Wheelchair, Powerchair and Scooter Hoists

Many wheelchairs, powerchairs and mobility scooters are too heavy or awkward to lift safely into a car. Even relatively lightweight mobility products can become difficult to handle repeatedly, particularly for carers or family members.

A vehicle hoist is a powered lifting system fitted to a car that safely lifts your mobility device into the vehicle for transport. These systems remove the need for manual lifting and allow the equipment to be loaded at the push of a button.

For many people, a hoist can make the difference between needing assistance and being able to travel independently.

What is “hoistability”?

When we talk about a mobility product being hoistable, we mean that it can be safely lifted into a vehicle using a hoist system.

This depends on several factors:

  • Weight of the product
  • Size and folded dimensions
  • Shape and lifting points
  • The vehicle being used

Vehicle hoists are available in different capacities, from systems designed for lightweight folding wheelchairs to heavy-duty models capable of lifting larger scooters and powerchairs weighing up to around 200 kg.

Because every combination of vehicle and mobility product is different, compatibility usually needs to be assessed individually.

Book Your Free Mobility Hoist Assessment

If you'd like to book your free assessment with Mobility In Motion please complete the referral form below. This gets sent to Mobility In Motion who will then be in touch regarding your appointment. If you'd like us to host the appointment here, or supply the demo product to enable them to fully check the measurements, please add that onto the form

Referral Form

Types of mobility hoist

There are several common solutions used to load mobility equipment into vehicles.

- Boot hoists -

Boot hoists are the most common system. A lifting arm is fitted inside the vehicle boot and attaches to the wheelchair, scooter or powerchair before lifting it into the vehicle. Many models operate electrically and can lift the device up, down, in and out of the vehicle to make loading easier.

- Roof storage systems -

For manual wheelchairs, some vehicles can be fitted with rooftop storage boxes. These lift the folded wheelchair onto the roof and store it in a protective compartment, keeping the boot free for luggage.

- Platform lifts -

Some vehicles use small powered platform lifts that raise and store the mobility device inside the vehicle.

All of these systems are designed to make loading and unloading a wheelchair, powerchair or mobility scooter easier and safer.

Why assessment is important

Choosing the right hoist is not simply about lifting weight. It also involves understanding:

  • the dimensions of the mobility device
  • how it folds or dismantles
  • the size and layout of the vehicle boot
  • how the user transfers into the vehicle

There are hundreds of possible combinations of vehicles and mobility products, which is why specialist assessment is recommended before selecting a hoist.

Professional vehicle assessments

For vehicle adaptations we work closely with Mobility in Motion, one of the UK’s leading specialists in vehicle adaptations.

They offer free mobility assessments to determine the most suitable solution for your wheelchair, powerchair or scooter.

During the assessment they will:

  • evaluate the weight and dimensions of your mobility device
  • assess your vehicle’s compatibility
  • demonstrate suitable hoist systems
  • provide a quotation for supply and installation

Following an assessment, they will recommend the most appropriate hoist and arrange professional installation if required.

How we help

When choosing a wheelchair, powerchair or mobility scooter, we are always happy to discuss whether the product is likely to be hoistable and what type of lifting solution may be suitable.

If a vehicle adaptation is required, we can then refer you to Mobility in Motion for a full assessment, ensuring the mobility product and the vehicle work safely together.