Wheelchair Van Lifts and Entry Options: What Actually Works in Real Life

Choosing the right wheelchair van isn’t just about finding a vehicle that fits your budget – it’s about understanding which accessibility features will actually work for your daily life. At Paul Sherry Conversion Vans, we’ve helped thousands of families navigate these choices, and we know that what looks good on paper doesn’t always work in real life.

This guide breaks down the features that really matter, from different types of lifts to entry configurations, so you can make decisions based on your actual needs rather than marketing brochures.

Entry Options: Side vs. Rear

Side Entry Wheelchair Vans

How it works: You enter through the passenger side door using a ramp or lift system.

When side entry makes sense:

• You have reliable side clearance where you park (driveway, garage, etc.)
• The wheelchair user often transfers to a regular seat for travel
• Other family members need easy access to rear seating
• You frequently park in spaces where rear access would be blocked

When side entry gets complicated:

• Tight parking spaces (think grocery stores or medical buildings)
• Sloped driveways that affect ramp deployment
• Curbside parking where there’s not enough room to deploy equipment
• Garages with limited side clearance

Rear Entry Wheelchair Vans

How it works: Access through the back doors with a lift or ramp system.

When rear entry makes sense:

• The wheelchair user stays in their chair during travel
• You need maximum interior flexibility
• Side space is often limited where you park
• You’re transporting multiple wheelchairs

When rear entry gets tricky:

• Backing out of parking spaces with someone in a wheelchair
• Loading groceries or other cargo around the lift area
• Tight parking garages where rear access is blocked
• Situations where you need quick entry/exit

Real talk: Most families think they know which entry type they want, but it’s worth considering where you actually park most often. Your driveway setup might make one option much more practical than the other.

Lift Types: What Actually Works

Platform Lifts

Solid Platform Lifts: These are exactly what they sound like – a solid platform that raises and lowers the wheelchair into the van.

Pros:

• Feel stable and secure
• Can handle heavier wheelchairs
• Simple design means fewer things can break
• Usually the most affordable option

Cons:

• Take up more interior space when stowed
• Can block visibility when folded up
• May require higher van doors or roof modifications

Split Platform Lifts: The platform splits in the middle and folds to the sides when not in use.

Pros:

• Better visibility when stowed
• Allows other passengers to exit without deploying the lift
• Still provides good stability when deployed

Cons:

• More complex mechanism (more potential maintenance)
• Generally more expensive than solid platforms
• May not feel as stable to some users

Folding Platform Lifts: These fold horizontally, providing longer ramp length when deployed but taking up less space when stowed.

Pros:

• Longer platform for easier boarding
• Good visibility when stowed
• Comfortable approach angle

Cons:

• Most expensive option
• More complex mechanism
• May require specific van configurations

Ramp Systems

Manual Ramps You physically deploy and stow the ramp yourself.

Pros:

• Simple and reliable
• Less expensive to purchase and maintain
• No electrical components to fail

Cons:

• Requires physical effort to deploy
• Can be challenging in bad weather
• May be difficult for some caregivers to handle

Power Ramps Deploy automatically with the push of a button.

Pros:

• Easy to operate
• Consistent deployment every time
• Better for users with limited physical ability

Cons:

• More expensive
• Electrical components can fail
• May need battery backup systems

Popular Lift Manufacturers and What They Offer

Ricon Lifts

Clearway Split Platform Ricon’s most popular option features a platform that splits and moves out of the way when stowed. Good balance of functionality and visibility.

K-Series ClearVue Nearly invisible when stowed, providing excellent visibility. Available in 800-pound (Classic) and 1,000-pound (Titanium) weight capacities.

Reliant Compact design that maximizes interior space. Features the Sto-Loc system that locks the platform securely when stowed to prevent rattling.

Uni-Lite Lightweight aluminum construction that’s quiet and smooth. Electric operation with 600-pound capacity despite weighing only 160 pounds itself.

VMI (Vantage Mobility International) Lifts

iClass Split Platform (SP) Large platform that splits vertically. Supports up to 1,000 pounds and provides 41 inches of ramp length.

iClass Folded Platform (F) Folds horizontally for a longer 59-inch platform when deployed while maintaining good visibility when stowed.

iClass Solid Platform (S) Basic solid platform option that’s affordable while still offering VMI’s quality and reliability.

All VMI lifts include:

• Bluetooth compatibility
• LED lighting
• Anti-rattle technology
• Automatic service notifications through their mobile app

ATS Mobility and Primetime

These manufacturers focus on reliable, straightforward lift systems that prioritize safety and durability over high-tech features. Good options for families who want proven technology without bells and whistles.

Weight Capacity: More Important Than You Think

Standard capacities range from 600 to 1,000+ pounds. This isn’t just about the wheelchair user’s weight – it includes:

• The person
• The wheelchair (power chairs can weigh 200+ pounds)
• Any medical equipment or supplies
• Safety margin for dynamic loading

Rule of thumb: Add up the actual weight of person + wheelchair + equipment, then choose a lift with at least 25% more capacity. Better to have too much capacity than not enough.

Power and Backup Systems

Electrical Systems

Most modern lifts run on the van’s electrical system with battery backup. Key considerations:

• What happens if the main battery dies?
• Is there a manual backup system?
• How long does the backup battery last?
• Can you operate the lift with the van turned off?

Hydraulic Systems

Some lifts use hydraulic power, which can be more reliable but typically costs more to maintain.

Maintenance Reality Check

What Needs Regular Attention

• Moving parts: Hinges, pivots, and joints need lubrication
• Electrical connections: Keep them clean and dry
• Platform surfaces: Non-slip surfaces wear out and need replacement
• Safety systems: Roll stops and emergency features need periodic testing

What Breaks Most Often

• Electrical switches and controls (usually easy and inexpensive to fix)
• Weather seals (especially important for rear-entry systems)
• Platform pivot points (usually covered under warranty for several years)

Service Considerations

Not every shop can work on accessibility equipment. Before you buy, ask about:

• Local service availability
• Parts availability
• Warranty coverage and what it actually includes
• Mobile service options (some companies will come to you)

Questions to Ask Before You Decide

About Your Daily Use

• Where do you park most often?
• Who will be operating the lift?
• Do you need to transport the wheelchair user frequently or just occasionally?
• What other equipment or cargo do you typically carry?

About the Specific System

• What’s the weight capacity with a safety margin?
• What backup systems are included?
• How does it perform in winter weather?
• What does the warranty actually cover?
• Who provides local service?

About Installation

• Is this a factory conversion or aftermarket modification?
• Who did the installation work?
• Are there any modifications that might affect the vehicle warranty?
• How does this affect the van’s resale value?

Making the Right Choice

The “best” lift system is the one that works reliably for your specific situation. A basic, solid platform lift that gets used every day is infinitely better than a high-tech system that’s complicated to operate or frequently needs repairs.

Start with your actual needs:

• How will this van be used?
• Who will operate the equipment?
• Where will it be parked and used most often?
• What’s your realistic budget for purchase and maintenance?

Then consider the options that fit those needs. Don’t get caught up in features you’ll never use or technology that’s more complex than you need.

At Paul Sherry Conversion Vans, we’ve seen what works in real life and what doesn’t. We’re here to help you choose equipment that makes your life easier, not more complicated.

Want to see these systems in action? Visit our showroom to test different lift types and entry configurations. What feels right in person is often different from what looks good on paper.