How Do You Transport a Power Wheelchair?
Transport a Power Wheelchair
If you're using a power chair, electric wheelchair, or mobility scooter for the first time or caring for someone who does, you'll need to figure out how to transport your electric wheelchair safely and efficiently. At the end of the day, there are several answers to the question "how do you transport an electric wheelchair?" The best solution for you will depend on:
The size and weight of the wheelchair
The space available in the vehicle
Whether you need a short-term or long-term solution
Your budget for transporting mobility devices
The Size of the Wheelchair
Electric wheelchairs are typically much larger and heavier than transport chairs which can be folded up and stored in a wheelchair travel bag that fits in even the most reduced trunk space. In some cases, electric wheelchairs can be broken up into several pieces to fit in the back of a regular sedan. In other cases, they don’t break into pieces and must be transported as they are.
The first step as far as how to transport an electric wheelchair will be to find out its measurements and/or the measurements of the pieces when disassembled. You'll then need to find out how much trunk space you have in your car, van, pickup truck, minivan, or SUV.
If the Wheelchair is Too Large to Fit
There are several solutions for an electric wheelchair that's too big to fit in the back of your car:
Bumper-Mounted Rack or Scooter Carrier
Electric wheelchairs can be carried on the back of any car with a bumper-mounted rack. Similar to a bicycle rack, these racks can be fitted to the bumper of any motor vehicle and the electric wheelchair is either hooked on the rack or secured with a bar that is tightened with wing nuts.
Top-Mounted Rack
Most electric wheelchairs are too heavy to lift up for transport on the top of your car. However, in some cases, a top-mounted carrier could be an option for transporting an electric wheelchair. Top-mounted carriers are available that slot onto the roof rack. Keep in mind that the power chair must always be secured so that there's no chance of the chair or the carrier falling off.
Pull-Behind Trailer
If you're only transporting a wheelchair temporarily (such as in the case of a power wheelchair rental) and have access to a trailer, you can hitch a trailer onto the back of your vehicle and pull the electric wheelchair along. Please note that you'll need a trailer hitch and some electrical wiring for tail lights and blinkers. You will also need to secure the wheelchair with ropes.
The Weight of the Wheelchair
Aside from the physical dimensions of the power wheelchair, you'll need to think about the weight. Can the wheelchair be lifted safely by one person, does it require two people, or is it too heavy to lift? If the wheelchair disassembles, what is the weight of the heaviest piece?
When moving a mobility device, safety really does need to be the first concern—both for the wheelchair user and the person who accompanies them. Hurting your back when lifting a heavy power chair could lead to a permanent disability, so don't take chances when it comes to wheelchair transportation!
If the Wheelchair or Mobility Scooter Is Heavy
For electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters that are too heavy to lift, consider using special equipment like a wheelchair lift, wheelchair ramp, or wheelchair hoist to do the heavy lifting for you.
Vehicle Lift
Wheelchair lifts have a lift platform that keeps the wheelchair or scooter secure while lifting it from ground level to the level of the vehicle's storage space. This is an excellent option for a full-sized SUV or a modified minivan that can transport a wheelchair without disassembly. You can also get wheelchair lifts installed on trucks. A vehicle lift can generally be installed quickly—in as little as three hours.
To operate the electric lift, the user or another person drives the power chair onto the platform, making sure to secure the brakes and the belt or strap (depending on the model). The operator then presses a button on the remote control to raise the lift platform.
There are also hybrid lifts available, which can lift up a power chair and place it inside the vehicle. This is a popular option among Mobility Plus customers because the chair isn’t constantly exposed to the elements and road debris during transport.
Wheelchair Ramp
Another option for vehicles that can fit a wheelchair without disassembly is a wheelchair ramp. Ramps tend to be less costly than wheelchair lifts, and some models don't require electricity. If you have a modified van with enough space for an electric wheelchair and the user is able to drive up the ramp, this is an excellent short-term, mid-term, or even long-term transportation solution.
To use a wheelchair ramp, attach one end of the ramp to the back of the vehicle and unfold the rest of the ramp so that the other end touches the ground. The wheelchair user or another person can then wheel the chair up the ramp where the user can transfer into a seat or stay in their wheelchair with the brakes and chair firmly secured. If you have the budget for a lowered-floor modified minivan, an electric ramp is also an excellent long-term transportation solution.
