Loading a scooter or power chair into the back of a van, SUV, pickup or trailer runs into the bumper: the cargo floor sits behind it, and a standard folding ramp either perches on the bumper edge or cannot reach the floor at all. The PVI Multifold Reach is PVI's answer, a 30 in wide welded aluminum folding ramp in 6 ft, 7 ft and 8 ft lengths whose top hook is extended so it can span a rear bumper and rest on the floor behind it. Everything else about it is Multifold: it folds like a suitcase, splits into two halves that lock back together by turning a pin, and shows its slope on a built-in guide.
PVI does not publish the length of the extended hook, so measure the bumper on your own vehicle rather than assuming it will clear, and PVI's catalog guidelines call for checking head clearance before an occupied chair goes up a ramp into a vehicle. Loading an unoccupied chair or scooter may be done at up to 3:12; an occupied one must stay at 2:12 or shallower with an assistant, and the occupied-use rise is 6 in to 12 in for the 6 ft, 7 in to 14 in for the 7 ft and 8 in to 16 in for the 8 ft. The Reach comes only in a 30 in width; a 36 in deck means the standard PVI Multifold instead.
Key Features
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Extended top hook: The hook at the upper end reaches further than a standard Multifold's so the ramp can bridge a rear bumper or body panel and seat on the surface behind it; PVI gives no figure for its length.
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Patented center joint hinge: PVI's hinge design at the fold removes the pinch point between the two panels and adds strength at the joint.
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Carries as two pieces: The 41 lb 6 ft, 46 lb 7 ft and 52 lb 8 ft ramps split into two halves for carrying, and turning the pins locks them back into one ramp with no tools.
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Yellow slope level: A level on the side of the ramp reads safe or not before anyone rolls onto it, which matters when the top end is sitting on a cargo floor of unknown height.
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Safety strap in the box: Along with the safety DVD and steel security pins that come with every PVI portable ramp, the Reach comes with a safety strap.
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Compact folded size: The 6 ft ramp folds to 38.25 in x 16 in x 10.75 in and the 8 ft to 50.75 in x 16 in x 11 in, so it travels in the vehicle it loads.
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800 lb two-axle rating: PVI rates the Reach at 800 lb when both axles of the chair or scooter are on the deck and 400 lb when one axle is, and states a 3X safety factor in testing.
Who It Is For
Anyone who loads a scooter or power chair into a vehicle without a lift: a scooter owner whose scooter rides in the back while they ride up front, a family whose van carries a relative's power chair, a mobility dealer delivering or collecting equipment in a pickup or trailer. Automotive use is its reason to exist, but the same ramp works at a porch, a garage step or a raised landing when the rise fits, so one Reach can cover both the car and the house. PVI builds it in Fairbury, Nebraska, like the rest of its ramps.
Dimensions
- Lengths: 6 ft (UTW630), 7 ft (UTW730) and 8 ft (UTW830), all 30 in wide
- Folded: 38.25 in, 44.25 in or 50.75 in long by 16 in wide; 10.75 in high on the 6 ft and 7 ft, 11 in on the 8 ft
- Weight: 41 lb, 46 lb and 52 lb
- Occupied-use rise: 6 in to 12 in (6 ft), 7 in to 14 in (7 ft), 8 in to 16 in (8 ft)
- Extended top hook; PVI does not publish its length
For a vehicle, measure from the ground to the cargo floor with the vehicle loaded as it will be in use, and note how far the bumper stands out from the floor edge; for a step, measure from the ground to the landing surface, then match the rise to PVI's slope guidance.
Installation
PVI links the Multifold instruction sheet for the Reach. It estimates 10 minutes and lists a drill with a 5/16 in bit and a pencil as helpful, not included; those are only for drilling the two security pin holes in a landing the ramp returns to. Loading a vehicle needs no tools at all.
- Release any strap holding the panels and open the ramp so both halves lie flat.
- If the ramp was carried as two pieces, line the halves up and turn each pin until it locks.
- Place the extended hook over the bumper so the lip bears on the cargo floor, or over the edge of a step, with the lower end on firm ground.
- Read the yellow level on the side of the ramp; a reading outside the safe range means the rise needs a longer ramp.
- Load an unoccupied scooter or chair at no steeper than 3:12; keep an occupied chair at 2:12 or less, with an assistant and enough head room inside the vehicle.
- Where the ramp will stay at one landing, drill two 5/16 in holes about 2 in deep through the pin holes and seat the steel security pins.
Manufacturer documents: Multifold Reach product sheet (PDF), Multifold instructions, used for the Reach (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)
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