mini vs full size van

[LindaDVC]

Our van broke down in Florida and we had quite an expereince trying to get Dan back to OKW and the van to Disney's car care center.

We always use Disney buses at WDW and were glad this trip as the van sat in the shop!
We never had a bus without a lift and all the drivers were helpful this time. Dan's permobile has nice spots built in to hook the straps to but not all the buses have straps that will fit!

We got home safely but want to get a new van before we head back to WDW in June.
We currently have a fullsize van and after looking at minivans wonder if folks find them too small. Once you take out the middle seats and put the spare tire behind the back seat you don't have much storage room!

Any comments re: fullsize vs mini would be appreciated

Linda

 

[mamajoan]

Hey there Linda, Glad to hear you got home safely and intact! too bad the van conked out down at WDW.
As far as van size, we just went thru a whole first time van shopping circus. We purchased a Chrysler Town and Country LXI. Since I am able to transfer we did not have to get a rampvan.
However I had a Bruno power lift installed in the rear. When the power chair is in the van there is only room for the 4 captain chair seats. Behind the second row there is room around the powerchair and about a good foot btwn the seats and the powerchair. Also the new Chryslers and Doidges have variable seating patterns, the bench and captains chairs can be moved around fairly easy by my dh to several different configurations.
I had a pt. who had a Dodge Grand Caravan with a full side power lift. the floor had been lowered and the middle seats removed. The spare tire now fits under the rear floor so if the rear seat is in place you have about 18" behind the rear seat for storage. Also yesterday when we were at Home Depot I saw a Dodge Grand Caravan Rampvan. Very nice.. It also had the middle seats removed.
The Grand Caravan and Town and Country are the largest of the minivan group. I would have preferred the Toyota Sienna but it is the smallest of the minivan group.
I did an exhaustive online search. You might want to try Edwards online to gauge the difference of interior sizes btwn mini's and full sized vans.
Best of lucK! Happy Van shopping!
Joan

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry to hear about your van troubles.
We have a lowered floor ramp van with a power door and power ramp. You can also use both manually if needed. Ours is a Braun Enterovan and it's a 2000 Chrysler Town and Country (the Grand size one). You can get various seat arrangements. Ours has the ability to use a wheelchair in either of the front seat positions. Although Katrina won't be driving it, the dealer recommended doing it that way for resale value. We have manual strap tiedowns and also a power wheelchair lock system for her power chair. That's pretty neat. All we have to do is pull the chair into the right spot; it locks in when you are in place, then all I have to do is put on her seat belt. The system uses the regular shoulder harness along with an extender belt. The other option we have that I strongly recommend is the "kneeling" feature. That makes the ramp much less steep. The spare tire is standing up in the back behind the back bench seat. It doesn't look like much room, but we can actually get quite a bit in there. I'm willing to measure if that would help you.
Our van was recently in an accident where someone rear ended us when we were stopped at a light (they estimated they were going about 40mph). It hasn't been repaired yet, so there might be some hidden damage, but the estimate is only about $500 damage to the bumper and the ramp is still useable.
One of the other types of van we looked at had a ramp that went under the floor. I found out that kind isn't a good option for any place that gets freezing weather. Road spray that gets on the ramp can freeze it shut (or so I was told).
There's another van that looks interesting fromViewpoint Mobility. It has an automatic back door and the ramp unfolds from the back. I don't think the wheelchair user can be in the front seat of that van without transferring. Someone in Katrina's dance class has one of those vans, but they seem to be in a hurry to leave after class, so I've never seen the inside. I alsso don't know what kind of tiedowns they have.

 

[Michigan]

The spare tire still goes in the back on the Ford Windstar vans. A family on the disabled sports team I coach just got one and with the tire back there it really leaves very little room for anything else.

I guess it depends on the size of your family and what you plan to carry around if you need a full size or mini van. Right now I have a Grand Caravan with the middle seats out and until this year was ok but now with both girls doing wheelchair racing, there just isn't enough room for 2 wheelchair, 2 racing wheelchairs and a field throwing chair not to mention luggage. So next spring I am going to buy a full size van with a rear lift. (I'm tired of not being able to find parking spaces to get the lift down in). I will miss driving the mini van if for no other reason then it's eaiser to park then a full size.

