Renting an ECV and using a car

[Simba's Mom]

On our next trip, although I'll be renting an ECV, DH hopes to drive to every park we go to. Last time, I didn't specifically ask for a scooter that was easy to break down, and the one we got, although they said it couldn't be broken down for transporting, didn't look easy to do. Has anyone had an ECV and driven in a car to parks, broken it down, and put it back together a lot? How difficult is it? A pain to do? If so, I'm considering letting DH drive, and I'll take the bus!

 

[Vijoge]

I suppose it depends on the person doing the breaking down as well as the size of the ECV and the vehicle you're loading it into. I have both an ECV and a power wheelchair. My DH is able to break down and load both of them into our mini-van with no problem. He can do it in under two minutes-I know-I've timed him.

 

[gap2368]

the ECV my friend uses comes apart in about 6 pieces and it takes about 10 minutes ( this was when she first got it and she wanted to do it her self.) now it is about 5 less if I help her, when we both do it we know what the other is going to do ( like I will hold the part the has the motor so she can get the other big part attached then we each grab one batterie exc... it is the same putting it back in we both just know what the other person will do and we can do it fast 5 minutes tops ( and that is her having to have things so they do not shack since I can not stand it and she will have to pull over if it dose)

 

[tobikaye]

I rented my sister an EVC and we mostly drove everywhere. The first day was rough, but by the end of the week, it took only a few minutes to take apart or put together. The hardest part for me was lifting it out of the trunk of my Sonata, but that was mostly due to height and arm reach.

 

[EpcotQueen]

We get 2 ECVs and a minivan each time we go. We get the 'portable' scooters, the GoGo Sport 3 wheel. We take the batteries out then lift them in. You can take the seats off and, I understand, remove the back wheel assembly. We have not done that. I Hank, if you take battery off, seat off, tiller folded down, you shouldn't have a problem with 1 in the trunk of a mid size.

 

[Simba's Mom]

if you take battery off, seat off, tiller folded down, you shouldn't have a problem with 1 in the trunk of a mid size.

Thanks, that's useful information. We'll have a mid-size SUV-Ford Edge, so it sounds like we may not have to break it all apart. Where do you rent from? We usually go with Walker and I see that one of theirs is supposedly specifically made for park-hopping.

 

[EpcotQueen]

Thanks, that's useful information. We'll have a mid-size SUV-Ford Edge, so it sounds like we may not have to break it all apart. Where do you rent from? We usually go with Walker and I see that one of theirs is supposedly specifically made for park-hopping.

We use Buena Vista. Have not had any major issues.

 

[Bete]

I'm not going to say it's easy to do a travel portable scooter in and out of a car, but it's doable.

Most portable travel scooters go between 100 to 125 pounds. Most breakdown into 4 or 5 pieces. There are u-tube videos you can view to show you how. It's much easier if two people handle the base of the scooter together. The battery will probably be the heaviest piece at 35 pounds.

One trick if you get by at the resort without a scooter is to just take the battery into your room each night to recharge; you don't need the whole scooter. This saves on the in and out of the scooter with the car.

For some, it's not worth the savings of an outside scooter rental and they just rather rent at the parks. Then, you don't worry about getting the scooter in and out of the car. You don't charge it every night. The smaller models don't have the battery power of the larger ones. If you want long hours at the parks you may have to upgrade your scooter rental to a two battery scooter which will be bigger and heavier.

Body weight is a factor on the model of scooter you need to get, as well.

Chances are you have a local mobility store in your area. You can always visit one of these stores and you can test it out there. The popular model usually everyone rents is a Pride to Go scooter. The store will let you test drive it in their parking lot usually and most will let you dissemble and put it into you car and out again.