by swalker » 23 Apr 2021, 23:12
It sounds like you want a 4x4 van and can't find one with a tall enough entry, so you are asking about the feasibility of having one with a door entry that is too low.
That is exactly the situation we found ourselves in 6 years ago when we started looking for a van.
We wound up compromising and buying a used 2 wheel drive Chevy Express 1500 conversion van with a Braun Vangater II lift. It has a raised roof, but the side doors do not extend into the raised portion of the roof. I would guess that the wheelchair and I are about 8 to 10 inches too tall to fit through the entry.
The Vangater II lift instructions say to always be facing out when entering or exiting the vehicle. The middle row captain's chairs have been removed (actually moved to the back row, replacing the bench seat/bed that was originally there). We have an EZ Lock installed in the middle row. When I enter or exit the vehicle, I tilt and recline the wheelchair so that I fit through easily. It is really no problem for me to do this. I have a memory setting for the configuration of the chair that allows me to enter and exit the van. I have another memory setting for the configuration it should be in once I am inside the van. I do not have to remove the headrest to enter or exit the van.
What I like: There are few changes to the vehicle, just the addition of the lift and the eZ Lock. Either of the captain's chairs now in the rear can be removed, allowing me to carry more equipment (or a spare wheelchair). It has driver's side doors to access the middle row. The van has been reliable and pretty affordable. We bought it with 82,000 miles on it and it now has a bit over 200,000 miles on it. After having it for a few years, It was stolen and damaged beyond what insurance thought was economical to repair. We bought it back from insurance, had the repairs made, and continue to use it. This van has far exceeded my rather low expectations.
What I don't like: There is no practical way to have power doors on my van. Not so bad when I am outside getting in, but it is very hard for me to get the doors open when I am inside the van. I wish I did not have to tilt/recline the wheelchair to get in, but I can live with it. We don't have remote start and the electric lift burns through a car battery about every year or so. It is 2WD and I really want 4WD. It is a half ton (1500), which weighs in at about 70 pounds less than GVWR with my wife, me, my wheelchair, and a full tank of gas. I would rather have a 3/4 ton (2500), but those don't have driver side doors to access the middle row.
I have considered some options. One is to get an AWD van (Chevy Express, GMC Savana, or Mercedes Sprinter). But, I would really rather have 4WD (with transfer case).
Another option is a 4WD conversion of a van, like the sportsmobile. Based on what I have learned so far, going with a Ford E van would probably be the best approach. Ford E vans don't have driver side doors to access the middle row, though.
A more likely option for us is get a 4WD pickup like the one done by All Terrain Conversions. Unfortunately, those do not accommodate most large power wheelchairs very well in the 4WD version. If we do go this route, we would get a 1 ton short bed single rear wheel drive in 4WD with passenger side conversion. I estimate the out the door price would be around $100,000 new, so we would be looking for a used one.
Please be sure to update us with any information you find. I am keenly interested in this topic.
Steve
Permobil F5 Corpus 3G
Permobil C500s VS
Permobil C500 Corpus 3G
Permobil C350 Corpus 3G
Magic Mobility X4 with 176 Ah LiFePO4