Which Wheelchair Car Ramp is Right for Me?

If you're in the market for a wheelchair van ramp, you may be a bit overwhelmed with all the options available. You've got a lot of choices to consider, and rightly so! No two wheelchair-users (or their chairs) are completely the same, and you've all got different needs and preferences. One of the decisions you'll face: whether to go with a handicap van with an infloor wheelchair car ramp or a foldout van ramp.

Infloor Wheelchair Van Ramp

Pros of a handicap van with an Infloor wheelchair van ramp:

• With no van ramp in the doorway, passengers who are not in wheelchairs can enter and exit the vehicle without having to deploy the van ramp.
• If you'd been bothered by the foldout van ramp interfering with the front passenger seat reclining, that issue is eliminated with an in-floor van ramp.
• Out of sight, out of mind! An in-floor van ramp is completely concealed, so the interior looks closer than ever to that of a standard Toyota Sienna.

Cons of a handicap van with an Infloor wheelchair car ramp:

• The infloor van ramp has a slightly higher van ramp angle compared to the foldout.
• Deploying an infloor van ramp onto a high curb could be a problem.
• An infloor van ramp may require more maintenance because the wheelchair car ramp tends to collect more debris.

Foldout Wheelchair Van Ramp

Pros of a wheelchair van with a foldout wheelchair van ramp:

• If you pull alongside a curb, it's very easy to deploy a foldout wheelchair car ramp onto the sidewalk.
• In the case of an emergency, a wheelchair user can always push a foldout van ramp until it deploys.
• Because the wheelchair van ramp is stored upright, less debris is able to get trapped and result in maintenance issues.
• Compared to the in-floor option, the foldout conversions have a lower wheelchair van ramp angle

Cons of a wheelchair van ramp with a foldout ramp:

• Because the foldout wheelchair van ramp is housed in the doorway when stored, it takes up a small amount of interior space.
• The van ramp can limit the front passenger seat from fully extending in a reclined position.
• In order to enter or exit on the wheelchair car ramp side of the vehicle, the van ramp must be deployed.

Of course, this overview can in no way compare to experiencing each option in person and reviewing it up close with the help of a BraunAbility dealer. Click here to find your local BraunAbility dealer and receive a free, no-obligation mobility consultation. Mobility isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, and we want to make sure you have the options you deserve! More questions? Let us know!