Lifts for Mobility Devices

"I had no idea where I could look for help when an accident totaled our van and left us helpless miles from home. Nor-Cal Mobility rescued us with a rental delivered! We were saved by Nor-Cal!" - Beverly B.
"Workmanship is absolutely outstanding!" - Bud R.
"Greg is our angel -- he is very compassionate, understanding and knows his business. Our family is very grateful! Thank you!" - Cathy M.
"The van was exactly what my wife wanted! Thanks!" - Chester K.
"Thank you for all of your help. I love my new van!" - Deborah F.
"Thank you for everything! We love our new van!" - Gary & Tracy S.
"Terrance was great! This process was frustrating and he was always there to help. Could not have done it without him." - Jerry F.
"Thank you for everything you have done for our boys. We appreciate how fast and easy everything went." - Judy L.
"Extremely courteous and knowledgeable staff. Should I ever need another special needs vehicle, I will, without a doubt, return to Nor-Cal Mobility for my vehicle." - Larry S.
"Alex is the best! He took such great care with Mom, made her feel very special and took lots of time explaining all factors to her and I." - Linda C.
"We had an excellent experience dealing with Al. He was very courteous and knowledgeable. We were very satisfied. Thank you!" - Lylliam D.
"Al was generous and absolutely accomodating. He was kind and patient." - Pacific Institute
"I am very happy with my van. It makes my life so much easier!" - Pam C.
"My buying experience couldn't have been better. Alex is great!" - Ray M.
"Terrance is a great salesman and helped us through all of the confusion. He is great to work with -- very professional and helpful. He gets an A+ from us." - Richard and Nelma B.
"Nor-Cal Mobility makes us feel like family!" - Robert W.
"I'm a very satisfied customer at Nor-Cal Mobility. Good place, good crew!" - Robin W.
"The people at Nor-Cal Mobility are just great to work with!" - Stephen C.
"Al and his staff are great! They are all very knowledgeable and demonstrated great customer service!" - Suzanne Z.
"Courtney was extremely helpful throughout the whole process and was impeccable in his follow-up. Because of his dilligence, I've already been able to recommend Nor-Cal Mobility to two other disabled persons interested in buying a vehicle." - Thomas L.

Bruno Outside Scooter Lift

Vantage Mobility Scooter Lift

Braun Chair Topper
Some disabilities allow for a certain amount of mobility, while others require assistance from an ambulatory caregiver. In these situations, getting the person in and out of the vehicle is less of an issue than transporting the wheelchair, power chair or scooter (collectively called mobility devices). A group of lifts has emerged that will lift a mobility device and allow a person to easily store in the trunk of a large sedan, minivan, full-size van or pick-up truck. These lifts are able to move wheelchairs and scooters up to 400 pounds in weight. These devices provide transportation mobility for people who do not want, or cannot afford a converted vehicle.

When purchasing a scooter, there needs to be some thought. For some conditions, such as ALS or progressive MS, a scooter lift is a short-term solution and the purchase of an accessible vehicle may be a better answer. However, if a scooter lift is the most reasonable form of scooter transport, there are a few options available.

An outside carrier looks like a lift on the back of the vehicle. A platform large enough to hold the scooter is deployed, the scooter is driven onto it, secured and the lift raises up from the ground. This requires installing a trailer hitch, and some vehicles have inadequate suspension to support the lift and scooter.

Another option is a trunk lift. This type of lift has an arm to which the scooter is secured and then the scooter is lifted and over the trunk (or truck bed). The person operating the overhead scooter lift has to be in reasonably good shape as the scooter must be controlled during its swing; a person with a bad back or arthritis may find this too difficult. Obviously the scooter must fit in the trunk or truck bed, and accurate measurements of both the loading space and the scooter must be taken.

And yet another option to consider is the roof-mounted wheelchair carrier. During operation, part of the cover and frame moves outward, away from the vehicle. A chain and hook descend to the wheelchair. The user slides the hook under the upholstery and, using a hand-held control unit, reverses the motors, which fold the wheelchair and raises it up. Finally, the cover, frame and wheelchair slide back to the main cover and seal shut. The wheel chair carrier looks like a large, aerodynamically shaped luggage carrier and is capable of being painted to match the vehicle. It is fairly bulky. Only standard folding wheelchairs can be used in these devices. Wheelchairs that are unusually tall, long or heavy -- as well as electric wheelchairs and scooters -- will not fit. However, for someone using a standard folding wheelchair, these carrier/loaders have the advantage of freeing up interior space, allowing the use of a vehicle that would not otherwise accommodate loading a wheelchair. To successfully use a roof-mounted wheelchair carrier/loader, the wheelchair user must be able to transfer into the vehicle and attach the wheelchair to the lifting mechanism. The wheelchair must fit the height, weight and length requirements of the carrier. When all pieces fit, roof-mounted carriers/loaders can be an economical solution to loading your wheelchair.