ECVs in the rain

[phoenixflight]

I'll be renting an ECV for my family's upcoming trip (8 days to go!) and have just started looking at the Orlando 10-day forecasts. Looks like there is going to be at least some rain during our trip. The main thing I remember the customer service rep saying when I rented the ECV was NOT to get it wet. What's the best way to cope with the weather possibilities? I don't want to have to stop my vacation just because of the ECV, but I don't want to end up damaging it and possibly be liable for all I know.

TIA!

 

[olwyngdh]

I put a rain poncho over the steering column--my hands fit through where you are supposed to poke your arms out and it keeps the water off of the part that needs to stay dry. You just have to make sure you tuck the hood so that water runs to the outside and not the inside.

 

[peemagg]

Keep the tiller area dry and you should be just fine. I always keep mine covered when not on it, just in case of rain. The only other thing that I am careful of is to try not run thru deep puddles.

I have used my in torrential downpours at Disney and as long as I took extra care, I never have had a problem.

 

[Disney4us2]

I took 2 of my old Disney poncho's. I have an overlock surger sewing machine and made a seam where the hood would have been. It fit great over the tiller putting my hands through the arm areas and I used the second one on the back of my seat to keep that and my back pack dry. Worked perfectly. I also have a shower cap that I can use over the basket to keep it dry as well.

 

[videogal1]

I'll be renting an ECV for my family's upcoming trip (8 days to go!) and have just started looking at the Orlando 10-day forecasts. Looks like there is going to be at least some rain during our trip. The main thing I remember the customer service rep saying when I rented the ECV was NOT to get it wet. What's the best way to cope with the weather possibilities? I don't want to have to stop my vacation just because of the ECV, but I don't want to end up damaging it and possibly be liable for all I know.

TIA!

Avoid sand and puddles.

 

[RaySharpton]

I'll be renting an ECV for my family's upcoming trip (8 days to go!) and have just started looking at the Orlando 10-day forecasts. Looks like there is going to be at least some rain during our trip. The main thing I remember the customer service rep saying when I rented the ECV was NOT to get it wet. What's the best way to cope with the weather possibilities? I don't want to have to stop my vacation just because of the ECV, but I don't want to end up damaging it and possibly be liable for all I know.

TIA!

#1. Buy one of those disposable shower caps with the elastic to put over your tiller electronics. Very easy, lightweight, and covers the electronic parts and key.

#2. WDW ponchos are nice when driving or sitting as long as it is not windy. I usually put the back part of the poncho over the back of my seat instead of between my back the the seat. And the front part of the poncho over the front of the tiller. If it is windy, I hold part of the poncho with my fingers on the front handle bars of the tiller. This last part hasn't worked to well, but I take some small pieces of that blue painters tape and try to tape the pieces to the left and right back side of the arm rests to keep the poncho from flying up on the back seat. It usually doesn't stay in place when it is too rainy/windy or I move around to much.

#3. I really like those inexpensive, clear tall trash bags. I put one over the back rest and tie a knot at the opening between the backrest and the seat. And I do the same for the seat. The pole under the seat holding the seat up really doesn't get in the way. I just slide the bag over the seat and tie a knot again where the space between the seat and backrest. After the rain, I just tear them off and throw them away. I repeat if it rains again. I don't throw away the shower cap, I reuse those as often as I can.

It is easy to roll up two of these tall garbage bags and one shower cap in a small roll and wrapped with a rubber band, and stuff it under the seat between the springs or anywhere else on the scooter.

#4. I also use a velcro holder and put a small umbrella under my seat tied to the under side of the seat if I need a umbrella.

#5. Not mentioned here, but I like to buy those thinner, plastic, water resistent, Disney card holders to hold my credit card, driver's license, WDW annual pass, TiW card, DVC card and one spare car key. It just hangs around my neck. It feels secure, I can see it, it doesn't get wet, easy to access, and it keeps me from taking a lot of stuff in my pockets. Plus I don't have to worry about a wallet falling out of my pocket.

