The right mobility lift depends on both your vehicle and the mobility device you need to transport. Your vehicle’s year, make, model, hitch capacity, cargo space, and configuration all matter, as do your wheelchair, power chair, or scooter’s weight and dimensions.
That means there isn’t one vehicle lift that works for every car, SUV, truck, van, wheelchair, or scooter.
To determine which mobility lift may work with your vehicle, start by identifying:
- Your vehicle’s year, make, and model
- Your mobility device’s make and model
- The device’s total weight and dimensions
- Whether you want to transport the device inside or outside your vehicle
- Your vehicle’s available cargo space or hitch capacity
- How much assistance you need when loading and securing the device
Harmar’s Vehicle Compatibility Calculator can help you narrow down compatible vehicle lift options based on your specific vehicle and mobility device.
What Determines Vehicle Lift Compatibility?
Vehicle lift compatibility depends on more than whether you drive a car, SUV, truck, minivan, or van.
A compatible lift must safely accommodate your mobility device while also working with your vehicle’s configuration and capacity.
Important factors can include the mobility device’s weight and dimensions, the lift’s weight capacity, platform dimensions, hitch requirements, available cargo space, vehicle ground clearance, and how the mobility device will be secured.
Because vehicle, hitch, and mobility device specifications can change, compatibility should always be verified before ordering a lift.
Start With Your Vehicle’s Year, Make, and Model
Your vehicle is one of the first pieces of the compatibility puzzle.
Two SUVs—or even two versions of the same vehicle—may have different cargo dimensions, hitch ratings, ground clearances, or configurations that affect which mobility lifts can be installed.
Before looking for a lift, record your vehicle’s:
- Year
- Make
- Model
- Trim or configuration, when applicable
- Existing hitch information, if equipped
This information can help determine whether your vehicle may accommodate an outside hitch-mounted lift, an inside hoist lift, or a hybrid lift.
Know Your Wheelchair, Power Chair, or Scooter
Next, identify exactly what you need to transport.
Don’t rely on simply knowing that you have a “wheelchair” or “scooter.” Mobility devices vary significantly in size, weight, wheelbase, ground clearance, and configuration.
Record your mobility device’s:
- Manufacturer and model
- Weight, including batteries and accessories
- Length
- Width
- Height
- Any components that fold or can be removed
Accessories such as baskets, upgraded seats, oxygen holders, and batteries can affect the device’s total transport weight and dimensions.
How Do I Measure a Mobility Scooter for a Vehicle Lift?
If you don’t know your scooter’s dimensions, measure it in its normal transport configuration.
Measure:
Length: From the scooter’s furthest point in the front to its furthest point in the back.
Width: Across the widest point of the scooter.
Height: From the ground to the highest point when configured for transportation.
If components such as the seat or backrest fold during transportation, note both the normal and folded dimensions.
These measurements can help determine whether the scooter fits a lift’s platform or your vehicle’s cargo area.
Should I Carry My Mobility Device Inside or Outside My Vehicle?
One of the biggest decisions is where you want your wheelchair, power chair, or scooter to travel.
Outside Vehicle Lifts
Outside lifts typically attach to a hitch at the rear of the vehicle and carry the mobility device on a platform.
An outside lift may be a good choice if you:
- Want to preserve interior cargo space
- Don’t have enough room to store the mobility device inside
- Prefer platform-style loading
- Have a vehicle and hitch that can safely accommodate the lift and mobility device
Because the mobility device travels outside the vehicle, you’ll also want to consider exposure to weather and road debris as well as the additional length behind the vehicle.
Inside Hoist Lifts
A hoist lift raises the mobility device into a vehicle’s trunk, cargo area, or truck bed.
Inside transportation helps protect the mobility device from weather and keeps it off the exterior of the vehicle. However, you’ll need enough cargo space and may need to guide the mobility device as it is lifted into position.
Hybrid Vehicle Lifts
Hybrid lifts combine elements of outside platform lifts and inside storage. The mobility device is loaded onto a platform and then moved into the vehicle’s cargo area.
This can provide powered loading while keeping the wheelchair, power chair, or scooter inside the vehicle.
Does Lift Weight Capacity Determine Compatibility?
No. A vehicle lift’s weight capacity alone does not mean the lift is compatible with your mobility device or vehicle.
The mobility device must be within the lift’s rated capacity, but it must also physically fit the lift or cargo area and work with the lift’s securement or loading system.
The vehicle and mounting system must also be able to safely accommodate the complete load.
