We Love Animals
Family Inspired

Man Builds An Off-Road Wheelchair So His Wife Can Explore Places She Never Imagined

A man named Zack Nelson has been praised online for creating a fully electric off-road wheelchair so his wife can explore the outdoors and go places she never imagined.

Image credits: zacksjerryrig

His wife, Cambry, suffers from paralysis and has used a wheelchair to get around for most of her adult life. Like most wheelchair-users, she has always been restricted to the pavement as there are plenty of terrains not suitable for a traditional wheelchair. Besides, using a wheelchair across long distances makes her shoulders sore.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

So, in order to help her explore more places conveniently, Zack designed a fully electric off-road wheelchair for her. He spliced together two electric bikes with a seat between them, and it worked.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

Cambry said she experienced a whole new level of freedom using her new “ride, and she couldn’t be more grateful to Zack for coming up with it.

Image credits: JerryRigEverything

At the time Zack built the off-road wheelchair, Cambry was his girlfriend. Fast forward a year, they tied the knot and also began mass-production of the vehicle, which they call “Not-a-Wheelchair.”. Throughout that time, they put their heads together to try and build upon the original design, making it a more reliable off-roader. But getting it done wasn’t easy.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

“The toughest challenge when developing ‘Not-A-Wheelchair’ is the price. We wanted to create something that is affordable for everyone. Finding quality components, and a simple enough design at the cheapest price possible took quite a bit of time,” Zack told Bored Panda. “But I think we have something now that everyone will be able to enjoy, at a fraction of the cost of other ‘off-road wheelchairs’ currently on the market.”

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

‘Not-a-Wheelchair’ is definitely not an indoor machine, so Cambry still uses her normal wheelchair for inside their home but any time she and Zack go to the park, or on a hike, she jumps in The Rig. “Its silent, which means that we can all still talk and chat while she rides next to the group,” Zack explained.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

During these trips, ‘Not-a-Wheelchair’ really showed what it’s capable of. “We have taken The Rig to Hawaii twice for testing. The bike has to be shipped with a freight company before we go, but we ship The Rig about a week before we fly out ourselves, and it’s waiting there for us when we arrive. All this travel was before COVID was a thing. Luckily, we also live near mountains and snow with long wide flat trails to try the bike out on.”

Image Credits: notawheelchair

Watch the video below to see The Rig in action.

Not-a-Wheelchair is an electric adaptive off-roader

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

The bike can reach speeds of up to 12 mph

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

It has a range of 10-20 miles with one battery, and 25-35 miles with two batteries.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

It also features a rear rack mounting system to hold wheelchairs, coolers, camping gear, or a picnic basket

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

‘Not-a-Wheelchair’ was constructed using bike parts, so maintenance and repairs are really easy

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

It has an aluminum frame, detachable bumper, and four-inch off-road bike tires.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

The Rig is 5 feet long and 32 inches wide without the bumper.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

Which makes it fit in short bed pickups, Jeeps, and Subaru Outbacks.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

As The Rig is pretty narrow, it can get through most doorways

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

As any bike would, the Rig can struggle with loose sand or loose snow, but it can handle most areas pretty well.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

The recommended weight limit is 225 pounds.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything
Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

A “Not-a-Wheelchair” with no suspension and one battery costs $3,750.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

However, Zack wanted to remind everyone that ‘Not-a-Wheelchair’ “is not a fine-tuned, polished, medical device.” They are very happy with Not-a-Wheelchair’ and hope other people will also enjoy it as much as they have.

Image Credits: JerryRigEverything
Image Credits: JerryRigEverything
Image Credits: JerryRigEverything

What do you think about this off-road wheelchair? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family members!

H/T: Boredpanda

Related posts

Woman Who Passed Away From Cancer Left A Funny And Touching Goodbye Letter For Her Family And Friends

Carolyn Mullet

Family Surprises Their Newly Adopted Daughter With The Best Christmas Gift

Carolyn Mullet

4-Year-Old ‘Superhero’ Donates Life-Saving Bone Marrow To His Twin Baby Brothers

Carolyn Mullet

Younger Brother Confronts The Bullies Who Made Fun Of His Sister With Down Syndrome

Carolyn Mullet

Parents Had A Touching Final Photoshoot Of Their Newborn Twins Who Didn’t Have Much Time Left

Carolyn Mullet

Dying Mom Hid Heartbreaking Letter For Her Dear Daughter Inside A Book

Carolyn Mullet

40 Emotional Photos Of Dads Meeting Their Babies for the First Time

Carolyn Mullet

Mom Who Was Six Times Recommended To Abort Her Twins Is Now Living Happily With Them

Susanna

This Cat Is Using His Unique Voice To Help Many Animals In Need

Olivia

Grieving Man Takes His Late Wife’s Portrait To The Beach So She Can Look At The View Every Day

Carolyn Mullet

Mom Can’t Hide Her Happiness After She Hears Her 8-Week-Old Daughter ‘Speak’

Carolyn Mullet

Dog Waits By The Door To Welcome Home Dad From The Hospital

Carolyn Mullet