Whether it’s permanent or temporary, installing a wheelchair lift on your vehicle promotes safety and independence as you face mobility challenges. When making this investment, it’s crucial to choose the right wheelchair lift for your vehicle and evolving needs. Join next Next Day Access experts below as we share more about the wheelchair lifts for vans, cars, and all vehicles that are on the market!
Benefits of Wheelchair Lifts for Vehicles
Installing a wheelchair lift for cars can be life changing for those facing mobility challenges as well as their caregivers. Whether you choose an interior or exterior lift, it will offer a range of benefits such as increased independence and safety, reduced risk of injury, mobility device protection, and more.
Increase Mobility & Independence
Whether you temporarily need a lift or you are looking for a permanent solution due to ongoing mobility challenges, maintaining your independence is a top priority. Investing in a wheelchair lift for your car allows you to easily load and unload your wheelchair on your way to work, appointments, or social events. While leaning on the help of friends, family, or kind strangers to load your mobility products may work for a short while, installing a wheelchair lift is beneficial in the long run.
Preserve Energy
Loading and unloading mobility products can be exhausting. A wheelchair lift allows you to preserve your energy by doing the heavy lifting for you. No more worrying if you or your family will be able to lift or transport your wheelchair or scooter – with automobile wheelchair lifts, that is always taken care of.
Reduce Risk of Injury
Protect yourself or anyone helping you transport your mobility solutions by using a wheelchair lift for your van or car. Using a lift to haul your wheelchair in and out of your vehicle decreases the chances of injury from a clumsy transfer. Instead, you can depend on the secure systems of the lift to safely move your device.
Protect Your Wheelchair
Safeguarding yourself is crucial – but protecting the investment you made in your mobility device is also important. Unfortunately, when wheelchairs aren’t properly stored in a moving vehicle, they can be damaged. There is also a risk of damage if wheelchairs aren’t correctly transferred. By properly storing your wheelchair with a lift for cars, you prevent the wear and tear that otherwise might occur.
Types of Vehicle Lifts
There are various types of wheelchair lifts for cars, the main distinction being interior or exterior. Each type is designed to comfortably load and unload mobility equipment from all types of vehicles and cars.
Interior wheelchair lifts are installed inside the vehicle and store the wheelchair in the trunk or backseat. They’re a great option for those who want to protect their mobility solutions from harsh elements and road conditions by keeping them inside the vehicle. For example, the Bruno Joey Vehicle Lift raises mobility devices into the cargo area of the vehicle. Some options still allow for ample interior space, such as the Bruno Curb-Sider Vehicle Lift, which maintains third-row seating when a mobility device isn’t present.
Exterior wheelchair lifts are attached to the outside of the vehicle, generally on the back of the car. These lifts allow for easy transport of a wheelchair without using up interior space, making them ideal for larger mobility devices or vehicles with limited room inside. There are various types of exterior lifts, such as the Bruno Chariot Vehicle Lift and Bruno Out-Sider Vehicle Lift.
Things to Consider when Choosing an Automobile Wheelchair Lift
When looking for permanent accessibility solutions for wheelchair transportation, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. From specifications to ease of use and installation, thinking about these details ahead of time will ensure you invest in the right product for you.
Specifications
Weight Capacity: Make sure your lift can safely handle the weight of your wheelchair. Some are designed for lightweight devices, such as manual wheelchairs, while others can support heavy duty scooters.
Vehicle Compatibility: You will want to double check that the lift you pick is compatible with the make and model of your vehicle. Certain lifts are designed for larger cars, such as SUVs and minivans, while others work perfectly with compact cars.
Platform Size or Lift Arm Reach: The platform or arm of your lift must be large enough to fit the size of your wheelchair. Be sure to measure the length, width, and height of your mobility device, ensuring the lift has adequate surface area to support it safely.
Ease of Use
Select a wheelchair lift that is easy to use with your physical abilities for the foreseeable future. Some lifts require you to manually attach or adjust your chair, while others are automated for ease of use. If you currently have limited strength, or foresee your mobility needs changing in the future, a fully automated wheelchair lift would be the better choice for you.
Installation & Pricing
With Next Day Access, a top trusted mobility equipment supplier, there is a vehicle wheelchair lift to fit every budget – we’ll match you with the right model and ensure it’s professionally installed! With flexible financing and rental options, we’ll make sure your lift meets your needs and works for your vehicle. Schedule a free on-site consultation with our team of accessibility experts.
Schedule A Free On-Site Consultation for a Vehicle Lift Today
Are you ready to have reliable transportation for both you and your wheelchair or mobility device? Locate a Next Day Access location near you to find the accessibility and mobility products you need. If you’re not sure which wheelchair lift is right for your car, we’d be happy to visit you to assess your needs and options. Schedule a free consultation today!
Responsive Installation by Our Experts
You found the right wheelchair lift for your vehicle, but how do you ensure it’s installed safely and correctly? Let Next Day Access take care of it. Our team members are trained by manufacturers and stay up to date as accessibility products develop or updates are made to current offerings. Our on-site consultations – often available as soon as the next day – and responsive, expert installation ensure you don’t have to wait long to load your wheelchair with confidence.
