What To Look For In Mobility Vans

When entering the market for mobility vans, it helps to have an idea of what you're looking for and what specific designs are suited to your needs. If you want to check out mobility vans for sale, keep these potential issues at the top of your list.

Lift Mount Type

Most lifts for mobility vans mount in one of two spots. The first are models that are built into the body of the van, and the second are types that mount underneath the vehicle's frame. If you live in a northern region where road salt is regularly used to clear ice and snow, you may want to have a model that's built into the body of the van in order to avoid deterioration risks. Otherwise, there's a good chance that a model mounted under the body will be cheaper. These types also tend to free up more passenger and cargo room inside mobility vans.

Lowered Floors

Accommodating a wheelchair or a scooter in a vehicle calls for making the floor lower. This is especially the case if you want to have the ability to be the driver. Lower floors also increase the amount of headroom, a good thing given that wheelchairs tend to ride significantly higher than the factory seats in most vehicles.

Rear vs. Side Entry

Many people prefer to utilize rear entry into mobility vans due to concerns about being able to just roll wheelchairs or scooters straight in. Side entry, however, tends to be more convenient for folks who want to have access to the driver's seat or the front passenger seat. Side entry models also tend to call for gutting less of the interior in order to accommodate wheelchairs.

A lot of buyers ultimately decide among mobility vans for sale based on their garages. If you don't have a convenient way to get into the side of the van from your garage, it may be best to go with a rear entry design for the sake of convenience. The height and width of the wheelchair in question will also dictate whether side entry may be feasible.

Projecting Costs

Brand-new mobility vans for sale typically go for between $40,000 and $60,000. You can expect a ride with about one year or 50,000 miles of use to cost between $30,000 and $40,000. Annual maintenance costs run about $3,500, although they may go higher if your ride might need specialized equipment.

When you are ready to make the investment, take your time and look for mobility vans for sale in your area.