Not a WDW question-wheelchair "friendly" minivan?

[twinmum]

Hello! This is not a WDW related question, but you have all been so helpful in the past, I thought I'd try this.

We are in the market for a new car or minivan. Our current Volvo wagon has been wonderful, but is ready for retirement. Our family includes me, DH and twin DS8's, one of whom has CP. He uses a walker or wheelchair, depending on the distance. He is almost able to get himself out of the Volvo with considerable assistance.

We need a vehicle that can handle all of us, the walker and/or the wheelchair (can be folded down). We have always avoided minivans, just a preference - but now we're thinking of making the move to one. We'd want a van that has really flexible seating, but we do not need to have a fully accessible van.

Recommendations, anyone?

 

[Michigan]

I have a full size van with a rear lift but I also have a Chrysler Town & Country that I drive back and forth to work and when the price of gas went up the big van has stayed in the garage and the mini van has being the only one I've been using.

I have 2 kids in wheelchair and this is how I have my van configured right now. I have the stow and go seats so there is one seat up behind the passenger side and another seat up behind that. Both wheelchairs are sitting next to each kid.

I love this van! My oldest DD swims on her high school swim team (first disabled athlete on a varsity team at her school) and in Aug the team went to Kings Island and I was one of the drivers. This will show you how much you can get in this van. Driver seat - me, front passenger seat junk food, two bucket seats in middle had both my daughters, under their seats in the stow section had the tires from their wheelchairs. Back row 3 teenagers behind them 2 rigid wheelchairs without wheels, 3 backpacks one sleeping bag and one suitcase on wheels.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Have you thought about something called a "crossover" vehicle. This would be something like the Dodge Caliber, Ford Edge, Buick Rendezvoux, Lexus RX350 or other similar. They are four door with flexible seating and in a way similar to a station wagon.

 

[minkydog]

When we went car shopping we took DS and his chair and tried them out. Any van or SUV thet could not accomodate the w/c was out. Once the w/c was accomodated, we tried seating DS. Our last minivan was a Dodge Grand Caravan. It has a long wheelbase and 4 doors. It worked very well hauling DS's w/c. Right now we drive a GMC Safari. It has a lot of room for hauling, but its a bit high to step into. DS needs a lot of assistance and I can see the day coming when this van will no longer work for us.

 

[Poohnatic]

SIL purchased a Honda Odyssey last year. It fits two scooter/ecv's in it with the rear seats folded down. It will also fit 5 people. She had a ramp and winch put on it, as she's unable to lift the ecvs and it takes about 5 minutes to get both ecv's into the back.

Suzanne

 

[SueM in MN]

I have a lowered floor, ramp equipped minivan.
The van it started out as was a Chrysler Town and Country van. Like Michigan, I love my van. I saw a news story on some new options for that van that allow even more flexibility - including things like automatic folding of the Stow N Go seats. Also, the middle seat could be placed in the van either facing the front or the back. I don't know when those features will be available, but the current ones are pretty nice even without those features.

 

[SueM in MN]

Forgot to mention,
before we got our wheelchair accessible minivan, we had a Chrysler Town and County for many years. The back part behind the back seat was large enough to put my DD's unfolded wheelchair in it.

 

[MarieS]

Like Sue, we have a lowered floor minivan for the boys. It's a Braun Entervan that's a Chevy Venture. It has a bench seat in the back. Both side doors open. Passenger side door has an electrical ramp. I didn't want a huge conversion van since I was concerned about driving and parking one. This minivan works great for us. Prior to this van I had another Chevy minivan, but lifting the boys into the seats and breaking down their chairs and lifting those into the hatch really took a toll on my back. We also have EZ locks to secure their chairs which makes getting in and out very easy.

 

[Mason7AK]

We just sold our full size, wheelchair lift equipped van and bought a Toyota Sienna. We LOVE it! We are a family of seven and the Sienna can have seating for 8 people. The row behind the driver can be configured with two seat or with three. We use three seats there for our three youngest children (all in car seats), have room in the third row to put our two oldest children and with one of the stow and go seats folded down in the last row, we are able to fold DD6's wheelchair and still have room in the very back for DS4's rigid wheelchair that does not fold. Granted, it is a little tight for everyone to ride at once, but on days when we do not have all the kids, adults, etc. we can fold down the other two stow and go seats in the third row and have plenty of room for both wheelchairs and groceries, shopping bags, etc.

Plus, we find the seats in the Sienna to be very roomy and comfortable for everyone. One last perk for me is that the Sienna seems relatively low to the ground, and I have no problem whatsoever loading the wheelchairs by myself, or lifting my three little ones (ages 6, 4 and 15 mos) into the carseats.
Angela

 

[Gillian]

We have a Sienna and it's very comfortable. I don't carry a wheelchair, but the split folding rear seat is easy to use and flexible. Plus the area behind the third row is quite large when the seats are up. I often lug around boxes.

Our favorite feature is the 60/40 split 3rd row seat, because we can fit 5, or even six, and still have room for a large item with 1/3 or 2/3 of the seat folded down.

The middle 2 bucket seats can tip forward separately, but not fold into the floor. They are very comfortable for adults as well as kids.

I have noticed that the 2 middle seats in the Sienna are rather large (thicker) compared to my friends Town & Country. It's hard to explain, but they just take up more air! She has more space to move around, even though my van is just as wide. She does not have the Chrysler fold into the floor seats.

 

[SueM in MN]

What I would suggest you do is narrow down to a few makes/models and then go visit showrooms with your child who has CP, his wheelchair and walker. Actually try having him get in and out and putting the wheelchair in and out.
Sometimes a subtle difference in the height of the seat, the pitch of the seat or how far away it is from the door will make it either harder or easier for him to get in and out.
And, you may find out that something about the back of the van makes it easier or harder to get the wheelchair in and out.

 

[twinmum]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I have been narrowing it down (I've been slinging that wheelchair into many vehicles!) and plan on taking our son for the final round of visits.

Believe it or not, at the last place I checked out, the salesman turned out to be married to one of the special needs assistants at my son's school - he knew all about our son and his needs already!