When looking for a suitable wheelchair accessible van, whether for your family or business, ensuring it meets the most important standards and guidelines before purchasing is a must.
There are various van models from both Ford and Ram manufactured at Sunset Vans to look at, while all are accessible; not all have the same features. Here are 6 options to consider when shopping for a wheelchair accessible van at Sunset Vans:
Ram ProMaster 136
The Ram ProMaster 136 is one of our spacious and configurable options. It is suitable for up to 7 passengers and up to 2 wheelchair occupants, making it useful for either a family or a business.
Focusing on safety, the 10-inch low floor ground clearance makes for stress-free entry and exit for all passengers, eliminating the large gap found on most regular vans. Additionally, its low roof enables it to fit inside most parking garages.
Customizable, the lift can be installed either on the rear or side of the van. Just as the lift location is a customer’s choice, so is the interior seating arrangement; the layout can be designed for fewer passengers or for its maximum capacity.
Ram ProMaster 159
The Ram ProMaster 159 is the largest Ram product we offer, seating up to 9 passengers and up to 3 wheelchair occupants.
The Ram 159’s ground clearance is 11 inches, differing from the Ram 136 by just over an inch and a half.
Customizable, the lift can be installed either on the rear or side of the van. Just as the lift location is a customer’s choice, so is the interior seating arrangement; the layout can be designed for fewer passengers or for its maximum capacity.
There is a lowered floor option available as well, with a manual side ramp for ease of access. This ramp option ensures that minimal maintenance is required with the ADA conversion aspect of the vehicle.
Ram ProMaster 159 Minibus Gas or Electric
In both the gas and electric model variations, the interior is spacious, with a capacity of up to 8 passengers and up to 3 wheelchair occupants.
Another advantage of the 159 is its compatibility with our side bus doors; the electric dual-sliding doors have the widest opening in the industry, setting it apart from other Ram 159’s on the market. The wheelchair accessibility ramp extends from the doors when opened, making it accessible with a side ramp.
Even with the addition of the bus doors, the ground clearance remains 11.75 inches, ensuring a safe step into and out of the van.
Ford Transit 148
The Ford Transit 148 is a spacious and fuel-efficient option. Averaging at 15 miles in the city and 19 on the highway, it can be of use for short errands or for a longer trip.
With space for up to 12 passengers and up to 1-4 wheelchair occupants, this could be the perfect fit for large families or businesses helping passengers get from point A to point B.
The seating arrangement choice is yours, as is the position of the lift. The Ford Transit is compatible with either a side or rear lift.
Ford E-Transit
The Ford E-Transit is a fully electric, accessible wheelchair van that seats 12 passengers and 1 to 4 wheelchair occupants, with a range of up to 148 miles on a full charge, it’s perfect for dense urban areas.
With less scheduled maintenance than other wheelchair vans, you’ll save time and money not only on service but also on fuel, costing roughly $0.2950 per mile, while the traditional combustion engine costs nearly double per mile.
Ford with Bus Doors
Ford models in its extended length and high roof can be equipped with bus doors. The Ford Transit 148 extra-long high roof compatibility is with both a rear and mid bus door, while the Ford E-Transit’s compatibility lies with a rear bus door.
Although the bus doors are in different positions, they have the same capabilities and dimensions. The ground to the first step is 12 inches with a 78 inch entrance height and a width of 36 inches.
The bus door is an addition to the van’s original form and, in turn, does not change the capacity of the interior, so the gas and electric models will hold up to 12 passengers and up to 1 to 4 wheelchair occupants.
