Wheelchairs and power scooters restore freedom and mobility to millions of individuals. People who would normally have great difficulty walking are able to move about independently. However, when they need to travel distances that require the use of a vehicle, mobility devices like wheelchairs and power scooters could prove to be a hindrance. Wheelchairs, especially powered wheelchairs, are bulky and heavy. Their weight makes them almost impossible to lift into a automobile trunk or van interior.
Wheelchair carriers make it possible to transport your wheelchair or power scooter without the need to modify your vehicle. Wheelchair carriers store your wheelchair or scooter while your ride inside the vehicle. Most wheelchair carriers attach to a trailer hitch located on the rear of the vehicle. Some carriers are designed to pull behind your vehicle.
Some manual wheelchair auto carriers are car-top carriers. Car-top carriers are electrically powered and store your manual wheelchair on top of the car while traveling. They have a mechanism controlled by switches installed in the driver's seat that lift, fold and lock away your manual wheelchair. The wheelchair is enclosed and protected from weather and road dirt. If electrical power fails for some reason, the wheelchair can be manually unloaded. Manual wheelchair auto carriers can be transferred to a new vehicle. When choosing a car-top carrier, make sure that the roof of your car is large enough to accommodate the carrier. You should also check to see if your car has enough power to handle the extra weight.
Car-top carriers are good solutions for individuals who are able to transfer from their wheelchair to the vehicle, and for those who prefer not to drive a van. Manual wheelchair auto carriers add about 22 inches of height to the vehicle and have a lifting capacity of about 45 pounds.
Car-top carriers are fine for manual wheelchairs, but power wheelchairs and scooters are much heavier and will require a different type of carrier. Some wheelchair carriers for autos are bumper-mounted. However, even these are probably not suitable for anything much heavier than a manual wheelchair. It's also difficult to find cars today that don't have molded bumpers, which can make installation of a bumper-mounted carrier complicated.
Most wheelchair carriers with enough capacity to handle power wheelchairs or scooters are either hitch-mounted or trailers. Typical power wheelchair carriers are designed so that one side lowers to the ground. The wheelchair or scooter is driven onto the carriers, then the carrier is raised to a level position. Carriers also include straps or some other mechanism to hold the wheelchair or scooter securely.
One manufacturer of wheelchair carriers and related products is U.S. Abilities. Their carriers come in hitch-mounted and pull-behind models. Both types feature a cover that protects scooters and wheelchairs from the elements. The cover is also lockable, providing increased security and protection for your power chair or scooter.
If you're looking for a less expensive solution, you might want to consider Precision wheelchair carriers, manufactured by Precision Lifts. They combine the capacity of a hitch-mounted lift with a manual lifting design. It uses spring-assisted technology to lower the lifting load to less than ten pounds.
Regardless of the wheelchair carrier solution you choose, make sure that the carrier's design and construction (1) is capable of handling the weight of your wheelchair and scooter, (2) is appropriate for your vehicle, and (3) is compatible with your lifestyle.
Wheelchair carriers make it possible to take along your wheelchair or scooter while you ride inside