Wheelchair Hoist
If you have a pickup truck, a wheelchair hoist is a cost-effective piece of equipment that allows you to take a wheelchair anywhere without making permanent modifications to your truck. This is an especially helpful option if you plan to sell the pickup truck and don't want to limit your options for resale.
Wheelchair hoists for pickup trucks collect the power chair either from beside the passenger or driver's seat or from the curbside at the back of the vehicle's cargo area. The hoist lifts the chair up and rotates it so that it lands neatly in the truck bed. Once in the bed, the electric wheelchair or mobility scooter will need to be secured to prevent it from causing damage or scratching the paint. You might also want to cover the wheelchair with a shell to protect it from weather damage.
Platform Lift
A platform lift is another popular option because it’s easy to operate and cost-effective. A person with mobility issues can often operate the lift unassisted. They just fold down the ramp, roll their scooter or wheelchair onto the lift, and then let the platform take care of the rest. The ramp then folds up when the operator exits the platform.
Finding the Right Option for You
Your options for transporting your electric wheelchair will be unique to your situation. If you are only transporting a wheelchair or motorized scooter rental for a week, consider a temporary solution like a trailer or wheelchair ramp rental or have the electric wheelchair delivered.
However, if you plan to buy an electric wheelchair, investing in a vehicle lift, a ramp, or a vehicle hoist will make your life much easier—increasing independence and mobility, saving time loading, unloading, assembling, disassembling, and most importantly, preventing injuries.
There’s no need to make the decision alone. When you shop for this type of equipment, a team member will use specific mobility equipment calculators to determine the best options for your mobility device and your vehicle. There is no "one size fits all" solution, so connect with a professional before purchasing.
Public Transport
For many people, train or bus travel can actually be easier and more convenient than investing in a modified vehicle. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, all private and public transit vehicles that serve the public must be wheelchair-accessible and offer priority seating for people with disabilities. The driver must also wait while the person boards.
Whether you or the person you care for operates an electric or manual wheelchair, the train or bus company should provide a ramp or lift for boarding the vehicle and securement straps to ensure the wheelchair doesn't slide around. If the ramp or lift is broken, the company must provide other accessible transport options until the equipment is back in use.
Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis and Ride-Sharing Services
In addition to public transportation, consider wheelchair-accessible taxis that come with the space and special equipment needed for wheelchair users to drive in and out safely. In some cases, the user will transfer to a seat. In others, they can stay in their chair. Lyft and Uber provide some wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
If the wheelchair user needs free wheelchair-accessible transportation to a medical appointment, the post office, or the store, and public transport is not an option, they may be able to secure a ride using one of these government or non-profit services:
Paratransit (contact your local bus agency)
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services (for Medicaid recipients)
Agency on Aging Centers
National Aging Network
Volunteer Driver Programs
Disabled American Veterans network
Salvation Army
Catholic Charities
St. Vincent de Paul
While many of these services are free, a donation of even a few dollars can go a long way toward helping them continue to operate. If the driver is a volunteer, this donation will help to pay for things like gas, maintenance, and keeping the vehicle’s accessibility equipment in good condition.
If you want to travel, states like Colorado also provide wheelchair-accessible tourism opportunities, including those on the Accessible Colorado Travel website. Yet another good reason to work out how to transport an electric wheelchair!
Final Tips for Transporting a Wheelchair
When transporting a wheelchair or scooter in a vehicle:
Look for a parking space with enough space for a transfer. You will need enough space at the back or side of the vehicle for the ramp, lift, wheelchair, and/or hoist.
Remember ALWAYS to lock the brakes on the wheelchair once it is in the vehicle and secure it with straps if required.
Remove any removable parts of the chair, such as leg rests, leg supports, and headrests if the device won't fit in the vehicle whole.
Never lift a heavy power wheelchair alone. Get the proper equipment or ask someone to help.
Finally, if you're not sure whether a ramp, hoist, or vehicle lift is the right solution for you, ask the company for a demonstration. Experienced mobility sales representatives will be able to recommend a product based on your needs and may even install the equipment themselves.
It might take a little trial and error, but once you find the right solution for transporting an electric wheelchair, you'll be amazed at the new level of independence and freedom that you, your family, and your patients and/or caregivers can enjoy!