How long is it going to take to get your wheelchair accessible van in the U.S.? If you’ve been asking yourself this question, you’re not alone. Whether you’re in California, Texas, New York, or anywhere else in the states, your organization has made the decision to invest in a wheelchair van. But now you’re stuck wondering, “How long is this process going to take?”
Not knowing the timeline can be stressful. What if it doesn’t show up in time? You don’t want to let people down or miss out on important opportunities to help those who need you most. That’s why you’re here, and we’re here to help answer your questions and give you a clear idea of what to expect.
At AVAN Mobility, we’ve been building wheelchair accessible vans for over 10 years. We’re all about breaking down barriers to transportation and healthcare. We know how important it is to get these vehicles to you as quickly as possible so people can access the services they rely on and live more independently.
In this article, we’ll explain lead time, how long it typically takes to get a wheelchair accessible van in the U.S., and the stages involved.
What does lead time mean?
Let’s discuss lead time first. You might hear our sales team mention this, and it’s simple but important to understand. Lead time is the time between placing your order for a wheelchair accessible van and when it arrives. Sounds pretty straightforward, right?
Now that you know what lead time is, let’s get to the big question on your mind: how long will it actually take to get your van? It’s a question a lot of people ask, and the answer depends on a few different things. But don’t worry—we’re going to break it all down so you know exactly what to expect and how to plan.
Ready? Let’s dive into the details of what kind of timeline you can expect!
How long will it take to get your wheelchair accessible van?
The time it takes to get your wheelchair van depends on many factors—some you can control and some you can’t. Here’s a quick overview of the four factors that can affect your timeline:
1. Your location and the time of year
The time it takes to get your wheelchair accessible van depends on where you live in the U.S. and the time of year. As you might guess, the further you are from our manufacturing facility, the longer it takes to ship the wheelchair van out to you. Our lead times usually range from six to eight weeks, but we’ll do everything we can to work with your deadline if you have one.
2. The specific vehicle you ordered
Not all vehicles take the same amount of time to convert. Some, like our P Series vans (Ram Promaster), will be finished sooner than others. If you want something a little more customized, it could take longer.
The complexity of the build can drive that timeline up. Even though it’s tempting to pick a faster option, it’s always best to choose the vehicle and conversion that truly fits your needs.
3. The vans we currently have in stock
We are often asked if we have vans in stock. The answer is a little bit of yes and no. Yes, we usually have vans available, but they haven’t all been converted yet.
This is where the flexibility in lead times comes in. Depending on the vans we have and how fast we can convert them, your wait time can change. Want to know what’s available? Click the button below to chat with an AVAN Mobility expert for the most up-to-date options!
4. What stage your organization is currently at in purchasing your van
Ordering a wheelchair accessible van can feel like a journey with multiple steps, and we’re here to guide you through it! If you decide to go with AVAN Mobility, you’ll hit three checkpoints before moving to the next stage.
Let’s take a closer look at the stages that are involved in the timeline of getting your wheelchair accessible van.
Stage 1: Terms, down payment, and paperwork
1. Review our terms: At AVAN Mobility, we’re all about transparency. Knowing what you’re agreeing to before diving in is super important.
2. Provide a down payment: The amount will depend on the type of conversion you select, so keep that in mind as you plan.
3. Fill out some paperwork: You’ll need to review and sign some important documents, including the sales agreement. This step may seem tedious, but it’s a key part of getting things moving.
Taking care of these steps helps get the ball rolling and also keeps everything clear and organized. With your down payment and paperwork signed, you’ll be well on your way to getting your wheelchair accessible van in no time!
Stage 2: Initiate wheelchair accessible van into the manufacturing schedule
Once your paperwork is signed and the down payment is made, we can officially get your wheelchair accessible van into our production schedule. This is where things start moving!
Place your van in our production schedule: We’ll add your vehicle to the list of builds, and you’ll get a slot in our production timeline. This gives us a clear date to start working on your conversion.
Assign your vehicle a VIN: You’ll get a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) assigned. Think of it like your van’s unique ID—this means it’s officially in production.
Begin the conversion process: Now, our team gets to work converting your vehicle based on the specs you chose. This is where the magic happens, whether it’s adding ramps, lifts, or other accessibility features.
We’ll notify you when it’s ready: Once your van is built and fully converted, we’ll let you know it’s ready to roll. This is the final step before delivery or pickup, and you’re almost there.
Each of these steps takes time, but knowing exactly where your vehicle is in the process can make it feel more real and exciting.
Stage 3: Payment to AVAN Mobility
The last step before getting your hands on your new wheelchair accessible van is making the final payment. Once that’s done, everything moves quickly toward delivery.
Make your final payment: This is the last financial step before your van is officially yours. Once we receive the payment, we move to the next phase—getting your van to you.
Arrange delivery: After your payment clears, we coordinate the delivery. Picking up the van yourself or having it shipped marks the moment when it’s almost time to hit the road.
Receive your van: Congratulations! At this point, your van is officially yours, and you can start using it for your organization’s needs.
What’s the next step to getting your wheelchair accessible van?
You likely came to this article because you wanted to know, “How long will it take to get a wheelchair accessible van in the U.S.?” Now that you’ve read through it, you have a much better idea of what lead times look like, what factors influence them, and how your specific situation could affect the delivery time.
At AVAN Mobility, we find fulfillment in helping organizations just like yours remove barriers to transportation. Whether it’s converting a van to meet your organization’s and client’s exact needs or answering questions that make the process clearer, we’re here every step of the way. We understand how important these vehicles are to the lives of those who need them, and we take pride in delivering safe, reliable, and life-changing solutions.
If you have any questions or are ready to get started, click the button below to chat with a mobility expert. We’re always happy to help!
