| The cost of a new, specially outfitted handicapped | | | | have your mechanic give it the once-over before |
| accessible van can be prohibitive, and many people try | | | | laying down any cash for the vehicle. If your mechanic |
| to save money by instead buying a base model van | | | | is not comfortable giving his opinion on the lift, find a |
| and having a set of used wheelchair lifts installed. For | | | | service facility for lifts and ask them to check it over |
| even more substantial savings, check into used vans | | | | for you. Be prepared, of course, to pay them for their |
| with used wheelchair lifts already installed. | | | | time. |
| Lifts can be either motorized or manual. The manual | | | | If you're considering a used van with a lift, it's probably |
| version is relatively simple to install and can often be a | | | | still a good idea to work directly with an experienced |
| do it yourself project for someone basically handy, and | | | | van conversion company. An experienced mobility van |
| are also pretty low cost. Some slide into a hitch of the | | | | company can give you more information and tips, and |
| back of your vehicle, and there is even one or two | | | | also guide you toward the vehicle that makes sense |
| which can be installed and removed with only one | | | | for your particular situation. They can give you access |
| person. Motorized lifts require drilling into the body of | | | | specifications and teach you how to use and maintain |
| the vehicle and wiring the unit to your car's battery; a | | | | your new equipment. |
| project best left to the experts. There is one power | | | | Also when you're contemplating buying a used van |
| wheelchair product made that can be easily installed | | | | with a wheelchair lift, it is good to have several |
| by attaching it to the third-row hardware in a lot of | | | | different options from which to choose. Consider |
| mini-vans, and operated by its own battery, which | | | | carefully what type of lift will work best for your |
| makes for easy installation. This unit is called the | | | | particular situation. Can you make do with an |
| BackPacker lift by Silver Star. | | | | inexpensive manual lift, or does the situation absolutely |
| Of course, used wheelchair lifts can be obtained for a | | | | require a power lift? A reputable van conversion |
| fraction of the cost of the same thing new. Some | | | | company should be able to present you with a |
| people opt to upgrade and sell their old equipment, but | | | | package deal at a discounted price. They also will be |
| more frequently you will probably see used vans with | | | | able to offer you a pre-owned vehicle which they can |
| wheelchair lifts sold as a package deal. Getting a great | | | | adapt to your exact needs by adding new or used |
| deal on this type of van with an included lift requires | | | | wheelchair lifts at a fraction of the cost of purchasing |
| the same type of due diligence you would do with any | | | | a new vehicle package. |
| used vehicle purchase. Check it out yourself, and also | | | | |