The Sass
07-28-2007, 10:44 PM
Was wondering if anyone has a good way to transport their power wheelchair other than a handicapp van. With the chairs cost being so high we want some ideas of what you all have found to work.
View Full Version : Motorized wheelchair carriers
terri
07-29-2007, 07:26 AM
Hi Sass,
I would say not to waste your money on a transport and go straight to the van. We did that with a tilt ramp, which I still have, now it's only good for hauling lawn mowers! Sooner or later the transfer from the chair to the auto will become too much. Staying in the power chair will most likely be the best choice for traveling. We made lots of mistakes by buying for the immediate situation. My advice is to always skip your plan B and C and go straight to plan D.
LB lost his fight to this disease two weeks ago and the best thing we did was buy the van. I'll never regret that.
terri
I would say not to waste your money on a transport and go straight to the van. We did that with a tilt ramp, which I still have, now it's only good for hauling lawn mowers! Sooner or later the transfer from the chair to the auto will become too much. Staying in the power chair will most likely be the best choice for traveling. We made lots of mistakes by buying for the immediate situation. My advice is to always skip your plan B and C and go straight to plan D.
LB lost his fight to this disease two weeks ago and the best thing we did was buy the van. I'll never regret that.
terri
Al
07-29-2007, 10:32 PM
So sorry for your loss Terri.
AL.
AL.
MtPockets
07-30-2007, 10:30 AM
I agree with you about going straight to the van. I have had my Harmar lift on the back of my car for about a year now, and I am already having transfer problems.
I wish I had went to the van idea first.
God Bless
Capt AL
I wish I had went to the van idea first.
God Bless
Capt AL
paula B
08-18-2007, 07:22 AM
i vote van
nspoc
08-18-2007, 07:43 PM
Hi -
We had a Harmar lift for our SUV - only used it for 4 months and my PALS has fairly slow progression. She became unable to make the transfer safely - so she rides in her chair in the van.
Other problems with carrying your chair outside the vehicle: chair is not supposed to get wet - maybe you can secure it against light rain, but anything more is a big problem, especially being splashed by a truck or going over a deep puddle. Battery is not supposed to freeze - thus leaving out a lot of winter. Another problem is that it changes the stability of your car. There is nothing you can do to keep it from bouncing, at least a little, and the load is in the worst possible place for safety - high and in the rear.
We really should have gone straight to the van.
Also - buying the Harmar lift lulls you into putting off the van much longer than you should. With ALS I learned to think ahead - buy the ultimate thing you will need - wheelchair, lifts in the house, bed, bathroom remodel - much before you think you need it because you will need it sooner than you think!
Good luck!
Beth
P.S. There will be no way the external chair carrier will be all that you will need - save the money and go straight for the van - you will eventually need it or be stranded.
We had a Harmar lift for our SUV - only used it for 4 months and my PALS has fairly slow progression. She became unable to make the transfer safely - so she rides in her chair in the van.
Other problems with carrying your chair outside the vehicle: chair is not supposed to get wet - maybe you can secure it against light rain, but anything more is a big problem, especially being splashed by a truck or going over a deep puddle. Battery is not supposed to freeze - thus leaving out a lot of winter. Another problem is that it changes the stability of your car. There is nothing you can do to keep it from bouncing, at least a little, and the load is in the worst possible place for safety - high and in the rear.
We really should have gone straight to the van.
Also - buying the Harmar lift lulls you into putting off the van much longer than you should. With ALS I learned to think ahead - buy the ultimate thing you will need - wheelchair, lifts in the house, bed, bathroom remodel - much before you think you need it because you will need it sooner than you think!
Good luck!
Beth
P.S. There will be no way the external chair carrier will be all that you will need - save the money and go straight for the van - you will eventually need it or be stranded.
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