Traveling by Automobile
OUTSIDE THE CAR CARRIERS are available for both manual and power
equipment. They usually attach to a trailer hitch (because the
bumpers on today's cars can't take any weight on them) which generally
costs less than $100 for one that can accommodate a carrier for a
manual chair. I recommend external carriers for folding manual
wheelchairs, but not for anything power.
External carriers for manual chairs start in price under $200 for a
device in which the chair is tilted onto its rear wheels and the front
wheels are pushed into a "basket". The chair is then lifted (usual
upward lifting weight is around 10 to 15 pounds) straight up about a
foot or so and the push handles are put over a "hook" that supports
the chair. Fancier carriers use the weight of the wheelchair to
"lift" the chair (the chair sits on a small platform that supports
both the front casters and the rear wheels) and is then locked down
with another bar. These require minimal lifting (more guiding than
lifting) and cost about twice as much as the more basic types.
External carriers for power chairs and scooters are not recommended by
me. I will not sell them. My experience is that they put far too
much weight behind the rear wheels of even a large car, and the length
of the car is increased greatly- up to 4 feet in some applications.
Not only does this cause problems backing up, but major problems going
over railroad tracks, leaving service stations, etc as the carrier
"bottoms out"-sometimes hurling the scooter off the carrier (I fix
'em- I see what happens). I have had customers complain that they
lost control of the steering of the car due to the extra weight behind
as well (front end feels like it leaves the ground). While some
vehicles are indeed large enough and high enough off the ground to
eliminate these problems, it is exactly those vehicles that can
easily accommodate the equipment inside- where the equipment belongs.
In addition, even in a light rain, the equipment will get wet enough
to damage electronics, even with a "tight fitting" plastic cover.
This is because the forward motion of the car creates a "vacumn
effect" and directs all that moisture directly behind where the
carrier is.
ON THE ROOF CARRIERS are available for folding manual chairs. They
look like an enclosed luggage carrier and open (almost) automatically
lift the wheelchair inside. They work fairly well, but do have two
potential problems: scraping of the automobile's paint (particualry
when parked on a hill so that one side of the car is lower than the
other), and jamming. The jamming usually occurs after the wheelchair
shifts inside the carrier due to a big bump or evasive maneuver. Some
of my customers carry a broom handle with them to "poke" at the chair
when this happens.
CRANE TYPE DEVICES(as pictured to the right) lift the wheelchair or
scooter into a van or the trunk of the car. The chair or scooter must
first be equipped with a "receiver" bracket to accept the hook of the
crane which is at the end of a cable. These (as everything described
previous) are designed to lift the equipment, not the user. If the
vehicle is large enough to accept the "package", the lifter can
"deliver the package". Obviously you can't put a 5 foot
scooter into a 4 foot trunk, but many scooters will fit
even into small trunks if the scooter
seat is removed first. The lifter can even be adapted
to assist in the removal of the seat before the scooter
itself is lifted. Some guidance by the operator is
required- 150 lbs of equipment "swinging" at the end
of a cable makes quite a wrecking ball. Some models even will "turn"
with motor assist, though. All of these devices should be installed by
someone who thoroughly understands the vehicle that it is being installed into.
Bruno Independent Living Aids (click to open a window to their
site) is a primary manufacturer of these devices.
PORTABLE RAMPS can assist in the loading of mobility equipment
into a van. Ramps come in different shapes (yes, shapes) and sizes. Some
are telescoping channels that fit into a bag carried behind the
wheelchair, yet open to 5 feet in length. Others fold in half like a
suitcase (with a handle). Others roll up into a bag (but require
about 5 minutes to set up). Some fiberglass ramps are quite light,
yet strong. Portable ramps have the advantage of being able to be
used for accessability elsewhere. As they are portable, it is
generally suggested that a person assist the user when on these ramps,
and if the suggested angle of use will be exceeded, the user should
not be on the equipment during the loading.
VAN LIFTS OR "AUTOMATIC" RAMPS can accommodate both the mobility
equipment and the user. I am not an expert on these, and my only
comments are to seek out a reputable company that specializes in this
work. These are complicated devices that do require some maintenance and
a dealer must be chosen carefully. Make sure that whatever you buy has a
method of manually operating the equipment in case of a power failure. You
can't tow a van with a ramp or platform sticking out its side...
TRICKS AND TIPS TO LOAD MANUAL CHAIRS WITH =NO= DEVICES: Sometimes
the best way to transport a wheelchair in a car is not to have any
carrier or lifter, but to have the correct car! Two door cars are
much easier to load wheelchairs into the back seat than 4 door cars.
The doors of 2 door cars swing further (vs rear doors on 4 door cars)
out in relationship to the back seat making it easier to load the
chair. I have many customers who transfer from their chair to the
front seat (some transfer to the passenger side, others to the
driver's), then "drag" the chair into the (back) seat behind them.
Mini vans are becoming more popular as well. Most will accommodate a
folded wheelchair next to the sliding side door-taking up no passenger
space whatsoever. Loading is easy- tilt the chair on its rear wheels
putting the casters on the floor of the van, then lift. The leverage
used this way cuts the weight of the chair to less than half.
THE SATURN AUTOMOBILE(click to open a window to their site)
has made a model with a "half" back seat door. While the rear seat
area is too small for most folded wheelchairs, the back seat
cushion can easily be removed. Then the chair can be pulled
behind the driver (or passenger) while he or she is seated in
either seat. These autos, while no longer being produced, are available used.
GENERAL MOTORS is offering a product called SIT-N-LIFT POWER SEAT
on select Pontiac Montanas and Chevy Venture extended wheelbase vans. This
dealer installed accessory (option code AQW) allows the passenger in the right
side second row seat to be raised into/lowered out of the van without having
to "climb" aboard. GM has a Mobility Assistance Center with more information
which can be reached by calling 800-323-9935 or www.gmmobility.com.
QUICK RELEASE AXLES For others, the chair may be too heavy to lift,
but by removing the rear wheels off of the chair, lifting is no problem
(and the chair takes up less space in a small trunk). Most manual chairs
can have quick release axles installed on them (even "hospital style"
chairs). The price of the quick release axles is cheaper than even a cheap
carrier. Most chairs have removable front rigging (leg/foot
supports). These should =always= be removed prior to loading the
chair either into or on an automobile. Doing so makes the chair
lighter, smaller, and in the case of external carriers, eliminates a
potential "flying object" from entering the radiator of the car behind
you.
GETTING SOME OF THE ABOVE FOR FREE! Many new car manufacturers will
pay in full (up to a certain amount) for modifications, lifts, and
carriers. They do this as an incentive to get you to purchase a new
vehicle that is appropriate for the wheelchair or scooter. See your
automobile dealer for their particular plan =before= purchasing the
lifter or carrier (and if possible before purchasing the wheelchair.
Make the wheelchair purchase an "all encompassing" plan). Some of the
plans are available to view online:
GENERAL MOTORS
FORD
CHRYSLER
All the information provided herein is Copyright © 2008 Stuart L. Portner. All rights reserved. May be printed and
reproduced for individual use, but may not be distributed without the permission of the
author.
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