Convenient small car or van for mobility scooter

7roland8

Hi - our old car is on its last legs and hubby wants us to get a better one this time, maybe around 4k.


I use a small mobility scooter when out and at present hubby has to lift it in and out of the boot of our Hyundai. This means if I go out on my own I cannot use the scooter and can only pop into a shop if I park right outside - not ideal.


So having a newer car for us I would like one where I can get the scooter out myself and be more independent - with ramps probably rather than those expensive hoists which a friend was quoted over 1k for.


We are only ever two in the car so a small one is fine but we need something with a big enough boot (or with back seats down) and also with not much of a lip into the boot.


I used to use a small trailer at one time but now the tailboard is too heavy for me to manage.


We currently transport a small shop three wheeler which I'll probably have to change for a slightly more powerful 4 wheeler as I think it needs to have four wheels to negotiate the ramps.


Its all so complicated we don't really know where to start!


I did see years ago a thing that fitted on the back of a car to hold a scooter - similar to this http://leighsafes.co.uk/attacharack.html - not sure if anyone has tried this sort of thing or if its better than trying to get the scooter into the boot.

micky2phones

7roland8 wrote: »

Hi - our old car is on its last legs and hubby wants us to get a better one this time, maybe around 4k.


I use a small mobility scooter when out and at present hubby has to lift it in and out of the boot of our Hyundai. This means if I go out on my own I cannot use the scooter and can only pop into a shop if I park right outside - not ideal.


So having a newer car for us I would like one where I can get the scooter out myself and be more independent - with ramps probably rather than those expensive hoists which a friend was quoted over 1k for.


We are only ever two in the car so a small one is fine but we need something with a big enough boot (or with back seats down) and also with not much of a lip into the boot.


I used to use a small trailer at one time but now the tailboard is too heavy for me to manage.


We currently transport a small shop three wheeler which I'll probably have to change for a slightly more powerful 4 wheeler as I think it needs to have four wheels to negotiate the ramps.


Its all so complicated we don't really know where to start!


I did see years ago a thing that fitted on the back of a car to hold a scooter - similar to this http://leighsafes.co.uk/attacharack.html - not sure if anyone has tried this sort of thing or if its better than trying to get the scooter into the boot.

Hi, have you tried your local Mobility Car Showroom ?

I think they sell ex Mobility Cars, you would/could find a price and a car that would be suitable for you ?

Ames

Would it be more practical to get one of the portable scooters that take apart? Mine breaks down into four parts and it's pretty easy to get into the car, as all the pieces are fairly light. You might not be physically able to do that though.

My concern with ramps is the space you need behind the car. Here in Leeds most disabled bay are one behind the other and even getting space to stand behind the car is hit and miss, let alone a few meters to fold out ramps.

Is there a centre where you live which gives advice on aids and adaptations? They might be able to talk through all your options with you. Or the motability salesperson at the car dealership will know what's available car wise. I'm sure they'll see you even if you're buying yourself rather than through the scheme.

7roland8

Thanks both - never thought of the mobility people - not sure how 'local' their showroom might be to us though we are a bit out in the sticks.


Yes my three wheeler is in theory relay portable - with seat coming off and also the battery and tiller folding down - but having ME its all way too heavy for me.


I suppose if I went with ramps I'd just part in quietish places with room - no city centres or anything. Though I have not done anything with ramps before so not sure how easy they are.


I used to find my trailer fine - just steer the scooter up the ramp - not sitting on it of course. But it had a big and heavy tailgate to lift up which I cannot manage now. I was fine with the trailer - well not with reversing but I just made sure I could keep going forward!

7roland8

Well went to see one this am - it was Peugeot Horizon I think - adapted for wheelchair so had pulley in for wheelchair etc and marge folding ramp fitted to rear.

BUT ramp had to be physically lifted back into place and too heavy for me.

What I need is a small flat boot and nice lightweight ramp or ramps - am I asking too much! Hubby in dilemma as to what to look for now!

wellynever

Just a thought but wouldn't a 12v winch with cable attached to tailboard of the trailer one button to lower and one to lift it back up.

Seen this done for a motorbike to get it onto a campervan.

7roland8

Oh thanks, never heard of that, will look into it.

forgotmyname

I doubt that rack attach will be legal on most cars except large 4x4's. Or your scooter is a very light one.

FIL's Pride scooter was approx 117kg, add 20kg for the rack and you need a car with a towbar noseweight limit of more than 137kg. That eliminates a lot of cars. Range Rover was 150kg, not sure on the latest models, but most cars are less than 80kg.

And with the load being that far off the ball with zero support i cannot see how that passed any type approval.

7roland8

Thanks. Have been googling for lightweight scooters I could maybe lift in myself. The best one online though looks to only be from Germany, a Travelocity. I have emailed to see if any uk stockists. They seem all over the globe but in EU only Germany!

Ames

forgotmyname wrote: »

I doubt that rack attach will be legal on most cars except large 4x4's. Or your scooter is a very light one.

FIL's Pride scooter was approx 117kg, add 20kg for the rack and you need a car with a towbar noseweight limit of more than 137kg. That eliminates a lot of cars. Range Rover was 150kg, not sure on the latest models, but most cars are less than 80kg.

And with the load being that far off the ball with zero support i cannot see how that passed any type approval.

Portable scooters are a lot lighter than that, mine's 45kg.

easy

Hi, I was in the same situation as you, really struggled to get my scooter into the car boot on my own, so just couldn't go out without my Hubby or teenage lad.
Firstly, this doesn't solve every aspect of your problem, but if you want to go shopping in town on your own, look for a shop-mobility centre, it's free to hire a scooter from them for a few hours. You drive to the shop mobility centre, they bring a scooter out to the car for you, and when you have been round the shops, they will meet you at the car and take the scooter back (I have also seen shop-mobility volunteers help get a person's own scooter out of the car boot for them).
Most towns of any size seem to have a shopmobility centre. google for your nearest.

However, for other outings, i really think you need to consider using a hoist. Much more convenient than using a ramp, there seem to be quite a few second-hand on ebay. I wonder if a simple 2 way hoist would do? It lifts the scooter up on a hinged arm, and you need to push it (which isn't very hard work) into the car. You can get those to fit all types of car, hatchback, estate or even saloon.

I know you worry about the cost, but I'm pretty sure that with a bit of research it can be done for far less that £1K, and think of how much independence it would give you.
I don't know where you are in the country, but try googling "car adaptations" for your area and go from there.
If you happen to be anywhere near Sheffield, I can recommend Clarks http://www.caradaptations.co.uk/adaptations/lifting-scooters-and-wheelchairs/boot-hoists who have always been really helpful to me.

I hope you find a solution. Not being able to go out on my own now and then really got me down.