#6. I don't use a basket, I use a Disney bag and tie it in a not and hang it on the handlebars or the tiller. But if I did have a basket, I would buy the much smaller bathroom clear, inexpensive trash bags and put that in the basket and tie a knot and just throw it away after the rain stopped.

When I was experimenting, I tried using really big trash bags that fit over the entire seat and backrest and tied a knot. I did the same thing with the front whole tiller. But I thought that it was just easier using a shower cap and two tall trash bags. I didn't like the black trash bags. I liked the clear trash bags used for the kitchen. I also liked the inexpensive trash bags that are easier to tear off after the rain stopped. They never tore when getting in or out of the chair.

Okay...to much coffee for me this morning.

 

[bidnow5]

I put a plastic shopping bag over the tiller and make sure my poncho is over the seat and I watch for puddles. I have been in some bad downpours and never had a problem

 

[peemagg]

To keep your poncho from blowing up in the rain, I use some of those spring type paper clip binders. I place them on the bottom of the poncho and they have enough weight to keep the poncho down and they don't take a lot of room in my bag.

 

[RaySharpton]

To keep your poncho from blowing up in the rain, I use some of those spring type paper clip binders. I place them on the bottom of the poncho and they have enough weight to keep the poncho down and they don't take a lot of room in my bag.

That's a very good idea.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

The main thing I remember the customer service rep saying when I rented the ECV was NOT to get it wet.

I'm sorry but this is just.............. nuts, JMHO. Or let me explain first; I'm Dutch. Overhere an ECV is very very much a standard norm. You know the stories about everybody riding bikes overhere and having millions of bikes? Those are true and those of us that can not use a bike will most likely have an ECV. Anybody with a mobility disability basically gets an ECV on our social system unless there is an indication they can not use it. Which results in hundreds of thousands of ECV's if not a million on a total of 16 mln population.

You know the story about England where it always rains? We're neighbours and know the feeling. Rain is a norm in autumn, most of spring, winter (if not rain it'll be snow in the last few years) and with good odds of many rain days in summer. If rain would be a huge problem for ECV's we'ld have a big old problem allright! Even just thinking about the bill for repairs that would come if rain indeed would cause havock (as maintanence is a covered thing when getting an ECV within our social system). I can safely say many ECV's see many days of not staying dry in our little corner of the world. Have a couple of years with that under my belt myself.

Unless they are renting out totally cr*p ECV's, they should be able to handle a normal rain shatter. Sure, the ECV's in US rental tend to be........ off lesser level than what we are used to as a standard down here. However; both levels come with the same way off wiring, openings and what not which doesn't really cause that huge of a difference in what they can handle in "wettness". While it's not advisable to hit each and every Florida baddest down pours for hours, don't take what was said to the literal detail. Don't be frantic about each drop of water, it can handle it.

Now for you as a user having wet controlers might not be the greatest when it comes to having optimal grip etc. A good reason to dry off the controls regularly when finding yourself in rain while not covered the controls. You can easily cover the controls if you are worried by using a simple rain cap that was meant to keep a humans head (read; females hair ) dry. Best are not those with elastic in them (won't adapt all desired shapes to the best) like most showercaps but those plastic ones with ribbons on each side you can tie underneath your chin if you'ld wear them on your head. Easy to use at it is rounded in shape and can easily be put on and the ties can be tied up on the back and it stays put without you constantly needing to watch it or be aware of poncho's moving out of the way when you move yourself. They're dirt cheap, can be reused if you dry 'm, take up no place in a bag. Does come with the downside of being a barrier between your fingers and buttons.

 

[phoenixflight]

I'm sorry but this is just.............. nuts, JMHO. Or let me explain first; I'm Dutch. Overhere an ECV is very very much a standard norm. You know the stories about everybody riding bikes overhere and having millions of bikes? Those are true and those of us that can not use a bike will most likely have an ECV. Anybody with a mobility disability basically gets an ECV on our social system unless there is an indication they can not use it. Which results in hundreds of thousands of ECV's if not a million on a total of 16 mln population.

