Questions to Ask Before Buying a Wheelchair Van
What am I looking for in an accessible vehicle?
It sounds like an easy question, but sometimes asking yourself what you want and need from a vehicle is like asking “what is my purpose in life?”. BraunAbility offers the most accessible vehicle options so we can meet the needs of most people. Tall or short, light or heavy, growing up or growing old – we have a solution for you. All these options can make it difficult to decide. That’s where our Customer Experience Group or your local dealer can help. We can take out options that won’t be right for you based on your needs or budget and simplify your choices until you find the one for you.
How do we get there?
Consider the following on your journey.

Are my needs best served by a full-sized van?
Back when BraunAbility was incorporated (then known as The Braun Corporation), full-size vans were all that was available and in some ways, they are a great alternative to the lowered floor minivan. While many customers don’t like the idea of driving a large vehicle, for large families or exceptionally large power chairs, a full-size van equipped with a lift could be the right solution. Learn more about our lifts here.
Will you be driving?
BraunAbility manufactures handicap vans that allow someone in a wheelchair to drive or ride in the front row by securing their chair into the front position. These are what we call side-entry vehicles. Because a side-entry vehicle has a fully lowered vehicle floor, the front seats must be installed on a raised seat base to have optimal visibility out the windshield. These seat bases are equipped with a locking mechanism that can be released and the full seat can be rolled down the ramp to give access to either seating position.
Can you operate a remote or button autonomously?
If you are unable to operate a handheld remote or to open a vehicle door on your own, you may be interested in the BraunAbility CompanionVan or CompanionVan Plus. These conversion types are available on the Dodge Grand Caravan and feature a partially lowered floor, which means less cost to convert overall. In this style, the front seats are not removable and designed to accommodate caregivers and wheelchair users simultaneously.
How tall do you sit in your wheelchair?
BraunAbility makes two different handicap van styles with three distinct door opening heights. For those who sit very tall in their wheelchair, a rear-entry or XT side-entry will be more at a doorway height of 54” and 56” inches respectively. Conversely, an XT would not be an ideal choice for someone who sits mid-to-low height in a wheelchair because seeing over the dash could be a challenge.
