2002  Dodge Caravan with substantial rear access mobility conversion
Miles: 94,000
Current Price: $14,900

THIS "CERTIFIED" VEHICLE INCLUDES:  12 MO/12,000 MILE WARRANTY

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Click here for extensive information about Certified

Highlights of This Van:

Ø  apx. $2,000 of new and very recent mechanical service: details below (extensive investment in cosmetic rejuvenation is in addition to this $2,000)

Ø This generation of body style were built from 2001 until 2008.  Compared to the 1996-2000 model, this has a stronger frame, better front and rear lights, and various other cosmetic and functional improvements.

Ø Will accommodate most scooters and wheelchairs...whereas side entry vans are generally only suited for wheelchairs

> Please read below for top 5 benefits of rear access, versus the much more common side access

 

 

Options and Equipment

THE VAN:

Began as the extended body (as nearly every wheelchair access Caravan is) Grand Caravan with a very capable, moderate level of features and equipment. It has the 3.3 liter 6 cylinder, which is the most common motor, and it has automatic with overdrive for respectable economy. Has the "SE" level of features, which includes such comfort and convenience items such as: power windows, locks and mirrors; tilt wheel and cruise control; tinted windows; upgraded interior and exterior features; and more. It also has an upgraded CD stereo which has been added in recent years.

The Goodies:

Has custom stripes/graphics

MOBILITY:

This was converted when new by the largest company of its kind, which performs an extensive conversion of a certain nature on various brands of minivans. This veteran, 30 year old company is called Viewpoint Mobility and they perform what is called the "Vision" conversion. This IS NOT the sort of lowered-floor, side entry conversion which you and most folks routinely see for sale on the market. Rather, it is an entirely different sort of conversion which is becoming more and more popular as years pass. This van is accessed via the rear, rather than the side.

* The rear floor, hatch, bumper and mid-floor areas are all extensively modified for special use by and access via a wheelchair OR scooter.

* Via wireless remote control, with the push of a button............rear of van automatically lowers to make entry easier...........rear hatch opens..........rear bumper and rear floor magically transform into a ramp with gentle slope.  And once you have driven a wheelchair or scooter into it, just push the button and it all goes back to being ready to drive away.

*  There is a "channel"  in the floor which goes from the rear end of the van, up to just behind the front seats. This channel ranges from about 10-20 inches deep (deeper in the rear and shallower in front, because the channel has a continual slope to it) and about 3 feet wide. This allows for wheelchairs and scooters to easily be driven into the van and parked.  

* There are various anchor points in the floor to secure the wheelchair OR scooter when in transit.

* Has a very special drivers seat feature.  This seat has an extreme range of for/aft travel and it also turns. This allows for certain folks to transfer to and from a wheelchair or scooter, when such is parked in the "channel" area of the in the middle and rear of the van.

* Includes mid-van jump seat for an extra passenger

* Especially due to the unique nature of this van, please call or mail with any questions. 

Dimensions, capacity and specifications:

Please feel free to email or call me with any such questions. I will gladly assist with anything you wish to know. I have discovered that due to the unique way each person evaluates, measures and expresses their needs, I can be most helpful regarding this subject if we communicate directly.

History of Ownership

With the exception of apx. the last 10,000 miles, this has had only 1 owner. And other than a couple of years, it has had residence in the greater Seattle area.

Certified

This vehicle is 'CERTIFIED': There are a combined 76 mechanical and cosmetic aspects  included in the Wheelchair Van Oasis "Certification" process.   A foundational step of the rejuvenation process is when each vehicle receives an extensive inspection by an objective, independent  third- party service and repair facility.  Suggested service, repairs and improvements are then performed by various professional specialists.   The  result is your assurance  that each of the 76 aspects  meets  or exceeds the condition level of good, or satisfactory

For details regarding list of 76 cosmetic and mechanical aspects, please click here.

Each van does of course have various elements which exceed the promised level of good, or
satisfactory, which the "Certified" program assures.  Some are brand new improvements performed during rejuvenation.  And others are obvious service or repairs performed recently, prior to my ownership.  As for those, I only list here those positives which are certain, based on my either having a receipt, and/or due to being obvious to the inspecting-mechanic.  I refer to these as  "NEW OR RECENTLY SERVICED ASPECTS".  As for this vehicle:

New: update airbag sensor; new power mirror; major service and repairs of power ramp, kneeling and hatch; lube and filter; wipers; new rear latch system 

Recent: Front and rear brakes

Approximate retail value/cost of above-listed items: $2,000

 (extensive investment in cosmetic rejuvenation is in addition to this $2,000)

 

Carfax Report Summary

(Carfax is a widely used database which indicates the history of a vehicle including accidents, prior owners, etc.)

