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Getting a wheelchair into a car (view report contents)

Racks and containers

Wheelchair racks and containers carry the wheelchair on the back of the car. In this guide we've looked at:

  • The Chairack wheelchair racks (this was tested in 1999
    • )

  • The Car-Go carrier - a flat platform with a built in ramp


  • The Sto-Eazy - a weatherproof container with a built in ramp.

All of these carriers will take a folded manual wheelchair but the Car-Go and the larger version of the Easicarry can carry a folded powered chair if the batteries are removed.

Are they worth having?

You need to be able to get from the back of the car to a car door if you want to use these carriers without help.

With the racks you also need to be able to cope with the lifting and fixing involved - see below. On the whole, our testers did not think the racks were convenient enough for everyday use but would be useful occasionally, such as when other luggage needed to be carried.

Bear in mind that wheelchairs carried on the back of a car can restrict rear vision. They also add length to the car which may make parking or reversing more difficult.

How easy to fit?

All these devices fit on to a towing bracket or ball of the kind used to tow a trailer or caravan. These are supplied with the Car-Go but not with the other carriers. A local garage should be able to supply and fit one - look under Tow bars in the Yellow Pages. If you have a vehicle which carries a spare tyre on the back, you will have to fit the tow ball on an extender - this may have to be done by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

You need tools to attach and remove the Car-Go and Sto-Eazy but you can leave them in place. You can remove part of the Easicarry by hand but fitting it is fiddly and needs good coordination. The Chairack clamps on without tools.

How easy to use?

Unless you leave the carrier on the car, you have to fit it each time. The rack is small enough to hold and light enough to carry. We consider the Car-Go and Sto-Eazy would be difficult for most people with disabilities to fit.

The Chairack is designed so that the wheelchair does not have to be lifted at all. Both of the other carriers have ramps, so if you can stand and have the balance you can wheel the folded chair into place.

Wheelchairs need to be secured to the racks and to the Car-Go. The racks came with straps and buckles or with elasticated cords with hooks – you need good use of your fingers. All our users managed buckles fairly well, but most thought hooks were easier. You would have to buy securing straps for the Car-Go. You just shut the container door on the Sto-Eazy once the chair is inside.


The Chairack - drawings showing use

pictures showing how to use the Chairack

pictures showing how to use the Chairack

pictures showing how to use the Chairack

pictures showing how to use the Chairack

 

using the boot

Generally you should be able to open the boot of a saloon car when a wheelchair is being carried because boots open up rather than swing out beyond the back of the vehicle. You would not be able to open the rear door of an estate or hatchback with a rack and wheelchair in place if the door swings out beyond the tow ball.

The Sto-Eazy moves to the nearside of the car to make loading the wheelchair easier. This also gives some access to the driver’s side of the boot of a saloon car.

Numberplate

It is illegal to obscure the car’s numberplate, and using one of these devices is likely to do just that so you’ll need a spare. Legislation now means that you have to prove ownership of a vehicle before you can have a numberplate made for mounting where it’ll be clearly visable. The Car-Go and Sto-Eazy come with lighting boards (which plug into a socket mounted near the towing ball).

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Report Contents

Introduction
Which type?
Wheelchair hoists

Wheelchair hoist summaries

Rooftop Hoists

Rooftop hoist summaries


Other ways of carrying a wheelchair
Racks and containers
Buying guide

Specialist trailers

Ramps
Finance
Helpful organisations
Mobility Centres
Suppliers