DIY wheelchair access conversion on Vito brabus?
Discussion
I've been offered a rather nice 2006 Mercedes Vito Brabus 3.0 for nothing; 80k miles, full history (no fails), only issue is a possibly cracked turbo, which the owner is happy, if I contribute, to sorting out. He only ever used it as a leisure vehicle, carrying BMXs to weekend events, so its not a worn out trade hack.
Interested because my mother is a paraplegic since 2017. I have a 2004 Jag XJ8, which is fine for taking her and my dad (Alzheimers) out for day trips, but doesn't have the pace for anything longer. My mother doesn't transfer too well into a car, down to poor core strength and that no one in the NHS showed her how to do it. So each time we do it, its all a bit fraught, which ends up with me usually lifting her up at some crisis stage and metaphorically throwing her in the car.
The Vito, on the face of it, seems ideal as an occasional vehicle for longer trips; I'd like to take them out on holiday, while they can both still appreciate it. My sister can't do the car transfers into her Mini, so a van-type vehicle where she can basically wheel mum up into the back, would enable her to take them out as well. The idea is that the vehicle could be shared between siblings as necessary.
But I'm uncertain about the costs involved. I thought at first it was just a matter of fitting some folding ramps at the back (mum is small, so I don;t think a dropped floor is needed), fitting an electric wheelchair winch, to haul the chair in, fitting some kind of system to hold the chair in place (there seems to be racking systems out there), and making sure a seatbelt is fitted.
But some websites go on about type approval, and getting the vehicle inspected, and engineers being consulted. Others suggest that I can use just a standard set of van ramps. Some suggest insurance complications, other not. So very confusing. I had thought getting the bits needed fitted would be about £1000, but it sounds like it could be much more.
I'm going to have to assume self funding right now; even though it was the NHS who put her into a chair, they're hardly paying for anything. If there is funding at all, that's a bonus.
Even though the vehicle is free, is it worth converting? Its fully specced , with leather, tiptronic, Brabus body kit etc, so would be a shame to pass on it. The owner has gotten himself a new one, and doesn't need the cash, preferring to see it used for a "humanitarian cause", hence the offer to donate it. The alternative it seems is some worn out Berlingo, with a rotted dropped floor, which doesn't sound ,much fun for trips down to Cornwall in.
If its just a matter of getting the right parts, could it be DIY fitted, and that's good enough?
Interested because my mother is a paraplegic since 2017. I have a 2004 Jag XJ8, which is fine for taking her and my dad (Alzheimers) out for day trips, but doesn't have the pace for anything longer. My mother doesn't transfer too well into a car, down to poor core strength and that no one in the NHS showed her how to do it. So each time we do it, its all a bit fraught, which ends up with me usually lifting her up at some crisis stage and metaphorically throwing her in the car.
The Vito, on the face of it, seems ideal as an occasional vehicle for longer trips; I'd like to take them out on holiday, while they can both still appreciate it. My sister can't do the car transfers into her Mini, so a van-type vehicle where she can basically wheel mum up into the back, would enable her to take them out as well. The idea is that the vehicle could be shared between siblings as necessary.
But I'm uncertain about the costs involved. I thought at first it was just a matter of fitting some folding ramps at the back (mum is small, so I don;t think a dropped floor is needed), fitting an electric wheelchair winch, to haul the chair in, fitting some kind of system to hold the chair in place (there seems to be racking systems out there), and making sure a seatbelt is fitted.
But some websites go on about type approval, and getting the vehicle inspected, and engineers being consulted. Others suggest that I can use just a standard set of van ramps. Some suggest insurance complications, other not. So very confusing. I had thought getting the bits needed fitted would be about £1000, but it sounds like it could be much more.
I'm going to have to assume self funding right now; even though it was the NHS who put her into a chair, they're hardly paying for anything. If there is funding at all, that's a bonus.
