Different Kinds of Mobility Scooters

Different Kinds of Mobility Scooters

If you have difficulty walking, whether due to age, muscular disease, or arthritis, you may benefit from a mobility scooter. Mobility scooters are personal mobility vehicles that transport a seated individual. There are many different types of mobility scooters that are designed to fulfill the specific needs of their rider.

Travel scooters, or portable mobility scooters, are designed to be easily transported. They can be completely disassembled in a matter of minutes and put back together just as quick. They are designed so that no one piece of the scooter is too heavy for most people and can be placed in small places like the trunk of a car. They come in both 3 and 4-wheel design, but many are 3-wheels.

3-wheeled mobility scooters are a very common type of mobility scooter. They offer excellent maneuverability and are great for indoor use. However, they are not as stable as 4-wheeled mobility scooters. While 3-wheeled mobility scooters are great for indoor use or areas that are paved, they do not do as well in outdoor situations. For outdoor use a 4-wheeled mobility scooter is much better. They are much more stable and better able to handle rough terrain because the weight is evenly divided between the front and back of the mobility device. Of course 4-wheeled mobility scooters are not as maneuverable though.

If you do not have a travel scooter and you wish to transport it, you will have to have some way of getting it on or into your vehicle. Many people purchase external hitch mounted carriers, which are relatively inexpensive. Internal scooter lifts can also be used. A third option is to purchase a foldable ramp, but this requires enough room to be able to physically drive the scooter into the vehicle and are really only practical on vans or trucks.

It is important to consider where you are going to use your mobility scooter before you purchase it. This will help you necessitate what type to get.