Harmar AL500HD: a heavy-duty hitch lift made for power chairs

If you drive with a power wheelchair, the question is often where the chair rides. The Harmar AL500HD Heavy Duty Universal Power Wheelchair Lift answers it by putting the chair outside, on a powered platform at the back of the vehicle. Your cargo area and seats stay as they are. The AL500HD is new to our shelf.

A lift designed for power chairs

Harmar lists one kind of device for this lift: power wheelchairs. The AL500HD is the heavy-duty version of the AL500. On its product page, Harmar says the lift is designed to carry a power chair without requiring changes to the chair for travel. Lifting and folding are fully powered.

The chair sits on what Harmar calls a Stars-N-Stripes aluminum deck and is held by four self-tensioning Q'Straint retractors. Being self-tensioning, the retractors take up their own slack once they are attached to the chair.

Could it work for you?

Harmar lists minivans, SUVs, trucks and vans as suitable vehicles. Think about the AL500HD if:

• You use a power wheelchair that weighs up to 400 lb.
• Your vehicle has a Class III or greater hitch, or can have one fitted.
• You would rather not give up interior space to the chair.

Harmar asks that you confirm your car's compatibility with a Harmar dealer before relying on the swing-away option. Our fit check gathers your vehicle and chair details so that question is settled before anything is ordered.

Specifications

From Harmar's AL500 / AL500HD page:

• Lifting capacity: 400 lb
• Accommodates: power wheelchairs
• Installed weight: 77 lb
• Platform: 26 in x 39 in
• Hitch: Class III or greater
• Power: fully powered lifting and folding
• Securement: 4 self-tensioning Q'Straint retractors
• Vehicles: minivans, SUVs, trucks and vans
• Options: battery pack, cover, license plate riser, MultiView backup camera, swing-away

Two options deserve a moment. A chair carried outside meets rain, dust and road spray, which is where a cover helps. And if you depend on a camera when reversing, ask about the MultiView backup camera Harmar offers for this lift.

Included

Harmar ships these with the lift:

• AL123HD class III heavy duty hitch adapter
• AL107 hitch post
• License plate mount

Warranty

Harmar's vehicle lift warranty covers the AL500HD. Its main terms are:

• Parts, defined as material, mechanical and electrical components, are covered for three years.
• Exclusions include labor cost, batteries, paint, rust and covers, plus maintenance and adjustments.
• Defects in the vehicle on which the lift is installed are not covered.
• The warranty starts on the date of initial installation, and the certificate goes back to Harmar within 10 days.
• Installation must be done by an Authorized Harmar Distributor or Certified Harmar Installer.
• The warranty is transferable as long as the application is approved by Harmar's Compatibility Calculator.

Installation and pricing

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation.

Whether you need a new hitch, a swing-away or a camera all changes the final cost, so the AL500HD does not carry a shelf price. Use the fit check on the product page: it asks about your vehicle and chair and then shows the price for your setup. Delivery by state is explained on our shipping by state page.

Related lifts

• Harmar AL560XL Automatic Extra Large Universal Power Wheelchair Lift, with a padded hold-down arm
• Harmar AL580-HDX High Capacity Lift for Large Mid-Wheel Power Wheelchairs
• Harmar AL100HD Heavy-duty Universal Scooter Lift, if you ride a scooter

Or browse every vehicle lift.

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See the Harmar AL500HD Heavy Duty Universal Power Wheelchair Lift on Faith Mobility.

Sources

• Harmar: AL500 / AL500HD Universal Power Wheelchair Lift
• Harmar: Vehicle Lift Three Year Transferable Warranty (PDF)