Choosing a wheelchair-accessible truck or SUV starts well before any conversion work begins. A consultation gives you an opportunity to discuss how you use your wheelchair, where you want to sit in the vehicle, and what you expect from your driving or riding experience.
ATC Mobility uses the consultation process to understand those individual needs and determine whether a truck or SUV is suitable for a mobility vehicle conversion. Careful planning at the beginning can also help you understand the conversion process before you commit to a vehicle.
Every wheelchair user brings different needs to a vehicle conversion. Wheelchair dimensions, preferred seating position, vehicle choice, and adaptive equipment can all influence how a mobility solution takes shape. A consultation creates an opportunity to discuss those factors before beginning the conversion.
The conversation can also help you understand what the conversion will change and which decisions still need attention. It’s always best to consult with qualified mobility professionals during the vehicle-buying process because they can help match vehicle and equipment choices to an individual’s needs.
Your daily routine provides useful context during the consultation. For example, someone who plans to drive from a wheelchair may have different requirements than someone who will primarily ride as a passenger.
Think about where you travel, how you currently enter and exit vehicles, and what you would like your next vehicle to make easier. Sharing those details helps the mobility team understand the experience you want from the finished conversion.
The consultation should cover the handicap-accessible vehicle as well as the person who will use it. ATC Mobility converts select Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs, including Silverado, Sierra, Suburban, and Yukon XL models. Your preferred model must work with both the conversion system and your wheelchair dimensions.
During the consultation process for mobility vehicle conversions, discuss whether you already own a compatible vehicle or plan to purchase one for conversion. ATC Mobility can work with qualifying customer-owned vehicles, while customers who need a vehicle can explore available inventory or purchase through a dealer before sending the vehicle to ATC’s facility in Roanoke, Indiana.
Your seating position represents another important part of the conversation. ATC Mobility offers driver-side and passenger-side conversions, so the team must know whether the wheelchair user plans to drive or ride as a passenger.
Drivers may also need adaptive equipment that falls outside ATC Mobility’s primary conversion work. ATC specializes in converting the vehicle for wheelchair access, while a local mobility dealer can help with final adaptations, such as appropriate driving controls or securement equipment, based on the individual’s needs.
Accurate wheelchair and user measurements play a central role in determining whether a particular vehicle can accommodate you. ATC Mobility provides comprehensive measuring guides for manual and power wheelchairs so the team can review dimensions before confirming a safe and comfortable vehicle fit.
Measurements can affect several parts of the experience, including available interior space and compatibility with the lift system. ATC Mobility asks customers to submit the appropriate measuring guide before confirming which vehicle can accommodate both the person and wheelchair.
Completing the measuring process early can help you avoid choosing a truck or SUV before you know whether it suits your needs. Customers looking at available or new vehicles should work with their local mobility dealer to submit their measurements early in the process so they can confirm the correct fit.
A member of the conversion team can then review the information with you. At ATC Mobility, our team will contact you directly after receiving your measurements to discuss the information and next steps.
Once the team confirms vehicle compatibility, the consultation can move into the details of the conversion itself. ATC Mobility’s hydraulic lift system allows wheelchair users to enter its converted trucks and SUVs without requiring a transfer from the wheelchair during entry. We also offer riders the option of keeping the original factory seat in place if they wanted to transfer, or allow a caregiver or family member to ride in the vehicle as well.
Depending on the configuration, the wheelchair user can occupy the driver-side or passenger-side position. Our approach gives people who want a truck or large SUV another way to build accessibility into a vehicle that matches their lifestyle.
Understanding the physical changes can help you make a more informed decision. Ask the team what the conversion involves, which original vehicle features may change, and what you should expect from the completed interior.
Your consultation also provides a good time to ask how the lift operates and how you will enter the vehicle from your wheelchair. Clear questions allow you to picture how the vehicle may fit into errands, workdays, family activities, and the places you enjoy going.
ATC Mobility performs its conversions at its facility in Roanoke, Indiana. Customers outside the area can arrange transportation for the vehicle, and a local mobility dealer may also help coordinate delivery to and from the facility. We also partner with local GM dealers to work with customers on new models for conversion and help save on pre-conversion shipping costs to the ATC facility.
Timing deserves a place in your consultation as well, especially if you rely on a vehicle for daily transportation. At ATC Mobility, we advise customers to speak with a representative about turnaround expectations because we build each conversion to the customer’s specifications.
The vehicle’s return from ATC Mobility may not mark the end of every customer’s mobility setup. Some drivers or passengers may require additional equipment that a local mobility dealer installs after the main vehicle conversion, like the lift locking mechanism that works with their wheelchair model, or hand controls that accommodate a driver’s unique needs.
It’s also wise to consider individual driving and mobility requirements when selecting equipment. Depending on your situation, a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist may evaluate your driving abilities and recommend suitable adaptive equipment.
A mobility vehicle represents a significant purchase, so financial considerations belong in the planning process. Asking about conversion costs, vehicle costs, and possible funding resources early can give you a clearer picture of the overall investment.
ATC Mobility provides financing resources and encourages customers to work with local mobility dealers to explore options that may fit their circumstances. Some individuals may also qualify for assistance through programs such as Veterans Affairs or vocational rehabilitation, depending on eligibility.
A good conversation should address what happens after you receive your vehicle. Ask about recommended service, warranty coverage, and where you can turn when you have questions about the conversion system.
ATC Mobility services its converted vehicles and provides resources for owners after delivery. Planning for ownership from the beginning can make it easier to understand the responsibilities that come with maintaining your mobility investment.
Choosing a mobility vehicle can open the door to greater independence and more freedom to enjoy the activities that matter to you, and potentially support the work you do and expand those possibilities. A thoughtful consultation helps connect your wheelchair measurements, preferred vehicle, seating position, and individual mobility needs with a conversion that fits your everyday life.
If you are considering a truck or SUV conversion, contact ATC Mobility to start the conversation. Our team can help you review your wheelchair measurements, discuss compatible Chevrolet and GMC models, and determine the next steps toward a vehicle built around how you want to travel.
