Best Mobility Scooter Lifts & Racks in 2023

The lift itself uses the power directly from your vehicle battery as it lifts your scooter up and down.  To activate the lift it is a simple push of a button to get the lift to go up or down.

Why you should think about getting a mobility scooter lift

We get asked a lot how do we transport a mobility scooter.  The answer is simply we use a mobility scooter lift.  But this was not always the case.  For a while when we went on trips it was a manual process lifting the scooter after taking it apart.  Even with capable adults to help the process to get the scooter apart than in the truck was a bit of a mission.  

When we started using the lift things just got easier and in fact,

Our brother n law who needs the scooter could get the scooter out and in by himself. 

So the question is why you should get a mobility scooter it’s simple.  It is safer, easier, and can be used by one person to get a scooter up and down from the vehicle with no effort.  It just makes things safer and easier. 

Difference between an electric carrier versus a ramped carrier

For those that suffer from physical limitations or who may have to load up a scooter or wheelchair by themselves then considering an electric lift will probably be your best choice. 

These types of lifts allow you to drive the scooter or wheelchair directly on the lift when it is sitting at ground level and then it raises up with a button push for transport.

For those that are looking for a more cost-effective way o transport, a scooter can look at carriers with a ramp.  These allow the users to drive the scooter up while not on it and then fold up the ramp for transport.

Top 5 Best Mobility Scooter Lifts

Best Mobility Scooter Lifts Comparison Chart

1. Harmar’s Universal Scooter Lift

Currently, the universal scooter is one of the most popular scooter lifts. The lift’s specifications include Harmar’s excellent Stars-N-Stripes aluminum deck design dedicated to our brave veterans. The deck design helps Harmar commemorate its heritage as an American company.

The universal scooter features a unique hold-down foot that secures any scooter without making any modifications. The fully automatic lift provides its users with a simple, effective, and near-effortless operation, which is quite spectacular considering its lifting capacity- 350 pounds.

The Stars -N- Stripes platform’s design is engineered to provide durability and maximum strength, which is currently the standard feature on select aluminum skin, Harmar Outside Platform Lifts.

Key Specifications

• Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
• Product weight: 83 lbs.
• Hitch Class: II or greater
• Max lifting range: 68″
• Hitch height: 5″ -18″

2. Harmar Extra Large Fushion Lift

The Harmar’s exclusive and unique design in the Fusion Lift makes it the ideal solution for transporting power chairs and scooters securely.

The design features Harmar’s Stars -N- Stripes aluminum deck design with its large deck that celebrates both the US veterans and their heritage as an American company.

It also has optional adjustable cradles and a powerful lift with the most capability of all outside lifts on the market.

Key Specifications

• Weight capacity: 350 lbs.
• Product weight: 100 lbs.
• Max scooter width: 35.5″
• Warranty: 3-Year Transferable

3. Harmar Micro outside lift

Harmon’s micro outside lift is relatively compact with a lightweight design that’s light enough for a Class I hitch.

The micro lift can help transport three or four-wheeled micro scooters or even power chairs quite easily and securely.

The lift has a wide platform and an adjustable rear wheel cradle that makes it easier for users to fit mobility devices onto the lift quickly.

The device has four tie-downs that provide your scooter or power chair with more stability making your transportation safer. The device is available with an optional swing-away that provides easy access to the cargo area.

Key Specifications

• Weight capacity: 135 lbs.
• Product weight: 7 lbs.
• Hitch height: 5″ -18″
• Hitch adapter standard: Class II

4. Commander 400 Wheelchair / Scooter lift

Commander 400 wheelchair scooter lift can fit easily into most vehicles. The lift is engineered to provide the user with a smoother and more efficient operation plus maximum durability.

When the unit is compact, it only requires 30 inches of headroom, and users can easily disassemble it for long-term storage.

The commander 400 has a remote function that conveniently allows the user to control the device, making using the device easier.

The commander 400 is now available with an optional power rotating base that makes the unit more efficient and versatile.

Key Specifications

• Weight capacity: 135 lbs.
• Product weight: 7 lbs.
• Hitch height: 5″ -18″
• Hitch adapter standard: Class II

5. Outlander Exterior Scooter Lift

If you want a safe and reliable lift that you could use to transport your power chair or scooter, you’ll need to try the Outlander Scooter Lift from pride.

The Outlander has an all-steel frame and a protective coating intended to make it durable, plus an efficient construction that’s meant to make it dependable.

Whether you are loading your devices or lifting them, you can rely on Outlander to make the job easy and efficient.

Key Specifications

• Weight capacity: 325 lbs.
• Product weight: 108 lbs.
• Motor: 12 volt DC
• Platform options: Single, double or quad platform
• Min lifting range: 28″

Best Mobility Lift buying guide

When looking for a mobility scooter or wheelchair lift there are some important aspects to the lift that will coincide with your vehicle and scooter.  The below are important areas to look at when before making a purchase of a scooter lift. 

Inside lifts verse outside lifts

Inside lifts are most often designed for SUVs. One can use them to provide side-door access or rear access where the power chair moves directly into the vehicle.

If you want to protect your power chair from wear and tear while on the road, then an inside lift could be your perfect choice.

Some people prefer side-door lifts since they are safer to use than rear lifts that make you vulnerable to traffic that moves past your vehicle when loading them.

Side-door lifts keep you next to the vehicle

Outside lifts attach to your vehicle’s rear, and you are likely to find a side-door lift that’s compatible with your car.

They fold against your car’s trunk or tailgate when they aren’t in use; however, once you load your scooter, they’ll extend to your vehicle’s length.

The extended length can be tricky sometimes, especially when you are looking to find a parking space.

Know your hitch class for your vehicle

For hitch, class style scooter lifts you will need to know your hitch for your vehicle.  Hitches have classes that are from I through class V.  These classes will let you know how much weight you can tow along with the size hitch mount that will work with your vehicle. 

Understand the tongue weight

For those who are not familiar with tongue weight, it is the weight your hitch can support by itself.  Here is an example.  If you have a Class II hitch and you have a trailer that weighs in at 4000 lbs, you will have a tongue rating of 400 lbs. 

This is because you should use the rule that your tongue weight should be no more than 10 percent of your gross trailer weight rating.

Now how does this equate to a mobility scooter?  For example, if you combine the weight of your accessories, and mobility scooter it should not exceed 400 pounds in the above example. 

Each hitch class has weight ratings.  If you are unsure make sure you ask the company you are purchasing the scooter lift from. 

Measure and weight the scooter you will be using

In order to make sure you have the proper weight for your hitch and tongue class, you need to know the weight of your scooter that will be used when transporting it on the scooter lift. 

If you do not know the lift you can simply call the manufacturer and they will let you know what your scooter weights.  

You do not want to get a scooter lift that cannot support the weight of your scooter as this is dangerous for you and the vehicle around you. 

Aluminum vs steel scooter lifts

Aluminum carriers are typically lightweight but you can expect to pay more money than a steel scooter lift.  Steel is very durable and strong but also comes with a higher weight than aluminum carriers.  Aluminum helps with keeping the weight down in terms of your vehicle’s tongue weight load.