Our DIY Wheelchair Accessible Van
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ค. 2024
- This video is in no way sponsored or compensated.
Kevin would like to give a personal shoutout to socks in Crocs.
We all know life with a disability can be overwhelmingly expensive. There are services and items we require to live life and companies know this. They know you HAVE to have certain things and they know if you need it bad enough you will have no choice but to find a way to pay whatever price point they choose to set.
That’s why we are sharing this video with you. Because we have our own handy mechanic, we were able to create our own #wheelchair #accessible #van for a fraction of what it would cost for a company-modified accessible vehicle. We know this is not an option for everyone but we hope it can at least help a few of you.
**This was our first attempt at having embedded captioning. We know it’s not perfect but it’s a step in the right direction.**
We are cousins who love to travel, but the world is not always as welcoming to varied abilities as it should be. Here we will be sharing with you our adventures and some of the ways we have learned to make the not-so-accessible accessible. It’s not always easy but where there’s a will there is (usually) a way!
JOIN US ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM
✨Link Tree: linktr.ee/cousins.travel.acce...
MUSIC/SOUNDS
✨Dress shoe jog on concrete from TH-cam’s audio library
PRODUCTS MENTIONED
✨Inlad is the ramp manufacturer and the distributer is U.S. Upfitters.
www.inlad.com/products/van-eq...
Our Specific Ramp is the 30x72
www.inlad.com/product/30-wide...
✨The U-Bolts were supplied by Stengel Bros. Inc.
www.stengelbros.net/5U-9075S-...
✨The Spring Compressors for removing the front springs were purchased at Harbor Freight.
www.harborfreight.com/macpher...
✨The side windows were purchased through Van Windows Direct. Amazing family business and customer service. VERY helpful!
They offer a wide variety of windows for vans and RVs. These are really a must with vehicle blind-spot visibility.
www.vanwindowsdirect.com/prod...
As father of a disabled child (daughter) myself, this man is the definition of manhood. Thank you so much for posting this video!
Thank you for watching!
Congrats! Very well done. Kevin, you are a super smart and able guy to have been able to figure all of this out and make it real!
Thank you so much! We hope hope this is helpful to someone!
Necessity is the mother of invention. This is great!
Yes it is, thank you Matt! Hope you’ve been doing well!
Men- you’re a God send. I was just flirting with buying a a 2011 Sienna with 168,000 miles after going through 2 Rusty belt vans for $18,000 - one was a $9000 E150 for which I had a ramp and as a gift family paid for that install and the next one was a 2008 Uplander that was given to us gracefully by the Church but they didn’t know that it was rusted up. It lasted 3 good years. Very thankful for that act of kindness.
Anyways here I am again. The Uplander has a manual ramp that I can still use- maybe with a little more incline ( beggars can’t be choosers 😂). The only thing I think I’ll spend a little more would be insulation and just making it less rustic + since cars started to come down a bit - maybe I can get the same one with little mileage & hopefully still under warranty fora little bit less- not that I wouldn’t buy new For the same price you got yours, but honestly my wife health isn’t the greatest. the doctor prediction (not mine)- I love my wife -was 1 year- 2 years ago and my wife still looks like she is going to make that doctor think again before handing out lifespan predictions. . 😂
Anyways- What’s your opinion on reliability? What would you personally choose: a 2011 /168,000 miles Toyota Sienna fully equipped with who knows how much more $ would I have to put into it or your amazing idea. The Toyota is completely adapted with Braun ( not the best, because when they break its $$$ & it doesn’t have an emergency mechanism if it breaks- according to some TH-cam videos there’s no way to enter/exit if there’s an electrical mechanical failure ( how do they get away with that? vs your creation cheap/simple and it works)!
How has the Dodge treated you and do you have any other videos from where I can learn more?
Sorry for writing The Bill if Rights, just desperate to give my wife back the little freedom she yearns.
Thanks again
Edit.
What’s the height clearance space?
