subject: Tips for Purchasing Your Handicapped Vehicle [print this page] Tips for Purchasing Your Handicapped Vehicle
If you are a church or a business that needs to transport many handicapped people at once, then you will need to invest in a handicapped vehicle. The search for a handicap van can be trying if you don't plan for it up front. If you are planning to buy it new, there are ways to reduce your cost. You can purchase a full sized van that can accommodate both passengers and wheelchair riders. When you purchase a new vehicle, you can customize it to your specifications. This is a benefit over buying handicap vans used. The color and style will be all yours.
After choosing the van, decide what kind of equipment you will need to place in it. How are you going to get the wheelchairs into the van? You may choose to use a lift at the back of the vehicle or even on the side. The van can be equipped with multiple wheelchair lifts so that when you are transporting many people at once, you don't have to load one wheelchair at a time.
Will a person who uses a wheelchair be driving the handicapped vehicle? If so, think about how that person will access the driver's seat. This is also a consideration when deciding where to place the lift. Lifts are available as semi-automatic or automatic. Automatic lifts need only a button to be pushed in order to operate; however, these are a little more expensive. Semi-automatic lifts require an operator to control them. Many shops are equipped to install your lifts to your specification, and the price is often reasonable.
If you find a new vehicle too expensive at this time, then you can consider purchasing the handicapped vehicle used. Buying used can save you money, as you will find vans that have already been customized. You will compromise on certain features but you may also find that they can be altered. The color can be easily changed, along with other features. The trade off in not having everything you want will be offset by the price.
Do your research for a handicap van ahead of time and save yourself a lot of money and a lot of time. Choose your vehicle type and the kind of lift you want before you go shopping. If you do this, you will find that your shopping experience is less stressful and easier to handle.
