ECV purchase

[matthew&haleysmom]

My mother is looking into buying a scooter. She has had several back and neck surgeries that have left it difficult for her to walk any real amount of distance. Does anyone have this scooter: Drive Medical
Daytona 4-Wheel Electric Scooter? If so, what has your experience been? If not, can anyone point me in the direction of where to find a good reliable scooter for around $1000?

Also, any opinions on a 3 vs a 4 wheeled scooter would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest a three-wheel rather than four. It is much easier to maneuver.

A lot will depend on her weight. Most of the smaller (travel) scooters will have a 200-250 pound limit. The standard scooters will have a 350-400 pound limit. Most of the travel scooters run around $1,000, the standards about $2,000 and the heavy duty at $3,000.

When I was shopping last year I looked at www.pridemobility.com, www.bruno.com, and www.shoprider.com among others and looked at pictures and specifications. I then contacted several dealers for bids.

Also to be considered is how the scooter is to be carried around when going to malls or other places. Will it be broken down to be put in a trunk and if so who will be doing this (physical abilities).

This is a starting point, but a little more information from you will help us give better recommendations.

 

[LauraVV]

I don't have that scooter. This is the one I have. It goes on sale regularly for $800. I took it to Disney and it lasted all day. I did run out of battery once...but I was running around all day from opening to late closing. It comes apart easily and the heaviest part is about 30 lbs.

Personally, I like a 4 wheeled scooter better because, to me, it feels more stable. I think it's a personal choice though.

http://www.farmandfleet.com/catalog/product.aspx?i=563146&h=020202008

 

[lovetoscrap]

You also might check around at your/her local Medical Supply stores and see if any offer them used. I got an awesome scooter for just a tiny fraction of its original cost because it was used--and in perfect shape. That can help you to afford a better model at a lower price. Plus I was able to test it out in the store and get a good feel for how I would like it. They actually had several used options and by test driving them I was able to pick the one I have.

 

[peemagg]

I just got a Go Go traveler Elite Plus with a rear basket, cup holder, cane and crutch holder for under $1400.00. I love this scooter! My mother and I can both pick it up and place it in our van without having to break it down, but can very easily break it down into 4 pieces and put it in a trunk. The heaviest piece when broke down weighs 32lbs. It is the 3 wheel model. Man this thing is fast too, but stops in under 2 feet at full speed. I had to test this just to see how fast it did stop.

I will be taking my scooter with me to Disney World in May.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

Thanks to everyone for their ideas! I am going to go over this information with my mom in the morning. I really like the idea of having her try out specific ones to see what she likes.

As far as putting it in the car to go places, mom would use it when she goes off with my family most of the time. My DH or I would put it in my Expedition and I would have my third row out. This is one reason I would like one that is not too heavy. I also like the idea of one that could be broken down just in case she needs to transport it by herself. There is no way she could lift too much.

I am really hoping this will help with our upcoming trip!

Thanks again. Any further suggestions are welcome!

 

[peemagg]

I believe that the Go-Go traveler Elite Plus that I have only weighs 89 lbs fully assembled. It is small enough that it fits in the back of our van sideways without taking it apart. By taking just the battery off and lowering the front tiller, my mother and I can place it into the van easily (Mom is 65 and I am 39).

I agree with going somewhere and trying different models out. I tried different ones out before deciding on this one. I looked at how it fit me, ease of disassembly, weight of parts (not necessasilly for me, but for my Mom), accessories that I would need. I went to three different medical supply places and tried them out, both 3 and 4 wheel models. I personally liked the 3 wheel models for the tighter turn radious.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

I believe that the Go-Go traveler Elite Plus that I have only weighs 89 lbs fully assembled. It is small enough that it fits in the back of our van sideways without taking it apart. By taking just the battery off and lowering the front tiller, my mother and I can place it into the van easily (Mom is 65 and I am 39).

I agree with going somewhere and trying different models out. I tried different ones out before deciding on this one. I looked at how it fit me, ease of disassembly, weight of parts (not necessasilly for me, but for my Mom), accessories that I would need. I went to three different medical supply places and tried them out, both 3 and 4 wheel models. I personally liked the 3 wheel models for the tighter turn radious.

I spoke with my mom today about this one. I suggested that we find a local medical supply place for her to try one out. She really liked this idea. I am going to try a place to look at options this weekend or next. We are going to WDW in June. We live near Busch Gardens in VA. I suggested that we go there once they open several times for her to get use to using a scooter.

Do you have the rain cover for yours? Are they worth buying? I was thinking that she would need one.

 

[zumbergc]

in the parks, some scooter places provide shower caps to cover the electronic control part when it rains.

 

[peemagg]

I didn't buy the covers for it. In fact the place that I bought it from just recommended buying a BBQ cover instead. They said that the cover that you can buy for it was really only a dust cover and not good for keeping anything elso off of it and it cost around $120.00. We took their suggestion and bought the BBQ cover for around $15 and it is waterproof.

As far as for covering it in the parks, I am just going to use either a cover for a double stroller or a rain poncho. Someone on another post said that when she was in the seat wearing a poncho it covered over the back of the scooter and the front tiller and her hands at the same time. I thought that was pretty smart.