A car-top carrier is an electric motor-driven hoist. Once engaged, a steel pin lowers, picks up a manual wheelchair, and the chair folds as it rises to the carrier. The carrier then closes. Each function is operated by a switch.

If your vehicle needs to include a car-top carrier, it will be of utmost importance that an mobility equipment dealer examines the car before the purchase.Among the things the dealer will be checking are:

• The actual size of the roof – will the roof be able to accommodate the carrier?
• The make of carrier in which you are interested (i.e., is it too heavy for the car model you have chosen?

A bumper-mounted carrier is a simple carrier for a manual wheelchair and requires a number of considerations. Installation of this type of carrier could get complicated if combined with a molded auto bumper. Occasionally, the bumper-mounted installation requires the mobility dealer to drill holes into the bumper. These can be plugged, should you decide to remove the carrier later. Another thing to keep in mind is accessibility of the trunk, though most of the bumper-mounted carriers can easily be removed to give access to the trunk.

Hitch-mounted carriers tilt down to load the wheelchair and easily tilt up to lock into place, making them a great option for many drivers or passengers in wheelchairs.

This type of carrier requires wheelchairs to fold. Once the chair has been folded, a lift picks it up with an electric-driven motor and stores it in the bed of the truck. Keep in mind that if you need assistance transferring or using this type of equipment, you’ll need caregiver assistance whenever using your mobility vehicle.