Which Ella Wheelchair Transfer walk-in tub sizes and door options exist?

Ella's Wheelchair Transfer walk-in tubs come in five sizes. The Transfer26, Transfer30 and Transfer32 are all 52 inches long and 40 inches tall and differ only in width and seat size, while the Transfer60 is the longer member of the family and the TransferXXL is the bariatric option at 36 by 55 inches. Every one of them uses the same oversized L-shaped outward-swing door with a two-latch gear and shaft lock, and the three 52-inch sizes are compared in detail in Which Ella Wheelchair Transfer walk-in tub sizes are available: 26x52, 30x52 or 32x52?.

The Full Transfer Family Side by Side

The figures below come from the current spec sheets and the live model articles. The inch and gallon values printed on the spec sheets are the authoritative specifications if an older chart or brochure shows something different. Where a figure does not appear in the current sources it is marked not listed, and your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can send the spec sheet for that model.

In practice the three 52-inch tubs occupy the same length of floor and stand the same height, so the choice between them comes down to hip room on the seat and how much hot water your heater has to deliver. Each step up in width buys a wider seat, and the Transfer32 also holds noticeably more water unoccupied, which matters for the water heater. The Transfer60 and TransferXXL move beyond the 52-inch footprint, so measure the alcove and the doorway before considering either of them.

Weight, Crate Size and the Path into the House

When you plan how the tub will travel from the truck to the bathroom, measure doorways, hallways and stair turns against the crate rather than the bare tub. The 52-inch models ship crated as follows:

• Transfer26: 205 pounds net and 300 pounds shipping, in a 29 by 60 by 50 inch crate.
• Transfer30: 220 pounds net and 366 pounds shipping, in a 33 by 55 by 50 inch crate.
• Transfer32: 215 pounds net and 373 pounds shipping, in a 35 by 55 by 50 inch crate.

All three 52-inch models include an 8-inch extension panel, so any of them finishes inside a standard 60-inch alcove with a built-in look. The Transfer26 video below shows the extension panel and the snug fit it gives in a 60-inch opening.

The L-Shaped Outward-Swing Door

The door is the reason the Transfer family exists. It is an oversized L-shaped door made of durable yet lightweight aluminum, and it swings outward into the room. Because the opening is L-shaped there is no sidewall beside the seat, so a wheelchair user slides straight across from the chair onto the seat instead of stepping over a wall. The door is extra wide and fits over the toilet, and it allows toilet clearance of up to 21 inches in height along with space for the wheelchair, which is what makes it workable in bathrooms where the toilet sits close to the tub.

The lock is Ella's two-latch gear and shaft mechanism, which pulls the door tight against its seal for a leak-proof closure. The U-shape doors on Ella's other outward-swing tubs use three latches, so the two-latch count is specific to the L-shaped door. On the Transfer32 the door opens to 172 degrees, and the drawing carries a 20-inch swing clearance callout, so confirm the clear floor space in front of the tub with your installer. How do I choose a wheelchair accessible walk-in tub? walks through the door and the transfer itself in more detail.

Door side is chosen with your order, and the drains always land on the opposite side from the door. A right-side door tub has its drains on the left, and a left-side door tub has its drains on the right, with sides taken as you face the tub. Tell your installer which side you ordered so the drain rough-in goes to the correct end.

The first video below tours the L-shaped door tub and shows the door fitting over the toilet, the two-latch lock and the dual drains. The second video shows the Transfer26 itself, including its frameless L-shaped door, the low step-in height, the soft-touch handle and the textured slip-resistant floor.

Seat Width and Soaking Depth

Seat width is the number to compare first. The Transfer26 seat is 19 inches wide, the Transfer30 seat is 22 inches and the Transfer32 seat is 24 inches. The Transfer26 is meant for petite to average body types and for bathrooms where a wider tub will not fit, and its smaller capacity is lighter on the water heater. The Transfer30 is the standard size and the most popular in the family. The Transfer32 puts its extra 2 inches into the seat for larger body types who want more hip room while staying inside a 52-inch footprint.

Soaking depth is set by the interior length, the seat length and the distance from the top of the seat to the center of the overflow. The Transfer32 soaking depth is given as 14 1/2 inches. Soaking depths for the other models are not listed in the current sources, so ask for the spec sheet of the model you are considering.

Therapy Packages and What Ships with the Tub

Every Transfer model can be ordered as a soaking tub or with therapy, and the Transfer32 package menu runs from Soaking and Hydro Massage through Air + Hydro. There is no single jet count for a Transfer model, because the jet count is determined by the therapy package you purchase, so ask for the count that goes with the package you are considering rather than a figure for the model.

• Independent foot massage is available on the L-shaped door tub. It has its own separate pump and its own intensity control dial, so you can enjoy a foot and calf massage without filling the whole tub.
• Hydro massage jets are set with an intensity dial, and eco-friendly ozone sterilization works with the tub to keep it sanitary.
• Three-speed air massage includes Auto Purge. The purge activates on its own 20 minutes after the air pump is turned off and runs for 120 seconds to blow residual water out of the air lines. It cannot be stopped and is normal even if it starts while you are still in the bathroom.
• Chromatherapy lighting is included in the package shown in the first video, and a heated seat and backrest is optional.
• Ella's dual drain technology uses two oversized 2-inch drains for fast draining and a shorter wait before you open the door.
• The fast-fill faucet is available in chrome or brushed nickel, with an extendable multi-function hand shower. A four-fold glass screen and a shower column with an adjustable rain shower head are offered as alternatives to a shower curtain.

For how the Transfer models sit within the whole lineup, including the Longer and Deluxe soaking tubs, see Walk-in Tub Model Highlights: Longer, Deluxe, Monaco, and Transfer XXL. For the basics of low thresholds, built-in seats and grab bars, see What is an accessible bathtub, and who are walk-in tubs designed for?.

Watch: Transfer 26: Outward Swing Door Walk-In Tub for Wheelchair Users | Ella’s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Related Guides

• Wheelchair Transfer Tubs Compared: Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32, Transfer60, and TransferXXL
• Operating the L-Shape Transfer Door: Front Handle, Closing, and Wheelchair Entry

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