Having a lift installed for ECV??

[RNMOM]

DH and I just bought a Toyota Sienna (2007 and slightly used) so we can't get the mobility credit for the accomodation. I have been looking online at lifts and am really perplexed as which type is best. I have a heavy duty scooter that weight 178 lbs. I am leaning toward the type that installs fits on the hitch and lifts the scooter into the hatch. I can't use one that attaches like a trailer as we live in NEOhio and the weather is not such to allow that.

Have you gotten a lift and do you have any opinions about what to look for? I will appreciate any and all advice.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would first of all email or call the companies to see which would fit your vehicle and ECV. They might not all fit. From there you can get your list to compare.
Also important is making sure you have someone in reasonable drving distance that can fix/do the installation and maintenance on it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I am in the process of purchasing a new vehicle and have been planning to purchase an external ECV lift to go with it.

Basically you have to look at the tongue capacity of the Sienna. Basically the tongue capacity is 10% to 12% of the tow capacity. For example, a Ford Edge states both a 3500 pound tow capacity and a 350 pound tongue capacity.

I have seen three manufacturers, all of whom have good products. The three, with their web sites, are www.bruno.com www.harmar.com and www.pridemobility.com All of them will work with either a Class II or Class III hitch.

Most of them say they will handle ECVs up to 300 pounds. You have to be careful when looking at the specifications of ECVs; many of them give the weight without the batteries. The batteries for the larger (full size) ECVs tend to weight either 24.5 pounds or 32.5 pounds each.

Generally the weight of the lift is about 90 pounds; if you get a swing-away that will add additional weight. So you have to look at the weight of the ECV plus the batteries plus the lift plus the swing-away, and make sure that the total of all the numbers does not exceed the capacity of the Toyota.

As far as which brand of lift to purchase; they are all fairly similar in price and capacity; I think you decision would be the brand which is supported by the dealer from whom you have purchased the ECV.

 

[pugdog]

I know I have seen a lift that fits in the seat brackets inside the van. Can't remember who at this time but it is out there.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

First be sure that the scooter will fit in the vertical space in the back of your van including the height of the lift if it is a swing out type. I have a lift Bruno lift that I have had in my Ford Minivan for about 9 years now, and when the car gave out, we bought another windstar van with the same design, in my case a 2004 because that is the last year they had the same design, and then had the lift reinstalled in the new vehicle. but when we were looking and considering other options we found many vans did not have the height and some had lip in the back that interferred. Also cars with seats that fold into the floor are often not good with lifts.
Anyway my Bruno lift is still going strong, my new scooter is a Lengend and weighs a LOT and no problems.

 

[RNMOM]

Wow you all gave me some great things to investigate. Thanks a lot.

Our van does have seat that go into the floor and that has been my perplexion. Time to do some more research.