of the product that the product is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. The same exclusions apply: misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, accident, usage not in accordance with product instructions, acts of God, improper installation, rental use, repair by someone other than PVI Manufacturing, and normal deterioration due to wear and exposure.

Remedy: This warranty is limited to repairing or replacing, at the option of PVI Manufacturing, any product that is returned to PVI Manufacturing and is reasonably determined by PVI Manufacturing to be defective. The repair or replacement of a defective product under this warranty will be made by PVI Manufacturing without charge for parts or labor. This excludes shipping or delivery charges to and from PVI Manufacturing's place of business. If the product has been discontinued, PVI Manufacturing may replace the product with a new product of comparable value and function. PVI Manufacturing also reserves the right to refund the purchase price as its exclusive warranty remedy.

Claims: Any claim alleging that the product fails to conform to this warranty may be made only by the original end purchaser and only while such purchaser owns the product. A defective product that is covered by this warranty must be returned, at the purchaser's expense, along with proof of date of original purchase (such as a receipt, check or other document PVI Manufacturing deems acceptable that shows the date of purchase and the identity of the product and purchaser), along with a description of the alleged defect, to PVI Manufacturing, 2620 Industrial Drive, Fairbury, Nebraska 68352.

Except as set forth herein, PVI Manufacturing makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and PVI Manufacturing disclaims and negates all other warranties, including, without limitation, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, conformity to models or samples, or any warranties or indemnities against intellectual property infringement. Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties, so these limitations may not apply to you. In no event will Prairie View Industries, Inc. be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages or for any liability in excess of the purchase price of the product.

Before using the product, the purchaser must first determine the suitability of the product for its intended use, and the purchaser assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith. No person, agent, distributor, dealer or company is authorized to change, amend or modify the terms of this warranty. This warranty gives the purchaser specific legal rights, and the purchaser may also have other rights that vary from state to state. The purchaser may not assign the purchaser's rights or obligations under this warranty without the prior written consent of PVI Manufacturing.

PVI warranty document (PDF)