Just because someone is in a wheelchair or otherwise is limited in their ability to move does not mean they can no longer go to remote or rugged places. Take for example in the awesome video below. Even when climbing aboard a Jeep or other 4×4 vehicles isn’t possible, there is still a powerful option: the Ripchair. The device is ingenious, allowing people to drive a self-powered or powered chair into it through a loading bay that is 30 inches wide and 50 inches deep. Once inside, the user enjoys increased mobility through aggressive treads that make it like a mini tank. The Ripchair is so versatile it can keep up with other small outdoor transportation devices like ATVs, helping transport disabled individuals just about anywhere. Everyone of us deserves to be able to pilot an off-road machine and enjoy the the freedoms that come with it.

A company called Howe & Howe Technologies makes the Ripchair, which boasts a technologically advanced design that is well suited for the rigors of outdoor activities. The structure is made of aerospace grade aluminum, which is as strong as it is lightweight. In fact, the whole thing tips the scale at just 1,200 pounds, making it easy to transport. The vehicle’s draw bar pull is rated at a beefy 1,000 pounds. Howe & Howe used construction grade treads and hydraulics, helping prevent failures in the field. Getting hung up on obstacles isn’t very likely; thanks to a 10-inch ground clearance that rivals the most off-road worthy SUVs on the market today.

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The vehicle has a class 2 receiver and lights in the front and rear that are rated at 4,000 lumens for plenty of visibility. Power comes from a four-stroke engine located in the rear of the Ripchair. It pumps out 29 horsepower, which is more than enough to get the vehicle up and over all sorts of obstacles without a struggle. It also allows the rider to go up to 17 mph, but an electronic governor limits the top speed to 10 mph for safety reasons. The design also allows the rider to make tight turns without moving forward or backward, which comes in handy in some outdoor spots where room is limited. This means a wheelchair user can sit in the Ripchair and not slow down the group as they head out on a hike, go fishing, or engage in any number of outdoor activities.
Howe & Howe Tech says that it designed the ripchair to handle a variety of surfaces. The treads can easily handle forest floors, sand at the beach or in a desert, rocky terrain, and even up to 18 inches of snow. There’s even a snowplow attachment that makes clearing a drive or walkway a breeze. The Ripchair even has the ability to drive through small streams, making searching for a bridge unnecessary. If a person needs to ride over icy surfaces, there are optional picks that can be installed on the treads that provide plenty of grip.
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