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Bariatric Wheelchairs

A bariatric wheelchair has to carry the weight, fit the patient and still tilt, recline and roll through a standard door. The Bariatric TNT does all four on a welded steel frame rated to 750 lb, with Gunnell’s patented lateral tilt available.

Who bariatric chairs are for

Hospitals, long-term care and rehabilitation units need a chair for patients above the 300 lb limit of most heavy-duty wheelchairs: patients recovering from surgery, residents with limited mobility and conditions that make repositioning difficult, and anyone whose width exceeds a 24” seat. A standard chair that is too narrow causes pressure injuries at the hips; a chair that cannot tilt leaves the patient sitting upright for hours.

The Bariatric TNT is the Rehab TNT built for that population: the same 55° tilt range, the same patented lateral tilt, the same static or dynamic recline, the same adjustments on the frame, with a 750 lb capacity and frame widths that start at 20” and go to 31”. It is adjusted to the patient’s measurements before it ships, so the first fitting happens at the factory, not on the ward.

A woman seated in a blue Gunnell tilt-in-space wheelchair with 20” rear wheels is pushed over a doorstep
Hospitals and surgical recovery
Transport and seating for patients up to 750 lb, with caregiver-operated disc brakes and an adjustable push handle for staff.
Long-term care
Daily repositioning through 55° of tilt and recline to 130° or 180°, on a frame that is serviced and repaired by the factory that made it.
Home care through a dealer
The same chair configured for a family: 20” or 24” rear wheels with handrims for self-propulsion, one-arm drive on request.

Bariatric TNT against the adult Rehab TNT

Standard ranges published by Gunnell. Tilt-in-space or lateral tilt adds 4” to the seat-to-floor height.

SpecificationBariatric TNTBariatric tilt-in-spaceRehab TNTTilt-in-space
Weight capacity750 lb500 lb
Frame width, built in20”–24” in ½” steps16”–19” in ½” steps
Frame width on request25”–29” and 30”–31”20”–24”
Seat depth15”–19”; 20”–24” on request15”–19”; 20”–25” on request
Tilt range55°, infinite adjustment55°, infinite adjustment
Lateral tiltPatented side-to-side tilt, ±22°; option, manual or powerPatented side-to-side tilt, ±22°; option, manual or power
Static recline90°–130° in 10° increments90°–130° in 10° increments
Dynamic recline option90°–180°90°–180°
Seat-to-floor height15”–19”15”–19”
Push handle height17”–27”17”–27”
Rear wheels12” pneumatic, 20” or 24” composite12” pneumatic, 20” or 24” composite
BrakesWheel locks; disc brakes optionalWheel locks; disc brakes optional
OptionsPower tilt, lateral tilt and/or recline, dynamic quick release, transportation packagePower tilt, lateral tilt and/or recline, one-arm drive, transportation package
Warranty5 years on Gunnell-designed parts5 years on Gunnell-designed parts
Base price$4,479$3,679

How to choose

Every Gunnell chair is adjusted to the patient before it ships. These are the decisions the quote needs.

  1. 01

    Measure hip width seated, not standing

    The frame width is the seated hip width plus clearance for clothing, the cushion and lateral supports. The Bariatric TNT adjusts from 20” to 24” on the frame in ½” steps; 25” to 31” frames are built to order. Overall width is the frame width plus 3.5”, or 6” with handrims: check it against the narrowest door on the route.

  2. 02

    Confirm the weight rating with margin

    The rating is 750 lb on the heavy-duty frame and parts. Choose it for anyone above the 500 lb rating of the Rehab TNT, and for lighter patients whose width needs a 25” frame or wider.

  3. 03

    Tilt for pressure relief, recline for care

    Posterior tilt redistributes weight without changing the hip angle, and Gunnell’s patented lateral tilt adjusts the seat side to side to fine-tune the patient’s center of gravity. Static recline from 90° to 130° stays where it is set; dynamic recline opens to 180° for catheter care, transfers and rest, with dynamic armrests recommended and a minimum seat depth of 17”.

  4. 04

    Specify who moves the chair

    Staff-pushed chairs take 12” rear wheels and caregiver-operated disc brakes. Self-propelled chairs take 20” or 24” wheels with handrims. Power tilt, power lateral tilt and power recline are available for the Bariatric TNT.

HCPCS codes for Gunnell chairs

The Bariatric TNT base is listed under E1161. Bariatric widths and the other options are coded as follows.

HCPCS codes provided by Gunnell are for reference only. Providers are responsible for determining the appropriate billing codes. Please contact a Medicare professional for further assistance.

E1161
Base chair: Bariatric TNT
E2202
Frame widths of 25” to 29”
K0108
Frame widths of 30” and 31”, transportation package, lateral tilt, accessories
E1226
Dynamic recline, 90° to 180° (optional in place of static recline)
E2203 / E2204
Seat depths of 20” to 21” (E2203) and 22” to 25” (E2204)
E2231
Seat pan (pan only, no cushion)
E2607 / E2613
Solid seat base (E2607) and solid back base (E2613), standard or quick-release hardware
E0973
Armrests: desk, T-arm, dual post, flip-up and dynamic cantilever options
K0052
Swing-away leg rests, 60°, 70° and 90°
E0990
Low-shear elevating leg rests, bilateral contracture footrests and ankle huggers
E2228
Disc brakes with 12”, 20” or 24” rear wheels
E2214
6” × 2” casters (default)
E2211 / E2213
Pneumatic (E2211) and pneumatic flat-free (E2213) tires
E0078 / E0978
2” positioning seat belt (E0078) and positioning belt pad (E0978)
K0105
IV pole and holder, fixed or angle adjustable

Questions buyers ask

All frequently asked questions

What is the widest Bariatric TNT?

Frame widths run from 20” to 24” on the standard frame, 25” to 29” as an option and 30” to 31” on request. Add 3.5” for overall width without handrims and 6” with handrims.

Does the bariatric chair tilt as far as the adult chair?

Yes. The Bariatric TNT has the same 55° infinite tilt range, the same patented lateral tilt, the same 90°–130° static recline and the same optional dynamic recline to 180° as the Rehab TNT.

Is power tilt available?

Power tilt, power lateral tilt and/or power recline are available on the Bariatric TNT, together with dynamic quick release. Ask for them in the quote.

How is the chair serviced?

Gunnell manufactures and services its chairs at its own factory. Spare parts are ordered by serial number; the first five digits are the invoice number and the digits after the dash are the month and year it was built.

What is the lead time?

Standard configurations can ship within four weeks of receiving a purchase order. Custom widths and options take longer; the lead time comes with the quote.

Ready to experience the Gunnell difference?

Whether you’re seeking a custom mobility solution for yourself, a loved one, or your clients, we’re here to assist you throughout your journey.

  1. 01

    Request a quote

    Models, number of chairs, care setting and the measurements you have. Gunnell replies with a configured quote and lead time.

    Request a quote
  2. 02

    Compare the six models

    Capacity, tilt, recline, widths, depths, heights, wheels, brakes and codes side by side. Printable for tenders.

    Compare the models
  3. 03

    Talk to Gunnell

    Questions about a patient, a configuration or a chair you already have go straight to the factory that builds them.

    Contact Gunnell
Discover all six models