Mobility Scooter Carrier Setup for a 2018 Kia Sportage  

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Prior to loading your 2018 Kia Sportage, you'll want to verify your vehicle's maximum tongue capacity and towing capacity to ensure that your vehicle's engine will be able to handle the weight. The total weight of the scooter, plus carrier, will need to be less than this capacity to safely transport the scooter.

With your Class III hitch, part # e72TR you can use larger, ramped carriers to make loading and unloading the scooter easier. I've attached our install video of this hitch so you can get familiar with the process, and see the height and ground clearance of your hitch when installed on a 2018 Kia Sportage. For reference, your vehicle will have 11 inches of ground clearance to the bottom of the hitch.

For a carrier, I recommend staying lighter because you have a lighter mobility device, helping you stay within the capacity of the vehicle. Specifically, Flint Hill Goods 29" x 49" Carrier w/ 60" Ramp - 2" Hitch - 500 lbs # FHG69ZR is a great fit for your needs. At 77 pounds it's one of the lightest carriers available.

The angle at the top of the ramp may be a little difficult to guide the scooter on, so be sure to exercise care when loading.

This carrier doesn't come with a locking hitch pin, so I recommend adding a locking anti-rattle pin, part # 63232. This will help the carrier be more stable and reduce the risk of damage to the scooter.

You will need some tie downs to secure the scooter to the Brophy carrier. I recommend Erickson's retractable push button ratchet straps, part # 34414. These are easy to use and maintain and can be quickly put into the vehicle while the scooter is unloaded.

I've included a video review of each of these products so you can get an idea of how they work in practice.

expert reply by: Jacob W

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