1996 Ford  ultra-wheelchair van & first-class weekend camper  (MUST SEE and READ)
72,000 Miles
Current Price: $18,900
  (includes BRAND NEW $7,000 lift! and MORE new)
INCLUDES WARRANTY

Ø Built by the finest converter of camping vans ever known, called Trail Wagons... a division of Chinook (based in eastern Washington)

Ø Unprecedented features, beyond any wheelchair van most people have ever seen, or will see again

Ø More entry/exit clearance and interior headroom than virtually any other personal -use wheelchair van 

 

Options and Equipment

THE VAN:  This began as a well equipped XLT, standard length body, 1/2 ton (E150).   It has the 5.8 small-block V8 motor and heavy-duty automatic with overdrive transmission.  Aso has a long list of comfort and convenience features such as:  power windows, lock and mirrors;  tilt & cruise; cold A/C; power drivers seat; factory alloys, chrome bumpers and more.

THE CAMPING CONVERSION:  This was converted when brand new by the finest converter of camping vans in the United States at the time, called Trail Wagons...a division of Chinook.   This company was based in eastern Washington and began in the 70's.  The photos are the best way to discern what the features are...because the list is so long and unique (especially for a wheelchair van) its hard to describe in print.   Please read the captions on photos and I will list the highlights and major features here:  contoured raised roof with ceiling vent; leather front seats;  running boards;  custom graphics and striping; picture windows with screened vents; custom stereo;  couch which makes into a double bed, includes seatbelts for passengers; refrigerator;  microwave; stainless steel sink; insta-hot water faucet;  standard water faucet;  water pump; power convertor;  dedicated high-capacity battery for RV portion; extensive storage via many overhead cabinets as well as under couch; countertop and cabinetry;  porta-potti (brand new); monitor panel for battery status; 110 power outlets inside and outside;  solid wood cabinet doors and faces; removable tabletop and leg; window covers on ALL including front window...creates total privacy if desired;  various racks, cubbies, holders, etc;  TV and VCR (add DVD for $200).  I am sure I am forgetting some features, but this gives you a great sense of the extensive, professional, high quality conversion this incredibly rare van has.

MOBILITY:   As near as my research can tell me, this was made into a wheelchair van when it was a couple of years old.   The mobility conversion was very expensive and extensive and included the following:

*  Quite tall doors and corresponding roof-notch

*  Power opening side doors  (these are currently deactivated, but could be re-installed for extra cost if needed)

*  Wheelchair lift:  I replaced the original lift with a BRAND NEW Ricon lift called an S-series KlearVue.  This lift has an installed retail price of about $7,000!  I felt that this extremely unique and special van was worthy of the investment in a new lift.   Here is how the manufacturer describes this lift.  And notice that it has up to a five year warranty!

The new KlearVue™ wheelchair lift from Ricon is the only wheelchair lift with a unique “fold-in-half” design. When the KlearVue™ lift is stowed, it provides an unobstructed view for the driver, helping to eliminate hazardous blind spots, allows a clear view for the passengers, and is virtually unseen from outside. Plus, because the Klearvue™ platform folds when stowed, no raised-roof modification for your personal vehicle is required – even when a long platform is necessary for larger wheelchairs and power scooters. Quiet and easy-to-maintain, the Klearvue™ is the wheelchair lift for you.

  • Advantages: Unobstructed view from within the vehicle

  • Added safety benefit of minimized blind spots

  • Unique folding platform accommodates longer platform scooters and wheelchairs without requiring raised roof or door

  • Automatic inboard/outboard rollstops

  • Quiet, smooth operation

  • Stable and compact when stowed

  • Permanent, no-lube bearings at all major pivot points

  • Powerful hydraulic pump

  • Built-in manual back-up system

  • Easy to operate and maintain

  • 5-year Limited Warranty*

  • *One year for parts and labor; five years on hydraulic components.

*  In addition to the clearance-adding and headroom increasing raised doors and roof notch, this also has a 4 inch lowered floor!  This is the first van I have seen which combines these features, which results in the most entry/exit clearance and interior headroom of any personal-use wheelchair van I am aware of!

*  Brand new flooring made of the latest, greatest material which is a sort of rubberized vinyl, which is often currently being used in brand new wheelchair vans. 

* Multiple locations for anchoring the wheelchair to the floor for travel 

*** Summary:   Simply put, WOW...that is my best summary of this van :)   I am sure there is no other van in America for sale at this time which has anything close to this combination of extensive camping features and extensive wheelchair van features.   Yes, this van is that rare.  With low miles, brand new lift and priced at under $20k dollars...is this your dream wheelchair van?

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

Has been in Oregon and Washington since new.   Has had only two owners, first of which had it until a few years ago.

History of Care

This has never been an urban or even suburban-use van, it has always had easy rural life and of course has had zero commercial use, which can be very harsh.  I think it is obvious by the photos that this van is in amazing overall condition, inside and out.   It currently runs, drives and performs as good as it looks.

