The CompanionVan – A New Kind Of Wheelchair Van
Posted by Jack on Thursday, November 6th, 2008As everyone knows, there are many different types of disabilities, and no one vehicle can be the perfect solution for everybody. While the majority of our customers choose traditional side-entry wheelchair vans, there are a significant number of people who prefer the rear-entry design 
with the ramp in the back of the minivan. So I’m happy to announce we have a new product coming out in November – the CompanionVan RE!
Some of you may have seen rear-entry vehicles before, and you may even own a rear-entry Ford Windstar or Toyota Sienna that BraunAbility converted in the past. But this is the first time we’ve offered a rear-entry conversion on the popular Chrysler/Dodge chassis. It joins the side-entry CompanionVan SE in our “manual” minivan lineup and it looks like it will be a winner for those who prefer or need the rear-entry design. So here’s the scoop on this new van:
First and foremost, it is intended for wheelchair users who will travel with an attendant (or a “companion,” get it?). The door can be manual or automatic depending on how the original vehicle is equipped, and the ramp is manual fold/unfold. The ramp is spring-assisted and has a handle that helps you unfold it – I’ve tried it out while shooting the pictures you see here, and it is very easy to do one-handed. Also, the length of the ramp translates to a very gentle ramp angle – if you use a manual wheelchair you’ll really appreciate this. There is a two-way locking mechanism that holds the ramp very securely when it’s folded up.
The first comment people usually make when they see a rear-entry wheelchair van is, “Looks neat, but you lose all the seating!” Some people need to use their van for both ambulatory and wheelchair passengers, and of course that presents a problem with no rear seating! But with its “Flip & Fold” seats, this is where the CompanionVan RE really shines. We’ve used folding seats in other conversions in the past, but the guys in engineering really outdid themselves this time – these are the easiest to use and the most functional we’ve ever offered. The best thing is, when they’re folded up they don’t protrude into the lowered floor area at all – far from it as a matter of fact (you can see this in the picture below – click on it to make it bigger). That means you can get two wheelchairs in the lowered floor area easily. Flip the seats down (using a really slick one-hand release), and you have seating for two additional ambulatory passengers, with room in the rear of the van for one wheelchair passenger.
OK, so there’s an obvious difference between side-entry and rear-entry CompanionVans – the location of the ramp of course. Why would you choose a rear-entry conversion? A lot of variables go into the decision, but it really comes down to one word: PARKING! If you live in areas with tight parking situations, having the ramp in the rear of the vehicle can be a life saver. Or maybe you have a one-car garage with no space beside the vehicle for a ramp. On the other side of the coin, if you do a lot of parallel parking the side-entry may be your best bet. The bottom line is, think carefully about how you will use your van before you make a decision, and most importantly, talk to and visit your dealer to try them both out first! Buying a wheelchair minivan is definitely not a one-size-fits-all proposition – do your homework now and it could save you lots of money and headaches later on.
Which brings us to another big advantage of the CompanionVan RE: cost! The goal from the beginning was to keep this no-nonsense conversion at a very low price point. Compared to traditional side-entry vans, the rear-entry conversion is a lot easier for us to build – so we can pass the savings of this “simpler” design on to you. Check with your dealer and I think you may be surprised how affordable this van can be – especially when a used chassis with low mileage is converted.
The CompanionVan RE will start hitting your BraunAbility dealer’s lot in November. If you don’t know where your dealer is, you can find them here. Again, the choice between side- and rear-entry is a big one, so be sure to do your homework. Ask your dealer lots of questions before considering a purchase. You can also start by asking us anything below!
Tags: companionvan, rear-entry, Wheelchair Vans
February 4th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Soon, I may need to consider mobility accessories to aid my elderly father’s transportation. I am just beginning my research into the available technology. Your’s is the first site I visited. Without seeing any others, I am certainly impressed with many of your products. I am especially interested to know a bit more about the CompanionVan. For now I have a couple of questions about this particular accessory:
1. Can the rear-entry ramp be installed as an aftermarket accessory? If so, on what vehicle models/year?
2. Is this particular accessory strictly for those who will remain in their chair/scooter for the entire ride or is there a method of transferring to transferring from chair to rear seat? If so, what are the steps and level of difficulty?
