Will a Mobility Scooter Fit in Your Car?

One of the most practical questions to answer before buying a mobility scooter is how you are going to transport it. A scooter may be perfect at your destination, but if loading it into your vehicle is difficult, it may not be the right scooter for your lifestyle.

Start With the Type of Scooter

Travel scooters are designed to separate into smaller pieces. Folding scooters collapse into a compact form but are often lifted as a larger single unit. Full size scooters may offer some disassembly but usually have heavier components. Heavy duty and all terrain scooters are commonly transported with a vehicle lift, ramp, trailer, or accessible vehicle.

Do Not Look Only at Total Scooter Weight

Total weight can be misleading when comparing portable scooters. If a scooter separates into several pieces, you may never need to lift the entire scooter at once. The heaviest piece after disassembly is often the more useful specification for someone loading a scooter manually.

Measure Your Vehicle Before Buying

Measure the cargo opening width, cargo opening height, available cargo depth, space between wheel wells, and height of the loading surface. Do not measure only the inside of the trunk. The scooter has to pass through the opening first.

Think About How You Will Lift It

Imagine loading the scooter after a long day. Consider whether you can safely lift each piece, whether you need to bend far into the trunk, whether you will be doing it alone, and whether a spouse or caregiver will also need to handle the scooter.

Travel Scooters

Travel scooters are often the easiest choice for frequent vehicle transportation. Many separate into components such as the front section, rear section, seat, battery pack, and basket. Tool free disassembly can make the process much easier.

Folding Scooters

Folding scooters reduce the assembly process. Fold the scooter, place it in the vehicle, remove it at your destination, and unfold it. The tradeoff is that you may be lifting more of the scooter's weight at one time.

Full Size Scooters

Full size scooters can provide larger seating, increased range, suspension, and improved outdoor comfort. Portability becomes more difficult. If you need the comfort of a larger scooter, a vehicle lift may be a better solution than manually disassembling it every day.

Heavy Duty and All Terrain Scooters

Large outdoor scooters generally are not designed for routine trunk loading. They are more commonly transported with hitch mounted mobility lifts, interior vehicle lifts, ramps, accessible vans, or trailers. Plan the transportation solution while choosing the scooter.

Battery and Seat Weight Matter

On some scooters, removing the battery can significantly reduce lifting weight. Lithium systems are often lighter than comparable traditional battery systems. Do not forget the seat either. A larger captain's seat can be bulky even when the scooter base disassembles.

The Best Scooter Is the One That Fits Your Life

Smaller scooters are easier to transport but may sacrifice seating room, suspension, range, or outdoor capability. Larger scooters offer more comfort and performance but require more planning. Use our Find Your Best Fit comparison tool to compare portability, dimensions, range, weight capacity, and other specifications. If you are unsure whether a scooter will work with your vehicle, call us at +1 888 423 3159.

Need help choosing the right Pride Mobility scooter or power wheelchair? Use our Find Your Best Fit comparison tool or call Scott Medical Equipment at +1 888 423 3159. Our team can help you compare the specifications that matter for your needs.