What The Heck Is A Manual Wheelchair Carrier?

In the old days, a manual wheelchair carrier was your servant. He or she carried it in his or her arms. If you couldnt afford a servant and had to get around in a wheelchair, then you were out of luck. You were basically house bound because of your wheelchair. But those times have passed and now you and your wheelchair can travel by car or van through the help of modern manual wheelchair carriers.

Like A Bike Rack

There are many kinds of manual wheelchair carriers you can attach to your car that look a lot like bike racks. Many attach to the back of your car, van, jeep or SUV so that they dont block your rear window. These look like a metal hitch, but are a secure support to hand your folding manual wheelchair on. Does your wheelchair have to fold?

Yes your wheelchair has to fold. This is a usual function of most modern lightweight manual wheelchairs. There are much larger hitches for scooters and power wheelchairs, too. If you happen to have a heavy duty bariatric manual wheelchair, then you have the option of getting this sort of hitch.

Like A Trailer

There's another kind of manual wheelchair carrier that can work for large, heavy wheelchairs that cant fold up for whatever reason. The carrier looks like a little two, three or four-wheeled dog or goat cart attached to the back of your vehicle. You then place the wheelchair in this little cart, strap it in, cover it up if you want and away you go.

Although it will be really tempting, it's not safe to actually sit in your wheelchair as you get pulled all about the town by your chauffeur. Even if you decide to do it anyway for a lark, your life will be in your hands. At least wear a motorcycle helmet and have your driver go slow on local roads only. You really dont want to sail down the highway and then have your manual wheelchair carrier hit a pothole.

Who Will Pay For It?

It's very doubtful that any health insurance company will pay for a manual wheelchair carrier, but you never know until you ask. But most health insurance companies will pay for part or all of the cost of your wheelchair, so hopefully that helps. You can also scour the Internet and medical supply stores for used manual wheelchair carriers. If you do get one brand new, expect to pay around $1000 (US).