Wheelchair Lifts Vs. Ramps on Accessible Vehicles

Should you buy a Wheelchair Lift or a Ramp for your handicap van? In today's accessible world, there are many options when deciding how you will get around town. It's important to invest in the right wheelchair lift or ramp for your needs and desires for both now and in the future. With the right choice, you can have a great solution that will give you years of service and continue to meet your mobility needs. Trust in our years of experience to help you find the perfect solution. We have combed the world of accessible transportation and put the very best combination of features for a wheelchair lift and ramp into our handicap accessible vans.

Under Van Ramps

Hydraulic lifts support a metal grid that hides under the converted wheelchair van.

Pros
The ramp is out of view and does not take up interior space of the van.

Cons
Damage occurs easily from the underside of the vehicle
Adds unnecessary weight to the vehicle decreasing fuel efficiency
Expensive to buy
Expensive to fix
Gets dirty easily
Parallel parking is difficult with deployment coming straight out the side, often hitting the curb
Only available with full size vans
Finding parking is not always easy for full size vans
Winter months cause significant lift problems
Heavier loads cause the van to bottom out often.

Arm Wheelchair Lifts for Vans

The single arm wheelchair lift raises and lowers a mobility scooter or wheelchair with a webbing strap or docking device.

Pros
Quiet arm lift
Uses existing van power system
Quick installation

Cons
Difficult to repair
Dangerous if not strapped in properly
Awkward
Unavailable on minivans
Changing wheelchairs to a larger type can make this wheelchair lift potentially unusable
Blocks the view
Gets in the way often
If interior model, it takes up cargo space
If exterior model, exposes the wheelchair lift (and sometimes wheelchair) to the outside elements causing corrosion to the lift and wheelchair or mobility scooter
Depending on the location, it can keep other people from being able to get in and out easily
Difficult for the elderly to use
Weight Limit often 300-500 pounds for the wheelchair and the person.
Takes a lot more time to enter and exit the van
Pole tends to lean after time

Platform Wheelchair Lifts for Vans

The platform lift is attached to the outside of a vehicle on the back or can be an interior model that takes up most of the cargo space.

Pros
Exterior style wheelchair or scooter lift keeps interior space at a maximum.

Cons
Interior style platform lift - takes up most of the space within the cargo bay
Exterior style platform lift - exposes lift and wheelchair or mobility scooter to the outside elements and May be difficult for drivers to see following behind the vehicle
Expensive to fix
Expensive to purchase
Adds unnecessary weight to the vehicle decreasing fuel efficiency
Unavailable on minivans
Finding parking is not always easy for full size vans

Kneeling Systems

A kneeling system is installed on accessible vans to lower the incline of the ramp plane.

Pros
Decreases the ramp angle for manual wheelchair users

Cons
Expensive to buy
Expensive to fix
Many reports of broken "low riding" vans that never stop kneeling

Wheelchair Van Ramps by AMS Vans

This handicap ramp folds out above curb level allowing the wheelchair user to ride in the van without leaving the chair or the person can easily transfer over to the driver's seat in side entry accessible vehicles.

Pros
Uses existing van power system
10" Lowered Floor means extra head room and minimal "bottoming out"
No expensive kneeling system - 4" extended ramp length to compensate and can be lowered on a curb.
Wired straight into the battery instead of the vehicle computer to save mechanical problems
24 call service
Wheelchair ramp folds out above the curb
Nationwide warranty covers van conversion for 5 years or 50,000 miles

Cons
Not an easy ramp for manual wheelchairs
Rear entry available for wheelchair passengers only, no drivers

Interested in learning more about wheelchair ramps and lifts? Talk to one of our mobility consultants at 800-775-8267 for complete information.