Each of my vans receives a detailed (about 75 items) inspection by the general mechanic shop which I consider to be the finest in my area. Then, after discussing their report, I have them do what is needed to repair, replace or service items on the vehicle in order to reach my high standard of overall mechanical condition.  And in case you may wonder, their process on each van does include an oil, lube and filter service.  The aforementioned inspection, repair and service process is a major and very valuable element of my "Rick's rejuvenated" process.

As a result of the above mentioned process, here is a list of some items which were cared for by the shop I speak of:

* Primary serpentine belt

* Cooling system flush

* Brand new radiator  (not a used one)

* Transmission service

Additionally, the specialty RV service shop I use has done a complete inspection and has serviced the following items:

* New power convertor

* Replaced water pump

* made sure all features and items are operational and serviced

* Brand new porta-potti

In addition: as part of my 'Rick's rejuvenated'' process, each mobility/adaptive component is inspected, serviced, adjusted and repaired (if needed) by a different mechanic, who owns the premium company in this area which exclusively cares for wheelchair vans.

Carfax Report Summary

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

Nothing negative or derogatory on the report. 

You Might Like To Know...

* The parent company of this Trail Wagons conversion was Chinook.  for several decades they built the absolute finest quality conversion vans in America.  They were finally forced out of business during the recent recession due to the bad economy, combined with extreme increase in costs of the quality components and materials they were using.

* As near as I can estimate, if a person were to have a new van created with this level of quality and features in regards to both the RV and wheelchair-capable aspects...the cost would be $80-90,000!

* 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.

Summary of this Gem

Please take a close look at the photos and read the captions.   This is an amazing, fun and highly functional van.  Even if you don't need a van such as this, you may enjoy learning about it and imagining how you might use it.   Please check it out...it is very unlikely that I nor anyone else will have a van such as this for sale again.  It's a camper, it's a fantastic wheelchair van, it has low miles, it has been highly rejuvenated...thank you for reading.

 

 

Brand new premium quality lift. Retail value of this lift is approx. $7,000
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Extremely rare and unusual camping ability with extensive features and versatility of highest build quality
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Driver Side Full View
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Driver Side Rear View
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Passenger Side Rear View
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Passenger Side Front View
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Passenger Side Full View
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Extremely comfortable leather seats with power adjustments
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Passenger Side Front Interior
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Side View doors open
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Combination of lowered floor and raised doors with corresponding roof notch create the greatest amount of entry/exit clearance and interior headroom which I have seen

This wonderful style of lift allows for easy passage of people in and out of van even when lift is stowed
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TV and VCR in forward area
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Notice: vented picture window with shade; overhead storage areas; various cabinetry and accessories

Notable: the floor in the center portion of the van is lowered 4 inches which contributes greatly to headroom and clearance for all users
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Look closely, there's much to see
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Very creative design utilizes this rear side area of the van for: generous seating area when parked; has seat belts which allow for additional passengers when driving; becomes a double bed if desired
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Much to see here including: sink, cabinet, cupboard area; brand new porta-potti; paper towel rack; location in floor to insert tabletop
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Excellent view of full length of interior
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Storage shelf under sink. One jug is supply for sink faucet, other jug is for water which drains from sink
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Controls for insta-hot water heater. Also, this is a good view of the refrigerator
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Bed is approx. equal to double size
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Another versatile interior view
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This monitor indicates the available power of dedicated heavy-duty RV battery.

(Note: at one time this had a solar panel which is not currently operational)
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This is a view of the ceiling which shows roof vent and some lighting and various cabinets, microwave, etc.

Note: the padded bar you see is a structural member which greatly adds to the integrity of the entire ceiling area and its components. Other conversion vans do not have this, which makes it a prime indicator of the quality of this conversion
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Huge storage space under couch/bed area. Also, you see the seatbelts for additional passengers
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All windows have shades or available covers of some sort
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Storage bin to the right of TV would be a perfect place to add a DVD player if you so desire. (This could be added at my wholesale cost which is $200.)
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This photo is an indication of what the "nighttime" mode looks like, including a snap-in screen for windshield and front door areas
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This shows the brand new lift at what is called "floor-level" position. Also notice the rectangular box with cord is the controller for the lift.
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A great view of various RV components including microwave and removable tabletop
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Fully featured and equipped driver's area including CD Stereo system
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Another example of the very high quality level of this conversion is their use of the finest brand of seating which is Flexsteel brand
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An excellent view of the removable tabletop which comes in handy for a variety of activities
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Immaculately clean and well designed refrigerator works great and gets super cold
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I took this photo because I wanted to clearly show the 4 inch lowered floor and new commercial grade flooring. You might be surprised by how much benefit 4 inches of extra headroom and clearance add as well as how much easier it is to maneuver a wheelchair on this floor versus the more common carpeted floor
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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.