Thanks…
February 4th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Hi Robb,
We are commonly asked if the ramp can be attached to an existing vehicle as an after-market accessory. Unfortunately, it cannot. The CompanionVan’s ramp is only part of the conversion – it works in conjunction with the lowered floor which requires and extensive modification of the vehicle. Were you to try and use some type of ramp on a vehicle without a lowered floor, this would only be suitable for storing an empty chair – there would not be enough headroom for your father. You can find folding ramps for this purpose, and there are also lifts designed for the rear of minivans and SUVs. However, all of these types of products are designed for an unoccupied wheelchair.
Your question about transferring to the van’s seats is a good one, and the answer will depend on a number of factors. First, you need to consider your father’s level of ability and how easy it will be for him to transfer with or without assistance. There are power transfer chairs which raise, lower and/or rotate into position to make transfers easier and safer. As a rule, it is always safer to ride in the vans seats, but sometimes this isn’t an option as transferring is impossible or just too difficult. So this really isn’t a question I can answer without a lot more information from you, but I hope that gets you thinking about the things you’ll need to consider.
I know I’ve probably created more questions than answers, but there really are a lot of options available to you. Please feel free to continue the discussion here. I also recommend that you get in touch with your local dealer and see our vans in person. Be sure to look at the differences between the side-entry and rear-entry CompanionVans – you may find that one fits your needs better than the other, and our dealer will ask the right questions to help you make that determination.
Let me know if I can clarify anything, and thanks for sending us a note!
Jack
March 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I want to purchase a 2008 Chrysler minivan, but I only want the Companion Van conversion. When will the Companion Van conversion be available for the 2008 model? Thanks.
March 3rd, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Hi Scott,
We do not have an official release date yet for this product. My best guess at this point is sometime early summer. Please feel free to check back with us!
Jack
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
What vans is the Companion Van available in? Also, is it adaptable to a person in a wheelchair driving either in thier chair or with the assistance of a transfer seat?
April 4th, 2009 at 6:23 am
Hi Penney,
The rear entry CompanionVan is only available on Dodge chassis. It would not be possible to drive from your chair, as the floor is only lowered to just behind the front seats. As for a transfer seat, I have not heard of anyone doing this, but I think it would be best to talk to your local dealer. Remember that this conversion is only available with a manual ramp, so if you’re intending to drive and use this van independently, you would want to consider a fully automatic Entervan or Rampvan conversion. Please let me know if I can answer any more questions!
Jack
May 1st, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Do you have any specs on the CompanionVan RE yet? I’m especially concerned about the width of the ramp/channel. My wife’s wheelchair is 31″ wide. Thanks.
May 4th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Hello Bruce,
The usable width of the CompanionVan RE’s ramp is 30″, so it looks like this might not be the right solution for you. I sent you an email with the dimensions for your reference – let me know if you need anything else!
Jack
November 1st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
HAS THE SIDE ENTER CompanionVan BEEN RELEASED YET? IF SO HOW MUCH WOULD YOU SAVE BETWEEN NORMAL CONVERSTION AND THE COMPANION VAN?ALSO COULD A TURN AND SWIVEL CHAIR BE INSTALLED.
IN THIS SETUP.
THANK YOU
GUS
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 am
Hi Gus,
Yes, the side-entry CompanionVan SE has been released. You’ll have to check with your dealer on the price as there are several factors/options that will determine the difference. I have not heard of a swivel seat being installed in the CompanionVan – it is intended for use by those who will travel in the center of the van. Depending on the design of the third-party transfer seat, this may be a possibility. Again, best to check with your dealer on this.
Jack