Is your organization looking for wheelchair accessible minivans for sale? Finding the right vehicle to meet your client’s needs isn’t easy. From rear-entry to side-entry to minivans with or without a ramp, the decision can get confusing.
At MoveMobility, we know that deciding on a wheelchair accessible minivan feels frustrating. We’ve guided hundreds of organizations to the best choice for their needs for well over a decade.
By the end of reading this article, you’ll know what wheelchair accessible options are available to you. We’ll highlight some of the features of each vehicle so you have a better idea of which one might work for your organization.
What are wheelchair accessible minivans?
Wheelchair accessible minivans are a special kind of vehicle designed to help your clients who use wheelchairs travel easily and safely. They have modifications that make it easier for wheelchair users to get in and out of the van and ride comfortably in their wheelchairs.
Features of wheelchair accessible minivans
Here are some important features and modifications you can find in wheelchair accessible minivans:
Ramps: Instead of steps, the wheelchair accessible minivans have a ramp at the side or back, depending on if the van is rear- or side-entry.
Lowered floor: The floor inside the minivan is lower to give more space and headroom for the wheelchair. This helps your clients move around easily while staying in the wheelchair.
Wheelchair securement system: The minivan has straps and belts to keep the wheelchair in place during the ride. These attach to the wheelchair, preventing it from moving or tipping over while driving.
Accessible seating options: Wheelchair accessible minivans have different seating arrangements and positions depending on the model.
What wheelchair accessible minivans are available?
At MoveMobility, you have the choice of three types of wheelchair accessible minivans:
Let’s take a closer look at each.
Rear-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan
The Rear-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan is the perfect wheelchair accessible minivan for organizations with clients in adult day programs. It’s also ideal for medical transportation due to its smaller size and easy wheelchair access.
The best part is, you can load and unload wheelchairs from the back, so you don’t need a special parking spot. This makes parking in lots exceptionally easy. This wheelchair accessible van can carry up to two wheelchairs.
Engine
The Rear-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan comes with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine and front-wheel drive, making it handle well in snow and icy conditions. This is especially important in areas like:
- Newfoundland and Labrador (400 cm of snow per season)
- Ontario (250+ cm of snow per season)
- Coastal regions of British Columbia (400 cm of snow every winter)
Accessibility
Accessibility is a top priority in wheelchair accessible vans to ensure everyone has equal access to transportation. That’s why we include an easy-to-use manual ramp in the van. In addition, the flip & fold 2nd-row seating lets you secure the wheelchair behind the driver and front passenger. Need more seating? All you have to do is fold the seats down and secure the wheelchair in the 3rd row.
Safety
Safety in and around wheelchair vans is important. The ramp can hold up to 1,000 lbs, ensuring passengers are secure when entering and exiting. The ramp’s design provides a good grip, even in winter. The van meets all safety standards, including the CMVSS (Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) and D409 certification, so you can trust it’s safe and reliable.
Other features
The Rear-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan offers a comfy ride, with front and rear air conditioning, so everyone stays cool on the hottest days of summer. The backup camera helps you reverse without trouble, and the power doors and windows add convenience. Plus, the front seats are heated for additional comfort in the cold Canadian winters.
With wipe-clean walls and a durable interior, it handles daily wear and tear very well. The van also comes with a remote start built into it, allowing you to start the van without even going outside or into the garage.
Talk to an expert for more information about our Rear-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan.
Rear-Entry Dodge Grand Caravan
The Rear-Entry Dodge Grand Caravan is another wheelchair accessible minivan that we offer. This is another accessible van that’s compact and easy to get into, making it perfect for adult day service programs or general transportation of clients in wheelchairs.
You can find the Rear-Entry Dodge Grand Caravan in different models from the year 2020 and earlier, depending on what’s available. If you want, you can also convert a used Dodge Grand Caravan that’s up to 4 years old and has less than 70,000 kilometers. Before we commit to conversions like this, the van needs to be looked at by a technician.
Engine
This minivan comes with the same 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine as the Rear-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan. It’s strong, reliable, and drives very smoothly. The nice thing about these smaller wheelchair accessible minivans with this engine is that you don’t require a special license to operate them.
