What kind of car rental needed to transport ECV?

[H.E. Pennypacker]

We are heading to WDW at the end of April and are bringing my mom along. She hasn't been to Disney in about 18 years, so I'm excited that we're able to bring her with this time. She has some foot and ankle problems, so we're probably going to rent an ECV from an offsite place for the week.

The question is, what kind of rental car do I need to get for EASY transport of the ECV? Normally we get something like a Grand Prix, but I'm wondering if I need to go with an SUV? The key again is quick and easy loading and unloading. Would a mid-size SUV, like a Chevy Equinox work? Or would I be better off with something like a Trailblazer? Thanks in advance for your comments!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest a full-size four door sedan. Also, if you look at Page 5 of teh disABILITIES FAQ you will get a lot of specific information. Just follow the link in my signature to get to the FAQ.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Thanks for the info. I had actually read that post already. But not having dealt with an ECV much before, I didn't think all those steps about removing the seat, removing the batteries, taking the motor off, etc. sounded quick and easy. But maybe it doesn't take as long as it sounds like it does.

I guess what I really should have asked is what kind of SUV do I need so that I can just pick up the ECV and roll it in without taking the seat off, the motor off, taking out the batteries, etc. I have helped lift three-wheeled ECV's before, so I'm aware of their weight and am capable of lifting it so we don't necesarilly need to break it down into pieces. Will it fit in the back of a Trailblazer or Equinox without having to break it down into pieces?

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the info. I had actually read that post already. But not having dealt with an ECV much before, I didn't think all those steps about removing the seat, removing the batteries, taking the motor off, etc. sounded quick and easy. But maybe it doesn't take as long as it sounds like it does.

I guess what I really should have asked is what kind of SUV do I need so that I can just pick up the ECV and roll it in without taking the seat off, the motor off, taking out the batteries, etc. I have helped lift three-wheeled ECV's before, so I'm aware of their weight and am capable of lifting it so we don't necesarilly need to break it down into pieces. Will it fit in the back of a Trailblazer or Equinox without having to break it down into pieces?

i think the instructions sound harder than they are.
Many of the websites have pictures of the take-apart process now, and a picture really is worth 1000 words. What sounds hard is much easier when you see it.

The ECV is likely to be too tall to fit into the back of any SUVs without taking it at least partially apart. Also, an SUV is pretty high to lift into and some of the SUVs don't really have much space back there. I think the best might be to look up some of the vehicles on the car company website to see how big the space is; then call or email some of the ECV rental companies to see whether the ECV would fit in that space.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

And also most of the rental ECVs weigh in the vicinity of 150 pounds. I know on mine two of the three sections are 39 pounds each, and the two battery packs are 24 pounds each. That's 126 pounds right there.

 

[mrmagicmph]

The ECV is likely to be too tall to fit into the back of any SUVs without taking it at least partially apart. Also, an SUV is pretty high to lift into and some of the SUVs don't really have much space back there.

In October 2006, we had rented a Walker ECV and a Chrysler Pacifica from Dollar and we were able to put the ECV into the Pacifica with only "collapsing" the parts down, not removing any. Tilt the tiller down, flip the seat back down, & in it went. The Valets were able to easily slide it in for me (was just my wife & myself on the trip), & when we made a mistake and took a trip to Seaworld (didn't enjoy ourselves there at all), my wife & I were able to take it out/put it in without any real problems.

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[LONE-STAR]

I would cal the place where your renting the ecv from and see if they have a portable ramp you could rent also. Also most of the ecv rental places deliver so if you are staying on disney property they will bring it to the hotel. Then use disney transportation there buses can hall a ecv. But I would call disney to see what is the maximum length and width of the ecv that will fit on the bus. Then call the ecv rental place to make sure there ecv is the right size.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would cal the place where your renting the ecv from and see if they have a portable ramp you could rent also. Also most of the ecv rental places deliver so if you are staying on disney property they will bring it to the hotel. Then use disney transportation there buses can hall a ecv. But I would call disney to see what is the maximum length and width of the ecv that will fit on the bus. Then call the ecv rental place to make sure there ecv is the right size.

There are a couple of places listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread that do rent ramps, but the scooter would still need to be collapsed down like mrmagicmph suggested.
Most of the ECVs that companies rent will fit on the WDW buses. If you let them know you will be using the buses when you make your arrangements to rent, they will make sure you get one that works for that.
The problem is with the few older buses that are still around that have lifts, rather than ramps. And, still most ECVs fit on the ramps. The ones that don't would be very large custom made ECVs. There is more information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post 4 about buses.