Mobility vans are designed and manufactured as ordinary passenger vans targeted at the mass market. A van conversion is the process where a van is customized with a wheelchair ramp or a wheelchair lift. The interior is also modified to provide easier and spacious access for disabled person on a wheelchair. When buying a mobility van you have to consider what you want from the vehicle, how much space you need in it, what colors you like, what wheelchair lift to put inside it, your preferences on interior color, brand, side doors, rear doors etc.

Safety

Safety is important for any vehicle. When it comes to safety all vehicles needs to be tested to see just how well they withstand in the event of an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sets specific standards to ensure a vehicle can endure impact from the front, back and both sides. While many are standard of regular vehicles, anytime a vehicle is modified, its best to ensure those safety measures are retained. In addition, when a vehicle contains a lift or ramp, it's important that safety issues surrounding those additions are considered. Any kind of modification made to the car will have an effect to it's rigidity and safety. Even though the original mobility vans have passed a crash test the converted van may not have been tested before. Please, choose only from manufacturers / seller that has passed the crash test for their conversion units.

When buying a mobility van

Like stair lifts, power wheelchairs or any mobility products, mobility modified vehicles have many options. It is important that you get the right vehicle for your needs. You should try vehicle before you buy. Not sure what you'll like best? Try renting vehicle first. Your dealer will reimburse rental fees if you end up purchasing the vehicle.

Big question also is to decide whether you'll buy directly from the dealer and get it converted at your local licensed adaptive equipment dealer, or buy a van from a mobility manufacturer, secondary modifier, a factory direct seller, or online. In a case of online shopping, be sure to try them out too. Different people have different needs and requirements. Also make sure you have a local service arrangement for your mobility van.

Full size van or mini van

The big difference between mobility converted full size and mini vans is that these firs one require a wheelchair lift, while a Mini Van uses a wheelchair ramp. Most of the disabled people feel more secure on a wheelchair ramp and there is always the very small chance that a wheelchair lift will fail leaving you stuck on your lift. Almost everyone who will drive the vehicle from their wheelchair will need to lower the floor of their vehicle. When seated in a wheelchair you are almost higher than a standard vehicle chair, so in order to see out of the vehicle properly the floor will need to be lowered. 6 to 10 inch drops are common for converted vehicles. Raising the roof has the advantage of making the vehicle easier to enter for the user and passengers.