subject: Kinds Of Handicapped Vans That Are Available [print this page] Don't be misled by that titleDon't be misled by that title. We're not going to give you a list of the pros and cons of all the different makes and models of handicapped vans which exist. We don't have room for that. Rather, we're going to give you a breakdown of two different categories of vans, and then a sneak peek at a few different ways to buy them. Whatever decision you ultimately make, you could really be changing someone's life. An accessible van will vastly improve the mobility of any wheelchair user, regardless of which particular type it is... or how you buy it.
One type of van we'll talk about is the kind that the wheelchair user enters from the side. Appropriately enough, it's commonly referred to as a side entry van. One of the weaknesses of such a van is that it usually doesn't have as much room in the back. Also, you always need to find a handicapped parking space if you have this type of van. On the other hand, it can be converted in such a way as to be easily driven by the wheelchair user. Also, it's very easy to parallel park such a van, which is nearly impossible with its counterpart.
Speaking of its counterpart, let us now turn our attention in that direction. The counterpart to a side entry van is a rear entry van. As you may have guessed, wheelchair users enter such vans from the rear. These can't be as easily modified for driving by wheelchair users. Also, they are nearly impossible to parallel park. However, you don't need to find a handicapped parking space, and there is enough room in the back to transport two wheelchair users at the same time. As you can see, whether or not the wheelchair user desires to drive is usually a major deciding factor.
Whichever one of these two types of handicapped vans you decide you want to buy, there are basically three ways to buy them. You could buy a new one. That way, you can avail yourself of maximum warranty coverage. If you buy a used one, on the other hand, you can save yourself from depreciation, which can be as much as five thousand dollars the moment you drive your van off the lot. A third option is to buy yourself a used van with a new conversion. You still get the warranty coverage on the conversion itself if you decide to go this route.
