Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

Lαrα
Global Moderator

STAFF

Posts: 7,350

Post Likes Received: 3,100
Date Joined: August 2013
Injury: CES
Date Injured: March 2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan May 26, 2015 2:33:09 GMT -8

Quote

Post by Lαrα on May 26, 2015 2:33:09 GMT -8

looks good!

This Sienna Northstar E360 is the first ADA compliant in-floor Toyota!

Alongside usual advantages, Northstar E360 conversion offers in-floor ramp, Toyota Sienna L chassis, great headroom and interior space (industry most spacious conversion). This van meets rigorous demands of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act National Network).

This means the van has side rails, ramp illumination for safety entrance, door entrance lighting, middle row seat and more. Since it can carry up to 7 passengers and knowing the fact it is convenient for able-bodied passengers it is a great vehicle for assisted living centers, handicap van rentals, hotels, non-emergency medical transportation, churches etc.

Anyone who needs a wheelchair accessible minivan for commercial purpose should consider this model as a first choice.

source

wavewolf and boo like this

DJ
Administrator

STAFF

Posts: 8,162

Post Likes Received: 2,829
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: C6 - ASIA B
Date Injured: June 2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan May 26, 2015 3:17:59 GMT -8

Quote

Post by DJ on May 26, 2015 3:17:59 GMT -8

At first I thought is this really the first ADA compliant wheelchair accessible van or is that just a marketing technique? Then I realized that it was the first ADA compliant Toyota. My 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan has automatic doors & ramp, and the vehicle kneels down when to ramp is open to ensure that the incline of the ramp isn't steep. If I'm using my power chair, I have an auto locking mechanism inside the van that'll lock my chair into place without the need of anyone's assistance.

When we were first looking for wheelchair accessible vans we did consider the Toyota but the issue we encountered was space. There's not too much turning space and certainly not enough headroom because my head was hitting the roof all the time and I was 5'11 then and I'm 6'3 now. The Dodge had the most space & headroom which is why I ended up getting it. It'd be good for Toyota to improve in these areas but have all the automatic door & ramp function as well.

wavewolf likes this

joemonte
Member

Posts: 172

Post Likes Received: 257
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: T-10 Complete Asia "A"
Date Injured: March 10, 2007

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan May 26, 2015 8:49:11 GMT -8

Quote

Post by joemonte on May 26, 2015 8:49:11 GMT -8

I have had Toyota Sienna AWD vans for the last eight years. I love them. They are tanks in the snow and I have never had a maintenance issue. Tires and oil changes thats it.
Gas mileage is not the best but I get about 22 23 mpg. They ride really nice too. I don't have a ramp but took the rear seat out behind the drivers. I then can reach from behind and pull the entire wheelchair in the car without breaking it down. It works out great for me right now. I am very hesitant to get a ramped van due to all the problems I hear people have, especially in the north with bad weather. Hopefully this unit works well with toyota.

DJ and wavewolf like this

DJ
Administrator

STAFF

Posts: 8,162

Post Likes Received: 2,829
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: C6 - ASIA B
Date Injured: June 2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan May 27, 2015 5:34:09 GMT -8

Quote

Post by DJ on May 27, 2015 5:34:09 GMT -8

May 26, 2015 8:49:11 GMT -8 joemonte said:

I have had Toyota Sienna AWD vans for the last eight years. I love them. They are tanks in the snow and I have never had a maintenance issue. Tires and oil changes thats it.
Gas mileage is not the best but I get about 22 23 mpg. They ride really nice too. I don't have a ramp but took the rear seat out behind the drivers. I then can reach from behind and pull the entire wheelchair in the car without breaking it down. It works out great for me right now. I am very hesitant to get a ramped van due to all the problems I hear people have, especially in the north with bad weather. Hopefully this unit works well with toyota.

Yeah the automatic ramps and kneeling is great to have but they break down. Sucks when they do and it's costly but it's worth it for when it works!

AWD must be great! Our van is FWD and with winter tires it's ok in the snow but nothing impressive. That's why I'm considering an accessible pickup truck or this van as the next vehicle to replace our van when the time comes.

joemonte
Member

Posts: 172

Post Likes Received: 257
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: T-10 Complete Asia "A"
Date Injured: March 10, 2007

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan May 27, 2015 5:46:16 GMT -8

Quote

Post by joemonte on May 27, 2015 5:46:16 GMT -8

DJ,
I was amazed in the difference between a front wheel drive and AWD mini van. Their a heavier van and really go well in the snow. Plus being heavier they ride much better. Just a thought. If you ever get a chance, test drive one. I do miss my Ford-E350. I had them too before sci. They were terrible in the snow but a great work van.

DJ likes this

DJ
Administrator

STAFF

Posts: 8,162

Post Likes Received: 2,829
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: C6 - ASIA B
Date Injured: June 2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan May 27, 2015 7:31:59 GMT -8

Quote

Post by DJ on May 27, 2015 7:31:59 GMT -8

May 27, 2015 5:46:16 GMT -8 joemonte said:

DJ,
I was amazed in the difference between a front wheel drive and AWD mini van. Their a heavier van and really go well in the snow. Plus being heavier they ride much better. Just a thought. If you ever get a chance, test drive one. I do miss my Ford-E350. I had them too before sci. They were terrible in the snow but a great work van.

Yeah these longer vans suck in the winter if they're just RWD but the AWD ones are just great!

wavewolf Advanced Member Posts: 1,407 Post Likes Received: 1,159 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: T9 incomplete + other neurological Date Injured: 10 February 2009 Member is: Offline Send PM	ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan May 28, 2015 17:11:47 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by wavewolf on May 28, 2015 17:11:47 GMT -8 joemonte, Not bad gas mileage for such a square and heavy van! Being safe in snow is worth a lot in New Milford.
	DJ and petelanddownunder like this Hoea ra!

joemonte
Member

Posts: 172

Post Likes Received: 257
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: T-10 Complete Asia "A"
Date Injured: March 10, 2007

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan May 28, 2015 18:33:57 GMT -8

Quote

Post by joemonte on May 28, 2015 18:33:57 GMT -8

I tried the front wheel sienna's but they were terrible in the snow. I am surprised how much of a better ride the AWD is over a regular van. It must be the weight but very stable, sturdy with a great ride. Plus there tanks in the snow. They cost a little more than other brands but I have never had an issue with sliding doors or other mechanical parts. I have only done my normal maintenance. If you ever consider a minivan, test drive one of these. You will be sold. Have a great weekend.

DJ, wavewolf, and 1 more like this

petelanddownunder Junior Member Posts: 80 Post Likes Received: 101 Date Joined: May 2014 Injury: T5/6 para Date Injured: 1980 Member is: Offline Send PM	ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Jun 2, 2015 5:12:06 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by petelanddownunder on Jun 2, 2015 5:12:06 GMT -8 Australia has some catching up to do to offer classy self drive transport options for disabled people. You should consider yourselves lucky that you have such affordable? choice... I wish
	DJ likes this

wavewolf Advanced Member Posts: 1,407 Post Likes Received: 1,159 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: T9 incomplete + other neurological Date Injured: 10 February 2009 Member is: Offline Send PM	ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Jun 2, 2015 20:20:57 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by wavewolf on Jun 2, 2015 20:20:57 GMT -8 joemonte, this news will make you even happier with your choice!!! www.yahoo.com/autos/best-cars-for-making-it-to-200-000-miles-120558136492.html
	Hoea ra!

DJ
Administrator

STAFF

Posts: 8,162

Post Likes Received: 2,829
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: C6 - ASIA B
Date Injured: June 2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Jun 3, 2015 5:31:58 GMT -8

Quote

Post by DJ on Jun 3, 2015 5:31:58 GMT -8

Jun 2, 2015 20:20:57 GMT -8 wavewolf said:

joemonte, this news will make you even happier with your choice!!!
www.yahoo.com/autos/best-cars-for-making-it-to-200-000-miles-120558136492.html

All Toyota and Honda vehicles in that list. They're certainly reliable vehicles.

wavewolf likes this

wavewolf
Advanced Member

Posts: 1,407

Post Likes Received: 1,159
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: T9 incomplete + other neurological
Date Injured: 10 February 2009

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Jun 3, 2015 21:38:14 GMT -8

Quote

Post by wavewolf on Jun 3, 2015 21:38:14 GMT -8

Jun 3, 2015 5:31:58 GMT -8 DJ said:

Jun 2, 2015 20:20:57 GMT -8 wavewolf said:

joemonte, this news will make you even happier with your choice!!!
www.yahoo.com/autos/best-cars-for-making-it-to-200-000-miles-120558136492.html

All Toyota and Honda vehicles in that list. They're certainly reliable vehicles.

Yes, couldn't help but notice that! My Honda Element is built on the Civic platform, so hoping it will last as long as I drive--now has only 35,000 miles. My Honda wagon went 21 years, forget what the mileage was--no major repairs, just usual age-related maintenance! And my Dodge Dart 1972 sedan went 500,000 miles--body was patched like crazy (by me!), and it had one valve job, three exhaust systems, and a few other things, but I could not complain. That was a slant-6 225cf engine, legendary for its longevity. The man who owned it before me was a fire engine mechanic, so he took very good care of it mechanically. Upholstery was very worn when I bought it, so I stuffed pillow fluff into the springs and made a custom seat cover.

DJ likes this

Hoea ra!

DJ Administrator STAFF Posts: 8,162 Post Likes Received: 2,829 Date Joined: July 2013 Injury: C6 - ASIA B Date Injured: June 2011 Member is: Offline Send PM	ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Jun 4, 2015 3:03:58 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by DJ on Jun 4, 2015 3:03:58 GMT -8 wavewolf, I'm amazed by the amount of miles you got out of that Dart! Compared to vehicles nowadays, I think that's really impressive!

wavewolf
Advanced Member

Posts: 1,407

Post Likes Received: 1,159
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: T9 incomplete + other neurological
Date Injured: 10 February 2009

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Jun 4, 2015 18:38:42 GMT -8

Quote

Post by wavewolf on Jun 4, 2015 18:38:42 GMT -8

Jun 4, 2015 3:03:58 GMT -8 DJ said:

wavewolf, I'm amazed by the amount of miles you got out of that Dart! Compared to vehicles nowadays, I think that's really impressive!

This particular engine was legendary for its longetivity--don't know of any other that would go that mileage! I changed my oil with a good quality oil very regularly, keeping parts lubricated. Ignition was simple in those cars, not the complex stuff that is on now that one cannot repair and it only goes for so long without a glitch. The upholstery and body did not keep up, but cars made in 1972 had real metal in them and you could braze in pieces and putty up to repair. The seats I just had to cover, after re-stuffing them with polyester fiberfill (used to stuff pillows).

DJ likes this

Hoea ra!

DJ
Administrator

STAFF

Posts: 8,162

Post Likes Received: 2,829
Date Joined: July 2013
Injury: C6 - ASIA B
Date Injured: June 2011

Member is: Offline
Send PM

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Jun 5, 2015 3:14:28 GMT -8

Quote

Post by DJ on Jun 5, 2015 3:14:28 GMT -8

Jun 4, 2015 18:38:42 GMT -8 wavewolf said:

Jun 4, 2015 3:03:58 GMT -8 DJ said:

wavewolf, I'm amazed by the amount of miles you got out of that Dart! Compared to vehicles nowadays, I think that's really impressive!

This particular engine was legendary for its longetivity--don't know of any other that would go that mileage! I changed my oil with a good quality oil very regularly, keeping parts lubricated. Ignition was simple in those cars, not the complex stuff that is on now that one cannot repair and it only goes for so long without a glitch. The upholstery and body did not keep up, but cars made in 1972 had real metal in them and you could braze in pieces and putty up to repair. The seats I just had to cover, after re-stuffing them with polyester fiberfill (used to stuff pillows).

Just looked up what it looks like and it is one nice car! Maybe I'll get one with low mileage and restore it in the future (I dream too much)!

wavewolf likes this

Site Map	Site Policies	Helpful Links
Home	Terms of Service	Forum Features
About Us	Privacy Policy	Site Discussion
Account	Rules	Server Status
New Posts	Report Abuse	Mobile App

ADA Compliant Toyota Wheelchair Accessible Minivan

Post by Lαrα on May 26, 2015 2:33:09 GMT -8

Post by DJ on May 26, 2015 3:17:59 GMT -8

Post by joemonte on May 26, 2015 8:49:11 GMT -8

Post by DJ on May 27, 2015 5:34:09 GMT -8

Post by joemonte on May 27, 2015 5:46:16 GMT -8

Post by DJ on May 27, 2015 7:31:59 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on May 28, 2015 17:11:47 GMT -8

Post by joemonte on May 28, 2015 18:33:57 GMT -8

Post by petelanddownunder on Jun 2, 2015 5:12:06 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on Jun 2, 2015 20:20:57 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Jun 3, 2015 5:31:58 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on Jun 3, 2015 21:38:14 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Jun 4, 2015 3:03:58 GMT -8

Post by wavewolf on Jun 4, 2015 18:38:42 GMT -8

Post by DJ on Jun 5, 2015 3:14:28 GMT -8

Like Us On Facebook

Help Support The Forum