Accessibility
This van has a manual ramp that helps your clients in wheelchairs get inside. The ramp is easy to use because it has a spring to help lift it. It doesn’t need electricity to work. Inside the van, there are different seat options for the second row. The seats can either fold to the side or stay fixed in place. This way, you can fit a wheelchair behind the driver and front passenger, or you can make more space by folding the seats down and putting the wheelchair in the third row.
The ramp can hold up to 800 pounds, making it suitable for different types of wheelchairs ranging in different weights. The van’s floor and coating are very strong, so they can handle lots of use. The sturdy grip on the ramp makes it safe to use even in winter.
Safety
This van is CMVSS tested and comes with D409 certification, proving its safety on the road. Each person in a wheelchair in these vans is secured by a special 4-point restraint kit. The use of a special 4-point restraint kit for securing wheelchair users in vans is important to ensure their safety and prevent potential injuries during transportation.
There are also storage spaces inside the van for belongings so they don’t end up getting in the way.
Other features
Inside the van, there are different seat options for the second row. The seats can either fold to the side or stay fixed in place. This way, you can fit a wheelchair behind the driver and front passenger, or you can make more space by folding the seats down and putting the wheelchair in the third row.
This wheelchair accessible minivan also has wipe-clean walls for easy maintenance and a backup camera.
Side-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan
If you’re looking for a wheelchair accessible van with side-entry access, the Side-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan is a wise option to think about. Let’s take a look at some of its features.
Engine
The Side-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan is equipped with a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, providing a strong performance for wheelchair transportation.
Accessibility
This wheelchair-accessible van offers easy side-entry access, making it perfect for programs that require straightforward wheelchair accommodation.
Specific programs this would be helpful for include:
- Disability support programs
- Non-profit organizations focused on accessibility
- Elderly care programs
- Rehabilitation centers
It can fit up to 2 wheelchairs and also has room for ambulatory passengers. Wheelchair users can be securely seated in the front passenger position.
Safety
Safety is a top priority with the Side-Entry Chrysler Grand Caravan. It’s certified to meet CMVSS and D409 standards, ensuring it meets stringent safety regulations. The van comes with a 4-point wheelchair restraint kit per occupant and a manual tensioning system for secure seating. Lap and shoulder belts function as seat belts for wheelchair occupants, providing additional safety.
Other Features
- Manual ramp operation: The van’s ramp can be operated manually, ensuring simplicity and reliability.
- OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) ride quality: Despite modifications, the van maintains its original ride quality.
- Backup camera: A helpful backup camera assists in reversing the van safely.
- Remote start: It comes with a convenient remote start feature.
- Front and rear heat and air conditioning: This is to ensure a comfortable interior for all passengers.
- No additional licensing required: Operating this van doesn’t require any special licenses.
- Easy maintenance: The wipe-clean interior allows for easy upkeep.
- Smooth ramp operation: The ramp can be manually folded and swung out for easy walk-on access. Its weight capacity is 1,000 lbs and sturdy enough for heavy loads.
- Heavy-duty industrial coating: The van’s durable coating can withstand daily wear and tear.
- Winter-ready: The cutout ramp design provides grip and stability during winter conditions.
- Comfortable seating: It has a 3-person rear bench with a folding footrest and a removable front passenger seat.
- Puck-style floor mount: The floor mount allows for easy removal of the wheelchairs
Your next steps with MoveMobility
You came to this article curious about some of the wheelchair accessible van options on the market.
You learned that there are three different options that we offer at MoveMobility, each with its own set of features. If you have more questions about these options, feel free to talk to an expert.
Next, take a look at some of our other articles related to wheelchair minivans so you get a better of what would be best for your organization.
- Read through this article if your organization provides transportation services for clients with mobility impairments: Rear Entry vs. Side Entry Minivans (Pros & Cons).
- If your organization transports more than one wheelchair at a time, you’ll benefit from reading this article: Full Size Wheelchair Van or Minivan: Which is Right for You?
- If you’re still trying to figure out how to pick the right wheelchair van, read this article: How to Choose a Wheelchair Van (11 Steps).
