WheelchairDriver

This is a bit of a longshot, but I'm trying to find a solution for hoisting my new Foldawheel PW-1000XL (http://www.wheelchair88.com/product/fol ... pw-1000xl/) into the back of my Smart fortwo. The chair fits fine, but its 60 lb weight is a bit much for my feeble, stick-like arms to lift in and out. I've been trying to find a winch, hoist, elevating cart or some other solution that will do the job, but all the ones I've seen are made for bigger vehicles. Also, they generally bolt to the floor of the car, which isn't really an option, given that the Smart's engine is in the rear, so maintenance might become a bit tricky.

I guess what I'm looking for is either:

(1) A small portable hoist that doesn't need to be bolted to the car, or;
(2) An external hoist/winch/cart that can do the job, then be stowed in the car (obviously, this solution should weigh considerably less than the chair, or I'll need another hoist to hoist the hoist.)

I'm not considering a trailer or external carrier yet, because I tend to drive the Smart in spirited fashion, so I don't want to see the chair spinning off into the weeds through my rear view mirror on a tight corner.

There's a lot of engineering knowhow on the site, so I'm throwing the question out here to prompt a bit of brainstorming. I love my little Smart and don't want to upscale to an MPV or similar quite yet. I've checked the old wheelchair threads on here, but none of them address my question.

All ideas gratefully accepted.

Thanks and Happy New Year!

Other than a time consuming space wasting wheelchair winch which tend to never get used in the end (as nobody wants to mess about with them even if there is room), there's no real alternative to a proper WAV and proper powerchair. And sooner or later after wasting time and money pretty much everyone comes to the same conclusion. I don't see any sensible option.

Use a set of pulleys & a bit of rope.

You could just tow it.

Burgerman wrote:You could just tow it.

I'm not keen on towing it. I've spent a lot of time turning my little city car into a road-going go kart, so I'd hate to hobble it with a big swingarm hanging off the rear when I'm whizzing through the canyons.

I'm currently investigating a small winch and a pair of telescoping arms that will let me hoist the chair to hatch-height. I should then be able to swing it into the back manually. It's a bit of a fiddle, but should do until something better suggests itself.

I have seen a hoist that's meant to be mounted into the boot of a sedan. Part of the mechanism is taken apart before slamming the boot shut. Might be a Bruno product. They have very small hoists, like the AWL-150, if you can still find it, although that model is not meant to be taken apart.

Look for Bruno ASL-325. The picture I saw showed it fastened to something outside the car.
Bottom left pic in the 4-pic grouping. Click on it to see larger:
http://www.handicapaids.net/bruno-asl-325
Here it's in the boot/trunk of a sedan:
http://youtu.be/j1qF7sVx2Rk

scootntootn wrote:Look for Bruno ASL-325.

Thanks, scootntootn, I'll check that out. I looked at a similar product from Harmar, but it wouldn't work with the lower hatch folded out. I suspect this may have the same issue, unless it can extend horizontally past the edge of the hatch (which the pic suggests it might).

MenCallMeGimpy wrote:

scootntootn wrote:Look for Bruno ASL-325.

It was actually a pretty good fit, but the car lacks hard points in the right places to mount it (and adding mounting points would compromise access to the engine).

I finally gave in and got myself a Dodge Grand Caravan. It's a barge, but at least I can get the chair into it (with room for larger equipment as my needs evolve). I never saw myself as an MPV driver but, everything considered, it's hardly the greatest indignity I've ever had to endure.

Now I just have to remember I have 12' of car behind my head instead of 2'.

Is it a lowered floor wheelchair accessible one? http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... medium.jpg

Like many of us are using? They certainly make life easier.

Burgerman wrote:Is it a lowered floor wheelchair accessible one? http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/images- ... medium.jpg

Like many of us are using? They certainly make life easier.

No, I bought a stock one and am having the Pride Backpacker Plus lift (http://www.pridemobility.com/PrideLifts ... erplus.asp) fitted next week. I'm still sufficiently ambulatory to get from the driving seat to the back of the van, so I'm able to defer the expense of the full ramp installation/lowering etc. until my condition worsens significantly. The Backpacker attaches to the third row seat anchors and requires no drilling, so if I decide to sell the van in future, I can return it to stock very easily.