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Handicap Vans - Ramp vs Lift Which is Better?

Choosing a wheelchair ramp over a lift system is a matter of budget and personal preference. Both can get you safely in and out of a wheelchair van, however handicap lowered floor vans with ramps tend to be less expensive, take up less space and are more fuel efficient compared to a full size van which is used for most wheelchair lift applications.

WHEELCHAIR RAMPS

Wheelchair ramps normally come in permanent van conversions where the floor is lowered to allow enough headroom when entering and riding in the vehicle. Most lowered floor vans come with wheelchair ramps and kneeling systems that lower the wheelchair van and reduce the angle of the ramp. At AMS Vans, Inc. we sell handicap vans with ramps, however we eliminate the need for these expensive and sometimes unreliable systems by having extended ramps that decrease the incline of the ramp. There are two types of wheelchair ramps -- one folds up in a vertical position, and the other slides out from under the floor of the van.

Accessible handicap vans with wheelchair ramps can come with either a manual or power conversion. Power wheelchair ramps can operates on a remote control or from a switch located on the dash or just inside the side door panel. Push a button and the door slides open, the ramp extends out, and in cases where a kneeling system is needed, the van lowers. Guide your wheelchair or mobility scooter inside and push the button or switch, and the system reverses. Manual systems are commonly spring loaded and easily fold out and retract into the van with each use.

Portable ramps are often made from lightweight aluminum which can easily fold up and be stored vertically inside a van. Portable ramps can be considered if you are just trying to store a wheelchair or scooter in a minivan without a permanent conversion. While this is by far the most economical solution for handicap transportation, the lack of a lowered floor often makes headroom an issue for traveling in a wheelchair. Please NOTE: You cannot ride a scooter or wheelchair into a minivan with a portable ramp system unless the floor has been lowered. We strongly suggest that you speak with a mobility professional bevore purchasing any type of portable ramp if you are trying to use the ramp application for a minivan or car.

WHEELCHAIR LIFTS

A vehicle wheelchair lift is a mechanical device that is used to lift a person in a wheelchair and make it easier to get into a vehicle. Wheelchair lifts are typically installed in full sized vans.

There are several basic wheelchair lift types; cassette lifts that slide out from under the van, horizontal folding lifts which allow for better vision through the windows, vertical folding lifts which allow passengers to enter the van without deploying the lift, and platform wheelchair lifts which are the most basic forms of wheelchair lifts.

Lifts come in both hydraulic lifts, the most common type since they allow for heavier steel construction and higher lift capacity, and electric lifts, made with lightweight aluminum and lighter lift capacity. Lifts require either a lowered floor or a raised roof to accommodate enough headroom for wheelchair passengers to ride comfortably inside their chairs.

Wheelchair lifts work when space limitations or height requirements make a ramp prohibitive. Wheelchair lifts are a lot more expensive than wheelchair ramps, but oftentimes less expensive than a lowered floor conversion with a ramp. Wheelchair lifts are engineered to lift the power or manual wheelchair and user into the vehicle and is not the same as a scooter lift which is designed to lift only the scooter into a wheelchair van.