What To Expect When Shopping for a New Handicap Van

Wheelchair-accessible mobility vans are a long-term investment, so many customers are looking to buy a new mobility van for the first time. Like anything new, it can be difficult to get a sense of what you should expect or know going into this process. To help make the process as easy as possible and ensure you get what you need out of it, here’s what to expect when shopping for a new handicap van.

Understanding Your Options

You may think that looking for a van that’s wheelchair-accessible would be a restriction, but there’s a wide variety of mobility vans for you to choose from! You’ll have your choice of vehicles that manufacturers made to be or converted specifically to be wheelchair-accessible. These vehicles provide various features and amenities to make the experience more comfortable.

Before you head to a dealership, make sure you take a look at their inventory and compare it to other dealerships in your area. As experts in mobility vans and vehicles, we will be happy to help you navigate your options and help explain what benefits different models can offer you. Never be afraid to reach out for help and information—it’s what we’re here for! No matter your budget or needs, we guarantee that there’s a mobility van out there for you.

Working With a Dealership

On the topic of working with a dealership, you should make sure the dealership you’re considering is a certified mobility dealer, like Mike Erdman Mobility. This will ensure you’re getting a quality vehicle—especially if you’re looking at vans that someone has converted to be handicap-accessible. A certified dealer will know how to correctly convert vans and other vehicles. However, a non-certified dealership may try to sell you a van that’s missing key features or one that they didn’t properly convert, placing you and your passengers at risk.

The Shopping Experience

So what should you expect while shopping for a new handicap van? Many dealers will sell their vans exclusively online, which can be difficult because you don’t get to see the van in person and try out its features for yourself. We also sell our vans online at Mike Erdman Mobility, but what sets us apart is that we are more than happy to drive your selected van to your location in Central Florida. We want you to be able to see and try out the van for yourself before you make a commitment, so don’t hesitate to ask us to come to you.

Ask for References

When you are brand-new to buying a mobility vehicle and not sure what to look for in a quality van or dealership, it’s a good idea to ask your chosen dealership for references or look online for reviews of their services and products. Getting a second opinion from a third party is always invaluable for making an informed purchase. It’s also a good way to ensure the dealership you’re working with is legitimate and that their products are as high quality as they claim. To ensure you’re getting trustworthy reviews, you should look for reviews from Google, Feefo, or Trustpilot. These are all third-party review sites with their own policies regarding submitted reviews. If you’re looking at reviews only displayed on the company’s website, they may be fake or cherry-picked to make them look better.

Consider Warranties

This is merely a reminder because warranties aren’t likely to be at the top of your priority list when you’re juggling various other factors. However, this is significant because you want to be sure that you cover your new vehicle should an accident occur. A good, reputable van conversion company will offer warranties on their components made to match the chassis of your vehicle.

This ensures that if something goes wrong or you need a replacement, you get the exact part you need that fits your van’s chassis. While the most common warranty is three years/36,000 miles, you should have plenty of warranty options at your disposal; all you need to do is discuss them with the dealership.

Have an Idea of What You Want

Of course, your shopping experience will be easier if you have an idea of what you want from your new vehicle. Even if you’re not familiar with mobility vans, ask yourself questions like whether someone in a wheelchair needs to drive the van or if they will be a passenger. These questions will help inform you of what you should ask your dealership and what you will look for in the vans. If there are any particular features or amenities you want in the van, this will also help the dealership direct you toward vehicles that fit the bill.

Rear vs. Side Doors

One of the major considerations you’ll need to make is whether your mobility van will have a side entry door or a rear entry door for handicapped passengers. People will often prefer a side door entry because it already provides plenty of clearance pre-conversion. Side entries also allow individuals with wheelchairs to access the front of the vehicle and even drive. However, the ramp for side entry requires additional clearance, which makes finding a place to park your vehicle a bit more challenging.

Rear entry vans, in contrast, place the ramp at the trunk of the van. This eliminates the need for extra clearance to enter and exit the vehicle. However, handicapped passengers can access only the back and middle sections of the vehicle. Furthermore, this can eliminate storage space should you need to transport objects as well.

Don’t Rush Yourself

With all these various factors to consider during your shopping experience, we’d like to cap this off by reminding you that there’s no rush. You can take all the time you need, ask as many questions as you require, and make a decision only when you’re ready. As we mentioned, we’re happy to bring our vans to you so that you don’t have to go out of your way to make an informed purchase. Give Mike Erdman Mobility a call today to start finding the best mobility van for you!