Google "custom made wheelchairs" and start there.

sushipup1: I tried that first. I got lots of companies that customize the seats and some that sell light racing chairs to young amputee veterans. Several got confused if I tried to buy something myself as opposed to going through a doctor and Medicare. Unfortunately "custom" seems to have become a common industry term used to mean something other then what I mean, making what I want ungoogleable.

Ninkasi: She can't really get out of the chair anymore. I did think of getting a small travel chair and a normal full sized chair the exact same height, both with detachable arms, so she could easily slide from one to the other. That hasn't proven any easier.

Unfortunately, the seat width isn't the key variable. It's the wheel-to-wheel width, which is typically an unpredictable number of inches wider, and rarely specified in product specs online. Ideally we'd want a seat wider then 18 inches but a wheel-to-wheel width less then 24.

In your searches did you see this one?

24" Foldable Wheelchair

www.harborfreight.com/24-inch-foldable-wheelchair-67437.html

mxyplux: I did, actually. Seems like it should work, but the caster wheels swiveled when I put it in the elevator, making it hard to roll out. Ended up having to return it. Although I'm wondering if I should buy it again and give it another try. Maybe there is a way to modify the casters so they don't swivel?

Try this one: http://www.discovermymobility.com/store/powerwheelchairs/green-transporter/ez-ultra-lite/index.html

I think most caster wheels are made to be replaced. If so you might be able to find locking ones to replace them with.

maifleur01: Are they standardized? Where would I get locking caster wheels for that wheelchair?

You would have to ask your supplier. It may be as simple as adjusting the front wheels before the door closes to the direction you want them to go.

Well I think 95% of your problem is solved with one of those narrow chairs.

Next, of course, is preventing the swiveling. If locking wheels are not available I can see a couple things to try. My experience with such problems is try something - anything - see how it goes and modify it up from there. Even if what you try doesn't work you will have info you didn't have before.

First thing that occurred to me is to put rub rails along the elevator floor that would prevent the swiveling. A simple piece of angle iron or plastic or whatever. They could be inside or outside the wheels. Or a piece of thin aluminum channel the wheels run in. Probly find some at Home Despot. It looks from the pics that the Air Hawk rear tires are fatter than the swivel tires but the Horror Fright chair tire widths are same front and back.

Another thing might be to fix up a bar clamped across the wheel forks both wheels same time. Seems cumbersome and not too efficient maybe but if it worked either you'd improve it or just plain get good at it. Or at least get you going while another brilliant idea hatched. :-)

I presume tilting the chair back is not an option. This problem is solvable and you can do it. I've got faith in you. :-) Let us know.

>>ungoogleable<< Neat.