Mobility Products, News and Answers

Question From Reader:  I heard a rumor that there is a motorcycle that you can drive from a wheelchair?  Is that true?

Answer From Superior:  Believe it or not, IT’S TRUE!  Our owner, Sam Cook, recently saw one in person at the NMEDA Conference in Reno, NV and was so impressed that he has decided that Superior will actually be carrying a couple in stock this year!  How exciting, huh?    In 2010, Mobility Conquest was chosen to be the exclusive supplier and assembler in the United States.  The Conquest has been described by motorcycle enthusiasts as “Judge Dredd meets Batman”.  This innovative design allows consumers in wheelchairs to enter the rear ramp of the trike, go up the ramp, and lock in place behind the steering wheel just as they probably do in their vans.  This bike was desinged for consumers in wheelchairs with strong upper bodies but physical challenges from the waist down.  The wheelchair accessible motorcycle has been on display at various motorcycle shows and has received national news support!    Our first one should arrive in April!  Keep an eye on our website for the announcement of its arrival.Â

Question From Reader:  Why can’t I just buy a portable ramp to put on the side of my van and push my husband up it?

Answer From Superior:  This is by far the NUMBER ONE question we receive everyday from folks!  There’s an entire host of reasons, but for this spot, I’ll mention the top two.  First, in most unconverted minivans, the interior height is usually 45″ or less from floor to ceiling.  If you measure most people’s seated height in their manual or powerchair, it easily exceeds 48″.  There simply is not enough headroom to fit someone in a chair in a normal van without lowering the floor.  There’s an example of this on our website homepage, just click on the picture that’s titled Introductory Video and you’ll see one of our employees, Paul Erway, trying to sit in a non-lowered floor van.  Secondly, the incline of a ramp from the ground to the entryway of a van without a lowered floor would be an impossible climb for someone in a chair unless the ramp was at least 10′ or longer!  Our lowered floor minivans are not only 10″ closer to the ground, but the kneeling suspension pulls the van itself another 4″ closer to the ground.  The allows a ramp with a very minor incline to be used, which is tons safer and less scary than the aforementioned option.  Please give us a buzz to talk in more detail about the hazards and roadblocks of using a portable ramp with an unconverted van when transporting someone in their chair.Â

Question From Reader:  If I buy a lift for my car, what happens when I sell that car and get a different one?

Answer From Superior:  One of the great benefits of our lifts is that they are fully transferable between vehicles (providing the new vehicle will accomodate the size and weight of your chair and lift).  Also, since there is no drilling or damage to your vehicle from our lifts, they leave no footprint when removed!  Our technicians have been certified to install all our lifts safely and according to the manufacturers specifications.  Don’t trust a dealership that can’t show your their certifications!  It will void your manufacturer’s warranty if your lift is not installed by a certifiied technician.  Give us a call anytime you are thinking about purchasing a new vehicle and want to transfer your lift.  We can tell you within 5 minutes if it will be a good application or not.  Â

Question From Reader:  Do you guys ever sponsor events for the disabled community?

Answer From Superior: Yes We Do –  And we are very proud of our involvement!  Just this week we were involved in the Senior Conference in Knoxville, TN.  Next month we will be participating in the DisAbilities Expo in Fort Wayne, IN and the Disability Awareness Expo in Lexington.  In May we sponsor a team of wheelchair racers for the Derby Festival Bed Races in Louisville, KY.  We will also be a sponsor at the Walk to Defeat ALS this Spring in Louisville.  In addition, our Evansville team will be active in the MDA March on March 20^th at Washington Square Mall, and active with Easter Seals on TV April 11^th.  Throughout the year we also sponsor different events in Indianapolis such as Balloon Rides for people in their wheelchairs, and we donate thousands of dollars a year to other groups as well.  Check our News and Events page often on our website to find out more about upcoming events!  

 

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Question from Reader:  I have a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country and need to have the floor lowered and made into a handicapped / wheelchair accessible van.  Someone told me you can’t convert anything older than a 2008.  Is this true?

Answer From Superior:  Yes and No.  First, if you haven’t already, please speak with one of our associates so we can understand your specific situation.  The case may be that there are other options less expensive than a conversion that can accomodate your mobility needs.  However, if the person in need of the handicapped van will be staying in their chair when traveling, there are a couple of options for your existing van.  In order for your van to undergo a Braun Side Entry Full Power lowered floor conversion, they are no longer accepting chasses that are older than 2008 models.  So from that perspective, your friend is correct.  However, we do work with other conversion companies that can offer rear entry conversions on models as old as 1998 (there are some limitations, so please call to discuss).  Also, if a Braun Side Entry Lowered Floor Automatic Conversion is the way to go for you, please remember that we accept unconverted vehicles as trades towards a purchase of new, preowned or used mobility van!  There are many ways to go that will depend on your mobility needs and financial situation.  I would suggest exploring them all with one of our mobility experts before you move forward.

Question From Reader:  Is it better to buy a Handicapped Van that has already been converted, or, to buy my own van from a normal car dealership and send it off to go through a conversion?

Answer From Superior:  We carry the EXACT same makes, models, colors and options packages that any car dealership that sells minivans will carry, except our vans have all gone through the lowered floor conversion process.  What does this mean for you?  First of all, it means NO WAITING!  If you buy a van chassis on your own and bring it to us for a conversion, the process takes 4-6 weeks.  In some instances, you will make your first payment on your van before you have even driven it!  Second, when you buy a van that has already been converted, it ensures that the chassis had all the specifications needed to convert (load leveling suspension, power door, no 3rd row folding seats, etc).   Most normal dealerships have no idea about these special vans and believe that ANY minivan can be converted, which is NOT true.  Also,  we offer the SAME rebates as any of the other dealerships — we get the same deals they do because we buy in volume as well!  We have seven locations that we keeped stocked with all kinds of converted vans.   If you live in Indianapolis, but the van you want is in our Knoxville store, we’ll bring up for you to see no problem!  In some instances, we understand folks have purchased vehicles from the same dealerships their entire lives and want to stick with them.  We understand that kind of loyatly and in those instances are happy to work with your salesman to make sure they offer you the van chassis that lends itself to a lowered floor conversion.  Regardless, please make sure you are talking to a mobility dealer like Superior to eliminate a mistake on huge purchase like a van.