Other ways of carrying a wheelchair
Other options for carrying a wheelchair while driving include using a roofrack (if you have the strength to load the wheelchair onto it) or trailer. The two items covered here have been developed to carry a wheelchair and scooter respectively.
Chairack
Price: contact supplier
Size of largest part (cm): 90x31x5
Maximum weight carried (kg): 30
Weight of heaviest part (kg): 5
Distributed by: G Bernard Elliott
You clamp the frame on to the towing ball using its own locking mechanism. Then you fit the wheelchair front castors on to the rack. Once this is done, you secure the castors with an elasticated cord - and lever the wheelchair up using the rack's handle. You don't have to lift the chair. You may need a lighting board and numberplate if the rack obscures the one fitted to the vehicle.
Brig-Ayd Controls also produce a range of these racks which will carry a wheelchair on the back of a vehicle. It includes a version with a powered lift (prices for the racks are from £165 to £765).
Scooter Trailer
Price: contact supplier
Maximum load (kg): 250
Platform length (mm): 1525
Platform width (mm): 760
Lights supplied
Distributed by: G Bernard Elliott
This two-wheeled trailer has a built-in fold up ramp at the rear. The base of the trailer can be swivelled round while it is attached to the car. This means you can swing the platform round to roll the chair off on to the kerb without unhooking the trailer. It will jut out a few inches beyond the car when you do this. The trailer has a jockey wheel to make it easier to turn. No rain cover is supplied.
The main advantages of a trailer are that you don't have to fold or dismantle the wheelchair, and you still have use of the car's boot. Trailers can take large scooters with ease. All full car driving licences allow you to tow a trailer as long as the weight of the trailer and its load is not more than 750kg.
However, using a trailer will make it awkward to reverse and they protrude well behind the vehicle which can make parking difficult - you will need to find a considerable amount of space to unload.
When you are towing, there is a 60mph speed limit on dual carriageways and motorways and 50mph on single carriageways (unless lower speed limits apply locally). You must not travel in the right hand lane on motorways. You will need insurance for the trailer and for the wheelchair.
Trailers need to have a number plate, light and indicators if the vehicle's cannot be seen from 6m with the trailer in place. A few cars cannot be fitted with a tow bar - check with the car's maker or a tow bar fitter.
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