Vehicle rentals for ECV'S

[helenm29]

Hey everyone! I need to rent an ECV while we are at Disney world for 17 days and I need to be able to break it down and transport it every day. Does any one have a suggestion as to what type of vehicle is best to rent for this? I need something low to the ground as one piece is 80 lbs! we are two 60 year olds not in the best of shape! thanks!

 

[tobikaye]

I can usually make any vehicle work when renting a car and transporting my sister’s ECV. I do find I did best with an SUV or hatchback with a flat rear, usually with the back row down. This is probably because I drive a Traverse and my parents have a Pathfinder so I know how to load the EVCs in them.

For my sister’s old EVC and my mom’s current EVC, I remove the batteries, seat and basket and place in the back. Then instead of separating the tiller base from the wheels, I leave together and lower the till and lock in place. I put in neutral, lift up the front part and place that front wheel just in the lip of the rear. This leaves the back wheels on the ground. Then I lift the back wheels and push into the vehicle. This way the weight gets distributed more into the vehicle and not fully into my lift. It is much easier for me than separating that last section.

My sister just got a new scooter that is about 75 pounds altogether and doesn’t break apart. Tomorrow we take it out for the first time and I think it will be even easier to put in the vehicle the way I did her old one.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Hey everyone! I need to rent an ECV while we are at Disney world for 17 days and I need to be able to break it down and transport it every day. Does any one have a suggestion as to what type of vehicle is best to rent for this? I need something low to the ground as one piece is 80 lbs! we are two 60 year olds not in the best of shape! thanks!

I say this from watching a coworker at small park I work at, who uses ECV all the time. she has a small car and she is small and around 60. she does it by herself so it is doable, have a great trip

 

[mamabunny]

Hey everyone! I need to rent an ECV while we are at Disney world for 17 days and I need to be able to break it down and transport it every day. Does any one have a suggestion as to what type of vehicle is best to rent for this? I need something low to the ground as one piece is 80 lbs! we are two 60 year olds not in the best of shape! thanks!

My suggestion is to call several rental companies in the Orlando area, and talk with them directly about the issue you are facing.

Most companies rent ECVs that will come apart into several "sections". Typically the battery section is the heaviest, but should weigh not more than about 50 pounds. 50 pounds is still *a lot* to "dead lift" into the back of a vehicle, but obviously easier/better than 80 pounds. Perhaps if the two of you work together, you can lift the heaviest parts as a team? (Speaking now as another member of the 1960 Club!)

Any rental scooter from a reputable company should last all day at the Parks, provided you charge it fully the night before. If you are staying offsite, you will have to unload the battery section every night (on every ECV you have rented) and charge it inside your offsite location. Depending on where you are staying, it may be easier to assemble the ECV and drive it into the building, and charge it fully assembled, then drive it back out to the parking area in the morning.

If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, it will be infinitely easier to use the free in-world transportation, and leave your car at the Resort hotel. You don't realize how much work is involved in breaking down/lifting into car and then lifting out of car/reassembling *one* scooter - let alone 2! - until you do it a few times, and then you are really ready to explore the Wonderful World of Bus Travel at WDW!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hey everyone! I need to rent an ECV while we are at Disney world for 17 days and I need to be able to break it down and transport it every day. Does any one have a suggestion as to what type of vehicle is best to rent for this? I need something low to the ground as one piece is 80 lbs! we are two 60 year olds not in the best of shape! thanks!

I know from personal experience that a GoGo, which Gold Mobility rents (maybe others do too, I don't know) fits in the trunk of a Toyota Camry.

 

[Bete]

We've rented for a long time and I never had one piece of a take apart scooter weigh 80 pounds. This must be very heavy duty. I would look into getting another scooter rental where one piece doesn't weigh more than 50 pounds. Hopefully, it will meet your needs. We find the scooter base to be awkward; so, we use two people for handling that part.

