Since my injury 28 years ago... I have had three full-sized vans and now have a current minivan (of which I have had nine years now). My first full-size was a Dodge. No lowered floor. I cannot recall the second one (wow) but probably a Ford Econoline. And my third *was* a Ford Econoline 250.
All of my problems with my full-sized vans were the lifts... even after having three different ones! The first one was a Ricon, the second one was a Braun and the third one was a (ugh! Brain freeze again... but it was that third type that was popular). There was always something going wrong with the lifts. And with my last Ford Eco ... when I had the dropped floor put in... they had to move the gas tank and a couple of years later I had all kinds of problems that the local Ford dealer could not figure out. They finally diagnosed it that, when the manufacturer (in Minnesota) moved the gas tank, there were many shards of metal left in the (guys help me out here!) and it was making its stall at the most on opportune times. In the middle of a humid summer or a freezing winter! But after we got it to the Ford dealer... he would let it set overnight... and then it would be fine the next morning! It took a long time for them to figure the problem out. Now I have a Dodge Grand Caravan with the Braun Enterlift. I have thought about it over the years and I am hard-pressed if I were to get a new van next week or next year... would I choose a full-size again or a minivan? And it is a question I really can't answer. Because I have lived where it is extremely cold... I really like the minivan because I can zip right up the ramp and I am in the van really quickly and not waiting for the doors to open, the lift to be unfolded, and then lowered to the ground and then the whole thing in reverse! There are pros and cons to both. I remember that my third full-sized van was purchased from Associated Leasing which I think is located in Minnesota. I told them everything I wanted in a van and they delivered it to my door in New York State! I just took a quick search online and found that another guy (in a wheelchair) from Minnesota delivers anywhere and has different kinds of vans and lifts. http://www.wheelchair-van.com/ for anyone interested. Lori Michaelson C4/5 complete quad, 28 years post Tucson, AZ On Nov 13, 2007 12:19 AM, RONALD L PRACHT <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi > i had a fullsize fored with a 302 and it was a dog. my next van was a gmc > safari with a raised roof and raised doors.....has plenty of power but the > lift is small and you cant see anything if you are the passenger. > > i would say if you are going fullsize and you are going to be a passenger > go with a chevrolet with a dropped floor.......raised roofs suck for your > view and the car wash as well as gas mileage. 3/4 ton the best choice but > 1/2 ton will due. > > with the minins the choices seems much simpler, but the rear coach doesnt > lay down. as far as not getting traction on the ramp you can add that > sandpaper like grip tape to it. i think the folding ramp is better than the > in floor for two reasons....easier to service, you can manually operate it, > and it has a single incline....the infloor has a ramp then i a lil lip you > have to go over. > > dodge and cgrysler are good choices as well as honda and toyota and chevy > uplander.stay away from all the other vehicles they attempt to > adapt.....just 50, 000 dollar trash > > ron......c7....wuhhhhhh > -- Lori C4/5 complete quad, 27 years post Tucson, AZ
