Bracken
Standard Member
Sorry if I am covering old ground here, but I spent quite a long time attempting to find out if and how an electric wheelchair hoist could be fitted into an MG5 of any type. The answer previously was always fairly negative, but I can now assure anybody interested that it can be done. I have recently had a Smartlifter LM fitted into the back of my MG5 Trophy and it does work in that it lifts my Mobility Ahead, supposedly lightweight (27kgs) folding wheelchair. into the back of the car to sit alongside my disgruntled Springer Spaniel and while keeping the rear seats in full functional use. As with anything connected with disability it is not a cheap process costing £1845 VAT free. This can be organised by phoning the Autochair Company and they will put you on to one of their numerous subsidiaries ( it appears that they have virtually monopolised anything to do with car hoists). The LM variant has up, down, in and out movements. It will additionally fold down to be out of the way when the chair is loaded. It does load very close to the back bumper on this car so needs watching when lowering or lifting.
The swivel frame for the smartlifter is drilled through a rear chassis member and bolted through the underfloor. An upper fix is made through the inner bodywork inside the back door (this is fairly standard in all these fittings and is neatly done). The only real alteration to the functionality of the boot is that the loose floor panel has to be slightly cut away and is more difficult to remove if you have puncture - but you might as well call the AA anyway as the car has no jack or spare wheel - and good luck if you are disabled in the highlands of Scotland without a phone signal and sleeping bag!
I hope this may help and encourage a fellow disabled MG5 owner.
The swivel frame for the smartlifter is drilled through a rear chassis member and bolted through the underfloor. An upper fix is made through the inner bodywork inside the back door (this is fairly standard in all these fittings and is neatly done). The only real alteration to the functionality of the boot is that the loose floor panel has to be slightly cut away and is more difficult to remove if you have puncture - but you might as well call the AA anyway as the car has no jack or spare wheel - and good luck if you are disabled in the highlands of Scotland without a phone signal and sleeping bag!
I hope this may help and encourage a fellow disabled MG5 owner.
