Using go go ECV while over the weight limit...confused

ammag

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 17, 2012

• Oct 6, 2015

• #1

Hello! So I need to book for our trip ASAP and I am a bit stymied as ot which ECv to rent. When my mom and I used one last trip she was about 220 and I was 240. We used it for two very full days (one 15 hour day, one 10) but mostly for the walking parts, when we got to a land we walked on foot.
I am probably going to be able to do this most of the time, I need the ECV for all distance walking to cut down on my fatigue and pain. However I now weigh 259 and Walker told me I can rent the go go (official weight limit 300, they suggest 190) but in their experience it may only have 4 hours of power with my weight.

Their next model, the deluxe model scooter has a part that's 45 lbs to disassemble. This might be a problem when my daughter and I take a car to universal....I am not sure I can handle lifting that?

So what would you do? Most of our days are rope drop to dinner,and almost all of the time it will not be used constantly. However if I have a particularly bad day I might need more scooter time.

I am so nervous about picking the wrong company, I finally decide on one and then have this worry! What would you do?

 

SueM in MN

combining the teacups with a roller coaster

Moderator

Joined

Aug 23, 1999

• Oct 6, 2015

• #2

Is the only time you plan to take the car to go to Universal?
If so, you might want to check into taking a cab or one of the Mears transport buses to and from there.

If you have a medical equipment store near you, they might have one of those models you could look at and practice lift.

 

ammag

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 17, 2012

• Oct 6, 2015

• #3

Yes just the one car day. Do you think I should do the higher weight limit one then? The manufacturer seems to say 14 miles (at max speed 4mph =3 hours) I wonder if they just want to ensure fewer reviews of "my scooter died in the oark after 7 hours" or bump people to the more expensive ones?

 

ammag

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 17, 2012

• Oct 6, 2015

• #4

Oh and yes we will use uber or mears, but since our first uber is free and I have a coupon from WDW prep both trips are almost free vs. Mears $$$.

 

mamabunny

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 11, 2012

• Oct 7, 2015

• #5

1. Make sure you start each day with a fully charged battery
2. Take along the battery charger, and "top up" whenever you are eating or taking a little break. Typically CMs (especially the maintenance staff) can help you find an outlet to plug in to.*
3. Turn off the ECV when you aren't "going". Stop to take a picture and admire the view? Turn it off. Anytime you are stopped, and not going to move for more than a minute or so, turn it off. This includes sitting at the bus stops, and on the bus.
4. When you do leave the ECV, turn it off AND take the key.

*Please don't try to charge the ECV while you are riding a ride, or at a show. CMs have to move A LOT of people through attractions in very short order, and there typically is not time to plug/unplug/put away the charger...

These are "best practices" for anyone driving an ECV. I know it is scary - no one wants to get "stranded". If you are truly concerned, and you need the assurance that you will be able to go all day, then you may want to consider using a different ECV model that your vendor will be willing to guarantee a battery for a full day of use, and modifying your plans for the side trip to Universal.

 

S

SMD

DIS Veteran

Joined

Feb 15, 2004

• Oct 7, 2015

• #6

Could you just rent an ECV for the day at Universal?

 

Toffeewoffy

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 6, 2014

• Oct 7, 2015

• #7

Well, I'm under 250lbs but wouldn't go below the Victory 10 as the seats just aren't comfortable for a full day of sitting. Also, while I'd probably be okay, I don't want the anxiety of worrying whether the battery will keep going right through to bedime.

Yes, we have to disassemble it into battery cover, 2 batteries, seat, rear axle/motor and 'the rest' (ie platform and tiller), but with two of us it's totally manageable with a 'one-two-three-LIFT' operation. Heck - I even managed to lift the platform/tiller into the back of an intermediate SUV on my own one night when I left MK an hour before DD - and I've got dodgy knees!!

I also want to add that while waiting for the Lion King show at AK in March I saw an enormous woman on a tiny GoGo! A thin woman swooped up on another one and swapped the batteries over, saying, "You should be okay now" and swooped off again. I'm sorry, but putting that much weight on a tiny machine not only over-works the battery but puts the actual machine under too much stress and strain as well. If it says maximum weight 200lbs then it means 200lbs! There is a next size up one (which is probably the one you've hired) which I believe has a 250lbs limit - and I could probably manage on one of them - but I don't want the risk. For the sake of $20 or so, I'd rather go up a size and be comfortable.

 

ammag

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 17, 2012

• Oct 12, 2015

• #8

The go go is limit of 300, I think I will try it. It's also the only one I've used and I am comfortable wiht it. I will know after one day if it works or not they said I can change my rental in the middle of the trip with no problem. It was ok 20 lbs ago it's probably ok now since still 40 under limit.
I will report back at the end and let people know how it went in case others are wondering

 

I Love Pluto

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jun 20, 2006

• Oct 13, 2015

• #9

There are several GoGo scooters - each with different weight limits. My experience with the GoGo is this - If you weigh about 150 pounds, you are ok. Nearing 200 pounds - go for the Victory 10.

You can fit on the GoGo - but it won't go far (if at 200). The Victory 10 will take a 200 pound person through the parks & resorts all day long.

I would rather deal with a larger scooter than end up charging my scooter all day long!

 

msr709

DISfan forever

Joined

Sep 15, 2000

• Oct 14, 2015

• #10

I'm 240 and rented the Victory 10 from Walker and never had to charge the batteries at the parks, and I went all day on it. I just made sure to charge it every night. The reason I chose Walker because they are the only ones that are waterproof (I always covered the till with the cap they provided) and never had a problem.

 

ammag

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 17, 2012

• Oct 17, 2015

• #11

I had the gogo elite for one day last time, weight was about 240 and it never got close to running out of charge. I only used it to go between worlds and always turned it off. I am hoping the experience will be the same this time. I have much less stamina so if I find that I need to charge during the day the company (I went with best price) said I can uograde without an issue.

Ps. I found walker mind of rude on the phone, they acted like they didn't want my business so I went with the other company. Bummer because they were so recommended here but their price was higher and they just didn't give the best impression.

 

Toffeewoffy

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 6, 2014

• Oct 18, 2015

• #12

msr709 said:

I'm 240 and rented the Victory 10 from Walker and never had to charge the batteries at the parks, and I went all day on it. I just made sure to charge it every night. The reason I chose Walker because they are the only ones that are waterproof (I always covered the till with the cap they provided) and never had a problem.

Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but I don't believe that Walker's Victory 10s are magically waterproof. A Victory is a Victory. If one is, they all are. I don't think any of them are any good if you're caught in a downpour (as we were), but I'm hoping that should I get caught again the full cover I bought will keep both me and the scooter dry. Just must remember not to go through any puddles ...

 

msr709

DISfan forever

Joined

Sep 15, 2000

• Oct 18, 2015

• #13

Toffeewoffy said:

I'm sorry, but I don't believe that Walker's Victory 10s are magically waterproof. A Victory is a Victory. If one is, they all are. I don't think any of them are any good if you're caught in a downpour (as we were), but I'm hoping that should I get caught again the full cover I bought will keep both me and the scooter dry. Just must remember not to go through any puddles ...

Click to expand...

I was caught several times in downpours, as you know it will rain without notice in Florida in the summer, all I had was the tiller cover and a poncho and never had any problems. I've only rented from Walker so that is my experience. I didn't go into any puddles on purpose but I'm sure I did go through some on my way to the bus stop or wherever I was and never had a problem. Again, this is just my experience, maybe I'm just lucky...