http://www.wheelchairvan.info/wheelchair-van-crash-tests/ Tue, 07 Sep 2010 02:51:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://www.wheelchairvan.info/wheelchair-van-crash-tests/#comment-1073 admin Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:49:27 +0000 http://www.wheelchairvan.info/wheelchair-van-crash-tests/#comment-1073 I totally agree. Thx for your comment Mark! I totally agree. Thx for your comment Mark!

]]> http://www.wheelchairvan.info/wheelchair-van-crash-tests/#comment-1071 Mark Lore Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:13:22 +0000 http://www.wheelchairvan.info/wheelchair-van-crash-tests/#comment-1071 Although there are about a dozen Safety Standards that these vans should be tested and certified for, many of the conversion companies only do 1 or 2 tests and then use those results and videos as "proof" that they are fully crashed. Their claims of safety are bogus, misleading, and probably would not survive the scrutiny of experts in the field. Every converter usually does FMVSS 301 (Fuel System Integrity) because NHTSA mandates that they are not allowed to self-certify to that standard, but where they fall short is the complete test on FMVSS 208 Occupant Crash Protection on all the various seating configuration. It's really a game because some of these converters even modify predominately on used chassis because there is a loophole in the law that allows them to modify vans without certifications if the modification is done "after the first retail sale". A video of a van running into a barrier as proof of safety is pure sales propaganda and some of the converters do everything they can to avoid fully certifying and testing these converted vans. NHTSA does not have the people or budget to fully police this industry as it is small in comparison to the auto industry. Let the buyer beware and talk to a knowledgeable dealer before spending all that money!!! Although there are about a dozen Safety Standards that these vans should be tested and certified for, many of the conversion companies only do 1 or 2 tests and then use those results and videos as “proof” that they are fully crashed. Their claims of safety are bogus, misleading, and probably would not survive the scrutiny of experts in the field. Every converter usually does FMVSS 301 (Fuel System Integrity) because NHTSA mandates that they are not allowed to self-certify to that standard, but where they fall short is the complete test on FMVSS 208 Occupant Crash Protection on all the various seating configuration. It’s really a game because some of these converters even modify predominately on used chassis because there is a loophole in the law that allows them to modify vans without certifications if the modification is done “after the first retail sale”. A video of a van running into a barrier as proof of safety is pure sales propaganda and some of the converters do everything they can to avoid fully certifying and testing these converted vans. NHTSA does not have the people or budget to fully police this industry as it is small in comparison to the auto industry. Let the buyer beware and talk to a knowledgeable dealer before spending all that money!!!

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