Is A Kneeling System Necessary?

What Is a Kneeling System?

Before you can decide if a Kneeling System is right for your family or business you need to know what one does. A kneeling system lowers the rear suspension of the vehicle to decrease the incline of a wheelchair ramp or to fall flush with a curb. While kneeling systems are crucial to some wheelchair drivers and manual wheelchair users, they can be both expensive and unreliable for people who do not need them.

 

What Is Wrong with Kneeling Systems?

First and foremost, kneeling systems can be expensive! Installing a kneeling system in your wheelchair accessible vehicle can add thousands onto your handicap van conversion price. Throughout the years, kneeling systems often become unreliable and are expensive to buy or install. In addition, servicing these kneeling systems can be difficult and pricey. At AMS, there are no kneeling systems to break down. We have found that wheelchair vans without kneeling systems are much more reliable then those that have them.

 

What Makes the AMS Handicap Van Conversion Different?

AMS increases their wheelchair ramps an additional 4 inches in length. This decreases the incline of the wheelchair ramp itself making it easy for a power wheelchair, scooter, or caregiver to guide a manual wheelchair up the ramp and into the wheelchair seating area of the handicap van. Because of the decreased incline, there is no need for an expensive kneeling systems installed in the AMS conversions. The decreased incline also helps when exiting the accessible minivan, allowing more control of the chair when guiding it out of the van.

 

Who Is Right for an AMS Conversion?

While we try to cater to every disability at AMS Vans, we are not the perfect match for everyone, and we will continue to be open about which wheelchair users we can and cannot service. Wheelchair users in powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or those in manual chairs traveling with someone are great fits for an AMS conversion. The motor of your power wheelchair will easily master the decreased incline of our ramp vans without any assistance. Manual wheelchairs also work easily with the extended ramp when there is a caregiver traveling with the person, or you may find alternate solutions such as "magic wheels" that are able to go uphill with much less effort, or a "power pull" crank system.

 

Who Is Not Right for an AMS Conversion and Needs a Kneeling System?

For those in manual chairs that wish to travel independently from their wheelchair, we may not be the best mobility solution. Exceptions to this are manual wheelchair users that travel with a caregiver, wheelchairs with "magic wheels" that master inclines easier than standard wheelchair wheels, or those with a power pull system (a crank and wire system that pulls the wheelchair user up into the vehicle.) If you fall into any of those categories, an AMS Conversion may be right for you. We can save you thousands by eliminating the need of a kneeling system.

AMS Vans, Inc. knows that not everyone is right for our handicap van conversions, and we would never sell you an AMS wheelchair van if it wasn't the right fit for your home or office. We'll give you up front, honest information that will guide you into the perfect wheelchair accessible van, whether or not that mobility van was manufactured by AMS.

While the kneeling system serves a definite group of those with disabilities, many qualify for an AMS wheelchair accessible van. The AMS conversion doesn’t require a kneeling system due to the extended ramp with decreased incline. Call one of our mobility consultants today at 800-775-8267 to see if you're a good fit for an AMS conversion van.