Operating the L-Shape Transfer Door: Front Handle, Closing, and Wheelchair Entry

The L-shape Transfer door on every tub in our wheelchair Transfer family, the Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32, Transfer60, and TransferXXL, is an extra-wide outward-swing door with the handle mounted on the front of the door, right where it is easiest to reach from a wheelchair. Turn the handle clockwise to close and lock, counter-clockwise to open. The door opens a full 172 degrees, and a proprietary 2-latch gear and shaft mechanism pulls it onto its seal for a watertight closure, whether the tub is empty or full.

Why the Handle Is on the Front

On our other outward-swing tubs the handle sits on the inside of the tub. The Transfer family moves it to the front face of the door on purpose: a bather transferring from a wheelchair can open and close the door without reaching over or into the tub. The L-shape opening removes the corner post you would otherwise have to clear, so you can slide directly from the chair onto the wide molded seat. The L-shape door also fits over a standard size toilet, clearing a toilet up to 21 inches tall, and needs 36.5 inches of clearance for its swing. Our article on planning floor space for an outward-swing door helps you check the room before delivery, and the Transfer tub entry methods walkthrough shows the transfer itself.

The 2-Latch Gear and Shaft Seal

This dealer explanation compares the outward door lock to a vault: rotating the handle drives the tapered pins into the jamb, and the seal pressure increases as the pins seat. To close, apply gentle pressure to the door and rotate the handle through its full travel; the tapered pins do the work, so very little hand strength is needed, and the seal stays as tight with the tub full as it does empty. If the pins on your door ever stop matching each other, see our guide to Transfer door pin adjustment and the striker plate.

Entering, Bathing, and Exiting

1. Turn the front handle counter-clockwise and swing the door fully open. If you are transferring, position the wheelchair beside the seat and use the deck and wall-mounted grab bars.
2. Transfer or step onto the seat.
3. Close the door and turn the handle clockwise until it is fully locked. If you can, close the door while standing; it can be closed seated but is more difficult.
4. Fill and enjoy your bath.
5. Afterward, open the drains and wait for the tub to empty completely. The drain openers on Transfer tubs have extension handles so they are easy to reach: handle facing up means the drain is open. Turn drain handles clockwise to open and counter-clockwise to close, and do not fill the tub above the center of the drain handle.
6. Only when the tub is fully drained, turn the door handle counter-clockwise and swing the door open to exit. Do not open the door unless the tub is fully drained.

Outward Doors at a Glance

Both of our outward door styles, U-shape and L-shape, offer the easiest, most convenient way to enter a walk-in tub, especially from a wheelchair, because they require no knee clearance. The warm, soft-to-the-touch acrylic surface makes entry and exit a breeze. If you are still choosing between door styles, our guide to Ella door styles by model lays them all out. Watch: Outswing Walk-In Tub Doors: Safer, Easier Entry u2705 #bathroomsafety #walkintubs #walkintub with a full transcript.

Your Model at a Glance

One owner's manual covers all five Transfer models, so the manual you download from any Transfer product page applies to your tub. Some older schematic PDFs print the largest model as XXXL; there is no XXXL model, and those drawings apply to the TransferXXL. The Transfer tub family guide compares the five models in more detail.

Care Notes

• Keep the door open when the tub is not in use to preserve the gasket. Cleaning and reseating steps are in our door seal care guide.
• The door supports its own weight only. Please do not lean on it during transfers; the grab bars are positioned for exactly that support, and keeping weight off the door protects both the seal and its warranty.
• A door that starts to rub the frame or needs extra force to close is almost always a leveling issue, not a door fault. Have the leveling legs re-checked before anything else.

Related Guides

• Do You Have to Step Over the Threshold on a Transfer Wheelchair Tub?
• Which Ella Wheelchair Transfer walk-in tub sizes are available: 26x52, 30x52 or 32x52?
• What is the Ella Transfer60 30x60 wheelchair transfer walk-in tub?
• What is the Ella Transfer32 32x52 wheelchair transfer walk-in tub?
• Are there walk-in bathtubs only 28 inches wide for small bathrooms?
• Which Ella Wheelchair Transfer walk-in tub sizes and door options exist?

Common Questions

Still Need Help?

Our team is always happy to walk you through it. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with your model and serial number, or call (800) 480-6850, and we will take it from there.