Is it Cheaper to Choose a Vehicle Conversion?

Are you trying to decide between a vehicle conversion for your existing van, buying a new or second hand accessible vehicle or simply renting wheelchair vans as you need the transportation? If so, you might be finding it difficult to determine which option makes the most sense economically, and which serves your mobility needs the best.

Vehicle conversions are a great choice for those mobility challenged passengers and drivers who already own a van of the right dimensions but that is too high off the ground or narrow inside to comfortably accommodate a wheelchair user. Rental vans, on the other hand are much better suited to people who don't want the commitment of owning and maintaining their own car and who travel infrequently or make use of public transport for short trips.

Rental vans are also very useful to mobility challenged people travelling in foreign countries who have had to leave their wheelchair vans behind. The availability of accessible vans for hire makes it easy for mobility challenged people to enjoy the freedom of self directed travel. For everyday comfort and freedom, however, a vehicle conversion is undoubtedly the best, and most economical choice.

This is because you only have to pay once to get your conversion completed, after which you can enjoy unlimited travel. By choosing a high quality accessibility company to complete the procedure, you can expect to have the floor of your van lowered, non-slip surfaces applied and a higher capacity rear suspension put in place. All of these vehicle conversion modifications improve your daily way of life and guarantee a long lasting cost effective mobility solution.

How to Choose Versatile Wheelchair Vans

Accessible vehicles can be fitted out with various different lifts, ramps and other equipment to make them easier to use and much more versatile. With moveable seats and slimline ramps, you can easily interchange between accommodating different passengers, with each individual occupant of the wheelchair vans enjoying the utmost comfort.

The configuration of ramps and entryways you choose will depend on the size of the wheelchair van you are after and the number of passengers you hope to carry at once. If you plan on accommodating free moving passengers as well as those with disabilities, you will need a versatile and multi-purpose van that can easily switch from a normal seating configuration to a special care mode.

For the best in versatility, choose a wheelchair van in a modern design that has been optimised for streamlined use. You should also consider other aspects such as running cost and long term reliability. Most wheelchair accessible vehicles on the market today are capable of carrying people with a variety of different needs, including configurations for holding four or more seated passengers or a mix of mobility challenged passengers and other occupants.

When selecting your accessible vehicle, you may want to choose some extra features that make the travelling experience more streamlined and enjoyable for everyone involved. These include a power ramp which allows for an easy, quick and non-jarring entrance into the vehicle for all passengers using a wheelchair and a lowered floor which makes the interior of the wheelchair van feel much more spacious and makes getting in and out of the vehicle easier for every passenger.

Tips for Selling Used Wheelchair Vans

If you have decided that it is time to trade in your old wheelchair van for a newer model, or if you have realised that you don't use your mobility vehicle enough to justify the cost of keeping it maintained, then you might find that selling your used wheelchair van online or through a dealer can bring significant benefits. When selling your unwanted wheelchair van, keep these tips in mind to make sure that you find the right buyer and make the most out of your sale.

• Scratches and Dents

Some damage to your wheelchair van is inevitable and there is no need to hide dints and gouges in the bodywork of the vehicle. If you give an honest portrayal of the condition of your mobility vehicle, you can speed up the selling process and are more likely to get genuine and practical offers from buyers.

• Conversion Details

Remember to include a comprehensive list of the conversions and modifications made on the wheelchair van in your ad to help buyers find the vehicle most suitable for their needs. Your potential buyers are most likely looking for a specific mobility solution so you don't want to miss a sale by forgetting to mention a driving adaptation!

•  Making the Sale

It might seem obvious, but it still needs saying: don't give the keys away until you have been paid in full! Only accept cash, not a personal cheque, and make sure to write up a simple receipt stating the make and model of the mobility vehicle and the sale price.

Wheelchair Accessible Vans – Changing Lives

It is hard to survive in this fast world with physical disability. But today, physically challenged people are not sorry any more. They are now blessed with wheelchair accessible vehicle which can take them to any place they wish, that too without taking any assistance. This is surprising and motivational as well. These vans allow disables to drive the vehicle by their own. It is a great feeling of freedom and satisfaction of moving to far distance independently.

Wheelchair accessible vehicle is a revolutionary achievement in the field of technology. These vans are quite different from the regular vans. They include several features and equipments to suit the necessities of disables. All wheelchair accessible vehicles are not alike. They all vary depending on the type of disability the driver is suffering from and their individual necessities. Adaptable vans are available either as pre-converted vehicle or simple van to be converted later. Each of them is chosen according to the requirement, but most of the people prefer to have van without any conversion and later they convert according to their necessities. This is beneficial and useful as well, as you get to convert it with you own requirements.