Overall I'm very impressed with your conversion. I do have one major safety concern for the wheelchair occupant. HF carabiners and straps are NOT safety rated and should not be used for human safety. In a crash, the force on the straps can be 3 to 5 times the weight of the wheelchair & person, there is no way they will hold. I highly recommend the Qstraint or similar safety rated device. Please!
I’d have to echo your safety concerns all round. This is an amazing budget conversion but safety wise I’d have major concerns. I’m extremely fortunate that I’ve had 2 wheelchair accessible conversions from here in the UK. The differences are stark. I have to congratulate the sheer effort involved here. I send my good wishes.
That’s awesome! Thanks for posting!!
Thank you for watching!
Just an awesome video. Thank you
Thank you!
Thanks for taking the time to make this video
Wow, great look at all of the chnges!
Thank you!
Man this is amazing info. Thx
Unbelievable creative and awesome! 😀👍🏼👨🏽🦼
Thank you so much!
Great work.
Thank you so much 😊
Awesome. Wish I were able to do this. Ingenious. Unfortunately, I'm an aging Caregiver, but kudos to you and your workmanship.
Thank you so much ☺️
Just found this video. Please use heavier ratcheted straps as the ones shown will not hold up in court. Great vids though
thank you for the info
It's our pleasure
Great job! We built a custom wheelchair accessible camper van. Ours is a Ram Promaster too. We have the Under Vehicle Lift on ours. Of course those are pretty expensive. But we just finished our build and are getting ready to do a tour of the van with all the wheelchair friendly modifications.
Awesome! We’ve often talked about getting/building a camper. It would open up so much travel knowing we have everything we need the way we need it. We look forward to seeing your tour!
I mistakenly erased my story. Anyways- I’ll just ask what’s the height clearance to enter & exit?
Men, sincerely thank you.
You are my hero! Lol
I will certainly pass this message along to Kevin! He’s definitely the brains of this 😂
I have been looking for this for five years.
So glad we were able to help you out! 😊
Great job man. I’m in canada and trying to find a good Ford T150 or Dodge Pro but no luck since 6 months. Prices are crazy here and to get the modifying done is so expensive. Your video has gave me courage to start this project on my own even though I don’t have that much knowledge of vehicles and I’m not that handy person but for my daughter who is in wheelchair I will do it. Thanks man.
We wish you luck on your endeavor!
Great job guys! Can't express that enough. A++ I WOULD LOVE TO MEET THE GUY WHO SOLD YOU THE VAN AND DO THIS MOD MY SELF. Been in the transport biz for years. TRYING TO OPEN MY OWN COMPANY AND NEED ALL THE HELP I COULD GET. Gonna have to use this. Only thing I saw that could use improvement was the clearance between the frame a and the rubber bump stops but looks like they could be swapped or modded pretty easily.... ???if they're even called that. It just looks like it has little room before bottoming out. This is an awesome modification. Please send me a contact if possible? Thanks
Great plan for a good price. Any ideas now in 2023 and also is there a way once the person is in the van to get them on a seat that moves forward so they can now drive the if their right leg works? Very interested in this. Thank you!
We would like to introduce a new Keyless entry system for wheelchair accessible vehicle.
Nice explanation on the axle flip and coil cutting. I'm curious about the mounting of the ramp. You said four bolts and you could move it. Are there any bottom plates/support plates or anything for additional floor strength where the ramp connects to the van floor? Could you provide pictures or maybe another video? I've been considering a cargo van with wheelchair ramp as an option for transporting a motorcycle. Person and bike going up the ramp is about 800 pounds and my concern is the added weight on the floor and eventual tearing of the bolt locations in the floor.
Michael, I did use some large fender washers on the bottom side where the bolts came down through the body. The fender washers were roughly 2.25" dia and maybe 1/16" thick. I know for a fact that this ramp will hold a motorcycle and rider as it has been done. The anchor point does not really bare any weight by design. The weight is distributed between the ground and where the ramp hits the deck of the van at the hinge point. The mounting plate support only comes into play when the ramp is in its up position. Kevin
I really wish I could build a van for my husband. Do you do these builds as a job? Your van is beautiful.
