TiLite Wheelchairs

[~Lin]

To be honest replies like that seem like a bit of a cop out, or an avoidance to answer certain questions. I know elarson is not the only person who would be interested in the answers to those questions. Why not answer to the best of your ability and if anyone has a more specific scenerio that needs discussed they could contact you directly. I'm sure no one would mind any long winded explanations here.

[nonoise]

I spoke to some folks here at TiLite and they said they thought it would be best if you private messaged us to see how best we can help you. You've asked a lot of questions that can lead to long winded explanations but we want to better understand what you are try to do so we can best advise you. Thanks.

Really? So you won't answer any of the 1 -6 questions publicly?

How about the last one indicating that a reinforced frame might be required for various power add ons. It seems some of these might not need any special build consideration.

[Stubby]

I spoke to some folks here at TiLite and they said they thought it would be best if you private messaged us to see how best we can help you. You've asked a lot of questions that can lead to long winded explanations but we want to better understand what you are try to do so we can best advise you. Thanks.

All of those questions should be able to be easily answered by your engineering staff. I don't see where any "long winded" explanations would be necessary. And private messaging? What could possibly be so sensitive that it couldn't be posted on the forum?

Tend to agree with ~Lin and nonoise. Sounds like a cop-out...

[Andy]

I think I might know an answer to one of those questions...and it would involve a good case of sticker shock . But I'll let TiLite change their mind and enlighten us on some things that I may be missing with my conclusion

[elarson]

As per TiLite's request I have resent this as a private message as follows. I find this convoluted that I need to do it in this way, but will be sure to post back with the response.

As mentioned in another post, the first 6 questions are the highest priority. I should think this information would be readily available from a product manager. Especially if you are making the warranty contingent on purchasing the different frame types, in my view you should be publishing the information so people know what they are paying for. Ideally this information would be available on your website as an FAQ or something similar.

Also people like to know this for maintenance. For example, we have the need for some new screws and are considering replacing them and others with zinc screws. If I knew that zinc screws were included with the reinforced frame, I will not replace those that do not need it yet.

The questions about specific products compatibility are because we own a Spinergy ZX-1 and a RioMobility Firefly and I want to be sure that we will not be compromising the frame warranty when using a Reinforced ZRA frame purchased with the Transit Tie Down option.

For the other products, I think it would be good to know for others considering purchasing them. They are all products that we considered purchasing or may consider purchasing in future.

[2drwhofans]

Tilite,

Every few months the vertical bars supporting the footplate of my husband's ZRA slip down a few mm from its their point. I draw a circle around the top of the footplate bars with a silver sharpie after each adjustment. When we see it sink over 5-6mm, it's back to the shop. Gravity wins.
Do you make a model with non-adjustable footplate bars? Can the current ones be welded, monkey glued, etc in place?

[chasmengr]

My experiences as a plumber revealed that water heater manufacturers sell the exact same heater with different labels showing different warranty periods. It's the identical product, but they just charge more to cover the expected failures. Of course they won't admit that publicly

[elarson]

My brother in the bicycle industry said something similar. I will try to be sensitive with what I learn about this, but I do think that we are entitled to know about the differences. Our dealer had no idea about the differences, and therefore we were almost denied the ability to get a reinforced frame for a power add-on. I had to fight hard for it, and I would like to know what it includes, regardless if it is just for warranty purposes. I can accept that, especially if they went through extra RESNA testing or it is to cover the expected failures due to power add-ons, and I think most people can.

My experiences as a plumber revealed that water heater manufacturers sell the exact same heater with different labels showing different warranty periods. It's the identical product, but they just charge more to cover the expected failures. Of course they won't admit that publicly

[TiLite]

Tilite,

Every few months the vertical bars supporting the footplate of my husband's ZRA slip down a few mm from its their point. I draw a circle around the top of the footplate bars with a silver sharpie after each adjustment. When we see it sink over 5-6mm, it's back to the shop. Gravity wins.
Do you make a model with non-adjustable footplate bars? Can the current ones be welded, monkey glued, etc in place?

This should not be happening. Is the wedge in place? Have you examined the end of the frame tube? Is it cracked? By tightening the screw with an allen wrench and the wedge in place it should hold it in place.

[2drwhofans]

Thanks for getting back to me. I had to wait until my husband was in bed before turning the chair upside down. The frame tubes are not cracked. The wedge and screw are in place.
We just had this adjusted so it will probable stay in place a few months. Like I said its only less than a cm of movement at max. but it's still annoying.
Can this be welded in place?
The chair is 6 years old so we may be looking for a replacement soon. Does TiLite make a chair with fixed vertical bars and footplate ?

[TiLite]

Thanks for getting back to me. I had to wait until my husband was in bed before turning the chair upside down. The frame tubes are not cracked. The wedge and screw are in place.
We just had this adjusted so it will probable stay in place a few months. Like I said its only less than a cm of movement at max. but it's still annoying.
Can this be welded in place?
The chair is 6 years old so we may be looking for a replacement soon. Does TiLite make a chair with fixed vertical bars and footplate ?

We do not make a fixed vertical bar and footplate. We have done them for some customers but we do not have a DU for them so it would have to be done as a custom one-off which would be priced accordingly. We typically do not hear this complaint about the footrest slipping. If you can tell me where you are located we can hook you up with our Rep in your area and see if we can help you that way.

[2drwhofans]

Thanks. I sent you a PM.

[ZEN12many]

Suggested improvement: You should be able to change the hand rims without removing the tires. The bolts should lock in (e.g., into a square hole) so they don't rotate when removing the nuts that hold the hand rims on.

[QTiPi]

Do you have a quote number for this chair? I can have our Engineering Team take a look at it and see if we can help.

Any progress on this? I understand if it's no-go, but I'm in limbo here and so is my poor local TiLite dealer. Once again, the quote number is 254336.

[nonoise]

Suggested improvement: You should be able to change the hand rims without removing the tires. The bolts should lock in (e.g., into a square hole) so they don't rotate when removing the nuts that hold the hand rims on.

I agree. I'd like to swap out push rims on a set of tires, but not interested in removing the tires for something so minor. However your idea has a flaw in that even with the nuts off, the push rim will not come off until the bolts are backed out of the tab slots.
What's the problem with post mounts? Why aren't they popular? They are easy to change with a simple Phillips screwdriver.