Even though the vehicle is free, is it worth converting? Its fully specced , with leather, tiptronic, Brabus body kit etc, so would be a shame to pass on it. The owner has gotten himself a new one, and doesn't need the cash, preferring to see it used for a "humanitarian cause", hence the offer to donate it. The alternative it seems is some worn out Berlingo, with a rotted dropped floor, which doesn't sound ,much fun for trips down to Cornwall in.
If its just a matter of getting the right parts, could it be DIY fitted, and that's good enough?
Thanks. There is this Unwin tracking, which seems to be reasonably priced to get a professional fit: They don't seem that hard to fit, just you need a certified fitter to do it.
https://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/viewtopic.php?...
https://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=12627...
https://www.braunability.eu/en/products/tie-downs-...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnjmWsMtXCU
Seems idiot proof, and allows a seatbelt to be fitted (with 3rd point)
https://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/viewtopic.php?...
https://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=12627...
https://www.braunability.eu/en/products/tie-downs-...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnjmWsMtXCU
Seems idiot proof, and allows a seatbelt to be fitted (with 3rd point)
I think that you should separate the need to transport wheelchair passengers from your desire for a tasty vehicle.
Look at what pre-owned wheelchair adapted vehicles are available and their costs. They will come with fitted ramps. They would have been safety approved if supplied through Motability.
The securing of the wheelchair into the vehicle is often overlooked. In an accident. This and the wheelchair passenger could come flying into the back of your head. Some people have considered that the wheelchair seat belt with a plastic buckle is a substitute for the proper vehicle seat belt. Wrong
Get some estimates from an approved restraint system fitter to do the whole thing and supply the straps. The Vito should be tall enough for a passenger in a standard attendant wheelchair without dropping the floor BUT CHECK.. Temporary ramps can be used for loading, but you should consider where to store them safely when not in use. They would be a lethal projectile in an accident.
We have used Quickfit Safety Belt Services in Stanmore for the supply of custom seatbelts for a wheelchair user. ( no connection)
Look at what pre-owned wheelchair adapted vehicles are available and their costs. They will come with fitted ramps. They would have been safety approved if supplied through Motability.
The securing of the wheelchair into the vehicle is often overlooked. In an accident. This and the wheelchair passenger could come flying into the back of your head. Some people have considered that the wheelchair seat belt with a plastic buckle is a substitute for the proper vehicle seat belt. Wrong
Get some estimates from an approved restraint system fitter to do the whole thing and supply the straps. The Vito should be tall enough for a passenger in a standard attendant wheelchair without dropping the floor BUT CHECK.. Temporary ramps can be used for loading, but you should consider where to store them safely when not in use. They would be a lethal projectile in an accident.
We have used Quickfit Safety Belt Services in Stanmore for the supply of custom seatbelts for a wheelchair user. ( no connection)
Worn out Kangoos and Berlingos are about £1000-1500. The cars with dropped floors I read shake themselves to bits, and bottoms rust out.
There is a ramp like this which seems to be just the job
Van has reversing camera set up, so the ramp doesn't ruin the rear view. I'll look into devices as well that can transfer the user onto one of the rear seats. (powered transfer board), though most of them seem to be US only.
There is a ramp like this which seems to be just the job
Van has reversing camera set up, so the ramp doesn't ruin the rear view. I'll look into devices as well that can transfer the user onto one of the rear seats. (powered transfer board), though most of them seem to be US only.
I'm a bit late to this topic, but have a word with your local taxi place. They'll likely have a wheelchair accessible vehicle, and as such probably know of an approved fitter. They might even have their own if they have a garage attached.
My daughter goes to school on a minibus with wheelchair tracking installed, the transport is contracted to a local taxi company. When I converted our transporter, they were a great help in getting it sorted. They even offered some free tracking that had came out of one of their old mini buses.
My daughter goes to school on a minibus with wheelchair tracking installed, the transport is contracted to a local taxi company. When I converted our transporter, they were a great help in getting it sorted. They even offered some free tracking that had came out of one of their old mini buses.
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