2021 Chevy Traverse wheelchair accessible SUV by Braunability featuring Paravan hand controls

this video features my 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, built by braunability with caravan hand controls installed by mobility works of Tampa. please click the links to find out more information about these products.
www.paravan.com www.braunability.com
www.mobilityworks.com
www.chevrolet.com/accessibility
www.gmfleet.com/vehicles/upfit-applications/accessible-vehicles

[@eclecticsam3471]

ok that thing is awesome. so glad you were able to get it

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Thanks Sam I appreciate it

[@anhatcal]

That hand controls looks awesome

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Thank you for your comment

[@jeffreytalbot3431]

Awesome new vehicle! Enjoy 😊

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Thanks Jeffrey I will and I appreciate the comment

[@helloladyj6423]

Thank you

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Your welcome

[@chloegreyson2228]

That’s one sweet ride man! I like it

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Thanks Chloe!!

[@DougFM]

I was just looking at this vehicle on the AT Conversions site. It's good to know we have other options than minivans which is what I have now. Cool vehicle, congrats! Oh I love the ramp. I've got a fold-out ramp that's always giving me problems. It's actually not working right now and the part is on back-order.

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Thanks Doug that was one of the big selling points for me was the ramp! It is nice to know that we don't have to only have minivans

[@KeepPushingForward76]

I have a fold out on my sienna and it gives me problems would like another option

[@user-oq8xj3tq7o]

너무나 멋진 차 입니다^^

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Thanks for the compliment

[@TheJoeSwanon]

Definitely like the whole SUV concept versus the minivan but I would not be OK with giving up an actual head rest in case of getting rear ended. The last thing I need is a broken neck

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

That's a great point and thank you for the comment. I drive right from my chair and it has a head rest on it so that would help if I got rear-ended.

[@richiebabcock9284]

So, happy for you!! And, roll on my fiend..

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Thanks Richie! Will do

[@MysteriousRJC]

Hi Henry. Thanks a lot for posting this video. I had a really specific question for you if you don't mind me asking. How wide is your wheelchair at the base? The reason I ask is I'm in the process of looking for a new vehicle, moving from an old 1994 Ford E150. I got in a braunability Toyota Sienna and the front area felt really tight, pushing me to the right of the steering wheel. I then got in a Chrysler Pacifica and I felt much more centered on the steering wheel. I was super excited about the possibility of getting an SUV when I saw they had the Traverse but after looking at their measurement guide it says the distance between the pillars just behind the driver door window and the passenger door window is actually smaller in the Traverse than both those vehicles... But we don't have any in my city for me to actually get in and check. So I'm wondering how wide your chair is in comparison to mine. My chair is 25.5 inches wide at its widest point at the bottom of the wheels. If you'd be able to share the width of yours at that point it would be really helpful for me figuring out if a Traverse is even a possibility for me driving from my manual wheelchair. Thanks! Oh just editing my previous comment, I had one additional question having now watched your whole video. How come you went with the joystick control for steering? You appear to be paraplegic, usually have more hand dexterity and arm control than I do as a quadriplegic. And I've always used a suicide knob on a manual steering wheel to turn. I was curious if there was some reason you have not elected to simply turn the steering wheel manually and instead use the joystick control. I know that was one thing they asked me if I wanted in my new vehicle and I said I hadn't used it in the past, and honestly I was trying to stay away from it for cost reasons, so I was wondering why you opted for it if you don't mind me asking.

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Hello Mysterious, thanks for checking out my video and sorry for the late response. My chair base is 24" wide, I fit just fine behind my steering wheel. I have muscular dystrophy, the reason I chose the joystick is because I can't turn the wheel so the joy stick makes it much easier. I thought about getting zero resistance put on the steering wheel but simply reaching out and grabbing the steering wheel is very difficult. The joystick alleviates all of that and I'm extremely happy that I went that way. Thank you so much for your your questions and I hope my reply helps. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask! Oh and don't forget to subscribe

[@MysteriousRJC]

@@rollinwithhenry5763 thanks for your reply & the video

[@staciyoung242]

Hi Henry, I was also interested to see if you still like paravan better than emc. Did they make the controls specifically for you? Also do you know much much that part cost? I am impressed voc rehab got you the controls and the conversion part. I know each state is different, I am looking to try and get voc rehab to help my son drive. Thank you for any info you can give me.

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Hello Stacy and thank you for your comment. The paravan and controls are just phenomenal, I wouldn't say I like them more than EMC because from what I've seen both systems are really good. The hand controls are picked specifically for me and my condition and allow me to drive right from my chair. When you go through this process you have to have a driving evaluation done and that's where they decide what systems will work best for you. As far as the cost I didn't incur anything other than buying the vehicle itself. I will say that it is pricey if you have to buy it on your own. Going through voc rehab is a lengthy process but very well worth it in the end, I'm not sure if you saw any of my other videos but I have done two other videos regarding modification's which I received assistance from voc rehab to get. One is about my home modifications regarding my bathroom and ramp and the other is about my automatic door opener I believe the title is claim more Independence. I hope this helps and and please don't hesitate to ask any other questions.

[@staciyoung242]

Hi Henry, I wanted to ask if you traded your other van in for the Chevy traverse to mobility works? Thanks!

[@KeepPushingForward76]

I’m thinking about getting a traverse,I am also a wheelchair user do you still like yours have you had any problems

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Hello and thank you for checking out my video. I love my traverse, I have not had any issues with the car itself, the driving system that I use meaning the paravan hand controls it's a little different than what I was using on EMC. If I give my honest opinion I would say try to get EMC hand controls

[@KeepPushingForward76]

Does the list on your van sometimes get stuck and won’t unfold and you have to close the door and start again and then sometimes the lift will not go back up

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

My ramp slides out of the floor, I haven't had any issues with it not coming out or going back in

[@Dota2OtaWWolF]

WHERE AND WHO LEARNED ABOUT THE STEERING CABLE AND SENSORS IN SUCH A CAR, I WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE A CAR LIKE THIS

[@MichaelJordan-uk2yb]

What prompted the switch over to Paravan from EMC, was there any advantage to switching driving controls? Do they just make better products?

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

The traverse only came through with Paravan equipment. The reason I needed to change was because I had a little steering wheel which started to get hard for me to turn

[@MichaelJordan-uk2yb]

@@rollinwithhenry5763 That makes complete sense. Hmm, i wonder why only Paravan is being equipped. I wonder if its just that dealer's preference now, cause i know EMC does Traverse's.

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

@@MichaelJordan-uk2yb I honestly couldn't say. I love EMC equipment I thought it was absolutely bulletproof and it worked really well. I have to say though paravan equipment works really good too

[@robertfapswell3719]

Is it all-wheel drive?

[@rollinwithhenry5763]

Hello Robert. No it's not. But I tell you it is an amazing ride. Love this SUV

[@robertfapswell3719]

@@rollinwithhenry5763 cool, thanks Henry!