question for those who have a Braun van

[boston/maine]

I am thinking of purchasing a van and I am wondering if you don't drive them every week will the battery go dead and does the van use a certain size tires? I know I could ask the dealer but I would rather have a user's input. Thanks !!

[Howie]

I don't have one, but I'm an automotive nut.

The battery will be fine sitting for a while. I drive my PT Cruiser about once a week, and that battery is 9 years old. If you are concerned, you can get a small battery charger at any automotive parts store like Pep Boys or Advance, that stays hooked to your battery. You just run an extension cord to to it, and plug it in.

It will have a specific size of tires. But it will be in raised letters on the side of each tire. Easy for you to see, or anyone putting new tires on.

If you get it, I hope it serves you well.

[Gary]

I don't use my motorhome or a couple pieces of farm machinery all winter. And like where you live its gets coooooold here as well. I bought some solar chargers that were designed to fit in the window and plug into the cigarette lighter (or 12 volt accessory outlet on newer vehicles) after this $15 (each) investment I never have a problem. The tractor batteries are about $400 each and the big ones use 2 or 3 of them.

And like Howie my car battery doesn't get exercise sometimes for weeks. And it starts right up. But I have noticed that a battery with a 48 month guarantee is going to last 48 1/2 months.

[SalpalSally]

The battery will be fine sitting for a while. I drive my PT Cruiser about once a week, and that battery is 9 years old. If you are concerned, you can get a small battery charger at any automotive parts store like Pep Boys or Advance, that stays hooked to your battery. You just run an extension cord to to it, and plug it in.

Jan, I just have a mini van with a scooter lift & a seat lift, but I do have my van on a charger.
Because it's usually only driven once or twice a year..It works!!!!

I love those Bruno vans though. the ones you drive your WC/Scooter right into it...Will you
be driving it or someone else? I don't drive anymore, so DD drives me.

[boston/maine]

Thanks everyone, yes I am still driving with hand controls, I use a slide board to get me in and out of my car, so I am thinking of conserving my energy by getting a van. Then I will be less dependent on others.
Howie thanks for the info on the tires I will check them.

[Lazarus]

Trickle charger. The only words I know from having a generator to run the greenhouses in case of a power outage. It is a little charger that keeps the generator battery from going dead...I had one for one of my electric scooters too.

Good luck!
Like Gary said, long cold winters hurt batteries. But just starting them and running the vehicle periodically should also work. We have 14 tractors and batteries are always a concern around here! (That is a different tractor for each job so we do not keep having to change the machinery we attach to each. Saves a lot of effort!)

[Jeanie Z]

:) I have 2000 Town & Country Chrysler ramp van with the Entervan system from Braun. A few months aga a man pulled out in front of me making a left turn without looking. I was doing about 35 and swerved left and braked but messed up the front right fender, headlight and hood but did not hurt the ramp system. Both airbags went off scary.

The insurance company wanted to total it but I said no as I could not afford to replace the ramp system and the drivers seat that goes back. I bought it from a friend when her husband died for $5000.00. She gave me all the paperwork from the day they bought it new for $54,000.00 and it only had 90,000 miles on it. I have had it about five years and it has 122,000 miles now. I hope it last me until I die. I service it regularly.

While my van was in the body shop a month (fighting to get it repaired instead of totaled) the man's insurance rented me a 2014 Entervan with only 1000 miles on it. I would not trade my old one for it. The seats were not leather which makes it hard to turn and did not go back as far. The tie downs on the floor I could not use as you had to keep your hand on a lever on the floor while you attached it to the scooter and also to undo it. Impossible! I wound up putting one of the rear seat belts around the handlebars.

Just some things to check when you go van hunting. Jeanie :)

[renee]

I'm a VMI (2005, 49,000 miles) mini van driver.
Sometimes I drive it everyday sometimes once every five days.
It gets very cold here and have found that an easy startup depends more
on your battery and less on the weather.

If I haven't driven in awhile I take Vanna (White), my crip-mobile and my chariot,
for a 1/2 hour drive on the highway.
It's good for the battery, good for the muffler.

Upholstered seats don't slow me but I have a swivel drivers seat.
My first in-home PT showed me the value of large plastic bags for
moving on upholstered seats if I ever have a problem.
As per tying down wheelchair (not a powerchair) I lock mine and
see where it is at the end of the trip.

Caution to the wind.

14 TRACTORS, WOW.