Hello to Alphard Club Members!

[Zedrider]

Hi - just joined this site as will be looking for an Alphard towards the end of this year/early next.

 

Reason for wanting one - my wife has MS & mobility issues to am hoping to obtain a model with the disability passenger seat at the front of the vehicle to enable access.

 

Also hoping to have enough room in the rear to set up a ramp allowing us to take my wife's scooter on trips. Have a travel scooter but it's not designed for anything other than short distances.

 

Been driving a desk for 40+ years in the Financial Services industry but taking early retirement to spend more time with my wife.

 

Looking forward to interacting with Members going forward.

 

Thanks

 

Kevin

[Rojie]

59 minutes ago, Zedrider said:

Hi - just joined this site as will be looking for an Alphard towards the end of this year/early next.

 

Reason for wanting one - my wife has MS & mobility issues to am hoping to obtain a model with the disability passenger seat at the front of the vehicle to enable access.

 

Also hoping to have enough room in the rear to set up a ramp allowing us to take my wife's scooter on trips. Have a travel scooter but it's not designed for anything other than short distances.

 

Been driving a desk for 40+ years in the Financial Services industry but taking early retirement to spend more time with my wife.

 

Looking forward to interacting with Members going forward.

 

Thanks

 

Kevin

 

Hello Kevin,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

If you remove the rear seats there may be enough room for a scooter, depends how big it is.

Also, on many models the rear seats fold up sideways.

 

If you remove the middle seats as well, which is not too difficult to do, there will be plenty of room.

Although securing the scooter may be an issue.

 

IF seeking a vehicle with mobility seat you MUST ensure where you will get the seat serviced and repaired.

Do NOT assume you can take it anywhere. Most Toyota dealers will not service Alphards.

It is essential to have a reliable, capable mechanic before you buy.

 

[Zedrider]

Thanks Rojie for your kind and informative comments.

 

Since learned that the seat is a 'Welcab' - from the ones viewed in the last 20 minutes or so, most seem to be fitted to the middle of the vehicle.

 

Going to speak with the guys that look after our stairlift & scooters to see if it's something they are able to manage or, know of someone who can.

 

I do have a good mechanic but, he is retiring at the end of this year so need to source an alternative before parting with any cash.

 

Also need to shift the Merc Estate we have at present as it won't be worth much as a trade-in.

 

Plenty to be working on but absolutely no rush  

 

Thanks again

 

Kevin

[Rojie]

4 minutes ago, Zedrider said:

Thanks Rojie for your kind and informative comments.

 

Since learned that the seat is a 'Welcab' - from the ones viewed in the last 20 minutes or so, most seem to be fitted to the middle of the vehicle.

 

Going to speak with the guys that look after our stairlift & scooters to see if it's something they are able to manage or, know of someone who can.

 

I do have a good mechanic but, he is retiring at the end of this year so need to source an alternative before parting with any cash.

 

Also need to shift the Merc Estate we have at present as it won't be worth much as a trade-in.

 

Plenty to be working on but absolutely no rush  

 

Thanks again

 

Kevin

 

Welcab is the usual supplier of these disabilty/mobility seats; and most are fitted by the large nearside sliding door.

The doors are often electrically operated.

 

We do have a member or two that have made enquiries on this forum about servicing and repair, so much more reading for you to do