DH is thinkin about getting himself a ECV not so much for Disney it would allow us to go to parks again esp if by some miracle I could get 1 too.
We have NO clue as to where or how to start looking an hoping some of my friends here can give us some guidance.
Has he ever sat on an ECV, or rented one from an outside vendor at WDW?
If so, that's where to start. What did he like about those experiences? How high did the seat back come up? Was the seat a molded type foam, or was it more like an upholstered cushion? What features did he like? What features did he think he would never use? ...You get the idea. Use the information you have to start building an idea of what is best for him.
If he has never sat on an ECV, then things become trickier - and there is the potential that you could make an expensive mistake. Let's keep going...
DH is 6 foot but height from waist up an weighs 210 to 225 (I see so many trying to use ECV that is to small for them I don't want that for DH.
Thinking about his over all comfort with comfortable seat height width including back to front of seat, height of back of seat an support he has lots of back pain, needs to be able to stretch his legs out a bit. Smoothness of ride don't need to feel every crack in sidewalk.
Right. He's a fairly tall guy, but not in need of a bariatric (heavy duty) unit.
By their very nature,
ECVs tend to be a "bumpier" ride, simply because of how they are made. Four smaller (usually puncture-proof hard foam or solid "rubber") wheels on the ground and typically not much in the way of shock absorbers or ride levelers. If he can't stand the idea of feeling the (literal) bumps in his road, he may be better suited to a power wheelchair. Those tend to have a slightly longer learning curve as far as driving them, and also tend to be more expensive. They are also another topic, for another day.
I have yet to actually find a "portable" ECV that will give a smooth, perfect ride. To my knowledge (no matter what the manufacturer or the rental company says) that just doesn't exist.
You can get into some *very* expensive, very heavy duty ECVs that are actually engineered more like a golf cart, and have full suspensions, sprung seats, etc., however those require a trailer to be towed, and are so large that they are not allowed in Disney, or inside most venues, like stores, restaurants, etc. Additionally, remember that Disney (or most any other place) does not allow 2 seaters, or devices that are designed to carry more than 1 person. Disney's bus ramps are listed at 32 inches wide by 48 inches long. Anything larger/longer and you may not be able to load it onto a Disney bus, Monorail or boat.
I think we'd prefer 4 wheels to 3.
OK. That's a personal preference. I like 3 wheels over 4 because I get a tight turning radius, (so I can spin around on one back wheel and I don't need a big open space) People think that they will "tip over" on a 3 wheel. They won't. Believe me, if someone was going to tip over, I would have by now. And I haven't.
Modern ECVs are designed to have a lower center of gravity - so it is less likely to tip over, whether there are 3 wheels or 4. And by engineering the wheelbase correctly, 3 wheels are no "tippier" than 4. It is true that you have to watch the road ahead a bit more with a 3 wheel; for example, the trolley tracks on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom need to be crossed at a 90 degree angle (perpendicular) to the track. And don't drive directly into potholes. (But don't do that with any mobility device, regardless)
What you want to consider here is that every wheel, every piece of shiny plastic (that is just cosmetic), every additional feature - like built in cupholders and giant baskets and thickly padded seats with flip-up armrests... every thing you add to an ECV as a "feature" also adds weight.
Weight kills batteries. Batteries are what propels the ECV.
Batteries are a whole 'nother topic as well. Ideally, you want Lithium Ion; you will get longer life, lighter weight and more battery "cycles" (the number of times it can be discharged and recharged) with no "memory" effect. On the other hand, many of the "standard" ECVs that you will see in use at WDW have batteries that are more like a sealed automobile battery. Cheaper for the manufacturer, but heavier (so ironically, less time to use the ECV) and can take longer to charge.
If you (and/or your hubby) are OK with trading battery longevity for creature comforts and appearances, then again - that's a personal choice. Everyone has to find the right balance for them
It's just DH an I got a mini van we can take back seat out an I seen a ramp the other day like we'd need. We'd want to haul it inside the van as the ECV would live there when not in use.
