The Scion xB Rampvan arrives
The blog entry I posted a few weeks back about Scion's accessible xB generated lots of comments and questions. I picked up the car today, so I can start answering some of them. The short version: The xB Rampvan, which is converted by Braun, has a lowered rear floor, tailgate cut into the bumper, and a bifold ramp that stows vertically behind the tailgate. The rear seat is removed and the rear coil springs are replaced by air springs which "squat" when the ramp is deployed. A single button drops the rear springs, swings open the tailgate and lowers the ramp. The driver/passenger must transfer him or herself from their wheelchair to the front seat; my test car has an optional electric driver's seat that slides back and swivels for easier access. Aside from the rear ride height, which is jacked up 1970s-style to accomodate the lower floor, the Rampvan looks pretty much like an ordinary xB. The ramp conversion adds around $14,000 to the $16,000-or-so cost of the car.
A friend of Jason's who is in a wheelchair has agreed to help us with our evaluation, and I'll be talking to our local Braun dealer/converter. I'm ambulatory, so this is all new to me; if you have comments, questions, or suggestions for what to look at in my review, please click the comment link or email me and I will be sure to address them. -- Aaron Gold
You say the wheelchair conversion adds nearly another car to the price tag. I thought the Rampvan was going to come this way from the dealers? Why should I buy this and not an aftermarket conversion? (Caveat; for all I know, aftermarket conversions cost even more.)
Width of the ramp, as well as weight capacity, is an issue. Powerchairs are heavy, bariatric chairs are wide. Stuff that claims to be “accessible” to wheelchairs usually measures off a manual chair, I’ve noticed.
Can a powerchair user safely ride in their chair while in the van? You say the “driver/passenger must transfer to the front seat”; what if the wheelchair user isn’t driving? Does the passenger seat have those electric mods available? Are the seats comfy enough if I do transfer, or will I have to drag all the gel-cushions out of my wheelchair and into the front seat?
Ceiling height? Neither I or my chair are particularly tall, but the existing wheelchair cabs, which are a similar design (I’ve forgotten the model we have locally) always make me wonder if I’m going to whack my head on the roof of the cab if we hit a pothole. (Which means suspension is also an issue.)
How heavy and awkward is that ramp? Again, a manual-wheelchair athlete may have upper body strength like Atlas, but us lazy powerchair types often don’t.
With a wheelchair and full seats, is there any cargo space? Nice as it is to be able to get my chair and a passenger into a vehicle, I can do that locally on public transit. I can’t haul a week’s worth of groceries or luggage on a bus easily, though. (Again, present wheelchair cabs have some, but not much, cargo room when loaded with me-in-chair, fiance, and cab driver. But those cabs are bigger than that little box.)
I have had the Toyota Scion Rampvan back to the dealership three times already due to kneeling failure problems. I am sorry I bought this vehicle. The start up noice was hoorific. It sure would have workded fine when it was working but now after all these problems I don’t feel safe in this vehicle. And it’s a lifeline when you don’t have use of your legs and you get stuck somewhere. Especially realizing you are driving a brand new vehicle.
Lois — Please email me at cars.guide@about.com. I forwarded this issue to Toyota, and they gave me a contact at Braun who may be able to help you.
Aaron
my husband is over 6 ft tall, after reading comments of lois enright i think we’ll pass. we are greatful to this website, and can really appreciate where lois is coming from.
I thought that this car was relatively inexpensive, but, I wondered what conversion to the rampvan would be.
Holy Toledo!
I now have a maxivan, Chrysler’s awd T&C.
It’s 10 years old.I can’t back up in it.It’s too long.
I am retired and disabled and live alone.
I have a lift-from-hell.
That’s why I want to get rid of it, plus the fact that I can’t back out of my drivewway….
I am back to say that the Scion Rampvan has been taken care of with the kinks being ironed out by Braun. This vehicle was made by IMS and Braun bought the company so they had to work on it. I am extremely happy with it. It can be parked anywhere and the mileage is wonderful as opposed to the other conversion minivans. When I park in Walmart and can park anywhere it makes heads spin watching how it kneels and opens that back and lowering the ramp. Other conversion vans need to use the handicap spaces and you can never find those spots. I don’t worry about this and love it now!
I’ve owned a 2005 Scion/Braun Rampvan for about 6 mo. I did have a problem with the loud compressor being on too long and had to take in for service; Braun realized the problem and provided the fix to my dealer (Rideaway). Otherwise I love it, but I’m a special case, 5′2″ woman with long legs who rides in a Pride Go Go elite scooter, very small, so fits in easily. Ramp is too steep for WC. I do transfer from the scooter into swivel driver’s seat ($2200 extra) which took me several months to master. Point is well taken that if passenger leaves seat in the farthest back position, driver will not be able to transfer into driver’s seat. I’ve found a place that fits almost every passenger I carry but do keep cell phone handy in case I have a problem. Also the combination of rear exit and battery scooter makes it possible for me to park just about anywhere.
Could I find out what kind of scooter or powerchair that Lois Enright uses in her Scion? I’m trying to find out the different kinds of scooters and, preferably, powerchairs that can easily go in and out of the Rampvan Scions. I can navigate a scooter but would really like to be able to use my Jazzy 1120 powerchair or something comparable.
Iam in the business of transporting clints from hospitals nursing homes and doctors apointments i use mini van with a side ramp (van has a lower floor. van is paid for in full. I would like to trade van for a scion XB because gas miles would be better for me since i ride about 250 miles a day any one intersend? dzchito@yahoo.com
Hi this is an answer to Lois Crane regarding my chair. It is a Pride Jet 3. Don’t have the size but you could get that on a search. It fits great in my Rampvan,
and I am still loving it…
My co-workers designed this van. I’m proud of them.
The goal was to offer younger mobility clients an alternative, something “cooler” than your traditional conversion van.
That, and offer rear entry because of people who park too close & block the side door
Gas mileage wasn’t an issue at the time, but….
They were well aware it was going to be too “tight” for taller/larger mobility clients .
They lowered it to get the ramp angle as low as possible.
Due to the limited market, chances are there will never again be anything this cute and fun for mobility clients.
If you are taller, larger, and want a truly superbly engineered lowered-floor minivan, get a IMS/Braun Sienna Rampvan. There is simply more to work with there than on the Scion.
Larger clients, and those who can’t manage a ramp may prefer a full size van with a lift.
IMS’ engineers also designed TWO rear entry versions of the Sienna, but I’m not sure what happened after the Braun buyout. Still, there are always used ones out there. Call all the dealers & ask around.
On the other hand, for a little more fun, excitement, and mpg….
I am so excited about this vehicle. I am in the planning stages of a customer friendly transportation business and need all the input, advice and referrals possible. Thank you Aaron for such a detailed review! Daniel I would love to chat with you about your business. I’ll be emailing you soon. Thanks.
My husband is a quad in a manual chair and doesn’t transfer except in and out of bed. Can his chair be tied down in the ‘back’, with 2 folks, driver and passenger in the ‘front’ of a Scion xB? Anyone got a diesel ‘car-ish’ wheelchair vehicle?
I waited a very long time to purchase my used 2005 Toyota Scion XB Rampvan. To my dispair, it has had difficulties to the extreme airing back up after kneeling down. It has happened six times in six months and neither MITS Coorporation (in Glen Rock, PA) nor Braun reps via phone have been able to fix it. I am extremely disappointed because otherwise it is a dream car!