I'm a 3L (Large Lovely Lady)
My personal
ECVs are three wheel. They are so maneuverable that I can literally crank my tiller all the way to the right and my rear wheel will spin on a dime.
My
ECV has never felt "unstable" to me - but I also practice a certain level of care and caution when driving, especially at WDW.
Regardless of 3 wheels or 4, here are some safety tips for new ECV drivers:
- First of all, remember that the higher your seat is, the higher your center of gravity is. The higher your center of gravity, the more likely you will tip over. If your seat has an adjustment for vertical height, the lower the better.
- Any time you cross trolley tracks, train tracks, etc. make sure that you approach them as closely to a 90 degree angle (perpendicular) as possible. You WILL tump over if you try to cross them too closely to "parallel"; your wheels can get "stuck" in the grooves of the track, and that can cause all kinds of havoc. Take a moment to position the ECV properly prior to crossing any tracks, and you won't have a problem.
- Going up (or down) hills, ramps, curb cuts and slopes, starting at a slight angle to the incline is a good strategy, but make sure that the angle of attack is not *too* great, otherwise you will find yourself leaning heavily to the opposite side to try and counterbalance gravity. Once you have started up (or down) the incline, try to go as "straight" forward as you can. This gives you the most control over acceleration and/or braking, as well as steering.
- Always have your hand on the brake(s); if your ECV is not equipped with proper brakes, then be prepared to stop forward motion/acceleration at any time. Many people are unaware of how most ECVs work; they believe that ECVs are equipped with brakes just like a motor vehicle. Lots of ECVs actually rely upon the speed of the motor to act as a brake; to stop or slow down, you let go of the throttle. What this means is that they necessarily slow down or stop slower than you might anticipate, and so allowing more space/distance between yourself and the person ahead of you can be critical to avoid running over their heels. In other words - ECVs don't stop quickly or precisely. Plan accordingly.
- Being comfortable making tight turns will help your experience at WDW. Not just for ride/attraction queues, but also in shops, dining, elevators, etc.
- Be mentally prepared to drive the ECV onto the bus(s), Monorails, and boats. Cast Members, Pilots, and Drivers will assist you - so take your time, and follow their instructions. Monorails and boats have portable ramps that will be set in place to drive into the vehicle. Buses have a ramp system that lowers. YOU WILL HEARING THAT BEEPING SOUND IN YOUR DREAMS FROM NOW ON LOL It's not hard to do - but having good control of the ECV, knowing how to drive slowly and precisely will help.
- PRACTICE. I can't stress this point enough. When the ECV is delivered (or when you pick it up from Bell Services) take the time to practice at the Resort. Practice stopping, and starting. Find a place where it is safe to practice tight turns and ramps. Practice backing up also. Practice going in elevators (if possible) and practice (slowly and carefully) driving through shops and food courts. Take as much time as you can to get really comfortable with the ECV. It will make your trip SO much better, smoother, and less stressful!
Don’t get too hung up on “4 wheel vs 3 wheel”. Regardless of which type you choose, taking the time to practice first, and becoming comfortable and familiar with the machine you will be driving is key!
