Wheelchair Lift for Sprinter

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
Some of the photos on it’s an site appear to be lifted in front. How level does a vehicle need to be for this lift to work. If my van is slightly lower in front, will this lift work?
Brian calling me back shortly, I hope…
He called me but shortly said he will have to put the sales consultant on the phone with me. Waiting for a call back from that person on how I can get one of these lifts
 
Last edited:

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
It only take a few inch of clearance from the bottom. Some of our installation go camping in NC and deep into the Everglades in Florida. There are no modifications to the vehicle unless your son what's to drive or be passenger. The cassette lift will eliminate the side door being obstructed. I also recommend getting the sprinter with the side door opener and not a aftermarket one.
What is a cassette lift attached to? All the way through the body or another means of connection to the longitudinal members?
 

Elf

Vehicle Systems Engineer
What is a cassette lift attached to? All the way through the body or another means of connection to the longitudinal members?
yes, its a somewhat difficult installation for some shops and there's a fair amount of wire to run as well. for us to complete it in a timely manner we usually put 3 experience people on it, two mounting and one wiring. some shops don't have an electronic engineer or competent installers and it shows.
 

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
yes, its a somewhat difficult installation for some shops and there's a fair amount of wire to run as well. for us to complete it in a timely manner we usually put 3 experience people on it, two mounting and one wiring. some shops don't have an electronic engineer or competent installers and it shows.
Still awaiting a response from the rep to see if we can send one up to CT.
I was actually asked why I thought this would be a good choice for me….?
 
Last edited:

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
I’m a little worried about product support on this but love how compact it is. Van is arriving in a few days. This type of lift is over a month out as it comes from Europe
 

CivilTrojan

New member
I too am interested in this topic and have done a fair amount of research on this stye of lift. For some reason the Braun UVL seems to be the main option in the US so I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the paravan model is available here as well, although very difficult to find. I also found the amf-bruns k70 and k90 but they seem to be completely unavailable in the US.

In my research I also found that Boulevard Van City Mobility in New York also sells the paravan cassette style lift. Elf recommended against this company earlier in this thread, idk why, maybe he can explain? Not sure if you already ordered the lift from In Motion Mobility, but if not you might save on shipping if you order from the company in New York. If nothing else they should be able to service it for you.

Hopefully this helps in some way, this is my first post here.

p.s. this is their website https://vancitymobility.com/paravan-cassette-lift.html
 
Last edited:

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
I too am interested in this topic and have done a fair amount of research on this stye of lift. For some reason the Braun UVL seems to be the main option in the US so I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the paravan model is available here as well, although very difficult to find. I also found the amf-bruns k70 and k90 but they seem to be completely unavailable in the US.

In my research I also found that Boulevard Van City Mobility in New York also sells the paravan cassette style lift. Elf recommended against this company earlier in this thread, idk why, maybe he can explain? Not sure if you already ordered the lift from In Motion Mobility, but if not you might save on shipping if you order from the company in New York. If nothing else they should be able to service it for you.

Hopefully this helps in some way, this is my first post here.
I heard it takes 1-3 months to come in from Germany. I’m not sure I can wait that long. I have had a bit of difficulty to maintain communication so I think I am going to just order a Braun millennium lift (non commercial version). The parts are everywhere for those lifts. I love the idea of the cassette lift but not sure I am in a position to wait that much longer.
 

CivilTrojan

New member
I heard it takes 1-3 months to come in from Germany. I’m not sure I can wait that long. I have had a bit of difficulty to maintain communication so I think I am going to just order a Braun millennium lift (non commercial version). The parts are everywhere for those lifts. I love the idea of the cassette lift but not sure I am in a position to wait that much longer.
Will the Braun UVL not work for you? I know it’s about an inch thicker but it still works the same, has a much shorter lead time, and parts should be readily available. We just purchased a used sprinter that has one and it has an extra seat where the post for a normal lift would be, and the front passenger seat can still recline.

If you’re going with the inside lift and want one that lets passengers in, Ricon makes a few options (at least they used to), and a mobility sales person told me that VMI just started making one but I haven’t looked it up yet.

Hope this helps!
 

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
Will the Braun UVL not work for you? I know it’s about an inch thicker but it still works the same, has a much shorter lead time, and parts should be readily available. We just purchased a used sprinter that has one and it has an extra seat where the post for a normal lift would be, and the front passenger seat can still recline.

If you’re going with the inside lift and want one that lets passengers in, Ricon makes a few options (at least they used to), and a mobility sales person told me that VMI just started making one but I haven’t looked it up yet.

Hope this helps!
The vmi sliding one is having issues with hoses breaking. Clear way lifts still seem to have an odd piece of metal you need to hop over. The Braun requires driveshaft mods to work in a 144” and the upfitter says it’s not recommended by Braun.
 