That’s why choosing a lift based only on its maximum weight capacity can result in an incompatible combination.
Does My Vehicle Need a Hitch for a Mobility Lift?
A hitch is generally required for a hitch-mounted outside vehicle lift.
The correct hitch and allowable tongue weight depend on the vehicle, lift, mobility device, and application. Having a hitch already installed does not automatically mean that every hitch-mounted lift will work with the vehicle.
Hybrid and hoist lifts are installed differently and may require little to no vehicle modification depending on the specific lift and application.
What Type of Vehicle Lift Is Best for a Scooter?
The best vehicle lift for a mobility scooter depends on the scooter and vehicle combination, not simply the fact that the device is a scooter.
Depending on compatibility, a scooter may be transported using:
- A hitch-mounted platform lift
- An inside hoist lift
- A hybrid lift
The scooter’s weight, length, width, wheelbase, ground clearance, and configuration can all affect which options are appropriate.
What Type of Vehicle Lift Is Best for a Power Wheelchair?
Power wheelchairs can vary considerably in weight and configuration, so capacity and dimensions are especially important.
A compatible power wheelchair lift must safely accommodate the chair’s total transport weight and physical footprint while also being appropriate for the vehicle.
Depending on the wheelchair and vehicle, options may include hitch-mounted platform lifts, hoist lifts, or hybrid lifts.
How Can I Find a Lift That Fits My Vehicle and Mobility Device?
The easiest place to start is Harmar’s Vehicle Compatibility Calculator.
Enter:
- Your vehicle’s year, make, and model.
- Your wheelchair, power chair, or scooter’s make and model.
- Review the compatible Harmar vehicle lifts returned by the calculator.
You can then narrow your options based on whether you prefer inside or outside transportation, how the mobility device is secured, and other usability considerations.
The calculator is intended as a guide and does not account for every possible vehicle, mobility device, hitch, or aftermarket configuration. Final compatibility should be verified with a Harmar representative or authorized dealer before ordering.
Vehicle Lift Compatibility Checklist
Before choosing a mobility lift, make sure you know:
- Vehicle year, make, and model
- Mobility device manufacturer and model
- Mobility device weight with batteries and accessories
- Mobility device length, width, and height
- Whether you prefer inside or outside transportation
- Available vehicle cargo space
- Hitch specifications, if using an outside lift
- How much manual loading, guiding, or securing you can comfortably perform
Having this information ready makes it much easier to narrow down the right vehicle lift.
Find a Mobility Lift Compatible With Your Vehicle
Finding the right wheelchair, power chair, or scooter lift starts with matching three things: your vehicle, your mobility device, and your individual transportation needs.
Harmar offers outside, hoist, and hybrid vehicle lifts designed for a wide variety of vehicles and mobility devices.
Use the Harmar Vehicle Compatibility Calculator to find lifts that may work with your specific vehicle and mobility device. Then work with a Harmar authorized dealer to confirm compatibility and installation requirements before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any mobility lift fit any vehicle?
No. Vehicle lift compatibility depends on the specific vehicle, mobility device, lift, hitch or mounting system, dimensions, and weight requirements.
How do I know if my scooter will fit a vehicle lift?
Start with the scooter’s exact make, model, weight, length, width, and height. These specifications can be compared with the lift and vehicle requirements. Harmar’s Vehicle Compatibility Calculator can also help identify compatible options.
Can I put a wheelchair or scooter lift on an SUV?
Many SUVs can accommodate vehicle lifts, but compatibility depends on the exact SUV, mobility device, lift type, cargo configuration, hitch, and vehicle ratings.
Can I put a mobility scooter lift on a car?
Some cars can accommodate compatible scooter lifts. The correct option depends on the specific vehicle, scooter, hitch or cargo area, and total weight requirements.
Do I need a hitch for a wheelchair or scooter lift?
You generally need a compatible hitch for an outside hitch-mounted lift. Inside hoist and hybrid lifts use different installation methods.
Can a vehicle lift carry someone while they are sitting in their wheelchair or scooter?
No. Mobility-device vehicle lifts are designed to transport an unoccupied wheelchair, power chair, or scooter. They are different from occupied wheelchair lifts or ramps designed to help someone enter a vehicle while seated in a mobility device.
Ready to Learn More?
Visit our Vehicle Compatibility Calculator to get a better idea of possible vehicle, lift, and mobility device combinations available for your needs. Or, head to our Dealer Locator to find a certified Harmar dealer in your area.
