car size for wheelchair

[Ebony]

Hi all.

There are just two of us travelling for 2 weeks in september. I have a manual wheelchair and im wondering what size car to hire ?. I realise that most cars are not hatchbacks, so does anyone with previous knowledge think 2nd or third grade car would be ok ?
The wheelchair is collapsible with removable wheels, and folding handles.


Thankyou Jan

[BarryandCaron]

I'm not sure as I know the boot (trunk) is a lot smaller than our cars. You could put your luggage on the back seat and just put your wheelchair in the boot. I have a Megane and DS2's folding wheelchair fits in there OK.

The only thing I would say is think of all the times you will have to take the wheelchair to pieces, especially in the pouring rain.

Caron

[keith&carol]

Hi,
If just the two of us go and take my folding wheelchair we usually plump for an intermediate size car but if DD goes with hers which doesn't fold easily we have a 7 seater. Hope this helps,
Carol :wavey:

[sixpence]

There was 2 of us that went to Florida and we had our own electric scooter.
We had a 4 door Dodge Stratus which was an intermediate car. one case went in the boot with the scooter and the rest went on the back seat.:grin:

The hardest part was lifting the scooter into the boot.

[Ebony]

Thanks for the replies & help.
I have just found out on the US rentacar site, that if you book an Intermediate Car you get free upgrade to a Full size, so looks like I will go for that.
Jan :grin:

[Eagle88]

We too normally settle for the 7 seater. But next year we are getting 2 vehicles and we need a car (not a van) to take our son's wheelchair. It folds flat but the back does not collapse. All we can do is take the foot plates off. Will this fir into the boot/trunk of a Stratus? Any opinions gratefully recieved.

[loadsapixiedust]

We have always had a 7 seater, when we don't have luggage it means we don't need to fold the wheelchair, saves a bit of time and fiddling about and a godsend when its pouring!
Remember that US cars tend to have much smaller boots than the UK equivalent.

[BarryandCaron]

We have always had a 7 seater, when we don't have luggage it means we don't need to fold the wheelchair, saves a bit of time and fiddling about and a godsend when its pouring!
Remember that US cars tend to have much smaller boots than the UK equivalent.

Exactly the same here Lynn. The extra cost of a 7 seater is well worth it in our opinion.

Caron

[Ebony]

This was an old thread resureccted.
Thanks everyone. I have already decided on a 7 seater minivan, quite like being higher up when driving, and it will be easier with the w.chair.
:wave:

[loadsapixiedust]

Good choice Jan! It is a bit less scary being in traffic in a bigger vehicle too.

[Eagle88]

Re my previous reply, can anyone help me? I need to hire a 4 door vehicle that will take an English manual wheelchair but is NOT a van. She who must be obeyed will be driving this so it must be as small as I can make it whilst still having room in the boot for the wheelchair.

[keith&carol]

Hi,
DH says a chair should fit into the trunk of a stratus providing the footplates come off.

[Rebelrebel]

Can I join in too please.

We are having a manaual w/chair delivered to out hotel for DD, we have booked a fullsize car through Alamo, will the wheelchair usually fit this size boot? We will not have any luggage with us as she can walk short distances and wil not need it in the airport.

[Eagle88]

Thx Carol. We were looking at the Stratus as the others all look too small. It's a pity the American car manufacturers don't have a 'Motability' type web-site to make looking for this info soooo much easier.

[Rebelrebel]

Is a stratus a mid-size or a full-size?

[Eagle88]

According to all the Car-hire sites it's classed as an I4 (Intermediate). Virgin liken it to a Vauxhall Vectra.

[Rebelrebel]

Thanks, we have booked a full-size to give DD more legroom as there will be 4 of us using it, I guess we will just have to see what they have when we get there :)

[Eagle88]

Full size is up in the Mercedes size range. Think big....and comfortable.

[Rebelrebel]

We got fullsize last year (just hired the wheelchairs at the parks, but she's worse this year) but I didn't see any mercs :( :d: