Mountain Adaptive - Making YOUR Mountains Accessible!

Frequently Asked Questions About Vehicles

1. What is a "dropped-floor minivan" and why should I consider buying one?
2. How do I choose between buying a dropped-floor minivan and a full-size van?
3. Can my minivan be converted into a dropped-floor minivan?
4. Will I get a Mobility Rebate when I buy a dropped-floor minivan?
5. Can I use a ramp to get into my existing minivan or full-size van?
6. Is any special financing available for a dropped-floor minivan? What about leases?
7. What is a Premier Program vehicle?
8. What kind of warranty does a dropped-floor minivan have?
9. Is there an Extended Warranty available for a dropped-floor minivan?
10. I found a website on the internet where I can get a lowered floor vehicle, and it is cheaper than the ones at Mountain Adaptive. Why shouldn't I buy my vehicle from the internet?

A dropped-floor minivan is a minivan that has undergone an extensive modification to make it wheelchair accessible. BraunAbility, Vantage Mobility, and Viewpoint Mobility are some of the companies who perform these conversions at their on-site locations around the country. Mountain Adaptive orders these vehicles already equipped with the conversion package. The conversion packages vary slightly, but contain some basic common elements in all. The floor inside the minivan is lowered ten inches. If the vehicle is not already equipped with a power door, one is installed. Either a fold-out or in-floor ramp and motor is then installed on the passenger side or rear opening. Lastly, a kneel system is outfitted in the rear axle of the minivan. In side-entry minivans, the driver and passenger seats are placed on trolley bases, which allow for easy removal so that a wheelchair user can ride up front or drive from his or her wheelchair. Once all the modifications are complete, using the minivan is as easy as pushing a button on the keychain remote. The door will open, ramp will deploy, and rear of minivan will lower. At this point, the wheelchair user simply rolls up the ramp into the minivan, and, once secured, is ready to go!

2. How do I choose between buying a dropped-floor minivan and a full-size van?

Different customers have different preferences when it comes to choosing between a dropped-floor minivan and a full-size van. Most of our customers these days prefer the fuel efficiency of the minivan, as well as the ease of driving and parking. Many customers also like the fact that dropped-floor minivans allow wheelchair users the ability to ride at the same eye level as the passengers riding in the OEM seats, as opposed to riding higher in a full-size van and having to look down and out the windows. However, we also have customers who enjoy the size and options available (such as the four wheel drive availability) on a full-size van. Question #1 above describes the modifications made to make minivans wheelchair accessible. Full-size vans require extensive modifications as well, just in different capacities. The roof of a van must be raised to allow the wheelchair passenger head room. When this is done, a steel roll cage is welded inside the roof cavity for safety. Sometimes, the side or rear doors of the van will need to be raised as well, depending on the wheelchair user's height. If the wheelchair user plans on driving the van, power door operators are installed to open and close the doors. A platform lift is then installed in either the side or rear opening of the van. Wheelchair users can not drive from their wheelchairs in full-size vans in most cases, and must be able to transfer into the OEM driver's seat. Which brings us to cost comparison. Dropped-floor minivan conversions are quite expensive, and therefore some customers think that converting a full-size van will be less expensive. In actuality, a minivan chassis is usually less expensive than the cost of the conversion, whereas the cost of a full-size van chassis is usually more expensive, but the conversion is less expensive. Our staff at Mountain Adaptive can help you with your decision which type of vehicle is right for your situation.

Yes and no. We can send a customer-supplied chassis to be converted, but there are limitations and requirements that the minivans must fulfill. If you are considering buying a minivan with the intention of having the van converted, call our helpful staff at Mountain Adaptive first at 800-281-4423. We will usually need the VIN of the vehicle, as well as the mileage. We will contact the conversion company of choice and find out if the vehicle is a candidate for conversion and the estimated freight cost to have the vehicle transported to the facility.

