question about van conversions

[melalthia]

Not sure if this is the right forum to post this, but I was curious about rear-entry van conversions.

Backstory: My mom is still walking, driving and generally mobile... eventhough she's compltely lost her ability to talk. I just moved her in to a guesthouse on our property. I don't know what the time frame will be when she may loose her ability to drive.. .but i'm trying to plan ahead. My husband and i are a family of four (two small children.) and currently we drive a suburu outback. My husband is the stay-at-home parent and does a lot of driving. The outback is killing his back, so we think it be good to upgrade to a minivan for a few reasons:

1)The drivers seat is more ergonomical in most mini-vans.
2) With my mom living with us, it be great to have more room so all of us can go in one car if we want to.
3) Eventually she will be in a wheelchair and it will be useful to have it converted.

So here's my question: In doing the research, we are thinking a rear-entry would be the best bet. But because my mom isn't in a wheelchair yet and we have no idea when that may occur... we hesitate buying a fully converted van from the start. She would not be driving this car. But in doing the research, i'm noticing a couple of oddities.

1)There are limits on what cars you can actually DO rear entry conversions to. Millage requirements, etc. So far, i only see companies that do rear entry conversions on Chrysllers and Fords. I see side entry conversions for Hondas and Toyotas. Is there a reason for this? Can you not do rear entry conversions on a Toyota Sienna?

2) The conversions cost 20,000 or more. It seems to be much cheaper to buy a used van that has already been converted. But like i said, i hesitate to do that. Mostly because I don't want to freak my mom out.

So what are the limitations on rear-entry minivans? And are their other options besides buying one that has already been converted? I'm so confused with this van business and what would be the best option for my family.

 

[joelc]

Why don't you wait until you actually need a wheelchair accessible van?

The Chrysler mini van is the cheapest and easiest to convert to side entry as it already has a dropped floor because of the stow-and-go feature they have.

Best bet, in my opinion, is to go on-line and check out the manufacturers of modified vans. It is definitely cheaper to purchase an already modified van than to do the conversation on a van you have.

 

[sadiemae]

We have a Town and country Chrysler side entry. If you do buy a van, then convert it, you will be without a vehicle for a couple of months while the conversion is done. If you do get another vehicle check to make sure you could put a lift on the back to carry the chair. Our Toyota 4 runner would not support the weight of his wheelchair(300lbs) A lift on the back would allow you to transport the chair with you, but your mother would need to be able yo transfer into the vehicle. Our neighbors bought a KIA mini van, and his wifes power chair is carried on the back with a lift. It is easier and cheaper to buy a van already converted. HUGS Lori

 

[melalthia]

joel, thanks for your response!

I'm sorry if i wasn't clear. I would wait, except i don't just need a minivan for my mom. I have small kids and a husband with a bad disc who needs a bigger car with better head room. So i'm trying to kill two birds with one stone and plan ahead. Because of this, i am having a quandary about what would be the best solution. Buy one already converted in advance... or wait, buy a van now... and convert it later? If money wasn't an issue.. i'd just wait and convert because buying one already converted is going to freak my mom out. I dont' want to cause her any unnecessary stress.. but I think you are right. It looks like conversion is going to be mucho more expensive.

So here's another question: If you have side entry conversion... you permanently lose the front back seat, right? Which means you only have one set of passenger seats for the back of the van?

 

[melalthia]

We have a Town and country Chrysler side entry. If you do buy a van, then convert it, you will be without a vehicle for a couple of months while the conversion is done. If you do get another vehicle check to make sure you could put a lift on the back to carry the chair. Our Toyota 4 runner would not support the weight of his wheelchair(300lbs) A lift on the back would allow you to transport the chair with you, but your mother would need to be able yo transfer into the vehicle. Our neighbors bought a KIA mini van, and his wifes power chair is carried on the back with a lift. It is easier and cheaper to buy a van already converted. HUGS Lori

ooooo.....Good to know! Thanks Lori!

 

[John1]

.............
So here's another question: If you have side entry conversion... you permanently lose the front back seat, right? Which means you only have one set of passenger seats for the back of the van?

Yes, the wheelchair/scooter goes where the middle row of seats was originally. Just to reiterate, buying an already converted van makes more sense financially and logistically than arranging for a conversion. Depending on your mother's progression rate, why not buy what you need for yourself and then trade it/sell it when the time comes for a conversion van. BTW, I bought a 1999 Chrysler Town and Country with a Braun conversion (side) five years and nearly 100,000 miles ago for $16,000 US. It has been great. I'm still driving it and have put less than $3,000 into it over that period. The renovation part is pretty trouble free. I've had the ramp adjusted twice.

 

[melalthia]

Depending on your mother's progression rate, why not buy what you need for yourself and then trade it/sell it when the time comes for a conversion van.

John,
It's so funny you say this because when i got home last night and talked to my husband... this is the plan we decided made the most sense. Thanks for the advice!
-m

 

[georgia]

"trade it/sell it when the time comes for a conversion van"
Yes and No that would depend on how you are buying it. You wouldn't want to be upside down on a loan. If you had what you needed now then need a conversion in 6 months then you only kept it 6-8 months and didn't need it. It would be hard to keep that ball in the black. No easy answers.

 

[marya]

Just read the thread - I am just starting to look at minivan with lift for power wheel chair etc. An acquaintance told us about a car dealership that buys and sells pre-owned vehicles that are already outfitted for wheelchair and lifts and stuff. He said the place is up north, so I just looked up on the internet. There is a place in Michigan called Freedom Motor. I don't know if that is helpful information, but thought I would pass it along - I have no idea if they good, bad, or ugly - Just passing along if it helps. Mary

 

[Harold]

I only read part of the thread....so some may be redundant. Looked to us like there were several problems with rear entry --- 1. If you exit while in a parking lot you'll be exiting into the lane of traffic. 2. parking lots often have "van accessible" slots that give you 6-8 feet to the side...nothing like that for rear entry. 3. the wheelchair passenger is ALWAYS relegated to the back seat---With a side-entry you'll put them up front where they can enjoy the ride, scenery, conversations, able to change temps., adjust the radio, and be part of your life.
We went with a Chrysler Town & Country. REALLY (! ! ! ! ! ) like it, but I'm a confirmed US-only nameplate person, so there's a bit of bias there. The Chrysler had all of our needs. We got a VMI conversion with in-floor ramp. The fold-out ramps were a bit less expensive but you can't use the side door without using the ramp. With the slide-out ramp you can open the door and not use the ramp. ALso the side-entries almost always have kneeling capabilities. This may be an interim advantage for a PALS while they're not yet wheelchair bound. I know it was for my wife. For about 2 months she was able to more easily get into the Chrysler because we could lower the elevation of the car.
One draw-back to all conversion vans...they have LOTS of other bells & whistles on them and LOTS more things to go wrong. It's important (VERY IMPORTANT) to build a good relationship with your local conversion van dealer so they're responsive to your needs, help you figure out what's wrong, and give you little tips on things that can make your life easier. ENJOY THE RIDE! (or as my wife --- the PALS -- says, "Read the comics first, eat dessert, then get on with it."