 

[helenm29]

We've rented for a long time and I never had one piece of a take apart scooter weigh 80 pounds. This must be very heavy duty. I would look into getting another scooter rental where one piece doesn't weigh more than 50 pounds. Hopefully, it will meet your needs. We find the scooter base to be awkward; so, we use two people for handling that part.

Yeah, I checked with Gold and they don't suggest you separate the Battery piece wheel base! what kind of vehicle do you use if you don't mind my asking? most places suggest a mini van it seems.

 

[Evita_W]

Yeah, I checked with Gold and they don't suggest you separate the Battery piece wheel base! what kind of vehicle do you use if you don't mind my asking? most places suggest a mini van it seems.

You can, but honestly it is a pain to do on scooters and if you can fit it in your vehicle without doing so, even better.

We used a Dodge Caravan rented from Thrifty for about $400 for 10 days, but we were fitting two Pride Victory 10 scooters in the back.

I am not sure what scooter model you are renting or using, the GoGo sport model can come apart more easily, but isn't as heavy duty. But the good thing about that model is you can just bring the battery and charger in to charge it if you don't want to bring the whole scooter in.

 

[helenm29]

You can, but honestly it is a pain to do on scooters and if you can fit it in your vehicle without doing so, even better.

We used a Dodge Caravan rented from Thrifty for about $400 for 10 days, but we were fitting two Pride Victory 10 scooters in the back.

I am not sure what scooter model you are renting or using, the GoGo sport model can come apart more easily, but isn't as heavy duty. But the good thing about that model is you can just bring the battery and charger in to charge it if you don't want to bring the whole scooter in.

Well, I ended up checking with another scooter rental company in the area...they build their own scooters! it's comp. to the ones all of the other rental companies have in the area but they are totally water proof...you don't need to cover them! They are more expensive however! The biggest piece is 50 lbs so I think between me and my husband we'll be able to get into a vehicle....since there are only two of us, whatever vehicle we chose just needs room for luggage and a scooter. Thank you so much for the info!

 

[Evita_W]

Well, I ended up checking with another scooter rental company in the area...they build their own scooters! it's comp. to the ones all of the other rental companies have in the area but they are totally water proof...you don't need to cover them! They are more expensive however! The biggest piece is 50 lbs so I think between me and my husband we'll be able to get into a vehicle....since there are only two of us, whatever vehicle we chose just needs room for luggage and a scooter. Thank you so much for the info!

Yeah, Gold Mobility is working on their own as well that will be more transportable and heavy duty, I believe up to 500 lbs and I believe water proof as well, including a lockable basket last I heard. Unfortunately they were moving right along until COVID hit and my understanding is the company that was going to build them ended up switching to making PPE for a while and now they have to try to get the momentum back.

Just a word of caution, if it is Walker Mobility, the heavier duty scooters are heavier than the 50 lbs, but overall my understanding is they have been reliable. Whatever company it is, just make sure they give you options for refunds or other alternatives if you can't lift it into the car when they deliver it, just to be safe.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Well, I ended up checking with another scooter rental company in the area...they build their own scooters! it's comp. to the ones all of the other rental companies have in the area but they are totally water proof...you don't need to cover them! They are more expensive however! The biggest piece is 50 lbs so I think between me and my husband we'll be able to get into a vehicle....since there are only two of us, whatever vehicle we chose just needs room for luggage and a scooter. Thank you so much for the info!

you would still want to cover the seat and seatback for rider's comfort. yes those parts are water proof but do you want to sit on a wet seat?

 

[ktate82]

I have rented from Royal Mobility twice. They have an ECV that folds up like a suitcase (and is about the same size), and it weighs about 50lbs all total. It has a wider turn base, so you may have to do three point turns in some tighter lines, but it was so much more convenient to load and unload.

 

[helenm29]

you would still want to cover the seat and seatback for rider's comfort. yes those parts are water proof but do you want to sit on a wet seat?

you would still want to cover the seat and seatback for rider's comfort. yes those parts are water proof but do you want to sit on a wet seat?