In new vehicle purchases, most all vehicle manufacturers offer a Mobility Rebate. This Mobility Rebate does apply to the purchase of a dropped-floor conversion, or any other type of wheelchair or scooter lift. To access vehicle manufacturer rebate information, Click here.

Ramps can be very helpful when it comes to using wheeled equipment. There are portable folding "suitcase" ramps that can be used to get an unoccupied wheelchair or scooter into the back of a minivan. Mountain Adaptive does not recommend using a folding ramp to load a wheelchair or scooter into the back of a full-size van because the van is too high to maneuver the equipment into the van safely. Please be aware that portable ramps are not safe or suitable for transporting a person in the wheelchair or scooter into a minivan for three reasons. The first reason is that even with a seven foot ramp (the most common length for this endeavor) the angle of ascent is too steep to safely travel. The second reason is the weight of the equipment plus the weight of the rider is more than likely going to be too heavy for the ramp. The last, and most important, reason is that of the limitations of the minivan. The height of most wheelchair and scooter users is going to be too tall to allow them to be able to ride in the minivan. If you measure from the floor to the top of the wheelchair user's head, and then measure the floor to ceiling height in the minivan, you will see the limitation. Even if the height of the wheelchair user is low enough to ride in the minivan, wheelchairs can not be safely secured without modification to the floor of the vehicle. Mountain Adaptive advises scooter users to never ride in their scooters in a moving vehicle of any kind.

6. Is any special financing available for a dropped-floor minivan? What about leases?

Mountain Adaptive offers financing for new dropped-floor minivan purchases as well as Premier Program vehicles through some of our partner financing institutions, with loan terms from 48 months to 10 years. Lease packages are also available to qualified customers. Interest rates and terms depend on current rate and credit rating. If you are interested in learning about special mobility financing plans, call us at 800-281-4423.

Mountain Adaptive's Premier Program Vans are the next best thing to having a new Braun Entervan at a great price. Premier Program Vans are low-mileage used chassis' (always less than 30,000 miles) with Brand New Braun Entervan Conversions. All Premier Program Vans carry the remainder of the original manufacturer's warranty on the chassis AND have a FULL 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the Braun Entervan Conversion.

New dropped-floor minivans carry the original manufacturer's warranty on the chassis, and have a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the conversion.

Yes. Extended warranties are available for dropped-floor minivans. Call our helpful staff at Mountain Adaptive at 800-281-4423 to learn more about extended warranty plans.

10. I found a website on the internet where I can get a dropped-floor vehicle, and it is cheaper than the ones at Mountain Adaptive. Why shouldn't I buy my vehicle from the internet?

Aahh, the internet. Endless source of information, commerce and communication. With sites like Ebay and Amazon, consumers can find and purchase anything from peanuts to planes, and everything in between. Mobility equipment and converted vehicles are no exception. But as in life we find there is good and there is bad. The wisdom to be heeded is buyer beware. Do your homework. Consider the circumstances of the purchase. Am I sure of the quality of the vehicle I am purchasing? What happens if something breaks or goes wrong? Not all conversions are the same. The conversion companies for which Mountain Adaptive is a dealer all have crash tested their conversions. They have proved that their vehicles are safe and sound. There are other conversion companies and individuals selling vehicles on the internet that have not done so. Also, we have had countless calls from consumers who purchased a converted vehicle through a source on the internet, and then when the equipment malfunctions, they call Mountain Adaptive to have the vehicle serviced. And many times we have had to tell the consumer that we are unable to work on the vehicle, either because we are not a dealer for the conversion company or because the conversion work was performed by parties not known to us and we are not able to determine the safeness and soundness of the conversion. Imagine finding out the thousands of dollars you spent on that great minivan have gone down the drain because you can't even get into it. Or even if you can find a company to service the equipment, you have to drive hundreds of miles to get to that company's place of business. At Mountain Adaptive, our products are crash tested to be proven safe. We service everything we sell. We also have a 24-hour Emergency Service available. And we provide our customers with a commodity that you can't buy on the internet. It's called peace of mind. And we think that is priceless.

There are two factors to take into consideration when determining which lift to use. The first determination is that of the type of vehicle. Minivans and vans have the most flexibility due to their large door openings and cargo space. SUVs are not commonly suited well for interior mounted lifts due to lower interior height and smaller rear door clearance. The other consideration is that of the type of equipment. Typically at issue is the height of the wheelchair or scooter. Sometimes a wheelchair headrest or a scooter or wheelchair seat may need to be removed to make the equipment fit in the cargo area. If you are thinking of purchasing a new vehicle and would like to know if a lift is compatable for the vehicle and wheelchair or scooter, we encourage you to call the friendly staff at Mountain Adaptive. We can usually advise you whether the vehicle, lift, and equipment are compatible.

The general rule concerning power wheelchairs and scooters is that the more protection you can provide for your equipment, the better. Moisture can be lethal to powered equipment. For this reason, we recommend interior lifts over exterior lifts. However, we realize that not all circumstances are the same for all customers, and for this reason, we provide our customers a choice between both types of lifts. At Mountain Adaptive our helpful staff can assist you in deciding which lift is right for your situation.

Each vehicle has a maximum weight allowance for the hitch class available for that particular vehicle. This limit generally applies to the weight on the hitch that will be used while pulling a trailer, keeping in mind that the majority of the trailer weight will be supported by the trailer tires. Hitch-mounted lifts do not have tires that support that weight, causing a cantilevered effect from the entire weight of the lift and the equipment hanging off the end of the hitch. For this reason, Mountain Adaptive observes a 90% rule of thumb for safety. The weight of the lift plus the weight of the scooter or wheelchair can not be more than 90% of the maximum hitch weight. For example, a vehicle with a Class III hitch that has a weight limit of 350 lbs should not be used to carry more than 315 lbs (the sum of the weight of the lift plus the weight of the wheelchair or scooter.)

In new vehicle purchases, most all vehicle manufacturers offer a Mobility Rebate. This Mobility Rebate applies to wheelchair and scooter lifts and ramps purchased for use with the new vehicle. Upon the purchase of a wheelchair or scooter lift a Mobility Rebate form is completed and returned to the vehicle manufacturer. The rebate check is then sent directly to the vehicle owner. To access vehicle manufacturer rebate information, Click here.

Warranties vary with different manufacturers. Contact a helpful representative from Mountain Adaptive at 800-281-4423 to learn about warranties for the lift in which you are interested.

Medicare and Medicaid and most insurance companies will only pay for equipment for use inside of the home, which precludes any vehicle lifts or vehicle equipment. If you would like to know if your insurance program covers wheelchair and scooter lifts, please contact the insurance company directly and ask for information on your benefits.

The first step towards having your very own stair lift installed in your home is giving the the friendly staff at Mountain Adaptive a call at 800-281-4423. We will schedule an appointment for a technician to come out to your house to evaluate your stairwell in order to give an accurate estimate of the cost of the stair lift, including installation.

2. Why do you have to send a technician out to measure before you give me a quote for a stair lift?

Locations of power outlets, doors, doorways, railings, and the length and width of the stairwell itself all vary in different homes. For this reason, Mountain Adaptive will send out a stair lift technician to evaluate your particular stair well. The technician will take measurements of your particular stairwell, noting any obstructions or special circumstances that would need to be addressed at the time of installation of a stair lift. He will then make a recommendation as to the best product for your home. At this point we will provide you with a written quote for the cost of having a stair lift installed in your home.

The rule of thumb for ramps is for every inch of rise you should have one foot of ramp. For example, a five inch high step should have a five foot ramp.

There are several products available that can assist with getting in and out of a vehicle. Most products available involve a seat or seat device that raises a seated person up and into the vehicle. Call the friendly staff at Mountain Adaptive at 800-281-4423 for more information on products available that can help you or your loved one get in and out of a vehicle easier.

Vehicles that Mountain Adaptive has available for rent include dropped-floor minivans and a full-size commercial van. We also have scooters and wheelchairs available for rent. All vehicles and equipment are available for rental on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Check out our Rental page for more information.

The first thing to do is call us at 800-281-4423. We will check our calender and see if there is a vehicle available for rental for the dates you request. If there is a vehicle available, we will record your pertinent information for the rental (name, address, dates of rental, insurance company, credit card number for security deposit, special needs, etc.). At this point we will fax an Insurance Verification Form to your insurance company. Once the insurance company completes the form and faxes it back to Mountain Adaptive, the reservation is confirmed. When the vehicle is picked up for the rental term, we will make a copy of your driver's license and automobile insurance card. We will review safety procedures and general guidelines with you at that time.

All renters of vehicles from Mountain Adaptive need to carry automobile insurance coverage. The Insurance Verification Form that is faxed to the insurance company verifies liability coverage, deductible, out of state coverage, and primary coverage of rental vehicles.

Mountain Adaptive does not offer insurance coverage. Insurance coverage is the responsibility of the vehicle renter.

Mountain Adaptive will be happy to install hand controls on our rental vehicles. We ask that you allow us 48 hours prior notice to have the hand controls installed. The fee for this service is $50.00.

Mountain Adaptive's insurance carrier requires that drivers must use the OEM driver's seat. Disabled drivers must, therefore, be able to transfer from their wheelchair or scooter into the driver's seat. Wheelchair passengers may ride in their wheelchairs, as long as the wheelchairs are properly secured in the vehicle using the OEM seatbelt, as well as the four-point tie-down straps and seatbelt extender that are provided in every Mountain Adaptive rental vehicle. Passengers should also use the four-point tie-down straps to secure any scooters or other equipment in the vehicle. Passengers should NEVER ride on a scooter in any moving vehicle. Scooters are not built to safely hold a rider in the event of a crash.

The first thing to do is call Mountain Adaptive at 800-281-4423. We will determine what equipment is appropriate for your needs, verify that the equipment is available for the dates you request, and record your pertinent information. When you pick up the equipment, we will complete the paperwork and instruct you on the use of the rental equipment.

Mountain Adaptive does offer delivery of vehicles and equipment. The fee for this service depends on the delivery location and time. Call 800-281-4423 to obtain the delivery fee amount.

2. Do you file with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance for wheelchairs and scooters?

Mountain Adaptive no longer is able to file for Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance for wheelchairs or scooters.

3. Is there anything I should know about getting a new wheelchair or scooter?

At Mountain Adaptive, we want you to have the best equipment that will best meet your needs. Therefore, our best piece of advice we can give our customers who feel that they are ready for a new wheelchair or scooter is this: Call local. The national companies with the flashy television commercials are just big companies with people on a telephone. They can't tell what particular piece of equipment will work best for you by talking to you on the telephone. The only way to know what equipment is best for a customer is by a face-to-face meeting. Having a friendly provider who knows you by your name, and not by your social security number and birthdate. Don't be mislead by the "if we prequalify you and Medicare denies your claim, you get to keep your powerchair or scooter" line. Most reputable local providers can tell whether or not a customer will qualify (and, most likely, not be denied) for a power wheelchair or scooter. When you are trying to decide on a provider, ask these questions: Who will I call if I have a question? What if the equipment I get doesn't meet my needs? How will I get my equipment serviced if something breaks? Will I have to transport my equipment if it needs to be serviced? What will my out-of-pocket expense be? One last note: Medicare requires companies who provide wheelchairs and scooters to perform an in-home evaluation of your home to determine whether prescribed equipment is usable or not. If your provider did not send a representative out to your home to do this evaluation, call 1-800-Medicare. If you need help finding a provider who accepts Medicare, call Mountain Adaptive at 828-670-1111 and we will refer you to a local caring and reputable provider.

Mountain Adaptive's service department is open 9am-5pm Monday through Friday for appointments. We accept Walk-Ins from 9am-3pm Monday through Friday as is available (see Service Question #6 below for more information.)

