Towing a electric wheelchair

[skarecrow1967]

My wife is disabled and we are looking to get an electric scooter. What I would like to know is will the 04 freestar that i have be able to handle the towing of a 300lb chair on a class 3 hitch?

[crazy96863]

You should be good. Might need air bags in the rear though.

[GraybeardAv]

I'm confused by the question. I believe a Class III hitch is really heavy, and without the tow package you are limited to a Class I hitch. What does your owner's manual say?

Do you want to tow the chair on a trailer, or carry it on the hitch?

[BroncoJoe19]

GB,
I don't think that there will be much of a difference in the physical weight between a class one or three hitch, I suspect that a 300 pound chair may be over the tongue weight limit for a class one.

This link limits a class II and class III at 350 lbs tongue weight. Personally I would go with the class III. I like the 2" reciever rather than the 1 1/4" reciever.
Hitches, Receiver Hitches; Hitches Online

I am guessing that he didn't mean actually TOW the chair, but rather to put it onto a rear carrier. I suspect as mentioned above that he'll need to add additional rear support for the vehicle to ride evenly.

Another option may be to pull out (at least) the rear seat, and ride it up inside the vehicle on ramps. Then additional support may not be needed for the rear suspension.

[skarecrow1967]

What I meant was to put it on a rear carrier. If I get ramps what is good?

[GraybeardAv]

Is it really 300 lb? I would have guessed half that at most. I would shop around for a lighter one, then go somewhere that specializes in hitches and lifts.

You won't drive a scooter into a Freestar if you're over four feet tall. Also, today I measured, and the floor height at the side doors is about 18", and over 24" at the rear door. From the prior Windstar, they raised the rear floor to hide the 3rd seat, and at the same time left room under for only a mini-spare.

GB

[theoldwizard]

Originally Posted by GraybeardAv

Is it really 300 lb? I would have guessed half that at most.

The carrier, ramps, chair (remember is an electric wheel chair) could easily weigh 300 lbs !

Originally Posted by crazy96863

You should be good. Might need air bags in the rear though.

I second this ! Check out Air Lift

[BroncoJoe19]

Would a ramped entrance into a side door be workable?
One might be able to work the controls of the scooter while standing beside it.

I'm thinking that keeping it on the outside, may limit her travel to only nice days.

Just a thought.

Depending upon how disabled, a full size van may be the way to go.

[skarecrow1967]

I would love to have a full size van But I am looking to have back surgery in less than a month. And yes it weighs at least 300 lbs.

[GraybeardAv]

I think you'll find a Ford E van has about the same door height and inside height as the Freestar; it's just higher off the ground.

Ramps into a side door might be workable. Harbor Fright has cheap ramps for cheap.