CivilTrojan

New member
The vmi sliding one is having issues with hoses breaking. Clear way lifts still seem to have an odd piece of metal you need to hop over. The Braun requires driveshaft mods to work in a 144” and the upfitter says it’s not recommended by Braun.
Bummer. Good luck with your conversion, I hope everything goes quick and smoothly!
 

depark

2022 2500 4x4 LR
I'll toss my 2 cents in here and this is just my opinion. I am in the same situation as @2021_3500_LowRoof in getting a new van requiring a lift. I've been in a wheelchair for 30 years and have looked at most lifts along the way. I ordered a 2022 2500 4x4 low roof in December with a Germany build date of March. I have looked at all the lifts mentioned. If you drive regularly in snowy conditions, stay far away from a cassette style lift (UVL or Paravan). The idea is nice but in practice they collect too much sand, gravel and debris from winter street sanding. I live in BC interior and the dealers advise anyone to consider other options. Add to that the cold temps and you have a recipe for failure. I am going with a Braun Millennium lift for my build as it meets all my requirements.
Cheers
Darryl
 

Elf

Vehicle Systems Engineer
i haven't seen any issues with snow or debris on the cassette lift from paravan. yes, lift inside are less prone to elements but any lift system will still require maintenance and a professional installation. also, Braun Millennium lift sell personal and commercial lift with a price difference and longevity to consider. i've seen Braun lift with no maintenance chew the frame and the hole system had to be replaced. dirt and debri still finds its way inside the joints and of course bolts shaking loose. they do require maintenance a maximum of every 6 months for grease and to check for loose bolts. as far as UVL verses paravan i've seen too many problem with the UVL and nothing with the paravan but that's my opinion with 6 installs in over 3 years.

in my opinion there both the same for longevity, it comes down to money, convenience and maintenance.
 

Wyuna

Member
yes, its a somewhat difficult installation for some shops and there's a fair amount of wire to run as well. for us to complete it in a timely manner we usually put 3 experience people on it, two mounting and one wiring. some shops don't have an electronic engineer or competent installers and it shows.
I have to agree, some shops don't have competent installers

i basically has to rewire mine, as relays we not mounted, cables were run across the floor instead of the rebated cable area in the floor pan, no grommets.

I was blowing fuses all the time, so i ripped up the floor, wires had worn through on the floor pan ribs and also issue were the cables weren't protected by grommets.

While i was there i installed a remote for the lift.
 

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
i haven't seen any issues with snow or debris on the cassette lift from paravan. yes, lift inside are less prone to elements but any lift system will still require maintenance and a professional installation. also, Braun Millennium lift sell personal and commercial lift with a price difference and longevity to consider. i've seen Braun lift with no maintenance chew the frame and the hole system had to be replaced. dirt and debri still finds its way inside the joints and of course bolts shaking loose. they do require maintenance a maximum of every 6 months for grease and to check for loose bolts. as far as UVL verses paravan i've seen too many problem with the UVL and nothing with the paravan but that's my opinion with 6 installs in over 3 years.

in my opinion there both the same for longevity, it comes down to money, convenience and maintenance.
Happy with the millennium but should have gone a size longer but it’s working fine. I’ll get the tune up on the lift every 6 or a year to be sure it’s fine @150 a year. No problem.
 

Elf

Vehicle Systems Engineer
Happy with the millennium but should have gone a size longer but it’s working fine. I’ll get the tune up on the lift every 6 or a year to be sure it’s fine @150 a year. No problem.
if you competent enough to make sure everything is done correctly a lift can last you a lifetime. judging by our conversation i know your more than capable to maintain it. i think you just need the manual and a little electrical help and it should run like a champ.
 

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
if you competent enough to make sure everything is done correctly a lift can last you a lifetime. judging by our conversation i know your more than capable to maintain it. i think you just need the manual and a little electrical help and it should run like a champ.
The van has come pretty close to what I imagined. Still need to install the rear speaker connection, inverter, and trailer brake controller when the weather warms up bit and I can remove the drivers seat. The rear seat has been modified to fit between the dually wheel wells and is all installed. I have a terrawagen flare kit that I want to install the rears only as the sliding door panel seems to rub the fender lip a bit and I don’t want the salt and sand to work it’s way into through the paint.
When we reworked the seat, we TIG welded it but we may have added a bit more heat than we thought as there seems to be a small bow in the seat. We may take it back apart, heat it and bend and gusset the end up a bit. I’ll monitor it for any further movement but I believe it’s only the heat that caused it. The seat has never been sat in before.
1644502242406.jpeg
 

2021_3500_LowRoof

Well-known member
I did have to add several small pieces of the soft side of Velcro around the plastic parts of the lift to prevent rattling over bumps and road vibration… it’s actually fairly quiet now. Only slight noise is from door bottom and very slight emergency window. Not a whistle, just road noise.
 

Blackmana

New member
View attachment 205183View attachment 205184View attachment 205185View attachment 205186View attachment 205187
the original bolt has a swivel part so it can move around but the tread pitch is weird.
Is this the 170wb? We are buying a new sprinter and going to bring it to a mobility specialist to make it wheelchair accessible. We are getting a 144wb though and need at least 3-4 seats in the back along with a spot for the wheelchair (ramp would be a rear ramp). Is this possible, in your opinion?
 
Last edited:

Top Bottom