Both new and used wheelchair accessible vehicle are available, though the new model may cost you high. Yet, it is beneficial as it can be sold if user doesn’t find its necessity any more. If the warranty period is still longer and the vehicle is in good condition, it is likely that user will get a good selling price.

Why Should I Get A Wheelchair Lift?

There are two reasons why you may currently, or one day, need a wheelchair lift in your vehicle. The first is that you may be elderly or have a disability that requires you to use a wheelchair, and the second is that you may be the carer for someone who is wheelchair bound.

For many people, a wheelchair lift can give them a new lease on life. If you yourself are wheelchair bound, a lift would give you the opportunity to get out of the house more and to do so in comfort. If you care for someone who is elderly or disabled, a lift can reduce the physical strain placed on you as it minimises heavy lifting and allows you to easily assist a disabled individual. This can be especially significant as people who may have before needed help to transport a wheelchair (such as the elderly, or pregnant women) are now able to do it themselves at the touch of a button.

If you have decided that you should invest in a wheelchair lift, you have two options: to buy a pre-modified vehicle, or to have your existing vehicle (if it is suitable) fitted with a wheelchair lift mechanism. Most mini-vans, buses and 4-wheel-drive type vehicles are suitable for such an installation.

Lifts can also be fitted in a way that best suits the vehicle and the type of wheelchair needing to be transported. A single-arm platform lift is only used for side-entry to a vehicle and is handy for cars that have minimal interior space (as it doesn’t take up much room). On the other hand, a dual-arm platform lift takes up a lot of interior space and, so, is often mounted in the back of the vehicle.

The purchase of a wheelchair lift is an important decision that anyone who is in a wheelchair or who cares for someone needing one should consider.

How Big does Your Wheelchair Van Need to be?

These days, wheelchair vans come in all shapes and sizes. With modern ranges giving you a much more varied choice than the traditional bulky accessible vehicles, you can choose a vehicle to suit your needs and wants exactly. Before you buy an accessible van, however, you should probably put some thought into how big your vehicle needs to be.

The smaller accessible vehicles have an instant appeal because of their stylish, compact look. Driving a compact wheelchair van allows for a more 'normal' driver and passenger experience and removes the stigma of the traditional accessible vehicles. The very small wheelchair vans, however, may compromise on comfort and spaciousness in favour of style, and will only be able of carrying one mobility challenged passenger. That said, if you want to drive your own accessible vehicle, a small vehicle will give the most liberating feel.

If you will regularly, or even infrequently, need to drive more than one mobility challenged passenger, a larger accessible vehicle is a more appropriate choice. There are many models available which comfortably fit a few mobility challenged passengers at a time, as well as some more able bodied passengers. With larger accessible vehicles it is important that you ensure each passenger space allows a clear window view for the passenger, so that they don't feel boxed in.
Another crucial feature in large wheelchair vans, as well as in accessible vehicles generally, is easy and quick loading of wheelchairs. This is important in making every journey more enjoyable, whether it is a major trip or just a run to the shops.

How Vehicle Conversions are Beneficial for Disables

Being disabled is tough when you find yourself immobile and fully dependent on others for moving to far distance, but not anymore. Vehicle conversions have come up as an instant solution for those having partial disability. People having lower body non-functional now have reasons to be happy. By converting their regular vehicle into wheelchair accessible van, they can experience the joy of driving vehicle of their own. Thanks to the advancement in science and the teams of scientists which are working hard to provide them the chance to live normal life. They have invented several equipments and accessories that can add convenience to the driver having disability.

The best part is that, even after vehicle conversions, it can be driven by normal drivers, having both the options to use. Using such conversions they can independently drive without any external assistance. A vehicle can be converted fully into a wheelchair accessible vehicle by installing accessories and fitting, like hand controls, pedal modifications, wheelchair docking, multifunctional control, parking assistance, seat modification, breaks and accelerators, electric steering and so on. These equipments are completely safe and are meant to simplify vehicle driving.

Besides, these adaptations are easy to install and fits in almost all vehicles. Even you can install by reading the help book provided with the product. However, it is advisable to hire some professional for this work so that safety features do not get compromised. After all, your safety is above all. Readily available adaptation tools for vehicle conversions have truly made the life of disables seamless and independent.