That's a good idea. Here's what to remember about using ramps - the weight of the ramp + how high you have to be able to lift that.
Make sure that you and/or your hubby can pick up the weight of one (or both) ramps by yourself to stow it in the van. It seems - at first glance - that a ramp will be easier and smarter; you can push the ECV up into the back of the van, and you don't have to take it apart, and away you go!
The reality is, that a 100 pound ECV being pushed up a ramp, even with the brake off, is still 100 pounds of "dead" weight you are pushing on. Once you have it up inside the vehicle, you have to secure it - set the brake, and/or tie it down. Then, you have to haul the ramp(s) up and stow them, and (ideally) tie them down as well for safety.
It's a lot to do, and it will seem exponentially harder if it's raining, or icy or cold or too hot. (personal experience)
You also have to be able to do all of that in reverse, every time you want to take it back out of the vehicle. Make sure that you can control the weight of the ECV as it is coming back down the ramp - you don't want to get run over (literally) by a runaway ECV.
Most folks buy an ECV that can either be folded and lifted into the back of the vehicle (these fall into the "super lightweight" category - tend to weigh between 35 and 50 pounds, and are often 3 wheeled) or they buy a unit that can be disassembled (relatively) quickly into "chunks" or parts that weigh about 50 pounds per part, and are then lifted into the back of your vehicle.
The down side to the larger, heavier ECV that has to be taken apart/re-assembled for use is that you have to do that every single time you load it into/out of your vehicle. In all kinds of weather.
Make sure that you can lift at least 50 pounds, or whatever the largest, heaviest part of the ECV is into the back of your van FROM THE GROUND, prior to purchasing.
Storing the ECV inside the vehicle is great strategy - but you will have to make sure you have a way to charge it up between uses. If the battery doesn't come out of the ECV to be charged indoors, you may have to run an extension cord through an (open) window on your van, or leave a door cracked to allow for the cord. Obviously, you will have to disconnect the power cord prior to going anywhere in the van.
My personal ECV lives in the back of my Kia Soul - but I bring the battery into the house to charge it when it requires it. The battery is the heaviest single part of my
scooter.
TIA to anyone who can steer us where we need to an do etc
PS DH would never rent a ECV to see if he found it comfy and he just not up to getting out an shopping.
I understand that he doesn't want to go ECV shopping. It's a hassle. It's not fun. And not feeling good on top of that makes it a difficult chore.
But... here's where the potential for that expensive mistake lies. No one here can really tell you what to buy. We can give you information, and we can tell you what we have each bought, and why we bought it, but at the end of the day, your hubby is the one who will be using the device.
I've tried to help you see some of the things that may not be immediately obvious about owing and using an ECV on a daily basis. I'm not trying to convince you not to buy one - far from it. I just don't want you to go down the wrong path, and then be stuck with an expensive mistake that your hubby can't use, or doesn't like.
He needs to be the one who decides what to buy, because he will be the one who is using it. Our personal mobility devices become an extension of ourselves, and for his to be the best possible "fit" he needs to be directly involved in the decision.
I don't know where you live, but if you are in a bigger city where there are companies that rent ECVs, I would start by having a rental delivered to your house. Rent it for the minimum number of days you can, and that way he has a chance to try it from the relative comfort of home. It could be that he will find "the one" right off the bat - but if he doesn't, then you haven't committed to an expensive purchase.
As you probably know, most standard health insurance doesn't cover the cost of an ECV. Not sure where Medicare is currently regarding coverage for these devices; historically, getting an ECV paid for by your insurer is difficult at best.
Also, I don't know if he is a veteran - there are some options for vets, but they must be approved and go through the VA medical system for that. Last I heard, the VA has a list of approved devices.
I know I just typed a whole lot, LOL and I hope it's not too overwhelming. I just want you to make the most informed decision possible. There's a whole lot more to consider - I'm sure I haven't covered near everything, but that's the beauty of our community here. Others will come along, and add to this, and hopefully you will get a good idea of the direction that is best for you and your hubby to go.
