Rollator Carrier for Back of Car

Do You Actually Need a Rollator Carrier?

Before looking at racks and platforms, it is worth asking a simple question: will the rollator go in the car as it is? Most rollators fold, either side to side or front to back, into a shape that slips into an average boot or lies across the back seat. For many people that is all that is needed, and a carrier would add cost, weight and complication for little gain.

A rollator carrier for the back of the car starts to make sense in particular situations. The boot may be tiny or already full. Lifting the frame over a high boot lip may be painful or unsafe. You may be carrying a wheelchair as well, or travelling with passengers and luggage that take up every inch inside. This guide helps you decide which camp you fall into, and what the options look like if a carrier really is the answer.

Is It Better to Store a Rollator in the Boot?

Storing a folded rollator inside the vehicle’s boot protects the frame from wet weather and avoids the need for external towbar attachments. It stays dry, clean and out of sight, and the car stays the same length. A few small changes can make the boot work better.

• Fold the rollator fully and engage any folding catch so it does not spring open.
• Remove the basket or bag and put it in separately to make the frame slimmer.
• Lay a mat or old blanket in the boot to protect it from muddy wheels.
• Lift with the knees bent and the frame close to the body, and slide rather than drop it in.
• Consider a boot with a low sill, or a flat loading floor, if you are changing cars anyway.

If the boot is cramped, a folding boot organiser or a simple strap fixed to the side of the boot can keep the rollator upright against one wall, leaving the rest of the floor free. That small change is sometimes enough to make a carrier unnecessary.

The Back Seat Alternative

A lightweight rollator can sometimes be placed in the rear footwell or across the back seat instead. This avoids the boot lip entirely. Make sure it cannot slide or fall forward in sudden braking; a seatbelt around the frame can help hold it in place.

Signs a Rear Carrier Would Help

A carrier on the back of the car moves the frame outside, which can solve some genuine problems.

• The boot is too small, or is needed for other things such as shopping, a pet or a wheelchair.
• Lifting the rollator up and over the boot lip is difficult for the person loading.
• The rollator is large or heavy and does not fold compactly.
• The car is a two-seater or has very limited rear space.

If one or more of these applies, the next step is to look at what can be fitted.

Rack Options for a Rollator

There are few carriers designed only for rollators. More often, a carrier built for a folding wheelchair or a general-purpose platform is used instead. That is not a problem, provided the rollator can be held firmly.

Upright Frame Carriers

Carriers made to hold a folded manual chair upright on the towbar can often hold a folded rollator too. The frame may need extra padding or a different strap position because a rollator’s shape differs from a chair’s. Our guide to the folding wheelchair carrier covers these designs.

Platform Carriers

A flat platform with tie-down points gives more flexibility. The rollator can be laid down or stood upright and strapped at several points. This option is heavier, but useful if you sometimes carry a wheelchair and sometimes a rollator.

Bumper or Boot-Mounted Racks

For cars without a towbar, some racks strap to the boot lid or bumper. They carry only light loads, which a folded rollator may suit, but the weight rests on the tailgate and its hinges. Our page on the bumper-mounted wheelchair carrier looks at that type in more detail.

How Do You Secure a Rollator on an External Carrier?

Securing a rollator externally requires strapping down the main chassis, locking the castor wheels, and securing the brake cables to prevent movement during travel. On a carrier they need a little more care than a rigid object.

• Lock the brakes before loading, so the wheels cannot roll.
• Engage the folding catch and, if needed, add a strap around the folded frame to keep it closed.
• Strap it at a minimum of two points, one high and one low.
• Remove the seat pad, basket and any bag, which could blow away or soak up rain.
• Check that no part sticks out beyond the sides of the car.

Weather and Wear

Riding outside exposes the rollator to rain and road spray. Brake cables, wheel bearings and folding joints can all suffer if grit and water get in. A simple cover helps, and so does a quick wipe with a dry cloth on arrival. If your rollator has a padded seat, take it off before travel or cover it well, because a wet seat is unpleasant to sit on at the other end.

Do Rear Rollator Carriers Obstruct Vehicle Lights?

External rear carriers can obscure the vehicle’s number plate and rear light clusters, requiring a dedicated lighting board depending on mounting height. A folded rollator is usually narrower than a wheelchair, but check the view from behind all the same. Ask the fitter or supplier whether a lighting board is needed for your set-up. Allow for the extra length when parking and reversing.

If You Carry Both a Chair and a Rollator

Some people use a rollator for short distances and a wheelchair for longer outings, and need to carry both. In that case, it may make sense to keep the rollator in the boot and put the wheelchair on a rear carrier, or the other way round. A carrier suited to the heavier item is usually the better investment. See our guide to the wheelchair holder for the back of a car for chair-focused designs. If space inside the car is the main issue, the wheelchair carrier for a small car page may also help.

Getting Advice on Walking Aids

If your rollator was supplied through a health service, or you are unsure it is still the right aid, it is worth asking for a review. The NHS page on walking aids, wheelchairs and mobility scooters explains how to get advice and equipment. A lighter or more compact rollator might remove the need for a carrier altogether.

Questions Before Buying a Rack

• What are the folded height, width and depth of the rollator, and what does it weigh?
• Does the car have a towbar, and what load does the handbook allow on it?
• Can the carrier hold a rollator firmly, or is it shaped only for a wheelchair?
• Will the tailgate still open with the carrier fitted?
• Who will load the rollator, and is the carrier height comfortable for them?

Writing the answers down before you shop makes it far easier to rule out carriers that will not suit and to explain your needs to a supplier or fitter.

Weighing It Up

For most rollator users, the boot or back seat will be enough. A rear carrier earns its place when space is tight, lifting is hard or a second piece of equipment needs carrying. When comparing carriers, check the listing for weight limits, fitting type and how the load is secured. Look for photos showing something of a similar shape to your rollator in place, and check the returns terms in case it does not suit.