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My Accident!
Keep it looking new
1
Keep it looking new
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MY OWN
VEHICLES:
VW Caravelle VR6
Dodge
Grand Caravan
DRIVE
FROM WHEELCHAIR:
Dodge
Grand Caravan 1
Dodge
Grand Caravan 2
Dodge Grand Caravan 3
Dodge Grand Caravan 4
Mercedes Vito
-
soon!
Kia Sedona - soon!
2008 2009
Dodge Chrysler
& 2008 Voyager
Minivans
WHEELCHAIR TRANSPORT
& DRIVE BY TRANSFERING:
Renault Kangoo
-
soon!
Citroen Berlingo - soon!
VW Transporter - soon!
VW Caravelle
Dodge
Grand Caravan
Citroen Dispatch
- soon!
Kia Sedona
-
soon!
Volkwagon Sharan
Mercedes Vaneos
Toyota Hiace
Fiat Multiplas (Wheelchair
passenger travels in the front)
KANGOO ASSIST(wheelchair
passenger transfers & drives)
Fiat Doblos
MAJOR
VEHICLE
CONVERSION:
Rollx Van Conversions
Braun Van Conversions
VMI Disabled Adaptations
SIMPLE ADAPTATIONS
Control
Systems etc
Hand Controls Manual
Hand Controls Electronic
Van Door openers
Van Wheelchair Tie Downs
DISABLED
ESSENTIAL
EQUIPMENT STUFF!
Understanding...
Grabbers!
Puncture proofed tyres
Run Flat tyres
Tyre Weld Aerosol
Tubeless repair kit
Fuses!
Breakdown Cover
Spare Key
Jump Leads / Rope
Mobile phone + Spare Card
Medical
Money!
Handbook
Satellite Navigation
Tools!
Inverters and Chargers!
Global Warming Myth
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I Used
to use this VW Caravelle VR6
modified and adapted as a wheelchair carrying and transfer
to drive vehicle. A Caravelle is based on the VW
Tansporter but is more of a "corporate" MPV than a modified
van. This one has a Ricon Clearway lift fitted in the
side door allowing me to get in while sat in a large
Powerchair. The same modifications can be carried out
on the cheaper VW Transporter as well if your budget is a
little lower.
Click image for a slightly larger view!
Or
click
here for an even bigger image!
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From here I used to transfer to the drivers seat
with the help of a 6way Ricon Electric seat (base)
that moves next to my wheelchair electrically ready
for me to transfer. And of course it is also fitted
with hand controls. There are many vehicles that
allow this provided you are able and strong enough
to transfer from your wheelchair to the drivers
seat.
All
takes a little time but unlike transferring to a car
seat be it via a transfer board or a rotating car
seat you don't get wet when it rains and you dont
have an audience watching you. And you dont have to
struggle to get your wheelchair past you and into
the passenger seat.
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And I suggest buying new from the same company that supplies
the adaptations to it. Because you can do a good deal on
price for a new vehicle and because if it is sold to you
already converted the whole vehicle is VAT free. You save an
additional 17.5 percent... There are rear door entry
conversions as well if this is preferable to you.
The only problems
are transferring. It was a beautifully built and finished
vehicle but after 8 years transferring became too difficult
for me so it had to go to make way for
this
drive from wheelchair Dodge.
Why is the Caravelle better
than the Transporter? Well its built and finished to the
same standard as a luxury car, is quieter and smoother and a
lot more expensive... It sounds the same at 110 as it
does at 30 mph on the inside and has such things as:
-
A smooth powerful V6 2.8
litre petrol engine option (also a diesel turbo in case
that kind of thing floats your boat...)
-
Fuzzy logic controlled
"learning" automatic gearbox
-
Decent interior trim,
carpeting and soundproofing all fully finished like a
luxury car
-
Heated and electrically
adjustable mirrors
-
Traction control
-
Disc brakes on all four
corners and abs
-
Alloys (although mine are
aftermarket League Integrale 17 x 8.5 with 235/50/17
Avon tyres)
-
Climate control - front and
rear
-
Power steering
-
Cruise control - an option
- but a damned good idea if you use hand controls!
-
Colour coded
bumpers/mirrors/grill etc
-
Tinted Glass
-
Heated rear screen and
variable intermittent wipers etc.
-
Passive rear
wheel steering and improved lowered suspension
-
Lots of other toys which I
forget...
Here are some pictures!
Larger image 1024
Large image (full size)
These VW
Caravelle vans and the slightly cheaper Transporter
version can be modified to have a lift in the side
door as shown here or in the rear door.
In the
case of the rear door a ramp version can also be
obtained - the suspension lowers at the rear to
reduce the angle. |
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Larger image 1024
Large image (full size)
This is
Jenny, one of my two part time carers. She hates my
vans!
Here
she is cleaning the brake dust off from the wheels!
I like them clean! She isn't paid to do this but
does it anyway. I think I made her as OCD as I am... |
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Larger image 1024
Large image (full size)
Look at
the large image. Closely. The photos do not do the
standard of finish justice. This is a nine year old
vehicle. It would stand any comparison to a brand
new van. Its absolutely in the same condition as it
was when I bought it! How? See
here |
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Larger image 1024
Large image (full size)
Reverse
your wheelchair inside behind the drivers seat.
Turn the powered 6 way ricon electric seat left
ninety degrees to face the same way as your
wheelchair. Then push a button and it moves
rearwards to your wheelchair so that transferring to
the drivers seat is easy. Then turn the seat
to face the don't and move it forwards so you can
drive using simple or complex hand controls as
required. |
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Larger image 1024
Large image (full size)
The lift
can be remotely controlled, or by a simple rocker
switch in several places making it easy for a
wheelchair user to reach. Obviously it can reach the
ground and folds out of the way when stowed so
people can use the side door normally.
An
electric door opener/closer can also be fitted if
needed. |
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Larger image 1024
Large image (full size)
No sign of
it being a disabled vehicle from the outside just a
plush limo! |
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