Hitch for Transporting Wheelchair Lift and Wheelchair on 2015 Nissan Quest

Question:

I have a 2015 nissan quest. I need a receiving hitch for a wheelchair lift. the one we have is so low to the ground. I believe it is a curt brand. is there a class II that would fit closer. this one is round and i was wondering if there is one that is heavy duty but more flat up against the bottom of the van. the one we have now really drags in dips and i am afraid of what will happen with 4-5 adults in the van at one time. Can one even be designed where the 2inch receiver comes out past the bumper and then up so that the lift is higher. we already have the extension hitch that is higher.

asked by: Tammy R

Expert Reply:

To transport a wheelchair lift (and wheelchair) on your 2015 Nissan Quest you will need a 2-inch Class III type trailer hitch. A class III hitch will have the capacity needed for the typical combined weight of the carrier and the chair itself.

I recommend the Draw-Tite hitch # 75714 for its 525-lb tongue weight capacity. An installation video is linked. You'll want to check your Quest owner's manual to confirm the car's own tongue weight rating, which could be more or less than the hitch's. The lower rating becomes the overall capacity for the combined system. The combined weight of the carrier and chair must remain with both the car's and the hitch's rated tongue weight capacity.

Hitch adapters are a tough subject. I realize you need one for ground clearance. The Quest does sit pretty low to start with. The trouble is that ANY such hitch extender/adapter/riser has the unavoidable side-effect of cutting your hitch capacity in half. This is due to the extra leverage applied to the hitch (and the car's frame) when the weight load is further out from the back of the car.

The hitch I recommended has a 525-lb tongue weight capacity; this instantly becomes 262-lbs when you use an extension like # MPG544. If the combined weight of the carrier and chair remains within this reduced capacity then you may be okay.

Please let me know the shank size and weight of the carrier, and the weight of the chair, and I will be glad to help you find a solution.

expert reply by: Adam R