Why Wheelchair Vans Are So Expensive

Posted On: 12/23/2023

Why Wheelchair Vans Are Expensive

During the conversion process manufactures will be completely replacing the entire floor of the vehicle and everything on the underside of the vehicle.  Factory door opening heights on Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Voyager & Chevy Traverse are between 41 - 44 inches.  Wheelchair users when sitting in a power or manual wheelchair typically sit between 52-56 inches tall so the need to lower the floor must be complete to allow wheelchair users the ability to have the room to enter and exit while in the mobility device.  This is just the beginning, below we discuss many of the areas a typical minivan needs to be adapted to become a wheelchair accessible van and why they are so expensive.  Used wheelchair vans will have many of these same features and will cost thousands less over New wheelchair vans.  Search BLVD.com inventory of over 3,500 Used & New wheelchair vans for all budgets.

Lowered Floor - Structural Engineering

Increasing the door opening height at the side or rear door needs to be completed by lowering the floor of the vehicle.  If you raised the roof of the vehicle the cost of the wheelchair van conversion would be much less but limits the wheelchair users ability to look out the windows and ride in comfort.  When you lower the floor the wheelchair users additional height is offset with this but will require many more changes to happen to fully complete this.  Typically you will see the lowered floor completed just forward of the 3rd bench seat and it will carry all the way to the front firewall just forward of the driver and passenger seat.  Both driver and passenger seats need to be remounted on a removable base to bring these seats back to the original height for seat belt and airbag safety.  Below are items needing to be reworked once the lowered floor is complete

Additional Steps Taken Why Wheelchair Vans Are So Expensive

  • AC Lines - rerouted to travel from the compressor under the hood of the vehicle to just behind the passenger rear wheel.
  • Brake Lines - rerouted to travel from under the hood and are routed to all 4 wheels.
  • Exhaust System - connects at the motor and must travel the rear of the vehicle
  • Fuel Tank - remounted from the 2nd row where the lowered floor is complete to the rear.
  • Tank Filler neck - extended to reach the tanks new location
  • Fuel Lines - rerouted to travel from tank to motor 
  • Suspension - body lifts and connecting points for suspension need to be adapted to support the new ridding height
  • CRASH TEST - moving a gas tank now requires the vehicle to be crash tested.  Over $250k to complete this test

Wheelchair Van Electrical Engineering Rework

Vehicles communicate and complete setting adjustments with two main systems.  Communication happens between BCM (body control modules) and CAN (control area network) systems.  These two systems communicate through a wiring harness system that runs from front to back of the vehicle at floor level and will travel up each vehicle pilliar for air bag systems.  For interior lights, rear brake lights, usb ports and many other features throughout the vehicle these wiring harnesses will need to be extended in supporting the additional length needed from the lowered floor step.  With the BCM located under the hood and the CAN bus located in the B pillar these two communicate and complete all the following setting adjustments in the vehicle.

  • Power Door Communications
  • Power Door Locks
  • Power WIndows
  • Power Mirrors
  • Radio Controls
  • Heating & Cooling Systems
  • Power Adjustable Seats
  • Heated & Cooled Seats
  • Heated Wheels
  • Interior Lights On/Off
  • Every Major Setting or Adjustment on The Vehicle

Power Ramps - In floor & Fold Out

Choosing between power in floor ramps or power fold out ramps also determine why wheelchair van conversions are so expensive.  Fold out ramps will be much simpler designs and cost less but will not have the same features the power in floor ramps offer.  Both will require ramp motors, modules to communicate different states of the opening and closing process.  Infloor ramp designs need a ramp carriage that brings the ramp in and out in between the top of the vehicle's floor and bottom side of the vehicle.  Rollers, belts, chains, switches and wiring harnesses that travel with the ramp and it travels in and out need to be designed to be very reliable.  Power fold out ramps simply attach to the top of the floor using a threshold plate.  When stowed it sits vertically in the doorway just behind the front passenger seats.  Both offer fast operation but with how the designs are so different each do have major factors on why wheelchair vans are so expensive.

Auto Kneeling Rear Suspensions

Ramp lengths and angles are very important in the design of a wheelchair van conversion.  Making the ramp too long will be difficult to navigate around other cars and on top of sidewalks.  Having the ramp angle too steep and wheelchair users could tip over back or forwards when going in and out.  The best ramp length has been determined to be 52 inches when deployed out.  Without a kneeling system you would see ramp angles over 14 degrees.  The Auto kneeling will lower the passenger rear side of the vehicle so ramp angles are reduced to 9 degrees.  How this is completed is with a linear actuator that is connected to a chain.  The chain is connected to the rear passenger axle and when activated the chain is pulled towards the driver side temporarily pulling down on the rear suspension.  If the system needs to be lowered or in the up position is communicated through modules that communicate with the door positions and ramp positions adding a level of complexity.

Additional Reason Why Wheelchair Vans Are So Expensive

Both New & Used wheelchair vans will be more expensive than traditional Toyota, Honda, Chrysler and Chevy minivans and Suvs.  Additional reasons that will increase your cost are extended warranties, snow tires, preparing your vehicle for the season ahead, wheelchair van loan rates and the general cost of ownership on all vehicles.  Buying a wheelchair van from a private party can be less expensive, but I would recommend you learn about what to inspect before buying a used wheelchair van.

 

Author Information

Katie Cummings
Mobility Blogger

My professional background stems from non-profit marketing and fundraising for a large children’s cancer hospital. Every day I was able to make connections and relationships for kids and their families going through devastating times. From securing small donations to large corporate support, it was all about providing hope that one day doctors and researchers would find a cure. It was truly an honor to be a part of something so important.

Just this past year, I came to work alongside my family for BLVD.com, a website dedicated to offering the latest information and resources for people needing mobility products. This was a dream come true for me as I have always wanted to combine more time with my family while still helping others. Our family has been in the mobility industry for over 35 years with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for people with mobility issues. This is the spirit behind BLVD and what I am most excited about sharing in my blog.

I love meeting new people and have found that volunteering is the best way to learn more about others and myself. Coffee keeps me going as do walks my pup "Kirby" and most of all being with family and friends. I invite you to check out my blog to learn more about how "together we can move through life better!"

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