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What is a lowered floor minivan?
We get this question a lot! Read on for more information.
Lowered Floor Minivan Characteristics
Although there are many types of lowered floor conversions, here a few characteristics they all share:
- The floor of the minivan has been dropped significantly (10"-14" in most cases) to provide enough headroom for someone that needs to travel in or with their wheelchair at all times.
- There is a ramp either in the passenger side second row position, or in the rear of the van that allows easy access for someone in a wheelchair.
- Conversions can be either full power (doors and ramp controlled by a remote) or manual.
- Not all minivans can be converted! Only certain makes and models allow for lowered floor conversions.
Lowered Floor Minivan Conversion Types
Now that you know the basics, here are some specifics on the different types of conversions that are available:
Fully Automatic Conversion Features
- Keychain Remote Control
- Kneeling Rear Suspension
- Removable Driver & Passenger Seats
- Automatic Passenger Sliding Door
- Automatic Foldout or Infloor Ramp
- Lowered Floor
- Wheelchair/Occupant Securement System
- Interior OEM Control Switches
- Custom Ground Effects
- Retractable Belt Securement System (optional)
- Taillight Magnetic Control System (optional)
- Dealer-Installed Electric Tie-Down (optional)
Full or Half Drop (Companion) Manual Conversion Features:
- Removable Driver & Passenger Seats (Full Drop Only)
- Manual Sliding door (may have OEM power door)
- Manual Foldout Ramp
- Lowered Floor
- Wheelchair/Occupant Securement System
- Custom Ground Effects
- Retractable Belt Securement System (optional)
- Dealer-Installed Electric Tie-Down (optional)
Lowered Floor Minivan Conversion Options (by manufacturer)
BraunAbility Entervan: With the BraunAbility Entervan, you can count on the safety and reliability you've come to expect from Chrysler/Dodge and the quality accessibility you expect from BraunAbility. These accessibility features include:
- Full drop automatic conversion
- Lowered driver side sliding door sill
- Easy-out front passenger and driver seats
- Power auto-kneel system
- Remote control for doors and fold-out ramp
- Under carriage spare tire storage
BraunAbility Companion Conversion: The BraunAbility Companion Van is the premier wheelchair vehicle that offers the accessibility of traditional lowered-floor minivans in a streamlined, economical package. With a manual door and manual bi-fold ramp, these wheelchair vehicles are the perfect choice for those who will travel with an attendant. In the Side-Entry model, both front seats and the rear bench seat are retained during the conversion process, allowing seating for up to four ambulatory adults with one wheelchair secure position in the center lowered floor area. For the Rear-Entry model, two unique Flip & Fold second-row seats allow seating for up to four ambulatory adults with one wheelchair secure position in the rear lowered floor area. In the Companion Van wheelchair vehicle, the seats fold up allowing the lowered floor area to easily accommodate two wheelchair passengers.
Braun XT Conversion: The XT takes the refined handicap van accessible features of the Braun Entervan to new heights, offering 56-1/2" of clearance through the sliding door - a full 4 inches more than the standard Entervan model. In addition, the improved kneeling system lowers the rear suspension even further than before, resulting in a lower, wheelchair ramp slope. If you've been waiting for the right size wheelchair accessible van, the Entervan®XT could be the answer.
Toyota Rampvan Conversion: The 2008-2010 3.5L V6 Toyota Sienna with BraunAbility's Rampvan Conversion offers fully independent wheelchair-accessible travel in one of the safest, most dependable minivan chasses available. This wheelchair accessible ramp van integrates the exceptional drivability, comfort, and reliability of the Toyota Sienna minivan with BraunAbility's thoughtfully designed features for mobility vans. The Rampvan's lightweight aluminum side-entry ramp features a durable non-skid powder coated finish. Ramp extension is fully automatic, allowing access for independent wheelchair users, and may be activated via the van's keychain remote control.
Braun Commercial Entervan: The Braun Commercial Entervan is the culmination of nearly forty years experience in building personal mobility products. Style, performance, convenience and safety have been aesthetically blended to achieve a new level of refinement in a wheelchair-accessible minivan. The most striking feature is its handsomely finished automotive look. Easy access to the vehicle is achieved with a lowered floor and low angle ramp. Both the passenger side and the driver side sliding doors have been lowered to match the low floor level with no sill or other obstructions to step over. This standard feature also allows for a better wheelchair turning radius, making it easier to maneuver while inside the vehicle. The Commercial Entervan comes standard with a removable front driver and passenger seat, and a wheelchair position in the front passenger area. This allows a passenger to ride in the front passenger seat or, by simply removing the seat, to ride in their wheelchair.
VMI Northstar Conversion: The Northstar lowered floor wheelchair accessible minivan conversion consists of a power in-floor wheelchair ramp that offers open, unrestricted entry and exit as well as greater interior maneuverability. A one-touch remote allows effortless ramp deployment at your fingertips while the PowerKneel™ gives you a lower ramp angle, making access easier. There are many seating options for both wheelchair users and other passengers, with the removable front seat bases. The SURE DEPLOY™ electronic primary back-up system provides a simple way to operate the VMI Northstar in-floor wheelchair ramp when the standard electronic control system is not functioning, or there is a total loss of power to the vehicle.
VMI Summit Conversion: The Summit lowered floor wheelchair accessible van conversion consists of a power fold-out ramp with two inch side rails to keep wheelchairs securely on track, and an 11" lowered floor. Also, the PowerKneel™ technology provides ease of access by reducing ramp angle.
Vision Rear Entry Conversion: The Vision™ is a rear-entry, lowered floor modification that is seamlessly engineered to make Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors minivans as barrier-free as possible. Just a press of the button and the rear hatch opens, the ramp unfolds, and the van lowers to the ground. The automatic rear hatch can be triggered using a keychain remote, hand-held remote or dash-mounted switch.
