Choosing the Right Mobility Scooter Lift for Your Vehicle: A Comprehensive Guide

For those who struggle with mobility, a scooter can provide great support and offer them the independence they’ve been looking for. Scooters are often easier to navigate than wheelchairs and can traverse uneven terrain more easily. This makes them a great mobility aid for stores, parks, and other areas that require a lot of walking around. But if you can’t take your scooter to these places with you, you may find yourself without the level of independence you were hoping for. If you want to bring your mobility scooter wherever you go, it’s important to find the right trunk lift for a scooter compatible with your vehicle. Keep reading to learn more about finding the best scooter lift for your car.

What Are Scooter Lifts?

If you’ve never heard of a scooter lift, the phrase might bring images of “lifted” pickup trucks and how that kind of lift might look on your mobility scooter. While we wouldn’t fault you for being interested in that kind of lift for your scooter, the type of lift we’re talking about refers to a device that helps you load your scooter into or onto your vehicle. They come in various types, each suited to different kinds of vehicles, scooter weights, and user needs. While perhaps not as cool as a “lifted” scooter, a scooter lift secures your mobility aid during transport so that you can take it anywhere you go.

Types of Mobility Scooter Lifts

As we said a moment ago, there are several different types of scooter lifts to choose from. The best type for you will depend on your vehicle type, the size of your scooter, and a few personal preferences. Here’s a quick look at the different types of lifts to give you an idea of what might best fit your needs:

1. Exterior Scooter Lifts: These types of lifts attach to the outside of your car, typically using a traditional towing hitch. These lifts allow users to load the scooter onto the rear of the car, keeping it outside of the vehicle. These are a great option if you can’t or don’t want to sacrifice your vehicle’s interior space or if you have a heavier or larger scooter. However, they do expose your scooter to weather and road conditions.
2. Interior Scooter Lifts: As you can probably guess from the name, interior lifts are designed to bring your scooter inside the vehicle, protecting it from weather conditions and road debris. These lifts typically use a hoist or platform to lift the scooter into the trunk or rear of an SUV, van, or larger vehicle. Interior lifts are a good option if you want to protect your scooter from the elements and have a vehicle large enough to accommodate your scooter.
3. Hybrid Scooter Lifts: This type of lift provides you with the ease and convenience of an exterior scooter lift while still storing your scooter inside of the vehicle. These use a platform outside the vehicle, which you can roll your lift onto before securing it in place. The platform then lifts the scooter and slides it into the rear of the vehicle for storage. This means you must have a vehicle type with plenty of trunk space to fit your scooter, but if you do, this type of lift can be a great solution for your transportation needs.

Which Is Right for You?

When choosing the right scooter lift for your needs, you’ll need to consider a number of important factors carefully:

1. The Car You Drive: First, you’ll need to think about the type of vehicle you have. Some cars, like smaller sedans, may not have the space or strength to use certain types of lifts. Larger vehicles like SUVs, vans, and trunks will offer you more lift options. You should also assess your car’s hitch and cargo space to determine which types of lift your vehicle can accommodate.
2. The Scooter You Use: Not all scooter lifts can handle all scooters. Make sure the lift you choose is rated for your scooter’s size and weight. Heavy-duty lifts are available for larger scooters, but these will also require a vehicle that can support the additional weight (refer back to the bullet above).
3. The Ease of Use: You should also consider how easy the lift is to operate. Some lifts are more automated, requiring very little effort to load and unload the scooter, while others may require you to guide the scooter onto the lift. If you have limited strength or mobility, an automatic lift may be a better choice so that you can load and unload the scooter with minimal assistance.
4. The Budget: Mobility scooter lifts can vary significantly in price. Exterior lifts tend to be more affordable, while hybrid lifts are on the higher end of the spectrum. It’s important to balance your needs and budget.

If you’re looking for scooter lifts for vans, trucks, SUVs, or another type of vehicle, contact K N Enterprise, LLC, today. We’ll help you assess your vehicle, your scooter, and your personal needs and preferences so that we can find a scooter lift that’s right for you.