Choosing an Accessible Vehicle: Truck, Van, or SUV?
If you’re looking for a wheelchair accessible vehicle that suits your lifestyle, United Access has you covered. Our mobility specialists can help you choose between full-size accessible vans, accessible trucks and SUVs and find the perfect solution that meets your individual needs and enables you to gain independence. Enjoy the extra benefits of a full-size accessible van with the capacity for more passengers and wheelchairs or opt for a wheelchair accessible truck for additional cargo space. A wheelchair accessible SUV is great for driving off-road or with added features. Learn more about how the right vehicle from United Access can provide you with the best mobility solutions.
Accessible Truck
If you’re looking for a way to increase your mobility with more power and cargo capabilities than a traditional wheelchair van, an accessible truck could be the perfect choice for you. Accessible trucks are created by modifying existing trucks with mobility products to make them wheelchair accessible vehicles. The trucks require minimal modifications to the floor and body of the truck so that it can accommodate a wheelchair lift while still providing the ability to transport large cargo. They are available in a variety of body styles and offer a reliable and safe ride to accommodate large wheelchairs and passengers. Not only do these trucks provide a higher ground clearance, more powerful engine, and larger cargo space than the average wheelchair van, they also offer greater hauling power for heavier equipment. With an accessible truck, you can experience the freedom of the open road with confidence, knowing that your mobility needs are safely and securely provided for.
Full-Size Accessible Vans
Full-size wheelchair accessible vans provide numerous benefits for wheelchair users, allowing them to travel more conveniently and safely. These modifications include a lowered floor and widen doorway, as well as a wheelchair ramp or lift, for easy entry and exit. This is beneficial as it allows wheelchair users to travel without having to rely on assistance from others. Additionally, these full-size vehicles offer more space and comfort than smaller vehicles, so wheelchair users can sit comfortably while bringing along additional passengers. Finally, these conversions provide wheelchair users with greater independence and freedom, allowing them to move around more easily.
Accessible SUVs
Wheelchair accessible SUVs are a great option for those who need a vehicle that can accommodate their wheelchair and other mobility aids. This conversion and build can benefit users by providing them with a reliable and comfortable vehicle that is tailored to their specific needs. Wheelchair accessible SUVs allow those with wheelchairs to travel independently and with greater ease. These vehicles are equipped with a wheelchair ramp that makes it easier for wheelchairs to enter and exit the vehicle. Additionally, the interior of the vehicle can be modified to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids. This means that the user can recline or adjust their seating position to suit their comfort level.
The BraunAbility Chevy Traverse is a wheelchair-accessible vehicle designed to provide disabled individuals with the independence of a full-size SUV. This vehicle is equipped with a power side-entry ramp, allowing for easy access for wheelchair users. The ramp is made of lightweight aluminum and is operated via a remote control, making it easy to use. The interior of the Traverse is also wheelchair-friendly, offering ample headroom and an adjustable floor height. The seatbelts are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, and the vehicle also has a manual transfer seat to allow for easier transfers. In addition to the accessible features, the Traverse also has a number of convenience features such as a rear-view camera, keyless entry, and a power liftgate. The interior is spacious and comfortable, offering plenty of room for passengers and cargo.
Mobility Products for Accessible Vehicles
Your vehicle can be outfitted with mobility equipment that meets your individual needs and lifestyle. Whether you need help driving and steering your car, require a mobility lift to get your wheelchair into the vehicle, need specialized seating solutions to provide better support, or want to be sure your wheelchair is securely held in place, we offer customized mobility products for cars, vans, and SUVs.
Our products are designed with your safety and convenience in mind. Driving aids provide improved handling and control, while wheelchair lifts make it easy to get into your vehicle and onto the road. For those needing specialized seating solutions, we offer a wide range of adjustable, ergonomically friendly seating options that are designed with your comfort in mind. We also offer securement options that make sure your wheelchair is held safely in place and won’t move during your ride.
When you take advantage of our mobility products, you can rest assured that you’re driving in safety and comfort. Our dedicated and knowledgeable team are here to help you find the perfect product for your needs and will work with you to ensure that your vehicle meets all the necessary standards. Contact us to learn more about our selection of mobility products and to get started finding the perfect fit for your vehicle.
No matter what type of wheelchair accessible vehicle you need, there is sure to be a perfect option for you. With so many different vehicles available, you can find one that meets your requirements and suits your lifestyle. Don’t let your disability limit your freedom; there are a variety of wheelchair accessible vehicles out there to help you get where you need to go. Contact a Mobility Specialist today to get started.
Best of Trucks, Van Life and SUVs from 2021
Here’s three things that sharply impacted the design of trucks, vans and SUVs this year: Electric, which is being promoted as a greener alternative; size concerns, which are leading to a rash of micro-trucks; and the pandemic, which has spurred renewed interest in living/working out of one’s vehicle.
