The Vehicle Lift Buyers Guide

Have you been considering a lift for your vehicle but having trouble finding the right model? Is it the first time you’re shopping for a vehicle lift? Or are you just tired of disassembling your mobility scooter or power chair to store away and transport? There is a lot of different vehicles lifts available so choosing the right one can be difficult but this Vehicle Lift Buyers Guide will help give you the proper information to narrow down and find the most compatible vehicle lift available online.

Types of Vehicle Lifts

There are quite a few different types of vehicle lifts that are available online to the public, however, depending on the type of mobility scooter, power wheelchair, or vehicle you own will help you determine which vehicle lift is best suitable for your needs and use. There is a wide variety of mobility scooter lifts and power wheelchair lifts to choose from so I will help you break down into groups that lifts are suitable for what needs and use.

Outside Platform Lifts / Hitch Lifts

Outside lifts (aka hitch lifts for mobility scooters) are very popular amongst vehicle lifts and are considered to be the most seen vehicle lifts available on the market. Customers often refer to these as carrier lifts that attach to the outside of your vehicle. These lifts are going to include a type of exterior platform that usually folds up when it’s not being used. Some also have a “swing-away” feature (as seen below) which allows the lift to move out of the way of the entrance to the vehicle’s cargo storage area.

Some wonder if constant rain or weather can cause wear and tear on the lift. These lifts are designed to withstand outdoor conditions year-round as they are made with high-quality materials. Capable of taking both mobility scooters and power wheelchairs, Outside lifts are usually equipped with some sort of platform which makes great for most mobility scooters or power chairs. But always make sure to check the size and weight of your mobility product to make sure it aligns with the details of your outdoor vehicle lift before purchasing. We carry many platform lifts like the Harmar AL300 Fusion lift which you can view on our web store.

Below is an example of a Harmar AL160 hitch lift on a display platform that we have in our warehouse to see what these types of lifts look like.

Inside Lifts / Hoist Lifts For Mobility Scooters & Electric Wheelchairs

 

Inside lifts (like the AL055 by Harmar shown above) are another popular style of reliable vehicle lifts available for mobility-device owners that want to transport their devices in a car, van, cross-over, or SUV. These lifts are usually mounted into the trunk or cargo space and they are typically capable of holding around 100 to 200 lbs. Instead of using a platform to lift, Inside lifts usually run using a cable to lift mobility scooters or power chairs into the trunk of vehicles. Once the mobility device is lifted up high enough to enter the trunk or cargo space, the user can swing the mobility device right into the trunk or storage space with ease.

These lifts usually disassemble or come apart into small pieces so they’re out of the way when you’re not using it. They are usually lighter than Outside lifts due to this fact. A great benefit to inside lifts is the fact that they remain indoors and avoid wear and tear from bad weather when not in use. All in all hoist lifts for mobility scooters are very reliable and easy to maintain and they are available online.

Hybrid Lifts For Scooters & Power Wheelchairs

Hybrid Lifts are very unique vehicle lifts that are usually very reliable for a number of reasons. These platform vehicle lifts are normally mounted from inside a van, SUV or hybrid vehicle and are capable of coming from inside the vehicle to outside all the way down the floor for easy departure from the vehicle. These lifts are similar to inside lifts in the sense that they avoid wear and tear by staying out of bad weather scenarios. Unlike Inside Lifts, Hybrid Lifts come with some sort of durable platform that is capable of holding anywhere from 200 to 400 lbs. Best of all, they are very light normally weighing around 100 lbs, so they don’t hold down a vehicle’s performance. If interested in looking at a great selection of hybrid lifts they are available online shipped directly from the manufacturer. We carry many lifts like the Pride BackPacker lift which you can view on our web store.

Micro Lifts For Scooters or Power Wheelchairs

 

Micro Lifts like the Harmar AL050 are considered the travel size or compact size style vehicle lifts typically only able to carry micro scooters or wheelchairs. Very convenient and light for easy installation and use, Micro Lifts usually weigh under 100 lbs and have the capability to hold anywhere from 100 to 150 lbs. Styles range from platforms to cable lifts giving you quite a variety of vehicle lifts that are available and can be used for sedans, SUVs, trucks, and vans. If interested in a Micro Lift make sure that it is compatible with your vehicle prior to purchasing! These electric powered micro vehicle lifts are some of the best you can choose from online.

Truck Lifts / Curbside Lifts For Scooters

Truck bed lifts mobility mobility scooters are some of very unique lifts that are capable of lifting mobility scooters anywhere between 100 and 500 lbs. These lifts are mounted in the back of your truck and use a handle of some sort to lift your mobility scooter, power wheelchair or manual wheelchair into the back of your truck. Truck Lifts are also capable of lifting these mobility scooters or power chairs into a truck by rotating the arm of the lift once your product has been lifted up. Before purchasing a truck lift make sure the particular model you want is compatible with your pick up truck.

Do You Know What Vehicle Lift You’re Going to Buy

With the information I have provided above you should now know what kind of vehicle lifts are possibly compatible with your vehicle, mobility scooter and/or power wheelchair. Using this basic vehicle lift buyers guide I hope you’re able to find the best vehicle lift or narrow down the selection with much ease.