Usage, Safety & Choice: A Guide To Wheelchair Stowage Systems for Vehicles
Wheelchairs are often heavy, cumbersome and difficult to lift in and out of a car, particularly by the user once seated in the car. If you are finding this a challenge and looking to find a solution, then you’re in the right place.
Wheelchair stowage systems make easy work of loading and unloading a wheelchair into your vehicle, providing an accessible and convenient solution so you can independently take your wheelchair with you on your car journeys. Discover the different types of wheelchair loading systems available, key features to consider and tips for choosing the right solution for your needs.
Types of Wheelchair Stowage Systems
There are various loading and stowage solutions available which alleviate the physical strength required to lift a wheelchair or mobility scooter into a car. Each offers a slightly different function to suit a variety of individual requirements.
Interior Stowage Systems
An interior stowage system is fitted within your car and stores your wheelchair inside the vehicle, such as:
Boot Hoists lift and load a wheelchair, powerchair or mobility scooter into the boot of your car via a crane-like lifting arm, all at the touch of a button. Platform Lifts provide easy loading and stowing of a mobility device, simply ride your mobility device onto the platform, step off and the platform lift will take it from there into the back of your vehicle.
Exterior Stowage Systems
An exterior stowage system stores your wheelchair outside of the vehicle to maximise interior space, for example:
Wheelchair Roof Boxes are fitted onto your vehicle’s roof bars and lift, stow and retrieve a manual wheelchair in less than 90 seconds. A great solution for those who have limited space in their vehicle.
Key Features To Consider
Now you understand what solutions are available, it’s time to establish which wheelchair stowage system is right for you. We advise taking into consideration these key features:
Weight Capacity
One of the most important considerations when looking to lift your wheelchair or powerchair with a loading system, is its weight capacity. Is it capable of lifting your specific mobility device?
Within our range of boot hoists, we have one of the most powerful hoists on the market, capable of lifting some of the heaviest powered wheelchairs up to 200 kg.
The platform lift also has a high lifting capacity of 159 kg making it ideal for a large range of mobility devices.
Our wheelchair roof box can take most folding frame wheelchairs weighing up to 20kg.
Vehicle Compatibility
Once you’ve checked the weight of your wheelchair device and got a better understanding of what your available options are, the next thing to confirm is vehicle compatibility.
As a guide, our boot hoist range can be fitted into hundreds of different cars including manual, automatic, petrol/diesel and hybrid/electric. Our platform lift is suited for larger style vehicles such as SUVs, MPV’s and vans. The wheelchair rooftop box is suitable for most makes and models depending on the roof load capacity and also if there is a set of roof bars available for the vehicle.
For specific vehicle compatibility, we always recommend contacting our team to check and confirm for you.
Ease of Use
All of our loading systems are simple to operate and are a great solution to suit many levels of mobility. However each system operates slightly differently and a mobility assessment is advised so we can assess your capabilities to ensure we’re recommending the correct solution for you and enable you to try them out. Find out more about our free, no obligation mobility assessments.
Durability and Weather Resistance
We take durability, reliability and weather resistance into consideration, so you don’t have to. We only supply adaptations from trusted, reputable manufacturers such as Autochair, Brig-Ayd Controls and BraunAbility, to ensure safe and high quality products that protect your wheelchair from the elements.
Maintenance & safety tips
Each option within our range has been designed for safe and reliable use, providing they are used for their intended purpose. They also require very little maintenance, but we do advise an annual service to ensure your adaptation is in top working condition.
If you do require any more advice or troubleshooting tips, our customer care team is available to ensure you get the very most out of your adaptation!
With Mobility in Motion, selecting the right wheelchair loading system for your specific vehicle, wheelchair and personal needs is effortless. Our team will check measurements and confirm compatibility, conduct a free product demonstration and provide UK nationwide installation. Contact our team online or call us on 0800 288 4422.
Explore our wheelchair loading and stowage range in full to find the right system including both interior and exterior options to fit your needs.