Buying Guide: Mobility Scooter Carriers for Your Vehicle

Unless you drive a vehicle with ample cabin space, there's a good chance you don't have room in your vehicle for a mobility scooter. Many are too heavy for users or caregivers to lift up and into a truck bed, rendering their occupants unable to travel as they wish. Very inconvenient, and not very fair.

That's where mobility scooter carriers come into play. These hitch-mounted products differ from typical cargo carriers in one important regard - they include a ramp to make it easy to load and unload your device. No lifting, therefore no potential for injury.

How to Choose the Correct Hitch-Mounted Carrier for Your Vehicle

We wrote a whole article on how to choose the right carrier for your vehicle, and the key takeaways are as follows:

For your vehicle:

• Know your vehicle's hitch class. Most carriers work with a 2" Class III/IV hitch.
• Learn your vehicle's tongue weight, and read about the limitations of hitch-mounted carriers on certain vehicles.
• Assess your vehicle's suspension

For your scooter:

• Measure and weigh your device

For your future carrier:

• Think about the loading process - will moving your device up a ramp onto the carrier be problematic? If so, consider an electric lift/carrier, which allows you to drive on and raise the carrier up with the push of a button
• Make sure the weight of the carrier + the weight of your mobility scooter will not exceed the tongue weight of your vehicle.

How to Compare Mobility Carriers

Besides color (usually black or bare metal), it can be very difficult to know how to compare carrier models in a savvy way (even this author often struggles with it, and I've been working with these products for half a decade).

The key points of comparison (and why they're important):

• Affordability: The range is considerable, from $150 to $400, and each person has a different budget.
• Basket size: Larger mobility scooters require more room.
• Ramp length: The longer the ramp, the easier it is to load the scooter.
• Weight: Carriers weigh between 50 lbs. and 150 lbs., and the heavier they are, the less available tongue weight will remain for your scooter.
• Weight capacity: If you ride a full-size scooter that weighs 400 lbs., you'll probably need a carrier with a weight capacity of 500 lbs.
• Any other distinguishing features: Some carriers have pass-through ramps for bilateral loading, or tilt-down platforms that lessen the load angle. Some have no ramp and operate up and down electrically. The more features, the high priced the carrier will be.

Top-Selling Mobility Scooter Carriers on DiscountRamps.com

We pride ourselves on offering a complete assortment of mobility carriers with prices and features to suit any budget or requirements! Take a look at what sets each of our most popular models apart:

Installing and Using Mobility Scooter Carriers

Although each carrier will come with its own set of instructions, in most cases the installation will be similar across the board.

Basic Installation Guide

1. If the carrier arrives unassembled, assemble it per the instructions.
2. Prepare your vehicle's hitch receiver (give it a clean, make sure there's no rust or debris that could compromise safety or installation).
3. Line up the carrier's hitch tube with the hitch receiver, insert it, and secure it with a hitch pin. In some cases, there will be an anti-rattle device that you will install prior to inserting the hitch tube.
4. Make sure everything looks and feels secure before using.

Basic Use Guide

1. Each time you plan on using your carrier, you should it look beforehand and test the tightness or any nuts or bolts. If you see anything rusted, broken, or not looking right, DO NOT USE. If you're questioning it, don't use it, and reference your installation manual or user guide for further instructions.
2. Lower the ramp according to your carrier's instructions.
3. Ride your scooter up to the edge of the ramp so that it's aligned, then get off the scooter.
4. While standing beside the scooter, use the handle to make it move forward and up onto the ramp and platform. Never ride a scooter up a ramp onto a carrier! Not only will you risk falling and injuring yourself, but you could also exceed the load limit of your vehicle's tongue weight resulting in damage to your carrier, vehicle, or scooter.
5. Turn the scooter off and remove the keys.
6. Secure the scooter to the carrier using tie-down straps, then you're ready to drive.

Maintenance and Care for Your Carrier

Many mobility carriers have fold-away features that allow them to fold at the hitch tube to reduce the footprint of your vehicle while it's parked. While handy for when you're out and about, when you're at home you might choose to remove your carrier and store it in your garage. Keep it away from moisture and be ready to dust it down if it sits unused for a long period of time.

Cleaning is simple, hose it down or wash it with soap and water.

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Transporting Mobility Scooter

How easy is it to get a mobility scooter into a truck? It depends on how much energy you are able or willing to exert. The person, or people, getting the scooter into the truck bed must be able to comfortably lift the entire weight of the scooter, which can sometimes be a couple of hundred pounds.

How to get a mobility scooter in and out of a car? Most cars are too small to fit a mobility scooter within first taking the scooter apart. Mini-vans, crossovers and SUVs have more cabin room, and some allow for scooters to be lifted and placed into the trunk or cabin area (usually with seats folded down or removed).

Can you get trailers for mobility scooters? Although there is not a large market for trailers specifically for mobility scooters, purchasing a small trailer (open or enclosed), is one way to safely transport your scooter without having to worry about a carrier exerting downward pressure on your hitch.

How can I get a mobility scooter from Medicare? Each person's needs and coverage differs; please read Medicare's Wheelchairs and Scooters page for additional information.