Once you have made the decision on what wheelchair is right for you, the next step is to decide how are you going to get you and your new wheelchair from point A to point B. For many wheelchair users being able to stay mobile is not just about getting around the house, but getting to and from work, running errands, visiting friends and relatives, etc and having your wheelchair with them the whole time. Standard vehicles are not designed to safely transport a wheelchair bound individual and their chair. As such it is usually necessary to buy or have made a mobility modified vehicle.
Like power wheelchairs, mobility modified vehicles have many options. It is important that you get the right vehicle for your needs. Here are some common questions you should ask yourself before purchasing a vehicle:
Should I buy a New Converted Vehicle, a Used Vehicle I will have Converted, or a Used Vehicle someone else has Converted?
The first thing to consider when looking at used converted vehicles is that the average lifespan for the vehicle is 10 years, with the mobility adaption equipment sometimes even having fewer years before a breakdown. A used vehicle more than a few years old is a bad investment unless you get an amazing deal on it as it will breakdown soon. Also, if you are planning to convert a used vehicle the vehicle cannot be more than a few years old as most conversion companies no longer carry the necessary parts to convert older vehicles.
When evaluating a used vehicle for mobility conversion do all the normal things you would do when buying a used car:
- Find out if the vehicle is still under warranty or is a Certified User Car
- Have the vehicle inspected by a quality mechanic
- Get a CarFax or similar report based on the vehicle title
Work with a mobility conversion shop to evaluate your options. Break out all of the specific mobility conversion items you need for your vehicle and understand the pricing. Compare getting a new vehicle with those options vs. a used vehicle with existing options along with expected lifespan and make your decision.
Should I buy a Full Size Van or a Mini Van?
The big difference between mobility converted Full Size and Mini Vans is that Full Size Vans require a wheelchair lift, while a Mini Van uses a wheelchair ramp. Most wheelchair users 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.
Other advantages of the Mini Van are:
- Low average conversion price – Mini Vans usually cost ~$15,000 to convert while Full Size Vans usually cost ~$17,000
- Better traction – Most Mini Vans are front wheel drive, which give better traction than real wheel drive vehicles (Most Full Size Vans are rear wheel drive)
- Smaller size – Mini Van’s smaller size allows for easier maneuverability and parking
- More options – Since Mini Van’s are the most popular choice there is a wider array of options, so it is easier to get the customized vehicle you want
The advantages of a Full Size Van over a Mini Van are:
- More room – The greater size of the Full Size Van gives the user more room for themselves, their wheelchair, passengers and cargo, along with extended headroom
- Pull power – Full Size Vans are normally more powerful than Mini Vans which allows them to haul and tow larger loads if required
Should I lower the floor or raise the roof in my vehicle?
Everyone’s needs are different in this area and are dependent on vehicle size, wheelchair size, user size and personal preference. 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.
What options should I get on my mobility converted vehicle?
These are the two most popular additional conversion options for vehicles:
Remote Start – Remote start is a very important function for a disable person using a mobility converted vehicle from both a safety and a comfort standpoint. Vehicle access equipment such as lifts and ramps are automated and are powered by the vehicle. If the vehicle is turned off these features are powered by the vehicle battery. If your battery is weak or it is a cold day out, utilizing the access equipment off of the battery may completely drain the battery. This may cause the vehicle not to start or even worse trap the user inside the vehicle as the access equipment would no longer be working due to the battery being drained. The comfort advantage to a remote start feature is that the vehicle heater would be running before you entered the vehicle. If you live in a cold climate and have health issues, this could be the difference between a pleasant driving experience and a potentially unhealthy experience.
Remote Control Activation – Remote control activation allows the vehicle user to activate access equipment or other features of the vehicle from a distance. The access device to the vehicle generally takes 30 to 60 seconds to fully extend and be ready for vehicle access. For comfort and safety reasons a remote activation is a great addition. If you live in a cold or unsafe environment being able to instantly enter your vehicle and not loiter outside can be very helpful.
______ Lauren Hill has over 20 years experience in the medical consumer industry. She is now the PR Director of WheelchairForMe.com. Lauren is sharing her knowledge about power wheelchairs with great articles, blog posts and a heavy visited Twitter account. To learn more about some of the products discussed in this article please contact a WheelchairForMe.com Mobility Specialist by filling out this prequalification form or calling 877-359-2922. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/how-to-select-a-wheelchair-vehicle-1305635.html
Related Posts - Top Tips for driving if you suffer with a disability Having a medical condition or a disability does not necessarily mean that you can’t or won’t be able to drive. If you suffer with a mobility problem and you find that getting out and about is becoming a real struggle then you need to look at what your options are.......
- Mobility Scooters and Medicare Everyone would like a Mobility scooter to be covered by Medicare or their insurance company. The fact is insurance companies make it difficult for you to pass the requirements needed to qualify for the 80% return. Let alone paying for the whole thing. What if you had an edge? Here......
- A Guide To Buying New Or Used Stair Lifts Buying a home stair lift is a big decision, not to mention a major expense. If you are choosing a stair lift for you or a loved one is a series of points to consider to help you decide between a model of high-priced brand new or second hand cheaper.......
- Useful Tips On How To Buy A Power Wheel Chair Power wheel chairs are normally bought by individuals who do not have any other means of getting anywhere. These are good for long term use because of the way they are designed. Though standard wheelchairs are helpful they need a lot more upkeep and upper body strength that numerous individuals......
- Going back in time Going back in time. I was in the fortunate position to be able to sit and watch three youngsters dragging their soapbox up the hill to the designated start point, where the assault on their version of the land speed record would begin. This “chariot” in my opinion deserved nothing......
Related Websites - EarthTalk: Buy A New Car Or Keep The Old? Dear EarthTalk: Is it better to drive an older, well-maintained car that gets about 25 miles per gallon, or to buy a new car that gets about 35 miles per gallon? It definitely makes more sense from a green perspective to keep your old car running and well-maintained as long......
- Buying a car? 10 Ways to Get the Best Deal This is a guest post from Master Your Card. If you've never been there, it's worth a visit. Not only is the content top notch, but the design is one of the best I've seen. I can't help myself from clicking through to the articles. If you aren't too impressed......
- Always Get an Inspection from an Independent Mechanic When Buying a Car When making a vehicle purchase, itâs always a good idea to purchase a used car because they are much less expensive than buying new, and almost always the vehicle you are buying has a lot of life in it left. Someone else has taken the big initial hit on the......
- Ask M-Network: Should We Buy A New Or Used Car In This Economy? My Two Dollars reader Steven S. sent in the following question to the M-Network's new feature "Ask The M-Network": "My family needs another car, as our 16 year old Chevy just died and my wife has no way to get to work other than me dropping her off. We were......
- Why Should You Buy a Hybrid It is important to be brutally honest when it comes to why you should buy a hybrid. One of the top reasons why it would be in your best interest to buy a hybrid car is because when you buy a hybrid, it makes a really big statement about who......
Related posts:
- Used Mobility Vehicles Converting a new van or mini-van to a mobility vehicle...
- The Top Tips for Buying a Used Mobility Vehicle In many markets buying a new vehicle is expensive, adding...
- Moving Around in a Lightweight Wheelchair It can be very frustrating to us when we become...
- Saving on a Mobility Adapted Vehicle for You and Your Wheelchair The first thing many first time wheelchair users realize once...
- Different Types of Disabled Vehicles Available The reason for having disabled vehicles is in order for...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
