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With your wheelchair, you have your set of wheels and the increased mobility that comes with it. But to get further afield than your immediate neighborhood, you need wheels for your wheels. A vehicle wheelchair lift would mean greater independence for you and the freedom to go where you need to go.
Your choice of a wheelchair lift for your vehicle is almost as important as your choice of a wheelchair. Finding one that best suits you and your needs becomes easier once you know your options. For a new unoccupied wheelchair lift or scooter carrier, it will run $3000 to $6000 installed. For an occupied wheelchair lift, that cost will be between $7500 to $15,000 installed. However, keep in mind that used lifts & carriers are readily available at reduced costs, so be sure to ask if you are interested.
Superior Van & Mobility specializes in vehicle conversions and adaptive driving solutions of all types including wheelchair lifts and scooter carriers. However, it’s no secret, when it comes to wheelchair-accessible conversions and driving adaptations, vans and SUVs work best. Their larger platform, height, and floorplan options provide more space and accessibility options.
Exterior Scooter Carriers secure your mobility device to the vehicle’s exterior, generally at the rear. Because of this, the main advantage of an exterior lift is increased vehicle compatibility. More lift and carrier options, including sedans, are available for more vehicle types.
An exterior wheelchair lift or scooter carrier works by attaching to the vehicle’s towing receiver. If your vehicle does not have one, one must be installed. Note: vehicle tongue weight will dictate using an external wheelchair lift on your vehicle. Please be sure to contact one of our lift managers to check the compatibility of your car.
Another great benefit of using an external lift is if you have multiple vehicles. It is possible and easy to move an external lift from one vehicle to the next if compatible.
To use an external lift, the user must be able to stand for two to three minutes while the lift is running and walk a short distance without assistance. However, if you travel with a companion or caregiver, an exterior carrier is still an option.
There are many different models of interior scooter lifts & carriers available. Most store the mobility scooter or power wheelchair in the cargo area of a vehicle. Some lifts work like a crane. We call these hoist-type lifts. They are usually installed inside the rear hatch of a vehicle or in the bed of a pickup truck. They use a strap attached to a lifting point on your wheelchair or scooter. They lift your device into the air and then rotate for placement inside your vehicle.
There are also options that utilize a drive-on platform. This type of lift is called a hybrid lift. Hybrid lifts are one of the easiest to use. A user drives their mobility equipment onto the platform, secures it, and then uses a handheld pendant to operate the lift, storing their device inside the vehicle’s rear hatch.
However, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for scooter carriers & lifts. The make and model of your vehicle have as much to do with which lift type will work best for you as your scooter or power wheelchair. We suggest you converse with one of our lift managers for these reasons. Their experience matching your equipment type, vehicle type, and the most suitable lift or carrier type is invaluable.
One last type of lift available is called an occupied lift. These types of lifts are often found in commercial applications. They are much larger but also much more substantial. They have lift capacities of 800 to 1000 pounds.
These lifts are designed to lift a person while seated in a wheelchair. The user does not transfer from their chair into a vehicle. They will remain in their chair during transport.
Due to their size and operation, occupied lifts have strict requirements for use. They require full-size vans or buses for installation and are generally not used in consumer applications.
If you would like more information on internal or external wheelchair lifts and scooter carriers for sale or to check if your vehicle is compatible, please reach out to our lift managers. You can call them direct at 1-844-341-LIFT (5438). You can also research and view the available lift models by clicking on the link below.
