3 Wheel or 4 Wheel ECV?

[KAT4DISNEY]

My husband has just had his 2nd knee surgery in the past 5 weeks and we are supposed to leave for WDW in 20 days. If there's anyway for him to go he will have to rent an ECV. The first hurdle is to convince him to do this and I'm not certain I'll even be successful. However, in case I am I was looking at the Buena Vista Scooter rentals and see that they have both the 3 wheel and the 4 wheel and was wondering which type would be considered easier to operate?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The three wheel is much easier to operate. Think abouyt the difference in steering a car (four wheels) compared to a tricycle. Your turns can me much sharper.

As an example, the Pride Celebrity-X, which I own, has a 41.5 inch turning radius for the three wheel but a 54 inch turning radius for the four wheel, that is a diffeence of more than 25%.

 

[videogal1]

Unless your husband is very tall or very large there is little reason to select the more cumbersome 4-wheel scooter. They provide more stability for a taller person, whose extra height will change the center of gravity of a 3-wheeler and make the scooter less safe on a downhill corner unless taken very slowly. The 4-wheel is sturdier for a heavier rider and more comfortable as they usually have more generously-sized seats.

 

[mechurchlady]

With the lines and transportation I would prefer the 3 wheel ECV. The 4 wheel is great for someone who is over 300 pounds or really needs to stretch their legs. I have done 4 wheels and 3 wheels in various public places and find that the smaller turning radius makes it so much easier. All ECVs are prone to tipping on steep hills because of the high center of gravity but 3 wheelers are a bit more prone. With common sense one will not tip a 3 wheeler.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I thought that the turn radius on the 3 wheel would probably be much less than the 4 wheel and DH is not a heavy person although he is 6' tall. I would assume that height would still be fine.

Now on to the job of convincing him that it won't hinder us if he does go. I already told him he could be our fast pass runner! And we have traveled with my sister who is in a motorized wheel chair so the big difference is about who is needing the assistance. We'll see how that goes.

 

[hematite153]

Now on to the job of convincing him that it won't hinder us if he does go. I already told him he could be our fast pass runner!

Just to be aware...the ECV can actually slow you down in terms of getting fast passes. One day on our trip in Jan, I ran to get ToT fast passes planning to meet up with my DW (with w/c) and DFIL (with ECV) and the rest of the party at MV3D. The assumption was that they would have to wait a couple of minutes for me to catch up, but, I actually got there ahead of them because of the number of people who jump in front of them forcing them to continually stop.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Just to be aware...the ECV can actually slow you down in terms of getting fast passes. One day on our trip in Jan, I ran to get ToT fast passes planning to meet up with my DW (with w/c) and DFIL (with ECV) and the rest of the party at MV3D. The assumption was that they would have to wait a couple of minutes for me to catch up, but, I actually got there ahead of them because of the number of people who jump in front of them forcing them to continually stop.

Good point. And I'd hate to have to worry about DH running someone down trying to hurry. Not that he isn't always very aware of what's going on around him. (cough, cough)