Wheelchair Trailer Towing Vehicle Modifications

What is a Wheelchair Trailer and What Makes Them Different from other Vehicle Modifications?

A wheelchair trailer is a small single axle trailer built for the purpose of transporting a power wheelchair or scooter. The trailer is attached to a hitch receiver by a ball coupling and is pulled behind the towing vehicle. The weight of the trailer is typically less than 400lbs, a small trailer in the world of trailers. The wheelchair weight can vary, typically between 150-350lbs. There are several reasons why wheelchair trailers are unique in the world of vehicle modifications for the handicapped and people with disabilities.

Unlike a lot of vehicle modifications for people with disabilities, the installation of a wheelchair trailer, hitch receiver and ball coupling will not by themselves bring a car out of compliance with an FMVSS. The only exception that I can think of is if the vehicle is simply overloaded by the wheelchair trailer and we cover that on webpage titled Towing Capacity and Wheelchair Trailer Vehicle Modifications. Then its not an FMVSS exception that you need but rather to stop towing and get a more appropriate towing vehicle.
Installing the trailer hitch onto the towing car is a vehicle modification and is governed by such FMVSS requirements such as updating the Tire Placard to indicate the new payload capacity whenever weight of 1.5% of the car's GVWR is permanently added. However this is not a vehicle modification that requires a 49CFR595 Make Inoperative Exception. While the trailer hitch and wheelchair trailer would be considered vehicle modifications for a person with a disability, they are not subject to all the requirements of the 49CFR595 Make Inoperative Exception. Wheelchair trailers specifically are not covered in the NMEDA Guidelines.
Wheelchair trailers are easily removable and aren't themselves considered permanent vehicle modifications. The hitch would be considered permanent but the trailer is the item with all the weight. By considering the wheelchair trailer non-permanent, the cargo and passenger loading of the towing vehicle and wheelchair trailer are considered payload and the responsibility to ensure the towing vehicle is not overloaded is with the consumer, not the vehicle modifier. When a handicap lift is installed on a full size van, the modifier has to run through a GVWR/GAWR calculation and ensure the vehicle still has sufficient cargo carrying capacity after the modification to support the number of rated passengers and sufficient cargo load. With wheelchair trailer vehicle modifications, the trailer is removable and considered payload. As long as the weight of the hitch and the tongue load from the trailer don't themselves cause GVWR/GAWR to be exceeded, it's really up to the consumer to determine a safe loading on a daily basis. It's up to the consumer to ensure the combination of passenger and cargo load combined with the trailer do not exceed any of the manufacturer's loading ratings. Of course, the modifier who specifies or installs the wheelchair trailer should have a conversation with the consumer to ensure their daily or likely loading conditions are not going to exceed a safety limit.
The car industry has guidelines on trailer towing that apply to wheelchair trailers, however, the guidance varies amongst manufacturers and can be confusing. Some manufacturer's provide a GCWR limit, some don't. Some manufacturer's provide Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight limit, others don't. Some provide a tongue load limit, others don't. Even the way in which the limits or ratings are presented varies by manufacturer. Some like to combine the ratings with payload scenarios which may be helpful to some but confusing to others. There is no clear standard to inform the consumer and vehicle modifier as to how to safely ensure the towing vehicle is capable of towing a wheelchair trailer.

Custom Search

What should I look for in a Towing Vehicle?

The main feature to look for is that the towing vehicle has sufficient towing capacity to safely handle your wheelchair trailer. The more the better in my opinion but sufficient towing capacity is enough. Please refer to Towing Capacity and Wheelchair Trailer Vehicle Modifications.
To have sufficient towing capacity, the towing vehicle may require a towing package. This has to come installed on the towing vehicle and is not an aftermarket addition. The towing package may include any of the following: heavy duty radiator system, alternator, suspension, and brakes, as well as an engine-oil cooler, transmission-oil cooler, wiring harness, specific axle ratio, and special wheels and tires.
You should also check that a readily available trailer hitch to meet your towing needs is available for your vehicle.
All the mechanics of the towing vehicle should be in good working order, regularly inspected and maintained. Your towing vehicle must have a good set of tires with plenty of tread, good alignment, and a good suspension to support the additional load.

Realistically, most consumer would not buy a vehicle with the intention of using it for towing a wheelchair trailer. More likely, the consumer tried various other wheelchair lifts or transport devices on their existing car and for a variety of reasons they weren't compatible with the vehicle, the wheelchair, or the operator. A wheelchair trailer is often the last option and in most cases it's either the trailer, nothing, or the purchase of a different car. Then it becomes more a task of making sure your existing car can safely tow the wheelchair trailer. In that case the above list would be used to check your existing car.

I have a Small Car, Can I Safely use a Wheelchair Trailer?

Please refer to your vehicle's owner's manual, consult with the wheelchair trailer manufacturer, and see the webpage Towing Capacity and Wheelchair Trailer Vehicle Modifications for more information.

Example 1: Can a 2011 Ford Focus Safely tow a wheelchair trailer?

As an example. let's look at a 2011 Ford Focus. The owner's manual says "WARNING: Never tow a trailer with this vehicle. Your vehicle is not equipped to tow. No towing packages are available through an authorized dealer." To me that means no you should not tow a wheelchair trailer with this vehicle. Find a towing vehicle that is more appropriate for towing.

If I'm Operating the Wheelchair Trailer, what will I have to do?

To use a wheelchair trailer, the user or attendant will need to be strong enough to:

Walk from the front of the towing vehicle to the rear and vice versa.
Stand from 3-5 minutes.
Bend down slightly and have hand dexterity to unlatch the gate and lower it (some wheelchair trailers come with power assist).
Drive the scooter or wheelchair on/off the wheelchair trailer.
Latch and unlatch the tiedown straps inside the bed of the wheelchair trailer.

