Mobility Info - Canada
Vehicle Wheelchair Storage
There are various ways of stowing an unoccupied wheelchair in a car for the purpose of transportation. The most suitable method will very much depend on the size and weight of the wheelchair and whether it can be folded or dismantled. The size of the vehicle used is also crucial, as are the vehicle’s other uses – for example, the number and size of any passengers and other cargo that need to be accommodated. Last but not least, the lifting capabilities of the wheelchair user or their helper need to be taken into consideration.
The most obvious way to stow a wheelchair is to put it into the boot, if this can be achieved. The task is made easier if the chair is foldable or has detachable parts, and if the car’s boot has a low sill. Some chairs and most scooters will be too heavy and bulky to lift safely, so another solution will be more appropriate.
It is a good idea to cover the floor of the boot with a rug that extends over the edge of the boot to protect the paintwork and bumper while the wheelchair is loaded. Then it is a simple matter of reducing the chair to its smallest size and weight, applying its brakes and lifting it onto the boot edge; from there it can be slid in, with the rug doubling as a chair cover during transit.
It might also be possible to stow a folding chair behind the front passenger seat, although in some cases this entails shifting the seat forward to allow enough space. To stow a chair this way, wheel it in front first (with the brakes off) and tip it forward over the sill of the vehicle, so it ends up with the backrest uppermost. Another way to do this is to pull it in from the driver’s side. Again, it may be useful to lay a rug or sheet over the back seat and rear floor space to protect them from dirt and scrapes.
Transporting a rigid chair poses more problems, but it may be possible to put the chair on the front passenger seat, especially if the backrest can be folded down and the wheels removed. A seatbelt must be used to secure the frame if this solution is employed.
A roof rack and rear-mounted rack are good options that have the bonus of freeing up space inside the vehicle. A roof rack is only really an option if a helper is on hand to lift the chair up and down. A rear rack works in a way similar to a bike rack. The Chairack, for instance, fixes onto the vehicle’s towing ball; it weighs just 5kg and can carry a folded manual chair weighing up to 30kg. An elasticated cord secures the chair and the rack’s handle levers the chair up into position, removing the need to perform any lifting. An extra number plate will be required if the rack conceals the original one.
An excellent solution for transporting larger wheelchairs and scooters is a trailer, attached behind the vehicle with a tow bar. This is also worth considering for small vehicles that do not have sufficient space to stow a wheelchair. The benefit of this solution is that the equipment does not need to be folded or dismantled; most trailers are accessed via a ramp or hydraulic lift, so minimal effort is needed. Some trailers have the facility to swivel through 90 degrees, allowing loading and unloading straight onto the kerb rather than onto the road.
If you decide that a trailer is the best solution for you, bear in mind that there are highway regulations regarding their use. A full driving licence allows a trailer to be towed as long as the loaded trailer does not exceed 750kg in weight. The trailer will need its own number plate, lights and indicators if those on the car cannot be seen from 6 metres away with the trailer attached. Remember too that a vehicle with a trailer must adhere to a reduced speed limit of 60mph on motorways and 50mph on single carriageways whose limit is usually 60mph. The vehicle’s insurance must also cover the trailer and wheelchair.
Whatever method is used to transport an unoccupied wheelchair, it is always advisable to tie it down to prevent injuring somebody in the event of an accident. This should also keep it from moving around in transit and being damaged.
For other ways of loading wheelchairs and scooters onto vehicles, see the article entitled ‘Vehicle wheelchair lifts and ramps’.
