Wheelchair Carrier for Back of Car

Why Carry a Chair on the Back?

Lifting a wheelchair into a boot every time you travel can be hard work, especially for carers with back or shoulder problems. A carrier on the outside of the car can take the chair instead, leaving the boot free for shopping or luggage. Carriers vary widely, so this page compares the main mounting styles and the practical questions about loading, driving and insurance. We do not quote load limits or prices; these depend on the carrier, the car and the chair, and must come from the maker and fitter.

How Does a Towbar Wheelchair Carrier Work?

A towbar carrier mounts directly onto the vehicle’s tow hitch to transport an unoccupied wheelchair on an external platform behind the car. Some are platforms, onto which a manual or powered chair is wheeled and strapped; others are racks that hold a folded manual chair upright. Towbar mounts are common for heavier chairs because they spread the load through the car’s frame. Questions to ask include whether your car already has a towbar, whether one can be fitted, and what nose weight the towbar and car can take. The fitter should check the combination of car, carrier and chair together. Our guide to hitch-mounted wheelchair carriers goes into more detail.

Boot-Mounted Carrier

A boot-mounted carrier clamps or straps onto the boot lid or rear door, similar to some bike racks. They can suit lighter folded manual chairs and cars without a towbar. The main questions are whether your car’s boot can take the weight, whether the straps might mark the paintwork, and whether you can still open the boot with the carrier fitted. Many makers say which cars their carriers fit, so ask for confirmation for your exact model. Boot carriers can also affect rear wipers, spoilers and parking sensors, so check how those will work once the carrier is fitted, and whether the carrier needs removing before using a car wash.

Roof Carrier

A roof carrier or roof-mounted lift stores a folded manual chair on top of the car. Powered roof lifts can raise the chair from beside the car, which helps drivers who transfer into the driving seat and then stow the chair themselves. Ask about the total height with the chair on board, because it affects multi-storey car parks, garages and drive-throughs. Roof systems usually suit manual chairs rather than powered ones. Our page on roof rack wheelchair lifts explains how they work.

Which Style Suits Which Chair?

As a rough guide, heavier powered chairs usually need a towbar platform or an accessible vehicle, while folded manual chairs can go on racks, boot carriers or roof systems. But every car and chair differs. Measure the chair folded and unfolded, including handles and footrests, find out its weight from the maker, and share those details with the carrier supplier. If you use a powered chair, our guide to power wheelchair carriers for cars may help.

How Difficult Is It to Load a Wheelchair Onto an External Carrier?

Loading ease depends on the platform’s lifting height, fold-down ramps and how comfortably the carer can secure holding clamps. On a platform with a ramp, a powered chair can often be driven or pushed on, then strapped down. On a rack, a folded manual chair is lifted and secured, which is usually a shorter and lower lift than into a boot. Try loading before you buy, if you can, ideally with the person who will do it most often. Check:

• how high the chair has to be lifted, if at all
• whether the ramp angle feels manageable for pushing or driving on
• how many straps or clamps are needed, and whether they are easy to use with cold hands
• whether you can load safely at the kerb, away from traffic

Do You Need an Additional Number Plate and Lighting Board for a Rear Carrier?

You must fit an auxiliary lighting board and registration plate if the rear carrier or folded chair obscures the vehicle’s primary lights. In that case, you may need a lighting board with a number plate. Ask the fitter whether one is included and how it connects to the car’s electrics. Also think about rear visibility: the chair may block part of your view through the back window, so check your mirrors and any parking sensors or cameras once it is loaded. A good fitter will talk you through these points.

Driving with a Carrier

A car with a loaded carrier handles a little differently. It is longer, may be heavier at the back, and may catch the wind. Take extra care reversing and parking, allow more space behind, and remember the carrier is there when going over speed bumps or steep driveways. Stop and check the straps shortly after setting off on any journey. When the carrier is not in use, fold it up or remove it if possible.

When a Carrier Is Not the Answer

A wheelchair carrier for back of car use suits many people, but not everyone. If the chair is very heavy, the user needs to travel in their wheelchair, or loading outside is not safe where you live, other options may be better. A boot hoist can lift a chair into the car without it being outside. A wheelchair accessible vehicle lets the user stay seated in their chair, which may suit people who cannot transfer. Some people switch to a lighter folding chair for trips and keep a heavier one at home. An occupational therapist, or a mobility centre that assesses drivers and passengers, can help you weigh up the options and try equipment before you buy.

If you drive with a carrier fitted only occasionally, think about where it will be stored when it is off the car and whether you can lift it on and off yourself. Some platforms are bulky and heavy when removed, so ask the supplier about storage and the easiest way to fit and remove it.

Weather and Security

A chair carried outside the car is exposed to rain, road spray and dirt. A fitted cover can help protect upholstery and electrics; ask whether one suits your chair. Wipe the chair down after wet journeys and check for grit in moving parts. For security, ask whether the carrier locks to the car and whether the chair can be locked to the carrier, especially if you leave the car parked.

Insurance and Fitting a Carrier

Fitting a carrier properly matters as much as choosing the right one. Tell your car insurer before driving with a carrier fitted, and ask whether the chair is covered while it is on the carrier. For towbar-mounted carriers, professional fitting is sensible, and the fitter should check the towbar’s condition and wiring. Keep the fitting paperwork, and ask the fitter to show you how to check the mounting bolts and electrical connection yourself. If the car is sold or changed, check whether the carrier can move to the new vehicle or needs a different fitting kit. The GOV.UK page on transport for disabled people includes information on help with cars and travel.

Questions for the Supplier

Before buying any rear wheelchair rack or platform, ask the supplier which cars it fits, what chair it is designed for, whether a lighting board is included, how it folds or comes off when empty, and what fitting involves. Ask whether free delivery or fitting is included, and what the returns process is if it does not suit your car. Our guides to wheelchair carriers for small cars and folding wheelchair carriers offer more ideas.