How to Use an Outside Lift Wheelchair Carrier

So you have finally decided what type of wheelchair carrier you are going to use and the bigger problem is now facing you head on - how to assemble, install and use the device on your vehicle.

Most manufacturers have a brochure or manual that comes with the mobility scooters carrier device but if in case you have misplaced yours or the package didn't simply have one, just follow these simple steps and you are good to go.

1. To fix the carrier on your vehicle, make sure you have a towbar.
2. If there is another item on your rear, make sure to obtain another extension towbar for the carrier.
3. Remove the towbar ball then place the baseplate on top of the hole of the towbar. Be sure that the tilting part of the baseplate is located away from your car.
4. Place the top portion of the carrier on top of the two pins of the base plate to make sure that the pins are completely covered.
5. Take away the ring pin from the baseplate and let the top frame tilt towards the floor.
6. If you are loading the wheel chair on level footing, make sure that the small wheels of the wheelchair are facing the right side of your vehicle.
7. Fold the wheelchair and have it align in front of the carrier, making sure that the small wheels are closest to the carrier.
8. Stand across the opposite side of the carrier then lean towards the wheelchair and pull the smaller wheels going to you, making sure that the bigger wheels are in the bottom of the frame and the smaller wheels over the edge of the frame.
9. Take the wheel chair to a sitting position where you can replace back the ring pin to the plate to make it secure and safe.
10. Tie down the wheelchair tightly and avoid rolling off the vertical platform lifts.

Safety Rules and Regulations

Make sure that you follow the rules whether the carrier is loaded or empty. Ensure that the following does not occur:

Blocks sight of the vehicle's rear lamps

Blocks the vehicle's rear plate number

Extends the rear end beyond acceptable limits

Extends the capacity of load by tow coupling

Do not load a vehicle's rear if beyond acceptable limits

How to remove the carrier on level flooring

If you are ready to put down the wheelchair or other mobility device, make sure to untie first the ropes binding the device.

Remove the ring from the plate and allow the carrier to tilt towards the floor.

Stand in front of the wheelchair and grasp the handle to be able to roll the chair off the carrier.

Replace the pin in the plate and release the top part of the carrier and tie downs to be stored in the vehicle for safety.

Joe B is the author of this article on mobility scooters.