I've been researching reliable driver accessible vehicle options...I currently have a Honda Odyssey with a VMI conversion and I dont want another one like it. I used to have a Toyota Sienna and liked it much better. It did have ground clearance issues, but not as many as the Honda. Ive ruined three mufflers on this Honda on these poorly maintained roads. I also drove my Toyota on poorly maintained roads and scraped the bottom numerous times, but never ruined a muffler. I use a power wheelchair and travel a good bit. I currently transfer from my power chair to the driver's seat and drive with hand controls. Ground clearance wise, I wish for a pickup truck or SUV...however, it does rain a fair amount here so I do need to consider that for entry/exit options...so far the Toyota Sienna minivan with VMI seems the best overall option, but it is a minivan...and I'm very tired of all the hassle I've had with my current vmi conversion, not working consistently or having to use the backup system anytime the weather goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit...or any other random time...and yes, it's maintained professionally but still only works sporadically as intended...maybe vmi has upgraded since 2012...🤷♀️ If I could have my dream vehicle, I think it would be a Toyota SUV- being enclosed like a minivan, but higher off the ground. Why doesn't there seem to be any Toyota SUV or truck options out there?! Maybe you're in a similar mobility situation and have a reliable vehicle with good ground clearance that you like? Any input? Thanks!
-
Last edited by Carolyn; 22 Apr 2023, 4:26 PM. -
Please complete your profile with you date of birth and location. Thanks. (KLD)The SCI-Nurses are advanced practice nurses specializing in SCI/D care. They are available to answer questions, provide education, and make suggestions which you should always discuss with your physician/primary health care provider before implementing. Medical diagnosis is not provided, nor do the SCI-Nurses provide nursing or medical care through their responses on the CareCure forums. -
How do you access your vehicle? Ramp? Lift? Lift seat? With a ramp they often have to LOWER the floor so that the ramp is not too steep when deployed. If you can use a lift seat or a truck lift (and can afford these) there are other options. Examples below:
The SCI-Nurses are advanced practice nurses specializing in SCI/D care. They are available to answer questions, provide education, and make suggestions which you should always discuss with your physician/primary health care provider before implementing. Medical diagnosis is not provided, nor do the SCI-Nurses provide nursing or medical care through their responses on the CareCure forums.Comment
-
My husband Danny just got an ATC conversion truck. He enters like your picture number 1. He’s had it almost 2 months. He/we love it but we did have a little mishap this week. The goldwing door was stuck open! Long story short apparently when new it takes a while for the system to “break in” which results in intermittent celenoid issues. The fix? Tap on the celenoid with something like a little hammer. Believe it or not it works and right from the CEO of manufacturer!Comment
-
I really wish that first option was available for a Toyota pickup truck...The last one probably isn't so feasible due to all the rain we get...I currently have a Honda Odyssey minivan with a VMI ramp, but have been disappointed...other types of entry/exit I'd consider! I'm probably hoping against hope that a Toyota SUV or pickup truck option is available that I haven't seen...
.Comment
-
KLD - yes - solenoid. 😊. Sorry - I couldn’t check spelling very well. Carolyn it’s a 2021 Chevy Silverado - actually the three solenoids work different mechanisms. One works the goldwing, one works the chair/ramp to swing in and out and the other works the chair/ramp up and down. With regard to the goldwing getting stuck thankfully that isn’t as much of an issue for the “patient” because he/she can get out and tap the solenoid themselves. It’s a good question to pose about what if the other solenoids go wonky…that could be challenging if the driver was alone. I hope this helps.Last edited by Nickib; 22 Apr 2023, 6:33 PM.Comment
-
P.S. and yes these are all custom jobs. We are VERY BLESSED to have had OVR (PA) pay the $39k for just the conversion. We bought the truck and they paid ATC for the conversion. In all fairness my wonderful husband who has been a paraplegic for almost 23 years (T-9/10 incomplete) goes to work every. Single. Day. That is why OVR paid for the conversion.Comment
-
I was lucky enough to have OVR here in Michigan help with the cost of my conversion when I was first looking to purchase a vehicle 15 years ago. It was a great moment in my life as it allowed me to get back to work and have been ever since. For fear of not getting assistance again, I’ve been patching my van together every year. It is getting too the point where that is not wise in terms of money spent.
What was you and your husband’s experience with OVR the second time? any different the second time with them then it was the first time? I was under the impression that they would feel like I have a job now so I shouldn’t be asking for assistance.
-
-
I have only bought vehicles that were already converted...what kind of company does custom conversions?Comment
-
Depending on where you live and your situation here in PA my husband BOUGHT his last two trucks - and even his van from dealers and then went through OVR to have them converted. I know people buy vehicles already converted but that was not the case for him.Comment
-
OVR = Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. DORS = Dept. of Rehabilitation Services. DVR = Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation.
There are other names for different states, and different regulations for each related to provision of adapted vehicles. For example, in my state (CA) they will not purchase you a vehicle to get to work or school if you can also access school or your worksite on paratransit or public transportation. (KLD)
-
Full size vans used to be great. Now they have crap for people in wheelchairs at high price junk.ArtComment
-
Carolyn - I don’t know about specific independent shops but with the situation here three dealerships bid and the lowest bid wins. This time my husband dealt with a Toyota dealership even though his truck is a Chevy which we bought months prior to his approval. ATC does the “chop” (actual vehicle modification) in Indiana state and then the dealership adds the EZ-lock for the wheelchair and hand controls. If you’re looking for specific shops to do the work I suggest you contact ATC directly. Just search ATC vehicle modifications and that should give you contact info. Hope this helps. Good luck!Comment
-
Jmiller- this is my husband’s third experience with OVR - second for me. It has changed as far as people retired and apparently - in PA - rules and guidelines change constantly especially since pandemic. That being said - again here in PA - the rule is 10 years or 100,000 miles FOR SOMEONE WHO IS WORKING- is the main qualifier. It is definitely worth a phone call to start the process as here it takes MONTHS! Danny purchased his truck 01/2022 (it is a new 2021) because we didn’t know what prices were going to do and it seemed like a good idea at the time. In hindsight, although it’s a beautiful truck and we both like it - a lot - it maybe was a little premature on our part. There are things his 2013 has that the 2021 does not - like radio and calling on the steering wheel. That’s on me and the salesman because of course he couldn’t even get into the truck until after it was modified. He started “working” with OVR in May 2022 and it was a VERY SLOW PROCESS. He picked it up - modified - from the dealer 02/27/2023. So - if you are thinking about trying to get a new vehicle START NOW! Best of luck to you!Comment
-
Thank you!Comment
-
The response I got from ATC is that their system is designed for Chev/GMC trucks and SUVs which are built using the imperial system. Their conversions won't work on Toyota trucks and SUVs because they're built using the metric system.Comment
-
Ok, Wow, so many "little" details that make a difference on the possibilities! Thanks for checking on that for me!Comment
Comment