Wheelchair lifts intend to provide comfort and convenience to someone who is confined to a wheelchair and who is deprived of mobility. They raise a wheelchair patient to a higher floor or bring him down to a lower level without the need of a stair. Various wheelchairs are being sold nowadays depending on the place of its usage: wheelchair lifts for home, for public buildings, for stairs, and for vehicles.
A wheelchairs car lift is probably the most appropriate for wheelchair-bound persons who still want to enjoy family trips with their loved ones, or who just like to contemplate the beauty of the world outside. Vehicle wheelchair lifts, or sometimes called automobile wheelchair lifts, make it possible for the handicapped to travel in vehicles. These are portable lifts that allow wheelchair occupants to bring with them their wheelchairs wherever they want to go. If you are interested to purchase a vehicle wheelchair lift, you have two options: the inside wheelchair lift and the outside wheelchair lift.
Inside car wheelchair lifts allow you to carry your wheelchair inside your vehicle. This type is weatherproof. It also does not extend the car, thus limiting instances of difficulty in driving. Some models can even permit the patient to stay in his wheelchair while inside the car.
On the other hand, most interior wheelchair lifts eat up a lot of space in your car. They might even require costly installation and alteration in the vehicle (removal of seats, for instance).
There are several types of inside wheelchair lifts that you can choose from. Hoist Lift is an arm that has belts or straps connected to the wheelchair to lift it up or lower it down. Platform Lift, on the other hand, is the most usually used inside wheelchair lift for public transport. It is foldable and can support a heavier load than other models. Rotary Lift, sometimes called Swing Lift, requires huge floor space in the vehicle yet cannot carry too heavy loads. Lastly, Under Vehicle Lift is stored under the vehicle, leaving space inside the car. However, it can be a little expensive and might require vehicle modification.
Meanwhile, the outside wheelchair lifts for cars require very little car modification. Usually installation is much more affordable as compared to inside wheelchair lifts. Moreover, this type does not consume huge space inside your car. Installing is effortless and easy. The wheelchair lift is simply connected to a trailer hitch at the back of the vehicle.
However, exterior wheelchair lifts have downsides as well. For one, wheelchairs situated outside the vehicle are prone to weather damages. It also demands a little caution in driving since it is susceptible to accidents. While it lessens the possibility of having a cramped feeling inside the car, when it comes to parking, outside wheelchair lifts require a little more space.
If you are in the market for wheelchair lifts for vehicles, you need to consider a few things. First identify the car where your lift is going to be installed. Will the area inside your car or van be enough for an inside wheelchair lift? Second, know how heavy your wheelchair is, and how weighty it will be. Finally, decide on the particular model that you think is the easiest to operate.
When you decide, always take into consideration the pros and the cons of each model. If you digest all of the information mentioned, you’ll be able to find the appropriate automobile wheelchair lift that you need.