No matter what you decide I don't think there is a such thing as the perfect wheelchair van, and there is never a good price it's like buying one van for the cost of 2.

 

[LindaDVC]

Thanks to all of you for sharing ideas!
The last time I wanted a mini but after weighing the options and the price we went with a fullsize.

I drive and Dan would like to sit in the front passenger rather than the middle this time.
We have only one child and a service dog so for day to day activities a mini would do.
However we do car pool with two extra kids daily. Usually I am in my escort but at times Dan is with me so use the van.

Then the biggie-- our disney trips. The service dog gets overheated in Florida and spends some time in the room. He feels better in his kennel during these times! The kennel fits fine in the big van along with Chris' bike! Also my parents often join us for the ride to HH>
DH says we might pack less if we had a mini !!! I admit I over pack but don't know where I would put the luggage .

Glad our van is running so we can continue to look around and see what will work better! Now if money wasn't an option we would get one of each --
However we also want those Disney vacations, son in his private school that specializes in LD/ADHD, food, house, etc!!!

Linda

 

[mamajoan]

REBATES REBATES REBATES!!!

I forgot to mention that most of the auto manufacturers are having $1000 rebates for disABLED consumers who need to put ramps, hand controls, etc in their new vans. After you have had new equipment installed, you send in Rx and paid reciept to manufacturer. Then a nice check comes back to you. Yippee!
Joan

 

[SueM in MN]

We got the $1000 rebate on our van's equipment and then about 6 months later when we got a power tiedown system for DD's power wheelchair we got another rebate (I think $250 to $500). THe amount of the rebate depends on the price of the equipment you are buying.
I thought of this thread yesterday when I went shopping to SAM'S CLUB. i bought almost $300 worth of stuff (a very full cart) and got it all in the back next to my spare tire.

 

[LindaDVC]

That space sure looks small!
Still debating which way to go!

Linda

 

[LindaDVC]

Thanks for all your help!
We decided to buy a fullsize van.
After debating and dealing all week found out American Express (where Dan works) has a code to use at a ford dealer. That price was alot lower $$ than the lowest price we had negotiated-- so felt good about that!

Will use our old lift and put in a tie down system.
Should get it all done at the beginning of the week!

Linda

 

[mamajoan]

Congrats Linda! Wow sounds like you got a super deal.. good for you!

I think you should ask the dealer for the Mobility program package as you may still be able to recoup the cost of transfering the lift and the tie down system.

I was so tickled because I just got my $1000 mobility program rebate in the mail today! YEEHAA!!

 

[LindaDVC]

We got the 1,000 but they applied it as a credit and they will get the reimbursement rather than us having to wait.

Just as we were leaving the house Fri an ad came on that they were running several specials.
A drawing for a diamond and pop a balloon and get a discount. Besides the good price we got a $50 dollar check -- a tank of gas and a drive to MacDonalds but made us happy!

Linda

 

[SueM in MN]

Sounds good to me.
Enjoy your new van.

 

[mamajoan]

Linda, I did not know that they could get the rebate instead of you. That was nice of them to apply the credit to your cost. I had to get a Rx, send a paid invoice for the gear, have the dealer fill out a section on the form... I mean ya it was worth the $1000 but dang your way sound LOTS EASIER
and you got 50 bucks to boot... Girl YOU ARE GOOOOD!
Happy Motoring!

 

[LindaDVC]

After waiting for the lift to be transferred from the old to the new van we got it delivered to our door last night. The tie down system is on order and will be installed later. That was fine since not sure exactly where Dan wanted to permanently sit. The rear air decreases the head room in spots so now that we have the lift he can decide where he is the most comfortable!!

After debating about the size and accessibility features I had missed some of the extras this vehicle had. Little things like the compass, temperature, extra cup holders, etc! We had ordered our last van and didn't add in the extras that this vehicle was equipped with. We went out to eat last night and did some errands today. I love it and definitely like the extra space. My parents are joining us for our next two DVC trips so we will have plenty of room. Well- at least the suticases, dog kennel, and all the people will get in!!!
Even then may get crowded BUT the mini would have been impossible!



Linda

 

[SueM in MN]

Sounds like you got the right one for you.
And, once you get used to those luxuries, like the compass, they become necessities in your next van.

 

[LindaDVC]

Sue--
I already warned Dan that I like these little features!

Linda