LHD and placement of Hand Controls

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LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby stevelawiw » 28 Oct 2020, 20:26

In a left hand drive vehicle what side are Hand Controls fitted?
Do they have to go on the left or can you choose what suits you best?
My current van is right hand drive and my hand controls are fitted on the right of the steering wheel which suits me as when I put it in gear with my left arm I hold the brake on with my right arm.
I'm wondering if I can drive a LHD vehicle as I have a weak right arm, I need the hand controls on the right so I do most of the driving with my left arm.
I hope this makes sense!
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby Burgerman » 28 Oct 2020, 21:07

On the right!
Everything is exactly the same as a right hand drive car. The only difference is the gear shift is on your right. Not that you will notice after using it twice!

The hand control has a lever on the LEFT like a loop to allow you to hold the brake on while you put it in drive. (If you rip out a relay, all that safety nazi stuff goes away... :shh: )
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby stevelawiw » 28 Oct 2020, 21:12

How'd you put it in gear while holding the brake on?
In my RHD van I push the brake on using my right arm and then put it in gear using my left
How do you do it if both things are on the right?

Oh you added that loop after I'd started to reply czy
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby Burgerman » 28 Oct 2020, 21:19

Easy.
1. I never use the handbrake, just park.
2. Look at image. The hand control is on the right and hidden. The OPPOSITE end of it extends to the left, as you can see. Its that flat loop. Its just above your knee.
3. Pull gently and it holds the brake on. Just the same as PUSHING the right side does. So pull gently with left hand.
4. Put it into drive with your right hand. Its very easy. Since its column change and right next to the hand controls.
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loopy.jpg
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby stevelawiw » 28 Oct 2020, 22:31

I think I'm going to have to get a RHD van as my right shoulder is paralised so I can't put it in gear with my right arm
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby Burgerman » 28 Oct 2020, 23:36

You can use hand controls? The putting it in drive or park is much lighter work, and within 2 inches from the hand control. I think no problem at all.

And it can be automated. With a switch or button. And the hand control can be left or right. Speak to the conversion companies.
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby stevelawiw » 29 Oct 2020, 06:59

Yes I use the bog standard manual push to brake pull to accelerate 'Bekker' type but only because things are in the right place and I don't have to lift my right arm. I could go the automation route but I probably won't I like things to be as simple as possible, less to go wrong.
I think I might be phoning GM Coachworks tomorrow (today!) I wish they did a fold down ramp though, I'm not a fan of the underfloor cassette type, even though I've never used one :shifty:
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby Burgerman » 29 Oct 2020, 07:52

How do you stick it into drive now? Its exactly the ame as yours!
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby Burgerman » 29 Oct 2020, 07:54

They do - you can have a ricon clearway lift that goes inside the van.
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby stevelawiw » 06 Nov 2020, 15:39

I looked at that lift, it's awful! It's like a massive ugly mechano set bolted onto the side of the van,

ricon clearway.jpg


I wanted one like this

sienna side lift.jpg
sienna side lift.jpg (14.79 KiB) Viewed 2664 times
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby Burgerman » 06 Nov 2020, 16:07

Thats a ramp. Yes, only on US imported vans.
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby stevelawiw » 06 Nov 2020, 16:24

I asked GM Coachworks why I couldn't have a ramp like the US Sienna conversion on a Caravelle, he blamed Brussels burocracy banghead
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Re: LHD and placement of Hand Controls

Postby Burgerman » 06 Nov 2020, 16:48

We left 11 months ago.
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