Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Information
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Rear-entry wheelchair-accessible vans are specialized vehicles featuring modifications that allow a wheelchair to enter from the back of the van, typically facilitated by a ramp and a lowered floor system. These vehicles provide an efficient solution for wheelchair users to travel comfortably, avoiding the parking space width constraints often encountered with side-entry models. Rear-entry wheelchair-accessible vans offer flexibility, safety, and convenience, making them a preferred option for families, and wheelchair users who must travel with a caregiver.
Rear-entry wheelchair vans allow easy access, plenty of room for larger wheelchairs, and are less expensive than side-entry wheelchair conversions.
The fold-out rear-entry ramp system consists of an aluminum, powder-coated wheelchair ramp mounted inside the rear hatch of a minivan. It is split 50/50 to allow unobstructed visibility and easier deployment onto uneven ground. This ramp can be operated manually or under power based on the conversion model selected. However, most ramps today are manually operated. The ramp has a weight capacity of up to 1000 pounds!
In every rear-entry wheelchair van sold today, you will find one of the two ramp systems below. Each type is designed for a specific need and is one of the most important options to consider when searching for the correct type of rear-entry wheelchair van conversion.
The manual, fold-out rear-entry wheelchair van ramp is often found on vehicles used by transport companies and dedicated caregivers. A wheelchair user cannot use a rear-entry wheelchair van to drive from their chair. This is because during the wheelchair conversion process, the conversion starts from behind the front two seats.
For a wheelchair user to enter the vehicle, the manual ramp must be pulled down and out.
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CONS:
The power, fold-out rear-entry wheelchair van ramp is much harder to find. More and more companies have stopped producing this type of conversion and are only building manual ramp versions.
In a rear-entry power fold-out conversion, the ramp works identically to the manual ramp system, except the caregiver can open the rear hatch and deploy or stow the ramp with just a button.
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Despite the ramp type you choose from above, the vehicle chassis specifications are the other significant differences you will encounter when shopping for a new or used rear-entry wheelchair-accessible van. Because everyone is different in their seated height, abilities, etcetera, no one conversion or vehicle type can accommodate everyone. And just like people, every chassis manufacturer is also different, making every conversion type other based on the chassis chosen.
Therefore, when it comes down to it, the most important factors you must consider when shopping for a wheelchair-accessible van are the specifications themselves; door opening heights; door opening widths; ramp widths, and finally, the type or cut of the conversion itself. In most rear-entry wheelchair van conversions, there is also a long-cut or short-cut conversion. The long and short pertain to the length of the channel that runs through the middle of the vehicle. This channel is lowered and where the wheelchair user is transported.
In a long-cut wheelchair conversion, the channel for the wheelchair runs from the rear hatch to just behind the front seats. This channel stops behind the 2nd-row set of seats in a short-cut conversion. Most vehicles with a long-cut conversion generally have enough room for two wheelchairs (depending on the size of the chairs).
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when finding the proper chassis and conversion combination to address your needs. Therefore, to ensure you don’t make a costly mistake with your purchase, it is vitally important that you work with a certified mobility consultant. A consultant will work with you to ensure you purchase the right vehicle for your immediate and future needs. Plus, by working with an NMEDA-certified dealer, you’ll also be able to try out the fit and function of the different conversion & chassis types before making any buying decision. Because let’s face it… handicap-accessible vehicles are not cheap, and making a mistake on proper fit and function can not only be detrimental & costly but downright dangerous.
Please follow the links below if you want more information on rear-entry wheelchair vans, the types of conversions available, and the differences between the conversions & chassis themselves. By chassis type, we have arranged a convenient way to view the different product offerings by the two largest wheelchair van manufacturers globally, BraunAbility and Vantage Mobility.
