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Converted vehicles are automobiles specifically designed for individuals with limited mobility.
These vehicles typically feature a lowered floor and either a ramp or a lift to allow mobility device users to easily enter and exit the vehicle. Visit our Industry Directory to search for NMEDA member companies who offer these products.
Minivans & Full-Size Vans
- Side-Entry
- Side-entry vans typically include a lowered floor and a ramp that leads from the vehicle door to the ground. The ramp is deployed once the side door slides open, and users have the option of an automatic or manual ramp for entry and exit. Mobility device users can drive or ride in a front row seating position or ride in a second row seating position, while the cargo storage space behind the third row of seating is maintained. Space for parking should be taken into account when considering a side-entry van.
- Rear-Entry
- Rear-entry vans are a popular choice because they typically involve a less expensive conversion than side-entry vans. Rear-entry vans can also address space concerns since the ramp deploys from the rear and allows the user to more easily enter and exit if the vehicle is in a narrow parking space or two-car garage. Rear-entry ramps can be automatic or manual, and rear-entry vans are well suited for mobility device users who prefer to be seated in the middle or rear of the vehicle interior.
- Full-Size Van
- Full-size accessible vans have a larger footprint, but their size provides mobility device users with the most flexibility and interior space for seating, movement, and storage. Available in various length and height models, full-size vans incorporate a rear- or side-entry occupied lift or ramp for ingress/egress. Ideal for larger families or commercial purposes, full-size vans offer numerous seating configurations and can accommodate multiple mobility device users and ambulatory passengers.
Trucks & SUVs
- Pickup Trucks
- Several manufacturers produce power lift-and-swivel seating to facilitate an easy transfer into the driver or passenger seat of a truck. When combined with a power lift that hoists and stores a mobility device in the bed of the truck, this option enables the user to maintain their independence. If you are considering a pickup truck, you should be confident in your ability to transfer from a mobility device and into the specialized lift-and-swivel seating. Otherwise, a platform lift will be necessary for ingress/egress.
- SUVs and Crossovers
- If minivans aren’t your style, an SUV or crossover may better suit your preferences. When converted, these vehicles come equipped with a side-entry lift or ramp for ingress/egress. Alternatively, adaptive seating can be installed to allow the mobility device user to transfer in and out of the vehicle. SUVs and crossovers typically include removable driver and/or front passenger seats and are designed to maximize interior maneuverability space while preserving cargo storage.
Ramps
- In-Floor Ramp
- As the name suggests, power in-floor ramps are stowed in the floor of the vehicle thus maximizing interior space and maneuverability. In addition to an obstruction-free doorway and a clean, obstacle-free interior, in-floor ramps allow for more ambulatory passenger seating and space for personal items.
- Fold-out Ramp
- Fold-out ramps are less costly than in-floor ramps, and both power and manual models can be quickly and easily deployed. Strong and durable, these ramps extend outward in an unfolding motion when deployed. Fold-out ramps are stored upright in the doorway or on the floor of the vehicle and are a great option if maximizing rear passenger space is not a priority.
- Manual Ramp
- Ideal for mobility device users who always travel with a companion, manual ramps are a cost-effective automobility solution. Available in both side- and rear-entry models, manual ramps do not have any automated components and companions must be able to physically extend and retract the ramp.