You know the story about England where it always rains? We're neighbours and know the feeling. Rain is a norm in autumn, most of spring, winter (if not rain it'll be snow in the last few years) and with good odds of many rain days in summer. If rain would be a huge problem for ECV's we'ld have a big old problem allright! Even just thinking about the bill for repairs that would come if rain indeed would cause havock (as maintanence is a covered thing when getting an ECV within our social system). I can safely say many ECV's see many days of not staying dry in our little corner of the world. Have a couple of years with that under my belt myself.

Unless they are renting out totally cr*p ECV's, they should be able to handle a normal rain shatter. Sure, the ECV's in US rental tend to be........ off lesser level than what we are used to as a standard down here. However; both levels come with the same way off wiring, openings and what not which doesn't really cause that huge of a difference in what they can handle in "wettness". While it's not advisable to hit each and every Florida baddest down pours for hours, don't take what was said to the literal detail. Don't be frantic about each drop of water, it can handle it.

Now for you as a user having wet controlers might not be the greatest when it comes to having optimal grip etc. A good reason to dry off the controls regularly when finding yourself in rain while not covered the controls. You can easily cover the controls if you are worried by using a simple rain cap that was meant to keep a humans head (read; females hair ) dry. Best are not those with elastic in them (won't adapt all desired shapes to the best) like most showercaps but those plastic ones with ribbons on each side you can tie underneath your chin if you'ld wear them on your head. Easy to use at it is rounded in shape and can easily be put on and the ties can be tied up on the back and it stays put without you constantly needing to watch it or be aware of poncho's moving out of the way when you move yourself. They're dirt cheap, can be reused if you dry 'm, take up no place in a bag. Does come with the downside of being a barrier between your fingers and buttons.

I grant that what you are saying makes sense. All I can say is that I am not overstating or trying to mislead anyone--the company rep really made a big deal of this. I can not speak to the quality of the ECVs they rent firsthand because 1) I've never rented from this company before, though they are one of the ones the DIS recommends and 2) I don't use an ECV regularly.

Forgive me if I'm overreacting, but renting the ECV was no small investment for me. I just wanted to be extra careful. Thanks for giving me a dose of reality and calming me down a bit.

 

[jlevis]

Walker says their ECV's are the only ones in the area safe to use in the rain. Don't know but we always carry a small ponco to cover the controls.

 

[M5ward]

Some really good ideas here. I always put two of our old Disney ponchos and two large trash bags (that I cut to make a large sheet) into a small backpack fastened over the back of my husband's ECV. I take plastic clothespins to use as fasteners. I also throw an elasticized shower cap into the bag.

 

[I Love Pluto]

FYI - I had a Pride Gogo which stated on the product NOT to get it wet. I have a Golden now, it's OK to get it wet. Wet - not downpour drenched.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I grant that what you are saying makes sense. All I can say is that I am not overstating or trying to mislead anyone--the company rep really made a big deal of this. I can not speak to the quality of the ECVs they rent firsthand because 1) I've never rented from this company before, though they are one of the ones the DIS recommends and 2) I don't use an ECV regularly.

Forgive me if I'm overreacting, but renting the ECV was no small investment for me. I just wanted to be extra careful. Thanks for giving me a dose of reality and calming me down a bit.

Oh don't get me wrong. I'm not thinking any negative about you. When not having one yourself and being told to do a certain thing (or not!) by a rental company, it's only logical to take that to heart. It's actually not smart not too, normally. I'm just baffled by all kinds of US rental companies going around stating this. While I've seen a few ECV of such quality that I'ld expect even a misguided blowing out of candles on a birthday cake might cause those ECV's to die, let alone face a bit of water, a not too bad ECV really should and can handle water. Or as our mothers told us when we were children; rain doesn't make you melt (now we're adult, it doesn't melt our aids ). I basically just posted to give you some ease of mind when some rain does come falling from the sky. We all will run into some rain and when knowing it won't acutely kill of an ECV is a lot more relaxing way of moving around than being constantly worried about possible rain or getting splashed otherwise.