Nothing notably negative or unusual: no frame damage...no airbags deployed...no structural damage...no "red marks"...no major accident.

You Might Like To Know...

* Braun, the decades-old, industry leader regarding lifts, ramps, wheelchair van conversions, etc...recently purchased the independent company that built this van and most other vans of this style which have been built in the past 30 years. Therefore, you will be seeing many more of this style wheelchair vans in coming years.

* Each of my vans has a superb paint sealant as the final step of the extreme detail. If you were to have a professional apply a treatment the cost would be several hundred dollars.

Top 5 benefits of rear access versus more common side access:

* Better ground clearance, in areas which matter very much, due to geometry of the body in relationship to the ground.

* No lower side panels (as all side entry vans have) which are made of a plastic material that are very susceptible to breakage when hitting rocks, curbs, speed bumps, etc. due to being very close to the ground

* Rear access allows for easy entry and exit of scooters (have 3 or 4 wheels, and are controlled by a 'tiller', not a joystick) which is not possible, or is a big hassle, with side entry vans. This is because scooters have a turning radius which is not achievable when entering the side of a van with limited floor area

* No need for use of special double wide handicap parking spaces, because you can enter/exit anywhere and anytime, even when there are not two vacant parking spaces adjacent to each other

* Body retains more of its original integrity because the floor modifications are less severe and of a different nature. 

Summary of this Gem

These rear access minivans with channeled floor are quickly gaining greater popularity.  For reasons such as those mentioned above, this style of van may be what best suits your needs and goals? This is especially true if you prefer to use a scooter, rather than a wheelchair...or if ground clearance is a concern. This specific "Certified" van is a great example of a solid overall value in a rear access minivan.  

* No need to use special handicap parking spaces with this van. 

 * much better ground clearance than the side entry minivans with low floor. 

 * you can easily use this van with scooters, which is difficult or impossible with side entry vans, due to the turning radius needed for scooters.
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Huge amount of entry clearance (inches more than side entry vans) and interior headroom
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Seats 3, plus a person in a wheelchair or scooter  (see photo of person in long and large scooter)
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Built when new with very special power seat that has extreme travel and turning ability.  Allows certain people in wheelchairs or scooters to transfer and drive
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Very gentle ramp angle, makes loading and unloading a bit more smooth and secure than the side entry vans, due to a bit less aggressive angle
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This lowered channel is very deep and plenty wide, and will accommodate most wheelchairs or 3 or 4 wheel scooters
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Photo shows person in power wheelchair
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Notice the generous headroom (more than in side entry with low floor)  even when moved toward front of channel. 
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Nice access via side door  ( this person in power wheelchair)
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This is a pretty long, nice-size scooter and there is plenty of space for it
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Does not have the plastic lower side skirts that the side entry vans do with low floors. This allows more clearance in relation to the ground...less chance of whacking the body than side entry
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Looks like a normal van, except for from the rear
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Ingenious design. This national company has been engineering, designing and converting minivans in this manner for about 30 years.  
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This is same style of van as Caravans were until 2007
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Sharp, nice
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Looks just like a normal van from the front and side
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Beginning in 2001, Caravans have a more modern, more refined style, inside and out, than the prior years
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All controls and features function as original, and the seat has same view and angles, etc as a normal van.  Except of course that the seat has the power base that allows motion as seen in other photos.
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Seat moves rearward about two feet when needed, and turns about 90 degrees.
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Super sharp everywhere
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Front passenger seat operates and feels same as original seat, as it has not been changed in any way.
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Simple seat, has seatbelt, is big enough for most folks.
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Hatch goes up, ramp comes down, rear of vans squats...all automatically with touch of one button.  
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Seat is partially turned in this photo
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No need for special parking spaces
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In this photo it has been squatted or "kneeled" several inches, making the ramp angle more gentle
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Anchor points in floor are solid, secure, easy to use with adjustable straps
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This shows rear of van in normal, raised position
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Great CD stereo with accessory jack for i-Pod, etc.
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* I apologize for any unclear photos. At times, the conditions make a clear photo impossible.

If you would like more information or to see and drive this vehicle,
please call Rick at 541-973-7377.