Wheelchair lifts used in a vehicle have two main options. These options are either an outside or an inside lift. Both have their pros and cons. below is a review for lifts used for private vehicles e.g. a car or even a van. Buses, motor homes, commercial vans and other large vehicles need different wheelchair lifts louisville ky that are more costly.
The outside lift holds your mobile device outside the car or the van. The device is carried outside the van or car in a way that allows the driver to see the road completely. This lift does not need a lot of modifications to the car. The lift will be attached on the rear, to a trailer hitch. This installation cost is not high and does not require a lot of work during installation just someone with basic tool knowledge who is able to follow directions. Additionally, this lift does not affect passenger space, storage space or even trunk space.
The outside lift also has various cons. If you have no trailer hitch then you must get one installed. Carrying the wheelchair on your vehicle’s exterior exposes it to weather making it either too hot or too cold and sometimes wet. It is also possible for the wheelchair to get spoilt when exposed to road debris, snow, rain, wind or hail. The extension on your car will also require extra caution you drive or even park which may hinder the use of handicap spots as the vehicle might not fit. This type of lift may also bottom out where there are driveways with bumps or slopes. Lastly this lift may make it imperative that the wheelchair is not kept on the lift due to vandalism or even theft.
The interior lift allows for the wheelchair to be inside the vehicle. This protects it from weather and road debris. Using an inside lift ensures the vehicle’s length remains the same thus not requiring drivers to be cautious neither does it affect parking in handicap spots. Another advantage that comes with a more pricey lift is that the person using the wheelchair can just stay in the chair while getting transferred.
The interior lift has two major cons. One is that space in the vehicle’s interior will be reduced and its installation incurs extra cost. Inside lifts either make use of trunk space while some require major modifications to the vehicle’s interior which are done by very qualified mechanics. This limits the owner’s ability to resell the vehicle.
It really is vital to note that these pros and cons are just the major ones and not the complete list. The article is a guideline for the basic things to consider when you need the best wheelchair lifts cincinnati oh. The goal with any purchase is to make the choice that works best for you in regards to your budget and wheelchair needs.