Wheelchair Rack for Back of Car

Why Carry a Manual Chair Outside the Car?

A folding manual wheelchair will fit in many car boots, so it is fair to ask why anyone would carry it on the outside. The answer is usually one of three things. The boot may be too small once shopping, luggage or a pushchair are in it. Lifting the chair up and over the boot lip may be a strain for the driver or carer. Or the chair may be wet and muddy after a day out, and nobody wants that inside the car.

A wheelchair rack for the back of the car solves those problems by holding the chair on a frame behind the rear bumper. It keeps the boot free and turns a heavy lift into a shorter, lower one. It also brings new things to think about: how the rack attaches, how the chair is held on it, whether you can still open the boot and how weather affects a chair that rides outside.

Common Rack Designs for Manual Chairs

Upright Clamp Frames

These hold a folded chair standing upright, gripped by padded arms or cradles around the frame. They are compact and keep the car shorter than a flat platform would. They suit cross-brace folding chairs well, because the folded chair is narrow and tall.

Flat Trays and Platforms

A tray lets the chair sit on its wheels, either folded or open, and is strapped down. Some trays have channels that the wheels drop into. They are easier to load for some people, since the chair can be rolled on rather than lifted, but they add more length to the car.

Tilting and Swing-Away Racks

Some racks pivot down or swing to one side so the tailgate can open without removing the chair. This is a useful feature if you need the boot during the day, although it adds moving parts and usually some extra weight.

For a wider view of the frames available, our guide to the car wheelchair rack looks at designs across different vehicles.

How Does a Wheelchair Carrier Mount to the Rear of a Car?

Most racks for the back of a car fit securely to a vehicle’s towbar, either clamped over the tow ball or bolted onto a flange plate. Others strap to the boot lid or bolt to the car body. Towbar-mounted racks are usually the steadiest, but they need a towbar fitted and have to respect its load limit, which is given in the vehicle handbook. Strap-on racks avoid a towbar but depend on the tailgate and its hinges to take the weight, so they tend to suit only the lightest chairs. If you are unsure which suits your car, ask a fitter before buying.

Preparing the Chair for the Journey

A little preparation makes the chair travel better and reduces wear. Anything that can come loose in the wind or rattle should come off and go inside the car.

• Remove seat cushions, which can soak up rain and blow away.
• Take off bags, cup holders and other accessories.
• Fold or remove the footplates so they do not stick out beyond the rack.
• Apply the chair’s brakes so it cannot roll on a tray.
• Check that quick-release wheels are locked in, or remove them and store them separately.

Securing the Chair on the Rack

A chair that shifts on the rack can rub, scratch or work loose. The aim is to hold it firmly at more than one point so it cannot move in any direction.

Good Practice for Strapping

• Use at least two straps, at different heights or positions on the frame.
• Pad any point where a strap or clamp touches paintwork or upholstery.
• Pull straps tight, then tuck away any loose ends so they cannot flap.
• Recheck the straps after a short drive, as the load often settles.
• Consider a lockable cable if the car will be parked with the chair on board.

A chair on the outside of the car is a tempting target in some places, so a simple lock is worth having even if you rarely leave it unattended.

A Loading Routine That Works

Having the same routine every time makes loading quicker and helps you avoid forgetting a strap. Park on level ground where possible, with enough space behind the car to stand comfortably. Lower or open the rack, fold the chair and remove the loose parts. Lift or roll the chair into position, fasten the main clamp or strap first, then add the second. Close or raise the rack, give the chair a firm shake to check nothing moves, and then check the lights. Unloading is the same in reverse. After a week or two the routine becomes second nature, and it is easy to spot if something is not quite right.

Can You Still Open Your Boot with a Rear Wheelchair Rack Fitted?

Boot access varies considerably between rack models, as some tilt away from the car’s tailgate while fixed designs block the rear door. With a fixed rack, the chair and sometimes the rack itself may need to come off before the tailgate will open. With a tilting or swing-away design, you may be able to open the boot with the chair still on. Think about how often you need the boot during a typical outing. If the answer is often, a design that clears the tailgate will save a lot of effort. Also check whether the rack blocks the rear window, which affects your view when reversing.

Weather, Dirt and Wear on the Chair

Carrying a chair outside exposes it to rain, road spray and, in winter, salt from gritted roads. Over time these can affect bearings, moving parts and upholstery. A fitted cover helps, and a quick wipe-down on arrival keeps grit away from the brakes and wheels. If your chair has air-filled tyres, check the pressure more often, since temperature swings can change it.

For a folding frame that stays outdoors in all seasons, think about how easily it can be cleaned and dried. A chair that has to be dried off before every use soon becomes a chore.

Parking and Daily Driving

A rack adds length to the car, so allow more space when parking and reversing. Reversing sensors may beep constantly, and a rear camera view may be partly blocked. Lights and number plate need to stay visible; some racks come with, or can take, a lighting board, so ask about this when buying. If you use Blue Badge parking, the extra length may make some bays tighter. GOV.UK explains how the Blue Badge scheme works if you are thinking of applying.

Is a Rack for the Back of the Car Right for You?

A rack tends to suit people with a folding manual chair, a car with a towbar or the option to fit one, and a routine where boot space or lifting is a real problem. It is less suited to heavy powered chairs, cars that cannot take a towbar, or households that need the boot open often during the day.

If you are still deciding between carrying styles, our guides to the wheelchair holder for the back of a car, the folding wheelchair carrier for a car and the wheelchair carrier for the back of a vehicle each look at the options from a different starting point.

Before You Order

Measure your folded chair, note its weight from the manual or label, and check your towbar load limit. When comparing listings, look for stated weight limits, fitting instructions and photos of a chair like yours on the rack. Ask whether the rack tilts for boot access and whether lights are included. Check the returns terms too, in case the fit is not right.