During the Texas ice storm and blackout of 2021, Ford gained some free publicity when news outlets reported that F-150 hybrid owners were able to power their homes with their trucks.
Unsurprisingly, when Ford later announced the upcoming all-electric F-150 Lightning, it drew strong interest.
Startup Canoo also revealed their forthcoming electric pickup truck, which has a lot of great design features, and some questionable ones.
Don’t like the looks of these newfangled EV trucks? You can always build your own; Ford announced they’re going to start selling e-crate engines, and retrofitted one into this 1978 F-100 as a proof-of-concept.
Speaking of delivery vans, the USPS finally unveiled their next generation mail truck design (they’re still deciding if it will be electric or not). It’s totally goofy-looking—and I love it, for a mail truck design.
As for some unusual and non-electric delivery trucks, Japan’s Hino, a Toyota subsidiary, modifies their massive trucks to race in the Dakar Rally!
These aren’t exactly delivery trucks, but we did stumble across an Italian manufacturer of wickedly rectilinear food trucks.
A vehicle that’s both large and electric is British company Aurrigo’s self-driving Auto Shuttles. One thing they aren’t is easy on the eyes. I wrote that they look like they were designed as a CAD tutorial.
Dropping down to minivans for a second, Porsche designers randomly answered the question: What would a Porsche minivan look like?
While trucks and SUVs have been growing in size for some time, there’s also a reverse reaction where people are shrinking them. EV startup Alpha unveiled their upcoming single-cab short-wheelbase model.
Meanwhile Opel presented the opposite of an SUV, their tiny SUM (Sustainable Urban Mobility) vehicle. And yes, that’s actually how the doors work.
Similarly, Hyundai presented their Casper, a sub-$12,000 Micro SUV for the Asian market.
Also for the Asian market, specifically China, GM developed this tiny $9,000 pickup truck.
Then there’s this curious mini-truck: Honda converted one of their cab-over Japanese work trucks into an autonomous model, removing the cab. The headless truck is being trialed at a massive construction site in New Mexico.
Let’s talk UI/UX for a sec. I raved about the fantastic UX design in the Ford Bronco’s doors, which are removable. The designers really thought through every little detail.
Then I wrote an offhanded post bitching about the terrible UX of the gas gauge in the Volkswagen Atlas—and you wouldn’t believe how much traffic it did. I hate being reminded that in this day and age, people love negativity.
Probably not great UX, is trying to get in and out of the 1967 Dodge Deora concept.
Hypercar designer Frederik Steve Kristensen tackled a Dodge Deora 2022 redesign. Ingress and egress look a little more manageable.
The pandemic helped ignite people’s fantasies of wandering in vehicles. Nissan’s Mobile Office Pod concept van was a big hit, promising a work-from-anywhere platform.
And as van life took off, business has been booming for Design/Build Firm Chewy Design Co.’s van-to-home conversions.
Then there’s van life for the 1%: Check out this bad-ass German luxury motorhome.
Some people sleep in their trucks because it’s part of their job. We took a look at the interiors of sleeper cabs for long-haul truckers, to see what the designers have done to make them livable.
Lastly, this year we encountered the terrifying tale of a truck that drove over the side of a bridge, and was held dangling in place only by the safety chain attached to its trailer. Incredibly, the four occupants—two humans and two dogs—were safely rescued.
10Best Trucks and SUVs for 2023
Our annual awards cut through the clutter to find the trucks and SUVs that live up to their purpose while delivering incredible value and a great driving experience.
From the February/March 2023 issue of Car and Driver.
Stand at attention: a second 10Best list is here. From a long list of contenders, we have chosen the best trucks and SUVs for sale in a crowded market. Each choice delights, satisfies, and exceeds expectations.
Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Reality isn’t buffering. This isn’t a mistake—you are in fact looking at a second 10Best list. Last month we gave out our 2023 10Best Cars awards; this time, we’re picking our favorite trucks, SUVs, and basically anything that isn’t a car. With the market shift away from cars and the explosion of SUV and truck offerings, we decided to give them their due and award a second 10Best. We invited trucks, SUVs, and vans priced from below $110,000, a number selected based on the assumption that anything that costs more better be pretty damn great. For a week, the Car and Driver staff left the office to shake down the vehicles on our 10Best loop. After a few note-comparing discussions around the dinner table, we sat down to vote individually. Scores were averaged, and the 10Best emerged. Each winner leads its segment and offers the refinement, practicality, and value we look for during judging. Of course, C/D believes those virtues shouldn’t come at the expense of the driving experience. Satisfying performance and entertaining vehicle dynamics are a requirement for every 10Best winner, no matter its shape, size, or segment.
Click each individual vehicle to get its full story, or keep reading to find out more about the 2023 10Best Trucks and SUVs.