Electric Wheel Chair Question

ShinningStar · Post by **ShinningStar** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:26 am

I need to bring my wheel chair to get around BRC and have DMV approval but am concerned about the dust in damaging the motor. Has anyone had experiences in bringing and using an electric wheel chair at BM?

It's a tough decision to make. I need it, but don't want to burn the motor out if they are known for brake downs.

Thanks.

Sunshine

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:28 am

You need to get in touch with hot wheelz, it's what they do:

HOT WHEELZ CAMP
At Hot Wheelz Camp, we offer the gift of mobility to fellow Burners who might have difficulty traveling to the far reaches of Black Rock City. It is our goal to expand and enhance the opportunities for our Themecamp guests to PARTICIPATE!
Hometown: Reno, NV
URL: http://groups.msn.com/HotWheelzCamp
Contact: westernskys (at) gmail (dot) com

I'm sure they can answer your questions.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:34 am

Any chance of bringing a used one? (they show up on craigslist for instance, maybe for $1500 or sometimes less)

I know that fit and stuff are very personal (I dislike the rental I'm in this very moment) and that, espcially at such short notice you might not find exactly what you need, but still having a junker might be useful for other occasions.

Just a thought

And If you tell us how it all works out, I'd be interested.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:46 am

I'd be worried wheelchairs might get completely bogged down in the dust this year, or muck if the water trucks hit the busier streets too hard. Good luck.

ShinningStar · Post by **ShinningStar** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:07 am

I've emailed my concerns to HOT WHEELZ CAMP and will forward any suggestions they have. In the meantime, I still would like to hear from anyone that has personally experienced using a electric wheel chair at BM, pros and cons.

Sunshine

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:09 pm

ShinningStar wrote:I've emailed my concerns to HOT WHEELZ CAMP and will forward any suggestions they have. In the meantime, I still would like to hear from anyone that has personally experienced using a electric wheel chair at BM, pros and cons.

Sunshine

\/
i m bringing electric mobility this year.. but.. i am able to disassemble and clean it myself..

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:30 pm

I've emailed my concerns to HOT WHEELZ CAMP and will forward any suggestions they have. In the meantime, I still would like to hear from anyone that has personally experienced using a electric wheel chair at BM, pros and cons.

Ya know, after thinking of it I don't believe I've ever seen anyone use an electric wheelchair on the playa. That's not to say people haven't but I think most recognize the lake bed as a pretty harsh environment for a LOT of things electrical and probably have second thoughts about getting their chair getting trashed due to dust, mud and such things.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:51 pm

I've helped push one or two disabled electric wheelchairs to that wheelchair camp, fwiw. Couldn't tell you what was wrong, down batteries probably.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:44 pm

those cupkakes were powered by electric wheelchairs.. they were out there two years in a row

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:13 pm

A couple years ago, I chatted with a lady in an electric wheelchair, had something like ten burning man tattoos, one for each year she'd attended. I didn't ask about the chair, but it seemed to be doing alright. She was memorable, alas her name was not in my addled memory.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:25 pm

theCryptofishist wrote:And If you tell us how it all works out, I'd be interested.

hey speaking of, did insurance ever cover you for one?

ShinningStar · Post by **ShinningStar** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:00 pm

I've talked to a few people and collected facts and opinions. I've decided to take the chance of bringing my electric wheel chair. Like some of you have mentioned, there are art vehicles that are designed with wheel chairs as their base and the are MANY electric golf carts on the playa as well. I hope to have only dust to deal with when I come home but it may be very well worth the independence.

I'll let you know how it goes when I get home.

Sunshine

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:04 pm

spectabillis wrote:
theCryptofishist wrote:And If you tell us how it all works out, I'd be interested.
hey speaking of, did insurance ever cover you for one?

The demo will come by the house Wednesday morning. I will have to pick up 30% co-pay.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:55 pm

Hey, Shinning Star--how did it work out?