No, we don't. But Kevin is happy to answer any questions you have while doing the build yourself!
I wish I could convert an SHO...hahaha. I don't want to give up my car. It's getting to that point though.
Where did you purchase the ramp?I need a 36 in wide ramp
Hey great DIY, im thinking of doing the same thing with my 2014 promaster. could you tell me how the van has been handling driving ext. with the cut springs, the rear axle drop not a concern, but everyone is saying ow god don't cut the springs. but i'm like you, why not try it.
Hi Larry, I’d say it drives/rides like the utility van that it is. It’s definitely nowhere as smooth a ride as a non-work van would be. But we have noticed a significant difference when there’s a lot of weight like when we’re loaded down for travel, it’s much smoother then. We did add special air suspension as well after this video was made which did help some.
I am in awe Kevin! My handicapdaughter is moving home and I can't find an accessible vehicle to transport her in that is 8-10 years old with 60-100k miles on it for under $44000!! It's too bad that they have to charge so much if simpler ideas like this work.
I do have a question though...
So what about heating and air conditioning? Are there vents for those in the back of a cargo van?
Hi Janice, no there are no vents in the back.
Love this! Who makes the ramp?
Inlad manufactures the ramp and it’s distributed by U. S. Outfitters. There’s a link in the description.
Nice video. Im looking into doing this for my son
What kind of seat belt do you use with the wheelchair?
Thank you! Let us know if you have any questions, Kevin is a pretty handy guy. I’ve always just used the seatbelt built into my chair and the straps that hook my chair to the floor. I’m sure you can install a seatbelt into your vehicle to use for the your son’s wheelchair if you felt you needed it. You can also look into a chest strap that attaches to the wheelchair. I actually have one but just don’t use it.
@@wheelsheels6814 thank you for replying
Apologies if I missed it in the video, but what is the length of the ramp? I am looking at adding a ramp to a vehicle with 18" deck height, so I am curious about your incline.Thanks!
Our ramp is 72 inches long and 30 inches wide. The incline is steep even with the lowered suspension. A link to this specific ramp is in the description 😊
Thank you for the info. Ignore the idiots.
You disabled and experienced with wherlchairs? 1 in 12 is an approved ratio FOR A REASON. anyone in a power chair hits this ramp going down is going to do a header! Its fkng dangerous. He didnt just shorten it a tad… he fkn kiled it. 18’ feet is what he needed…. Cut that in HALF for a paraplegic who is very active and he might be able to fo it… but to then cut it 3 more feet is STUPID. Notice he did t try it imself. No way he could pudh up that! Coming down is the death roll! Hahaha. Never use uncle bob or your trucker dad to build a paralized human being a lift. There are specs and safety for a reaaon. Some corners can be cut… but not like this man. I hope he trashed it before having his loved one use it. I doubt they would use it once they seen how steep it id!
Nice job! What did you do for a seat belt for the wheelchair occupant?
I use the seatbelt built into my wheelchair. I do have a chest strap I can use if I feel it’s necessary
@@wheelsheels6814 yikes, just fyi, that seatbelt is not rated for crash safety. Combined with your harbor freight straps, this is a death trap. Please get a real seatbelt with shoulder harness installed. They're not very expensive. And look into a QStraint or EZ-Lock docking system or real tie downs that won't tear apart in a crash. Your life is worth it.
Is there? Clearance for speed bumps on this vehicle because I am in encounter lotta speed bumpers in California.
We've never had any scraping.
What was the most expensive part? 25,000 seems like a lot
hey there, purchasing the van itself was by far the most expensive part of this project.
Can I hire you?
Kevin is more than happy to answer any questions you have while you do this for yourself.
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"Handicap accessible?" do you live in the 80's? Its a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.