How To Carry Jazzy Motorized Wheelchair With 2017 Chrysler Pacifica

Question:

I have a 2017 chrysler pacifica. we have a jazzy bariatric motorized wheelchair, it weighs 351 pounds. I would really like exterior lift to put on my hitch, I am worried about the tongue weight of the pacifica

asked by: Melissa M

Expert Reply:

Although the etrailer hitch is custom fit for the Pacifica and is designed to handle up to 400 lbs of tongue weight, the Pacifica is not rated for that much tongue weight. I researched the owner's manual for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica and the maximum tongue weight for the without a trailer tow package is 149 lbs of tongue weight. The maximum tongue weight for a Pacifica with a trailer tow package is 360 lbs of tongue weight. If you use an exterior lift to lift the motorized wheelchair, you will exceed the tongue weight capacity of the vehicle since the wheelchair is 351 by itself.

The best option you have to carry the Jazzy Motorized Wheelchair is to tow it with a small trailer like Detail K2 Mighty Multi Utility Trailer part # K2MMT4X6. I am not sure which model Jazzy Wheelchair you own but most of them them are about 25 inches wide. The Detail trailer is 72" long x 48" wide so the Jazzy fits inside of the trailer. Towing the Jazzy with a trailer evenly distributes the weight so all of the weight is not on your hitch as tongue weight. The trailer weighs 305 lbs plus the weight of the Jazzy at 351 lbs. Towing the wheelchair allows your tongue weight on the hitch to stay around 66-99 lbs.

For a ball mount I recommend Fulton Ball Mount part # F47CR with a 3 inch rise. You have about 12 inches from the trailer hitch receiver on the Pacifica to the ground and 16 inches from the coupler of the trailer to the ground. To tow level with the trailer, you need the a ball mount with a rise to make up for the difference between the two heights. For a ball that fits the ball mount I recommend part # 19260 with a 1 inch diameter shank that fits the ball mount and a 1-7/8" hitch ball to fit the trailer coupler.

You need a 4-flat on the vehicle to power the lights on the trailer, if you do not have wiring already. You need Tekonsha wiring harness part # 118723 if the Pacifica is an LX or Touring model. If the Pacifica is a Touring L, Touring L Plus, Touring Plus, Limited or Hybrid model you need Tekonsha wiring harness part # 118712.

The last thing you need is tie-down straps. I recommend tie downs with shock absorbers ShockStrap Cam Buckle Tie Down part # 297-19BR. The shock absorbers in the tie down strap help to absorb some of the vibration and bouncing around of the wheelchair that happens when you tow.