Little bit of background. I was born with Spina Bifida (L2 para) Been a full time wheelchair user since I was 3. I got my driver license a few years ago. Been driving a Ford Focus hatchback with Hand controls and have a Tilite wheelchair. Well long term wheelchair use coupled with a weak core and I?m a very petite female (5ft 95 lbs). Lifting my chair on a daily basis is just too much strain on my back and shoulders. I am just starting to look into a vehicle that I can just roll right in and transfer to the drivers seat. I?m really not ready or think I need a van. I?m looking into some type of an SUV. Any tips how to make the purchase the most cost effective..I?m in sticker shock right now. Or an personal stories of things to keep a eye out that a sales person might not tell me? Can I take a used Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer and get it converted with a ramp after the fact? Total newbie in this territory looking for some guidance how to go about this purchase. My local mobility works has bee servicing my hand controls in my Focus. but they are totally in it fior making the sale and not looking out for my needs so I really don?t trust what they say when it comes to this purchase. Any help or advice how to get this started would be appreciated!
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Sounds like you need a ramped mini-van, not an SUV, but here is a modified Honda Pilot that might meet your needs, although it is not configured for driving from your chair. You would have to transfer and install a transfer seat:
https://www.vantagemobility.com/mobi...s/honda-pilot/
Here is one that is actually a platform lift (not a ramp) that can for either a truck or SUV:
https://www.freedommotors.com/wheelc...elchair-trucks
None of these are going to be cheap. You might be able to find used with some searching.
(KLD)Last edited by SCI-Nurse; 17 Feb 2019, 5:26 PM.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. -
Searching Google, "Wheelchair Accessible SUV," I found these links and more:
https://www.mcmobilitysystems.com/wh...cessible-suvs/
http://www.blvd.com/wheelchair-van-c...ility-vehicles
https://www.braunability.com/us/en/m...ccessible-suv/
https://www.braunability.com/us/en/b...e-vehicle.html
Seems like a couple of the big converters do the job as well as smaller converters. Then, I searched our Care Cure Community site, but the search feature isn't very good. So, I searched Google for "Wheelchair Accessible SUV Care Cure Community", and didn't find anything that way. But, I think I've read a post or two within these pages on accessible SUVs.Attached FilesLast edited by gjnl; 17 Feb 2019, 5:35 PM.Comment
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blvd.com is a good site wheelchair disability facebook rollxvans.com is good to work withComment
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I found out that minivans didn't save me much as far as effort first you have to roll up a ramp that is steeper than an ada ramp. then make a transfer and then spin around so you can drive. ATC makes a GMC terrain worth looking at. But as far as budget hard to beat Braun Chair topper (need folding wheelchair) mounts to top of vehicle and loads and stows your chair for you They are very reasonable but i hear they are getting a little hard to find. Good thing about them is you can put them on just about any vehicle. If you are interested i could see if i could find one. I have 30 + years experience with the Braun Chair topperComment
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Maybe you can check the wheelchair accessible Kia Soul ? I think you can drive it from your chair. I don't know hoe expensive it is thoughComment
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what about adapt solutions' options? transfer board and then have a lift pick your chair up? does require a minivan thoughComment
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We are looking for a new vehicle right now too. SUV is first choice. The Honda Pilot is out for us because it only comes with a manual ramp as of right now. So, we are going to drive the Braun Ability Ford Explorer. Those really are the only two major players in SUV conversions with in-floor ramps.
Also, regarding the comment above about Rollx....they only have Dodge/Chrylser minivans so that wouldn't be of interest to you.
FYI: We had a major incident with our current Rollx van that I will add details about in an upcoming post. It is very disturbing. I strongly suggest anyone in the hunt for a van NOT consider Rollx.Comment
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If you get a minivan conversion with a "kneel" feature, the angle of the ramp is greatly decreased.Originally posted by pete4sake View PostComment
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Conversion SUVs have less space than minivans. Why bother?Comment
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The first link KLD posted has a Pilot with an automatic ramp, FYI.Originally posted by Domosoyo View PostComment
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I have had the Braun Ability Ford Explorer since November 2016, and have over 50,000 miles on it. Absolutely love it! We test drove a Honda Pilot last year. Didn't like it at all because it did not have kneel and the doors with the manual ramp were super heavy. We are going to keep our current Explorer for another 2 years and then get a new one.Comment
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I'll never go back to a minivan. After 15 years of minivans, my Ford Explorer is absolutely wonderful.Comment
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You dont mention cost of budget and for some that is a major concern.Originally posted by mwheelz2 View Post
You can get an SUV and they handle much better then a mini van but at a cost with less space.
Plus SUV are very expensive.
So if cost is a factor stick with a mini van, you can get good deals and there is a dealer in Arizona that saved us about $25,000 buying used low miles vs new no miles.
https://www.azmobilitycenter.com/use...r-sale-phoenixComment
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The Pilot isn't a good conversion IMHO. The door is super heavy and you need to open the passenger door as well to get in.T3 complete since Sept 2015.Comment
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