I was reading that they had fabric seats at Walker which isn't the best. I really think Gold would be better but I can't take it apart and it's too big to lift with just my husband and I. The Go Go doesn't have enough battery life and I don't want to have to charge it all the time. I just haven't found the best answer yet....thank you for helping me out!

 

[helenm29]

Yeah, Gold Mobility is working on their own as well that will be more transportable and heavy duty, I believe up to 500 lbs and I believe water proof as well, including a lockable basket last I heard. Unfortunately they were moving right along until COVID hit and my understanding is the company that was going to build them ended up switching to making PPE for a while and now they have to try to get the momentum back.

Just a word of caution, if it is Walker Mobility, the heavier duty scooters are heavier than the 50 lbs, but overall my understanding is they have been reliable. Whatever company it is, just make sure they give you options for refunds or other alternatives if you can't lift it into the car when they deliver it, just to be safe.

I feel more comfortable with Gold but I don't know if we can lift them in and out of a van a couple of times a day possibly...the Go Go doesn't hold enough charge!! I love the Select scooters....I've used them many times but never had to brake them down. Thanks for your help!

 

[helenm29]

I can usually make any vehicle work when renting a car and transporting my sister’s ECV. I do find I did best with an SUV or hatchback with a flat rear, usually with the back row down. This is probably because I drive a Traverse and my parents have a Pathfinder so I know how to load the EVCs in them.

For my sister’s old EVC and my mom’s current EVC, I remove the batteries, seat and basket and place in the back. Then instead of separating the tiller base from the wheels, I leave together and lower the till and lock in place. I put in neutral, lift up the front part and place that front wheel just in the lip of the rear. This leaves the back wheels on the ground. Then I lift the back wheels and push into the vehicle. This way the weight gets distributed more into the vehicle and not fully into my lift. It is much easier for me than separating that last section.

My sister just got a new scooter that is about 75 pounds altogether and doesn’t break apart. Tomorrow we take it out for the first time and I think it will be even easier to put in the vehicle the way I did her old one.

Thank you SO much for your reply!! I never really thought of that for lifting the scooter! do you mind if I ask what kind of ECV it is? I'm looking at Select Mobility 3 wheel which may or may not be heavier.

 

[Evita_W]

I was reading that they had fabric seats at Walker which isn't the best. I really think Gold would be better but I can't take it apart and it's too big to lift with just my husband and I. The Go Go doesn't have enough battery life and I don't want to have to charge it all the time. I just haven't found the best answer yet....thank you for helping me out!

Keep in mind Gold Mobility uses only the extended batteries, which on the GoGo sport they last 8 to 12 hours in the theme parks, depending on the speed you set it at, as well as your weight and how much uphill you are doing. This is based off DH's mom's scooter, which they sold to us. Just be aware it makes the battery pack heavier, so you may need to remove it before lifting the scooter. Honestly lasts all day for her, just make sure you charge it fully every night. Also, when you stop, make sure you turn the scooter off.

Again, this usage time only applies to the extended batteries and the GoGo sport, some of the other rental companies use a different gogo model and/or doesn't use extended batteries.

If you are really concerned though, you could ask Gold Mobility if they might be willing to rent an extra battery pack and charger to you and keep both charged and with you. Might be another valid option.

Looking at Select Mobility Scooters website, it appears they are Victory 10 scooters, which are substantially heavier than the gogo sport.

Another option would be to rent a car with a wheelchair lift or an accessible vehicle, then you wouldn't need to lift the scooter.

 

[tobikaye]

Thank you SO much for your reply!! I never really thought of that for lifting the scooter! do you mind if I ask what kind of ECV it is? I'm looking at Select Mobility 3 wheel which may or may not be heavier.

I have done this with three different types:

• Golden Buzzaround 3 wheel - Front and rear base about 75 lbs total (with seat and batteries: 150 lbs)
• Pride GoGo 3 wheel - Front and rear base about 45-50 lbs (with seat and batteries: 90-100 lbs)
• Luggie Elite Plus 4 - 65 lbs total for folding scooter

These are all personally owned scooters.