Is there a bariatric walk-in tub, and what is the weight limit? Ella's Bubbles does not publish a bather weight limit for any of its walk-in tubs. Every acrylic shell sits on a rustproof stainless steel frame with adjustable leveling legs that carries the load to the floor, so the practical question is fit: seat width, interior length and soaking depth against the bather's seated measurements. Three models are built for larger and taller bathers, the ShaK with its 28 inch seat and 72 inch length, the Big4One with a 24 inch seat and 66 inch length, and the TransferXXL with the widest seat in the line at 29 inches in a 55 inch tub. This page covers the published seat widths, doors, the two-seat option, the HoistAssist, floor loading, and what the manuals ask of a caregiver.

No Published Weight Limit: Fit Is the Question

To check fit, sit in a sturdy chair and measure across the hips and shoulders, then from the top of the head to the feet while seated. The seat must be wider than the seated hip measurement and the interior long enough for the legs; soaking depth is set by the interior length, the seat length and the height from the seat to the overflow. See weight limits and bariatric options and seat sizes and soaking depth. One point Ella repeats: the ShaK and Big4One have long seats and interiors that suit bathers around 6 feet and taller, while a larger bather who is not tall is usually happier in the TransferXXL, the Transfer32 or the Monaco, because a long seat leaves a shorter person without support at the feet.

The Wide-Seat Models and Their Published Seat Widths

Figures are from the current spec sheets; occupied volume varies with the bather. Profiles: ShaK, Big4One and TransferXXL.

In this testimonial the ShaK is presented as the largest single-seat walk-in tub, its wide seat and long interior letting a very tall, very large bather fit without being cramped.

Doors: 165 and 172 Degree Outward Swings, No Knee Clearance Inside

The ShaK, Big4One and Big4Two use the plastic composite and tempered glass U-shape door that swings outward through 165 degrees and locks with a three-latch gear and shaft mechanism; the TransferXXL and the rest of the Transfer family use the wide L-shape door that swings outward through 172 degrees with a two-latch mechanism and a handle on the front face of the door, reachable from a wheelchair. The L-shape opening removes the corner post a bather would otherwise have to clear. Because these doors open away from the bather, no panel sweeps into the footwell as on an inward-swing tub, where the bather keeps feet and knees clear of the door as it closes; the whole opening is free for turning and sitting, and a caregiver can stand directly in front of the seat. The trade-off is floor space in front of the tub for the swing. The Escape uses the inward stainless steel and glass door, so the knee-clearance habit applies there. On any door, the manuals are explicit that the door holds its own weight only, never the bather's, so nobody should lean on or push off from it. See how the U-shape door works and operating the L-shape door.

Two-Seat Tubs Used by One Bather

The Escape and Big4Two are 36 inches wide and 72 or 80 inches long with two molded seats facing each other. Used by one person they give an exceptional amount of room to stretch out, more shoulder room and length than any single-seat tub. Both hold 145 gallons unoccupied, which matters for the water heater and the floor.

HoistAssist for Hoist Transfers

When a bather cannot stand or slide across from a wheelchair, the HoistAssist (Transfer3060HL) pairs a 60 by 29 1/2 by 39 1/4 inch transfer tub with a battery-powered hoist. The published spec sheet rates the hoist's maximum lifting capacity at about 440 pounds, with the hoist seat traveling from about 18 7/8 to 42 1/2 inches above the floor. The tub has a 39 1/4 inch wide door opening with a 12 1/4 inch clearance height, an aluminum door and frame, a non-skid floor, one grab bar and an operating capacity of 70 to 76 gallons. Only the spec sheet is published. See the HoistAssist and CareGiver line and assisted bathing tubs compared.

Floor Loading and Leveling

The manuals require a level subfloor able to support the tub plus the water plus the bather, as determined by local code. The ShaK weighs 286 pounds empty and holds 145 gallons unoccupied, the Big4One 271 pounds and 127 gallons, and the TransferXXL 220 pounds and 132 gallons, with water at roughly 8.3 pounds per gallon on top of the tub and the bather. Every leveling leg must touch the floor with equal weight; an unlevel tub warps the frame, misaligns the door, leaks, and voids the warranty. The licensed installer decides whether the joists need reinforcement. See walk-in tub weights and the leveling guide.

The Therapist and Installer Decide

Where a bariatric bather is paralyzed or does not have all limbs functioning, the manuals require a caregiver in attendance at all times and an installed safety belt; see the seat belt accessory. This page describes features, never prescribes them. The bather's physician or therapist decides whether seated bathing, a transfer tub or a hoist is appropriate and how the transfer is done, and the licensed installer and local inspector decide what the floor and bathroom can accept. Bring the seated measurements to your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850, or open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support.

Common Questions