What are the Main Advantages and Disadvantages to using a Wheelchair Trailer?

Advantages

Works with many more vehicles than other wheelchair or scooter lift options. Sometimes is a method of last resort to transport a wheelchair or scooter when other options aren't possible.
Allows access to rear hatch or trunk on towing vehicle.

Disadvantages

Typical visibility and handling issues whenever someone is driving a trailer. Driving with a trailer takes some getting used to and practice.
Requires physical abilities that some wheelchair transport options may not such as walking to the front and back of the towing vehicle.
Parking, typically takes up 2 parking spaces and can't be used in most handicapped parking spaces.

How Should a Wheelchair Trailer be properly installed?

Hitching Systems

The trailer towing industry has a system that classifies hitches according to the amount of weight they can tow and their tongue load rating. You'll need to ensure that the hitch installed on your vehicle at a minimum has the towing capacity to handle your loaded wheelchair trailer. Often the hitch will have more towing capacity than is required by the wheelchair trailer. If the maximum trailer weight rating of the towing vehicle falls between the maximum towing capacity of two hitches, the larger hitch should be installed with the understanding that the maximum gross trailer weight that you can safely tow is determined by the vehicle and not the hitch. Please see the webpage Towing Capacity and Wheelchair Trailer Vehicle Modifications for more information.

Adjust the height of the tow vehicle/trailer interface

Most trailers and tow vehicles should be level to one another, i.e. parallel to the ground during travel. This can be achieved by adjusting the height of the ball mount on the towing vehicle with an appropriate drawbar. The height can be adjusted up or down to accommodate the wheelchair trailer within reason.

Wiring Systems

Federal law requires trailers to have taillights, brake lights, side marker lights, turn signals, and side and rear reflectors. Some trailers also have backup lights. To provide power to these lights, a four-way or more connector is hooked into the towing vehicle’s electrical system. Turning on the towing vehicle’s headlights should result in the trailer’s running lights coming on. The brake lights will need to be checked by pressing and releasing the towing vehicle's brake pedal and ensuring the wheelchair trailer's brake lights come on and off. Many towing vehicle manufacturers offer a 7-way connector that includes provision for an electric brake signal power supply, and backup lights, in addition to the typical four-way functions.

When are Separate Trailer Brakes Required for my Wheelchair Trailer?

Every state has its own laws governing when a separate trailer braking system is required by law. You'll need to visit the website or contact the DOT/DMV of the state in which you live or the states in which you will be traveling in to know when by law you are required to have separate trailer brakes. But the law is only half of the answer.

The towing vehicle manufacturer will also have recommendations and requirements that you need to follow concerning when separate trailer brakes are required. Sometimes the manufacturer of the towing vehicle will specify that separate functional trailer brakes should be used for trailers where the Gross Combined Weight GCW of the towing vehicle plus the trailer exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR of the towing vehicle. This makes sense because the towing vehicle's brakes are only rated and required by NHTSA to stop the GVWR load. It does however leave it up to the consumer to figure out if their GCW is near GVWR for the towing vehicle. Other manufacturers will simply state for example that trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000 lbs, and required for trailers in excess of 2,000 lbs (the exact numbers dependent on the vehicle). You really need to look at your towing vehicle's owner's manual for specifics.

What are Trailer Safety Chains?

Safety chains are the last defense from causing serious injuries or death if for whatever reason your wheelchair trailer should ever become detached from the towing vehicle. If that should happen safety chains will allow the trailer to remain attached long enough for you to pull over and correct the situation. The hitch must have provisions for the connection of safety chains, they should not be attached to the bumper of the towing vehicle. Most states will require safety chains on a trailer but regardless they should always be used. To properly install, connect the trailer safety chains to the hook retainers on the hitch. Trailer safety chains should have some slack to permit sharp turns but should not drag on the road. In addition, trailer safety chains need to be be crossed under the trailer tongue to help prevent the tongue from dropping to the road in the event the wheelchair trailer does separate from the towing vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wheelchair Trailers

How can I determine how much load my wheelchair trailer can safely carry? The amount of load that the wheelchair trailer can safely carry is found as well on the Tire Label, which is permanently mounted near the Safety Compliance Certification Label mentioned above. Locate the statement on the label that says ‘‘The weight of cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.’’ NHTSA also requires the owner's manual to contain a section ‘‘Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit—."

How can I find my wheelchair trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR and Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR? The GVWR is printed on a label or placard, the Safety Compliance Certification Label which contains the VIN, which is mounted on the forward half of the left front side of the trailer, typically within 6 inches of the floor line, or near the trailer coupler.

How can I find the correct tire inflation pressure for my wheelchair trailer's tires? The correct tire inflation pressure is printed on a label, the Tire Label, which is permanently mounted near the Safety Compliance Certification Label mentioned above. This and much more information on tire maintenance and care is required by NHTSA to be contained in the owner's manual.

Do I have to register my wheelchair trailer? You should contact your local DOT/DMV. Trailers are considered motor vehicles. This may not seem obvious to most people since they are missing a motor. Generally you follow the same process you would if you were registering a car.

If I purchase a wheelchair trailer, can I still park in handicap parking areas? Typically no, the trailer will stick out into traffic. The towing vehicle and wheelchair trailer will take up two parking spaces. As long as you can find a parking spot, typically the distance from the building is not a problem because you'll be riding the scooter or wheelchair from your car to the building and not walking. Also, if you live in an apartment building, you'll want to make sure your parking arrangements are settled with your manager before purchasing.

BACK TO TOP

BlueRobot CSS formats