The decision to purchase a wheelchair van and have it converted with mobility equipment is a major one. Always consult with your local NMEDA Mobility Equipment Dealer BEFORE buying a vehicle to be converted to be wheelchair accessible. Luckily, R & J Mobility Service is here to help. Not only are we NMEDA dealers in good standing, we are also a participant of their Quality Assurance Program (QAP).
One of the most important things to consider in choosing between a full size van and a minivan is the engine cover.
- How far does it extend into the vehicle?
- Does the engine cover become an obstacle to easy transfer or swiveling?
Occasionally, people have suffered injury to their feet, ankles and legs because their feet got caught between the engine cover and the seat. People who need additional space would require a full size van, versus a minivan.
Another item to consider is the height of head space. Measure from the floor to the roof and then determine your seated height, obtained by measuring from the floor to the top of the head when you’re seated in a wheelchair. If you plan to drive or ride from your wheelchair you need enough room for movement. The necessary head space in a full size van may be acquired by raising the roof (i.e., by cutting out the factory roof and adding a higher fiberglass top). There are several roof brands and models available, along with the cosmetics needed for an attractive van after the conversion.
If you are purchasing a full size van to use with a wheelchair lift, you will need a long wheel base or an extended body. This will give you ample room to maneuver your wheelchair when entering and exiting the van.
Don’t forget to measure the doors, as well. If, for any reason, you cannot bend your head forward, you should ask our Certified Mobility Consultants about raised doors. These are doors in which a lift is installed. Raised doors have an extra panel of metal welded to the top of each door, simply because the top needed for raised doors is difference than standard doors. Thus, if you have your van converted but do not include raised doors, all of the interior may need to be removed to install the proper top for raised doors – an unnecessary expense.
At R & J Mobility Service, we offer full-size van conversions by two of the industry’s top manufacturers:
In addition, R & J Mobility Service proudly offers our custom full-size van conversions.
We are able to convert these full-size vans:
- Chevrolet Express Series
- Dodge Ram Van Series
- Ford E-Series
- GMC Savana Series
These wheelchair accessible vans are available in a variety of configurations and can come complete with:
- Raised side or rear doors
- Raised fiberglass top, painted to match your vehicle
- Wheelchair lift
- Wheelchair securements
- Ambulatory seating
- Plywood subfloor with vinyl covering
Optional equipment like R & J Mobility’s exclusive running boards, grab bars, safety accessories and much more are also available.
