Choosing the right van or equipment

Whether you are a driver or passenger, Malley Industries will assist you in determining the mobility equipment that is best suited for your vehicle as well as your individual needs. When considering purchasing a vehicle for modification, we can advise you which equipment can be installed in the vehicle you are considering, For those using wheelchairs, it is critical that you match your height and your wheelchair 'footprint' with the right vehicle and your intended usage.

We encourage you to contact us for a free consultation BEFORE purchasing a vehicle for modification. Determining the most suitable vehicle before you buy will ensure that you avoid making the expensive mistake of purchasing a vehicle only to find that it is not large enough or suitable for the required equipment or planned usage.

Some questions and important considerations are:

  • Will this van be for a passenger or a driver?
  • Does the person hope to drive in future or will they always have an attendant?
  • Is the van to be used for 'public' transportation as either a taxi or a para-transit vehicle? For commercial or public transportation, standards such as CSA-D409 may be a requirement of operation in your region.
  • Do you want to enter the van from the side or rear? If you have a family, some side entry lifts can interfere with passengers entering or exiting the van. Most mini-vans now have sliding doors on both sides so this is less of an issue. If the end user is a child, most parents prefer the child to be closer to them (side as opposed to rear)
  • Some people are concerned about people parking too close to their vehicle in parking lots and preventing side door access. This is not usually a big issue for a passenger but it can be for a driver.
  • Some people prefer a rear entry. The main drawback to this is, if parked on a street, there will be times when you have to load and unload in traffic.
  • Know the dimensions of the wheelchair (ie; width, length, height, plus the height of the person sitting in the wheelchair). Malley Industries can provide a handy chart to record required measurements. Other things that could affect the vehicle and equipment choice include: is it a tilt chair? Power or manual? Is the end-user expected to grow?
  • How many people in regular seating as well as in wheelchairs do you want to fit in the van? What other equipment do you want or need to carry?
  • Is a mini van best for you or should you be looking at a full size van? The major factor here is the size of chair. Many people require large wheelchairs for comfort and to accommodate their physical needs, yet the bigger the chair, the more difficult to fit into a smaller vehicle.
  • Before you purchase a vehicle, you need to be aware that some equipment may put your vehicle out of compliance with federal motor vehicle standards by carrying more weight than is permitted under your vehicles gross vehicle weight rating? For your safety, these issues must be explored before modifying your vehicle.
  • Do you want manual or power wheelchair securement?
  • As a driver, do you require reduced effort steering or brakes, electronic controls or simple driver aids?
  • If you are buying a van or equipment to accommodate a child, bear in mind that they will grow and their wheelchair will grow with them. Consider your future needs as well as your present ones when planning a vehicle conversion.

Whether you are a driver or a passenger, Malley Industries can assist you in determining the right vehicle as well as the equipment you will require to reach your mobility goals.