Advantages of a Rear entry wheelchair conversion mini vans
Rear entry wheelchair conversion mini vans are professionally adapted for wheelchair users, with a wheelchair-friendly access system at the rear. It can be unfolded and folded for storage. The following are the advantages of the Rear Entry wheelchair conversion mini vans over the Side Entry conversion.
1、Economic
• Materials and Labor Costs
The rear entry wheelchair conversion of mini vans does not require large-scale cutting or reinforcement of the vehicle's side doors, nor does it require redesign of the vehicle's sliding door track and body support structure, thus eliminating the cost of materials and labor costs.
• Maintenance cost
rear entry wheelchair conversion can maximize the retention of the original body structure, still enjoy the warranty, easy to maintain for a long time.
2、Structure and safety
• The fuel tank location is safer
Rear entry wheelchair conversion mini vans' fuel tank is in the front of the vehicle, located between the floor, transmission and engine, and does not need to be moved to the rear of the vehicle as in the case of the side door conversion vehicle, which reduces the risk of fuel leakage that occurs in the event of a collision.
• Fuel Tank Protection
The rear entry wheelchair conversion for mini vans does not require any adjustments to the factory fuel tank protection system, but the fuel tank can be replaced with a heavy-duty galvanized steel tank or skid plate depending on the relationship between the conversion, the chassis, and must be secured to meet the mandatory NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) standards for fuel tank crashworthiness.
• Structural Integrity
Rear entry wheelchair conversion for mini vans only requires the addition of a ramp system at the rear of the vehicle, there is no need to cut into the frame rails of the vehicle, and you can retain the original B-pillar or C-pillar portion of the structure, so the vehicle will still have good rollover protection
• Engine weight remains unchanged
Rear entry wheelchair conversion mini vans The total engine weight of mini vans will not change, the vehicle weight will not increase, the weight is evenly distributed and the center of gravity is more stable.
• Crash prevention test
mini vans' rear entry wheelchair conversion does not change the body structure, so it has an advantage in the side impact test.
3、Convenience
• Excellent ground clearance
mini vans' rear entry wheelchair conversion does not require lowering the height of the chassis, and the ramp system is installed directly, allowing the ramp to extend directly to the ground. Compared to side entry conversions, there is no need to install side rails and sacrifice ground clearance.
• Smaller Ramp Angle
mini vans The ramp of rear entry wheelchair conversion will be longer than the ramp of side entry conversion, so its inclination angle will be smaller, generally ≤5°, which is favorable for the disabled wheelchair to be pushed on the ground. Side-entry ramps, on the other hand, can have an angle of inclination of 8°-10° and require additional assistance.
• Wider Ramp Width
mini vans' rear entry wheelchair conversion offers a maximum ramp width of 34 inches, which accommodates 99.9% of current large power wheelchairs or users who need to extend their legs, whereas side entry conversions only offer 30 inches of ramp width.
• Parking Accessibility
Rear entry wheelchair conversion mini vans can be used in narrow regular, accessible, and garage spaces, requiring only 1.5 meters of space to be reserved at the rear of the vehicle to smoothly deploy the ramp. However, side-entry vehicles require at least 2 meters of side space, which is limited for urban use.
4、Space utilization and comfort
• Passenger capacity
Rear entry wheelchair conversion mini vans can accommodate up to 7 passengers. On top of retaining the original car's main driver and passenger positions, the second row is configured with a three-seat seat, and the third row has an optional dual flip and fold van seats. The side-entry version can accommodate up to five people, as it takes up space in the side door.
• Flexible storage
mini vans Rear entry wheelchair modification of the ramp system can be folded and stowed, able to free up cargo space in the rear.
• User comfort
Rear entry wheelchair conversion mini vans has a large entry and exit space and does not require the wheelchair and occupant to twist sideways, which makes it particularly suitable for wheelchair users with paralysis of the lower limbs or those who need to be immobilized in a supportive position, and supports the user's natural extension of the legs.