Also referred to as wheelchair-accessible vans, wheelchair vans are those made to offer easier access for wheelchair users. Manufacturers modify them by extending the floor and installing a lightweight ramp with a low-grade incline to make entry and exit easier.
Buying a wheelchair van can be daunting, especially if it's your first time. This is because of the many specification requirements and the various van models on the market.
Your budget is the first thing you need to consider when comparing wheelchair vans. Decide whether it is more affordable to modify a regular van or buy an already modified one.
You then have to determine whether you want a used or brand-new van. If you want a used one, ensure you get it inspected by a professional and test it to make sure you dont need to repair or replace anything soon. Research and compare different dealers to get the best quality and deals.
The second most important consideration is the size. While most are nearly the same size, some have higher ceilings and wider dimensions. To find the perfect size, you need to determine the size of your wheelchair and the height of the people going in the van.
The measurements you need to take include the height from the floor to the passenger's head when sitting on the wheelchair, the passenger's length while seated in the chair, including leg extension and any equipment on the chair's back, the wheelchair width at its widest point, the weight of the passenger and wheelchair, and the width of the wheelchairs wheels.
You also need to determine how many people will be carried in the van and if the person in the wheelchair will be the driver. Usually, if this is the case, the drivers' seats need to be removable. Another factor in determining the van's size is where you will park it. You must ensure it fits in the space when you fold and deploy the ramp.
This leads you to think about another feature of wheelchair vans. Do you need a side or rear-entry van? Your choice will affect the parking situation, the capacity of passengers the van can hold, and sitting positions.
Side-entry wheelchair vans are the most common on the market, and many people buy them for personal use, but you need to go over the pros and cons to decide which is right for you. One of the main advantages of a side-ramp van is that it can hold more wheelchairs and passengers.
It also gives the wheelchair user easy access to the front and passenger seats, is easier to park and access from the curbside, and has more trunk storage. Because of their popularity, it is easier to get a side-ramp van.
One downside is that you can't park anywhere because these vans require more space for ramp deployment.
Rear-entry wheelchair vans, on the other hand, are easy to park anywhere, have more legroom, offer more ground clearance, are ideal for wheelchair passengers and caregivers, and are more affordable because they dont require a lot of conversions.
The next decision is whether you want a fold-up or in-floor ramp. In-floor ramps slide inside a pocket under the van's floor while a fold-up ramp folds in half and comes up alongside the passenger door.
You also have to choose between an automatic and manual ramp. Automatic ramps are perfect if the wheelchair user is the driver because the key fob remote deploys the ramp, opens the door, and activates the kneeling feature. Manual ramps are more cost-effective but require the wheelchair user to have a companion.
