Tom, you are still a valuable asset to this group when it comes to the subject of accessibility and vans. Vans and Lifts have both changed over the years. Much do to rules and regulations. Lifts got too big for minivans, so the drop floor concept prevailed and grown to the standard. An expensive standard.... but a standard. Yes the big vans are still there but not as popular, unless the oversize wheelchair demands their use. Gone are the good old days of wooden tractor ramps and rope ty-downs........ Best West In a message dated 3/14/2013 10:29:56 A.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
Hello, I've been disabled since 1971 and got my first van in 1973. i'm currently driving a 2011 toyota rampvan. all of the stories i've read are stories i hear everyday as i work for mobility works in the chicago area. i agree the equipment is becoming very expensive and alot of folks are searching for good used vehicle-they, too are expensive. what's the answer-none really. just find a salesperson who truly understand you and your needs and if he/she cares about you, your business, your limitations and you shouldbe okay. when i first got into the business in 1977 and am kind of winding down now it really has changed with more rules, regulations, other involvement by folks in the medical field i really feel for folks who don't have any funding assistance it takes alot of work to get the right van for the right person at the right cost. unfortunately somtimes the client is looked at like an atm machine rather than a person in need. i'll get off my soapbox now tom c. ____________________________________ From: Todd Daugherty <[email protected]> To: Danny Hearn <[email protected]> Cc: RONALD L PRACHT <[email protected]>; quad list <[email protected]> Sent: Thu, March 14, 2013 7:40:53 AM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Fwd: [SCIC] Re: File - Buying an accessable van.doc Here's my van story :) I was hurt in '89 and got about 70k total, so we used some to modify our basement, and also bought a minivan with side lift. After a few years of being driven around I had a swivel seat installed and hand controls. I drove that van to college, about a 6 hour drive and a few years after that drove on my own from Atlanta to Vegas for a 6 month therapy session. The engine died in Oklahoma City and I had to stay in the Bates motel until morning when I towed it to a dealership. A few grand and days later I was back on the road again. I started having lots of electrical issues with the lift and decided I wanted a car instead. After 10+ years of taking my chair apart and using a car I'm ready for a van again. Holy cow are they expensive, can't even afford a used one. Todd D C6 On Wed, Mar 13, 2013 at 11:01 PM, Danny Hearn <[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) > wrote: I have not driven since my accident......but I bought my 1st van for 500 bucks, it just needed a new gas tank put on it and a tune up, it had an old side crow river lift, that thing was a huge 8 passenger dodge extended length van, it got us by a few years..my wife made me nervous trying to navigate turns with that monster -lol . After that we got a 1995 chevy astro mini van with a raised roof and rear lift, that we have had for 9 years, it is still going so far...The price of new modified vans are unbelievable----a person has to win a lottery or be rich to buy one. Dan H.* ____________________________________ From: RONALD L PRACHT <[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) > To: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) Sent: Wed, March 13, 2013 9:16:32 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Fwd: [SCIC] Re: File - Buying an accessable van.doc I was paralyzed in 98 and started driving about 2000 after alot of effort and help from a few others. My dad found a 84 Ford econoline van in a barn for $1500.00 bucks and we bought it. It had a dropped floor, old transfer seat and a set of rusted hand controls in the back. I got the state to install a new transfer seat, new monarch hand controls and a crescent remote system to operate the lift and power doors. I taught myself to drive it and rolled with it for four years, then on the way to the movies the oil light came on. The oil pump in the engine went out and it was to much to fix, so after pulling everything usable off of it we donated it to the blind. ron ____________________________________ From: "[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) " <[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) > To: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) ; [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) Sent: Wed, March 13, 2013 8:27:11 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Fwd: [SCIC] Re: File - Buying an accessable van.doc I had a power pan that lowered me down 5" in a 1980 Ford E 250 van but t also had a raised roof because I sat so tall in my chair. That was my first van. That thing weighed 2 TONS! It was a monster and ate gas lie it was going out of style. Bobbie Smile Everyday -----Original Message----- From: lwillis821 <[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) > To: quad-list <[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) > Sent: Mon, Mar 11, 2013 6:57 pm Subject: [QUAD-L] Fwd: [SCIC] Re: File - Buying an accessable van.doc I have a power pan instead of lowered floor. It takes me down about 5 in. It is in my 1979 E -150 that I bought new back in '79. I don't remember them doing lowered floors back in those days. Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: From: "dbqjohn" <[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) > Date: March 11, 2013, 4:13:23 PM EDT To: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) Subject: [SCIC] Re: File - Buying an accessable van.doc Reply-To: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) I'm just curious if anybody in the group drives a full size van from their wheelchair and does NOT have a lowered floor or raised top. If anyone does, I would like to know the make and model. I recall somebody talking about it a few years back. Thank you! John C5-6 quad since 1973 --- In [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) , [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) wrote: > > > > File : Buying an accessable van.doc > Description : buying an accessable van > __._,_.___ Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (28) Recent Activity: New Members 1 Visit Your Group Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use • Send us Feedback . __,_._,___
