Mobility scooters
We have a small motorhome 6 metres long. Unfortunately since lockdown my mobility is worse so looking for recommendations on mobility scooters.
Would be very grateful for any suggestions.
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Whatever ( whichever ?? ) scooter you think is right for you Eileen, please try one out before getting one. The styles are many & varied so what fits Arnold could turn out to be Hell for you.
Will you be able to fit one in the 'van or will a small trailer be required ?
Just random thoughts, tho'
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Four wheels tend to offer more stability than three and, similarly, bigger wheels can be more stable and roadworthy than small.
If you want it to fit in your MH, though, smaller will obviously be easier. Watch out that you've got the payload capacity.
Visit a couple of sellers in your area and see what they have that takes your fancy. It would be a good idea to get yourself some third party insurance when you buy one too.
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Agree Tinny. Another aspect you might want to consider is a bit of training/getting used to a scooter. Accidents and injuries were so prevalent in our area that at one time our local police force ran a mobility scooter awareness course to try and help new users. I don’t think it’s still ongoing, but there are other similar courses available. Link to one project here: https://roadsafetygb.org.uk/news/new-hazard-perception-training-resource-for-mobility-scooter-riders/
Buying one is the easy bit. Being safe has to be worked on. 👍
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My late Mum had 2 electric wheel chairs; a large one which had to be transported in a trailer or took up the whole space in the SUV needing; sturdy ramps were needed to get it in, and a small one primarily for around the house. The smaller one was really no use outside and I would therefore surmise not safe on a campsite. Check what space you have in your motorhome garage and then go to a mobility shop to see what is available. Try any out on roughish grass/gravel like that on hard standings and prove that you can get them into your motorhome.
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We have been looking for a mobility scooter for OH ,and we have found after many attempts , to find one suitable for most scenarios is proving difficult,
There are two types one for pavement use normally max 4mph and the other normally much bigger for use on both road and footpaths max 8mph on the road but still max 4mph on footpaths
Smaller 4mph type can be used in most places and are light also are quite stable if they have found if they have fairly large wheels, but will still struggle on loose gravel,and need dropped kerbs to be safe when coming off footpaths if crossing roads
Larger 8mph models are heavier and may need their own trailer or have seen them mounted on scooter type racks on the rear of M/cvans but will normally cope with all types of surface as they tend to have more ground clearance .
ps we have been advised to always have a charged spare batt on board,and do not go through any standing water with the smaller models
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The alternative especially if your mobility is going to get worse. A standard wheelchair with a power wheel attachment to convert into a cool tricycle. The fact that it breaks down into parts makes it easy to transport. The wheelchair can be rigid or callapsable.
peedee
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Difficult getting something robust enough to deal with rougher terrain.....and light enough to go into a MH/caravan. Trampers are very good off road, but they ain’t lightweight. Some folks use a small trailer for back of car/MH. Doubt you’d get one into a caravan.
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Agree but as long as there is somebody around to give a helping hand, usually an initial push, it is not a problem. Scooter can also have the same problem but not quite so bad.
The big advantage is the portability, try taking a scooter on a bus!
peedee
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I'd go with the suggestion to look in a mobility shop, tell them your needs and I presume you'll want a fairly lightweight fold up version. There are a lot of "styles" around, my Mum used one for all her local journeys but it was quite large and heavy, she charged it up after every journey and it became her main mode of transport when she gave up her car in her late eighties.
You'll need to able to store it somewhere in your M/H and get it out easily. LINK for some ideas, plenty of secondhand ones around.
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I have seen in use a small fold-away crane fitted into the back of an estate car for lifting a scooter in and out.
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I used to use a set of ramps and use the power of the scooter to drive it into the back of an estate. Got rid of the scooter when we changed to a motorhome. It was fine when we had the caravan towed by a Volvo Estate but it wasn't very practical to carry with a motorhome. The trike configuration is much more convenient.
peedee
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I have an e-foldi. Advertised as lightest folding mobility scooter. When folded stands upright - about the size of an average (not large) suitcase. Our m/home is 6.3m & no garage. Getting it in & out is OK - always take battery off first. Because it folds it is easy-ish to get onto buses & trains. It is aimed at those who need some assistance with mobilty, rather that "cant really walk at all".
The company that sells them (& I dont think many, if any, mobility shops sell them) comes to your home so you can try it out, and see if it fits or is suitable for your motorhome. I felt under no pressure to buy - & in any case you have two weeks to change your mind.
It is important to really asses your mobility and future mobility, view as many as poss, research types and what terrain they can go over. Mine is mainly aimed at road/paved surfaces, but I have used it on grass and dirt paths lots of times. Doesnt do gravel - but only most powerful do. Hills - depends how steep, and how much of a run at it you can get. I think they are bringing out a second one which is more like a regular mobility scooter in terms of getting on & off.
Dont forget insurance - I use Fish which is a specialist insurer, and you will have to register with DVLA - which was reasonably straightforward.
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When I can persuade her to use it, my mum has one of these Not the biggest but certainly big enough to be usable. I managed a trip around the block carry my grand daughter on my knee without problems ... going up & down dropped kerbs without problem. It breaks down to reasonably manageable parts as per the link. They're easy enough to drive, a double ended lever, push one end away from you & you go forward, push the other end away from you & you go backwards with a dial to set max speed.
coincidently there is one in my garage just sitting there .... father-in-law upgraded. 🙂
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I have 2 scooters one of which folds down into a suitcase size and is fairly lightweight (for a scooter). It is sold by a company called Monarch who do not have many, if any outlets. They came to our home to demonstrate the model we were interested in without obligation. We are pleased with it and take it in our small motorhome. It folds electronically and is powered by a lightweight lithium battery. We have two batteries, each does about 5 miles on fairly flat surfaces. We used to take my bigger one on holiday, on the backrack of the van but OH found it difficult to manage although it could be separated into various bits plus the battery for that one is quite heavy. The foldup one is ok for smoothish surfaces and small hills but does feel a bit flimsy - however it's been a godsend both here and abroad. (both of my scooters are 'pavement' models restricted to 4 mph, no licence required)
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check online roma scooters they have all round suspension come apart into several managable parts to lift easy have a good 10mile plus range and you can charge them up off the scooter i and my wife use one each and have been for many years the fold up ones are good but are heavy to lift
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