Mountain Adaptive proudly services all the products that we sell. We also may be able to service other products as well, depending on whether we are able to obtain parts from the manufacturer. To find out if we are able to service your particular equipment or vehicle, call the service department at 800-281-4423.

Mountain Adaptive operates on an appointment basis. If your equipment or vehicle needs service, please call our service department at 800-281-4423 to schedule an appointment. We do, however, realize that some situations require urgent attention. In these cases, we operate on a "Walk-In" policy.

Mountain Adaptive's labor rate is $85.00/hour. Mountain Adaptive's diagnostic fee is $95.00, which covers the first hour of labor.

The mobility industry is a very specialized area, and we strive to be the best mobility dealer in the region, providing for our customers' needs, as well as safeguarding their safety and well-being. For this reason we are a Five Star Quality Assurance Program member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA). We are also members of the Adaptive Driving Alliance and the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists. Mountain Adaptive is continually sending our staff to training programs to stay current and up-to-date with the latest safety guidelines and equipment updates. We proudly do this so that we may serve our customers to the best of our abilities. It is due to this committment to quality that we have a higher overhead operating expense than smaller, less specialized businesses.

If a Mountain Adaptive customer needs immediate service and does not have an appointment, we will do our best to work that customer in, giving preference to customers with scheduled appointments.
Walk-Ins are accepted as available from 9am through 3pm, Monday through Friday. Please bear in mind that we will service our customers who have appointments first, and then work in unscheduled repair work as time allows. If you find that you need service attention without a scheduled appointment, you may be able to reduce your wait time by calling the service department as soon as you realize that you have a problem. The problem may be correctable over the phone without even needing to come in. Or a service technician may advise you of a convenient time to come in, therefore decreasing some of the time you would otherwise spend in our waiting area.

7. I just want a service technician to come look at my lift, and it shouldn't take more than five minutes. Why are you charging me a diagnostic fee?

The Mountain Adaptive service department stays busy and operates on an appointment basis. Frequently an apparent "five minute" diagnosis quickly becomes a 30 minute or longer service call. Out of fairness to our customers with scheduled appointments, we encourage our customers to call ahead to schedule an appointment so that "five minute" diagnoses don't become the reason a scheduled job is not finished on time. The diagnostic fee that is charged covers technician time spent analyzing and troubleshooting repair issues, and includes the first hour of labor.

The hours between 3pm and 5pm are the most busy and hectic time for the Mountain Adaptive service department. It is for this reason that Walk-Ins are not accepted after 3pm.

Mountain Adaptive offers a 24-hour Emergency Service for those unexpected problems that tend to occur at the most inconvenient times. Simply call 800-281-4423 and follow the instructions. (Emergency Service Fees apply.)

10. Do you service equipment and vehicles that were purchased from another dealer?

Mountain Adaptive is able to service products from a number of manufacturers. However, there are companies that we are not dealers for, and therefore we are unable to service them without voiding the warranty or because we are unable to obtain parts for a particular piece of equipment. To find out if we are able to service your equipment, please call the friendly service department at 800-281-4423.

Mountain Adaptive is open from 9am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. The vehicle sales department is available on Saturdays by appointment only.

Before Mountain Adaptive can install hand controls in a vehicle, a driver must be evaluated by a Certified Driver Evaluator. To view links to Certified Driver Evaluators, Click Here. Existing drivers who use hand controls are exempt from this requirement, but may be required to complete a waiver.

No. Unfortunately, hand controls can only be installed in automatic transmission vehicles.

Medicare will pay for the lifting mechanism of a lift chair, but will not pay for the chair itself. The Medicare allowable for the lifting mechanism is $337.32, of which Medicare will pay 80%, or $269.85 after the deductible is met. The remainder of the cost of the chair is the responsibility of the consumer. However, due to changes in Medicare policies, we regret that we are no longer able to file for lift chairs for Medicare-covered customers.