Wheelchair Accessible Vans - Buyers Guide

Instead of buying a brand new wheelchair van, you may want to consider a used wheelchair van look for Certified Pre-Owned Van if possible. Ideally, you want to meet a qualified driver evaluator about your particular needs, including limitations of the wheelchair user, seating requirements and additional mobility equipment that will need to be installed in the van.

From there, you'll want to contact companies like Midwest Mobility that are capable of reconditioning older used wheelchair vans. Also consider purchasing an extended warranty on the vehicle and conversion, it's a smart idea and can save you thousands in repair bills down the road.

To make your used wheelchair van more affordable, it would prove wise to talk with your insurance company about getting a good rate for your mobility van. You can also talk with organizations that offer nonprofit grant programs, veterans associations and state departments. You can also purchase a well-conditioned van at low cost and then take it to a mobility shop up fit the van to suit your particular needs.

If you are looked into buying a wheelchair van, then you may have heard about something called wheelchair van conversions. Put simply, a wheelchair van conversion
is where you take a van and make modifications and additions to make it capable of transporting a wheelchair user. It's a great alternative to spending over $40,000+ for a brand new wheelchair van. Plus, if you do a conversion, you can further customize your van (or a used one you buy) to meet your particular needs. All customizations must meet what are called the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

When it comes to wheelchair accessible minivan conversions, there are several ways you can go. Most conversions are side entry ramp systems with a 10" lowered floor. Keep in mind that the average minivan has a floor-to-ceiling height of about 48". With a minivan conversion, you can have a lowered floor that'll offer you 58". Inside the minivan conversion, the lowered floor would extend from the backseat to the firewall, which makes driving from your wheelchair possible.
Even though lowered floor-side-entry minivans are very practical, they are hard to set up. As the process involves cutting the main support beams that run front-to-rear of the van, then they insert a new sub-frame and then relocate the fuel tank to the space in between the rear axle and rear bumper. The bad news is, doing this wheelchair van conversion can negatively impact ride quality and sound levels.

Rear-entry conversions
on minivans are becoming more popular. It's easy to see why because with rear-entry conversions, the user can load and unload from just about any parking spot without worry of trying to get between cars. Also, rear-entry conversions don't require cutting the mini-vans structure. There are drawbacks though.

For instance, the wheelchair user won't be able to get into the driver position. Plus, the user must exit the vehicle backwards.

Then there are conversions for full-size vans. The benefits are that the standard floor-to-ceiling height of a full-size wheel chair van is usually more than enough for the wheelchair user. That means a significant reduction in wheelchair van conversions costs. Plus, full-size vans offer increased room for additional passengers and gear. And if the wheelchair user plans on driving, the full-size van will accommodate that.

Over the last few years, the world has become more and more accessible to the disabled. While all public buildings are required by law to be handicap accessible, many private businesses are choosing to make their buildings and facilities handicap accessible for both employees and customers.

Making It Easy to Get Moving

While it was once a painfully large investment to buy a handicapped van that had been equipped with a wheelchair lift, advances in the industry have led to more affordable ways to convert vans for the handicapped. Now, instead of needing a huge lift on a full-size van to transport someone who travels in a wheelchair, you have a wheelchair ramp installed into a lowered floor minivan. Consequently, you can buy a used mini-van that has been equipped to carry a wheelchair for less than it would cost you to buy a new full-size van without a conversion of any kind.

These converted mini-vans are very easy to use. The conversion modifications consists of having the whole vehicle lowered, so that a sturdy ramp is all that it takes to get a wheelchair inside. This change not only makes handicapped transportation more affordable, but also makes it a lot quicker and easier, too. Once the wheelchair is inside the van, it is easy to secure. All of the minivan conversions come with a 4-point tie down system that secure the chair while the van is moving. There is also a power lock down system available. Both options are equally secure, and are sure to hold any passengers safely in an accident.

The Problem
Renting a conventional car
Difficult and dangerous transfers into the vehicle (over 200 persons each year are seriously injured)
Many wheelchairs are difficult or impossible to stow, rendering a
conventional vehicle useless

Extremely heavy wheelchairs may cause safety issues for the vehicle and passengers
Stowing a wheelchair in inclement weather can cause weather related illness
Improper installation of hand controls can be a liability for all involved
 

The Solution
Renting a wheelchair/scooter accessible van
Lowered floor/Raised roof increases interior headroom, making transferring from a wheelchair or scooter into a vehicle unnecessary Vehicles are designed so that the occupant may remain in his or her wheelchair or scooter, so the mobility device does not have to be stowed

e secured with a 4-point crash tested securement system
With keyless remote entry, a wheelchair user is safely inside a vehicle within seconds
Accessible vans that are driver units have permanent hand controls and proper crash tested transfer seats

Insurance Replacement