Interesting van

[SueM in MN]

I saw a neat van in action yesterday.
One of the other kids in DD's dance class has a rear entry minivan. Yesterday, we got a chance to see it in action. Here's a link to an info page about the vans.
It was already open when we got out, so we didn't have a chance to see the ramp unfold, but we saw the young lady drive her wheelchair in. She had automatic tiedowns installed, so when she drove straight in far enough, the tiedown engaged. It took her about 30 seconds to drive up the ramp and be secured. Her wheelchair sat where the farthest back seat in a van would normally sit. The biggest advantage according to her mom, was that they can park in any regular parking spot. No need to hunt for a van accesible handicapped spot.
According to the website, seating can be arranged so the person in the wheelchair is not so far back, but then you give up some seating.

 

[Nanajo1]

Thanks for the link. I would love to hear from someone who uses the rear entry van. I have this fear of rolling out into the parking lot and some other car whizzing by me!

 

[SueM in MN]

Yep, I could see the same disadvantage. You basically would be coming out of your van blind. I could also see a problem in our garage - right now I can open the ramp and let DD get into the van in the garae if I have no car parked in the next stall. If we had one of the rear entry vans, I would need to have her go outside or I'd need to back the van into the garage (although if I win Publishers' Clearing House, I could build a new house with an extra long garage to deal with that).

 

[Nanajo1]

Sue,
We are in the process of designing a dream house(it is still way in the future). We had planned on a 2.5 car garage to accommodate the ramp. Now I'm thinking to include all options the garage should be extra high in case I end up with an extended roof van and extra long to fit the rear entry van. DH says the garage will be bigger than the house! LOL maybe we could rent it out for functions!