3 or 4 wheel ECV

[dmband]

Which do you prefer and why?

I understand 3 has a tighter turn and more leg room but 4 is more stable and better rough surface.
torn between if Tighter turn is worth the trade off of better surface handling??

 

[cobright]

Which do you prefer and why?

torn between if Tighter turn is worth the trade off of better surface handling??

The difference in turning radius is nothing to sneeze at, but the idea that 4 wheel ecv are more stable or handle better needs reshaping.

There us one situation where 3 wheelers are less stable, that involves when you apply your weight to it unevenly. Usually by stepping on the deck getting on or off the thing or by leaning to reach something while sitting on it. Otherwise, your weight is usually situated above the rear wheels so the rear wheelbase will determine your maximum cornering speed.

On the other hand, with a 3 wheeler you will have a smoother ride anywhere the terrain might be laterally uneven (way more places than you might guess). In particular are the sidewalk 'cutouts' that slope you down to street level; a 4 wheelie requires a little more thought there as you have to line it up a bit so one wheel doesn't ride up over.

While driving them, 3 wheelies actually feel (to me anyway) more stable. Cornering in a 4 wheeler always feels like the outside wheel is lifting, and often is.

To be clear, there are often cases where the shortcomings of either type can be mitigated through design. There are 4 wheelies that have elaborate suspensions to account for road unevenness and cornering ability. Some 4 wheelers have 4 wheel steering that sorta reduces the turning radius to zero.

The best advice will always be to schedule an extended test drive with each kind.

 

[Selket]

I was accidentally given a 4 wheel scooter (and didn't notice - yep I accepted delivery and headed right out to the park!) and the whole time I'm like "why is this scooter so awful???" I finally noticed it was 4-wheel that evening and called the company and we arranged a time to swap (was their mistake). I totally disliked the 4 wheel because the handling to me felt worse in every way compared to a 3 wheel. I've never felt unstable on a 3 wheel... I'm not tiny and it has never tipped with me getting on or off or while driving. I'd suggest renting the 3 wheel and if you feel uncomfortable call the rental company and ask about swapping (or discuss it with them when you rent).

 

[Simba's Mom]

Regarding stability, when I bought my personal ECV, I asked the salesman and he said that the way they're made nowadays, the 3 wheeler is as stable. And since the 4 wheeler cost more to buy, I figured that since he probably works on commission, he had an incentive to tell me that 4 wheelers were the way to go. I'm a dedicated 3-wheeler person.

 

[mamabunny]

Another 3 wheel driver here (prior to my power chair)

As my friends here have said, 3-wheelers tend to have a tighter turning radius, and they move through the queues a bit easier as a result.

Personally, I have used (my own) 3 wheel device for more than 5 years on a daily basis, and never have had it try to tip over yet. The biggest safety tip is to mind your speed - if you try to turn (either a tight, sharp corner, or a wide, sweeping turn) while going too fast, it would indeed be possible to tump over. That is easily avoided by minding your speed.

Another potential issue to watch out for is to make sure you cross the tracks in Main Street at MK at an angle - you don't want a tire to get caught down in the groove; it can easily result in an accident.

The thing that can make a 3 wheel device feel "tippy" is the center of gravity. As long as you are using the device as the manufacturer intended, there should be no problem with that getting so far out of balance that you have an issue.

So, don't try to race other ECV drivers for "pinks or drinks" and don't go jumping off curbs like some kind of tiny Evil Knevil, and things should be fine...


Let us know if you need any more information about using a scooter at WDW!

 

[Bete]

You will get answers both ways. We prefer the 4 wheel scooter. It's usually a heavier scooter which to me equates with better balance.