Wheelchair Storage on Top of Car

Is the Roof a Sensible Place for a Wheelchair?

When the boot is full and a rear carrier is not an option, the roof starts to look like spare space. It is there on almost every car, it does not add length, and a chair up there leaves the boot and back seats free. For some drivers, particularly those who transfer into the driver’s seat and travel alone, wheelchair storage on top of the car can be the thing that makes independent trips possible.

It is not the right answer for everyone, though. Getting a chair up onto a roof is harder than lifting it into a boot, the car becomes taller, and a roof load has its own limits and handling effects. This guide compares the main ways of carrying a chair up top, looks at how they cope with British weather, and sets them against the alternatives so you can judge whether the roof really is the best spot.

Three Ways to Use the Roof

Strapping the Chair to Roof Bars

The simplest approach uses standard roof bars with a folded manual chair strapped across them. It costs little beyond the bars, but it relies on someone being able to lift the chair above head height and secure it. The chair is fully exposed to rain, road spray and wind, and it must be tied down very firmly. For most people this is only practical for occasional trips with a helper.

A Roof Box

A roof box keeps the chair enclosed, dry and out of sight. The difficulty is getting it in: roof boxes are usually opened from the side, at roof height, so you still need to lift the chair up and over. A long, shallow box may not take a folded chair unless the wheels come off. Measure the folded chair against the inside of the box, not the outside dimensions.

A Powered Roof-Mounted Lift

These combine a box on the roof with a motorised mechanism that lowers a hoist or arm beside the driver’s door, picks up the folded chair and stows it overhead. They are designed for drivers who transfer from their chair into the car and then need the chair put away without help. They are specialist equipment, often fitted by a professional, and suit only certain folding chairs and car types. It is worth getting an assessment before considering one.

How Much Weight Can a Car Roof Carry?

Every car has a maximum roof load limit that includes the carrier’s own weight alongside the wheelchair. You will find the figure in the vehicle handbook. Anything on the roof raises the car’s centre of gravity, so it can feel less settled in crosswinds and on bends. Adding height also means you need to watch for low barriers at car parks, garages, drive-throughs and some hotel entrances. A simple reminder stuck on the dashboard helps.

• Check the roof load limit and the weight of bars or box plus the chair.
• Note the new total height of the car and keep it somewhere visible.
• Expect more wind noise and slightly higher fuel use on longer journeys.
• Remove empty bars or boxes when not needed, to reduce drag and noise.

How Does Weather Affect a Wheelchair on the Roof?

A wheelchair carried on open roof bars faces rain and road grit unless protected by an enclosed top box. Rain driven by motorway speeds gets into bearings, soaks upholstery and can leave grit in the brakes. In winter, salt spray is a particular concern for metal parts. If you do use open bars, a tight-fitting cover designed for a folded chair helps, and so does wiping the chair down as soon as you arrive. Our guide to the wheelchair cover for storage looks at covers that protect a folded frame.

Enclosed boxes and powered roof units keep rain off, but check the seals and drainage. Condensation can build up inside a closed box on damp days, so it is worth leaving the lid open to air after a wet trip if you can.

How Roof Storage Compares with Other Options

Before settling on the roof, it helps to see how it stacks up against the other common places to carry a chair.

• In the boot: dry, secure and simple, but it needs space and a lift over the boot lip.
• On a rear rack or carrier: keeps the boot free with a lower lift, but adds length and may hide lights and number plate.
• On the back seat: easy for some folding chairs, with no lifting above waist height, though it takes up passenger space.
• On the roof: no extra length and a free boot, but the hardest to load by hand and adds height.

For rear options, see our guides to the car wheelchair rack and the general wheelchair carrier. If getting yourself into the car is part of the challenge, our page on wheelchair to car transfer devices covers aids that help with that step.

Which Chairs Suit Roof Storage?

Only lighter folding manual chairs are realistic candidates for carrying on the roof. Powered chairs and scooters are far too heavy, and rigid-frame chairs need their wheels and backrest removing to become compact enough. For roof boxes and powered lifts, the folded size and shape of the chair matter as much as its weight, since the chair has to fit a specific space. Check the chair’s folded dimensions in its manual and compare them carefully with whatever will hold it.

Living with Roof Equipment Day to Day

Roof bars and boxes need somewhere to live when they are off the car, and a box in particular takes up a lot of room in a garage or shed. Some people leave everything fitted all year, which is convenient but adds noise and drag on every journey. Others fit the box only for holidays or longer trips and use a different method for shorter ones. Think about which pattern suits you before buying, because a system that is tiresome to fit and remove tends to stay on the car permanently.

Security is worth a thought too. Most boxes lock, but open bars leave a strapped chair easy to take. If you use open bars, a cable lock through the frame adds a useful layer of protection when you park.

Safety When Loading Overhead

Lifting anything above head height puts strain on the shoulders and back, and a chair is awkward to hold. If you are loading by hand, use a step or sill platform so you are not stretching, work with a helper, and avoid loading in strong wind. Never leave a chair balanced on the roof while you fetch straps. With a powered unit, follow the operating instructions exactly and keep hands clear of moving parts.

The NHS page on driving and using public transport gives general information for disabled drivers, including where to look for advice on adapting a car.

Questions to Settle Before You Decide

• Can you or a helper safely lift the folded chair to roof height?
• What is your car’s roof load limit, and what will the full load weigh?
• Does the folded chair fit inside the box or unit you are considering?
• Where do you usually park, and are there height barriers on your regular routes?
• Would a rear carrier or the back seat do the same job with less effort?

When comparing listings, look for clear roof load and size information, fitting instructions and photos showing a chair like yours in place. Check the returns terms, and whether fitting is included or needs arranging separately.