Freerider Luggie Travel Scooter

[patosea]

Does anyone have one of these? I have been debating renting or buying a scooter. This one (although spendy) folds up like a stroller - there should be no problem getting it on a tender, since they allow strollers. The problem is - there are no stores here that carry it - I have read reviews and it seems to be a good product - just wish DH could sit on it and see how comfortable it is. If you have any info, I would truely appreciate it.

[IRL_Joanie]

Does anyone have one of these? I have been debating renting or buying a scooter. This one (although spendy) folds up like a stroller - there should be no problem getting it on a tender, since they allow strollers. The problem is - there are no stores here that carry it - I have read reviews and it seems to be a good product - just wish DH could sit on it and see how comfortable it is. If you have any info, I would truely appreciate it.

 

Never heard of it until your post. I googled it and WOW!! I like what I'm seeing and reading. Even with the batteries, that is something that I could get into our car. Sure would make traveling a lot easier, and less expensive.

 

Would like to hear also, from others who have this scooter...

 

Joanie

[SeattleCruiselover]

Does anyone have one of these? I have been debating renting or buying a scooter. This one (although spendy) folds up like a stroller - there should be no problem getting it on a tender, since they allow strollers. The problem is - there are no stores here that carry it - I have read reviews and it seems to be a good product - just wish DH could sit on it and see how comfortable it is. If you have any info, I would truely appreciate it.

 

One caveat. The cruise lines will not let you bring aboard any scooter or power W/C that is not an FDA approved medical device. Before plunking down $2.6K, I would be absolutely certain that this meets that criteria, or you just have a very nice looking electronic boat anchor.

[xxoocruiser]

There is not much information available about this scooter at this time. It is marketed by a European Company. It entered the European Market about 2 years ago and has only come to the USA within the last 8-9 months. It is currently only for available for purchase in the USA on-line. Is not being sold by any brick & motar retailers in the USA where you can test the item. At least that I haven't found one yet.

 

The basic price does not include the suitcase. The basic scooter without the suitcase cost $1999.00 to $2200.00 depending on the company. Both Walmart and Amazon offer it on line.

 

Currently there's no company in the USA that I have found that rents the Luggie. None of standard cruiseline approved rental program offer this product for rent at this time.

 

Believe the Luggie comes with a Lithium Battery which may not be approved by the airlines and cruiselines.

 

For what it's worth there are other scooters currenty being sold in the USA that fold up similar to the Luggie .Rascal and Planet Mobility both market folding scooters.

[patosea]

I just read on the Carnival site about scooters. No where on the site does it say it must be FDA approved, or anything about Lithium batteries. This is all it says:

 

Mobility Scooters: Passenger scooters must be stored and batteries recharged in your cabin. Due to safety considerations, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be stored in the corridors. Your personal scooter should be able to fit in a standard cabin: a 21" entry doorway. If your scooter is larger than 21", you must purchase a modified cabin or rent a smaller scooter. Segways and other similar vehicles are not permitted on board our vessels.

At certain ports of call, small boats known as tenders are used to transport passengers from the ship to shore. Certain of these tenders may not be accessible to individuals using wheelchairs and mobility scooters, or the status of the tendering process at a particular port under certain weather, sea, swell, current and/or tideconditions may prove difficult for a safe transfer to take place. In each case, it will be the decision of the ship officials to determine, based on their evaluation of safety issues for our guests and crew, whether or not a guest using a wheelchair may board a tender. In order to safely board tenders, guests must be able to take steps and use a collapsible, fold up wheelchair; motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters cannot be taken on tenders. *Note—Tendering ports are: Cabo San Lucas, Catalina California, Catalina Island Dominican Republic, Cannes France, Belize, Half Moon Cay Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa (Mexico), Kona (Hawaii), Lahaina (Hawaii), Newport Rhode Island, Sitka (Alaska) Possible Tender: Ketchikan Alaska, Dubrovnik Croatia, Katakolon Greece.

[SeattleCruiselover]

I just read on the Carnival site about scooters. No where on the site does it say it must be FDA approved, or anything about Lithium batteries. This is all it says:

 

Mobility Scooters: Passenger scooters must be stored and batteries recharged in your cabin. Due to safety considerations, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be stored in the corridors. Your personal scooter should be able to fit in a standard cabin: a 21" entry doorway. If your scooter is larger than 21", you must purchase a modified cabin or rent a smaller scooter. Segways and other similar vehicles are not permitted on board our vessels.

At certain ports of call, small boats known as tenders are used to transport passengers from the ship to shore. Certain of these tenders may not be accessible to individuals using wheelchairs and mobility scooters, or the status of the tendering process at a particular port under certain weather, sea, swell, current and/or tideconditions may prove difficult for a safe transfer to take place. In each case, it will be the decision of the ship officials to determine, based on their evaluation of safety issues for our guests and crew, whether or not a guest using a wheelchair may board a tender. In order to safely board tenders, guests must be able to take steps and use a collapsible, fold up wheelchair; motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters cannot be taken on tenders. *Note—Tendering ports are: Cabo San Lucas, Catalina California, Catalina Island Dominican Republic, Cannes France, Belize, Half Moon Cay Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa (Mexico), Kona (Hawaii), Lahaina (Hawaii), Newport Rhode Island, Sitka (Alaska) Possible Tender: Ketchikan Alaska, Dubrovnik Croatia, Katakolon Greece.

 

The information on FDA approval comes from the Accessibility desk when they send out the forms to find out what you are bringing with you, and about your physical condition. They ask what you are bringing and, if they have never heard of or dealt with it before you will get a call asking for info on FDA certification. This is what they did when they had not heard of my particular model of power chair (this is Norwegian, but all of the others are likely the same, because the FDA is the one that certifies the electrical safety and patient safety of the device).

[nomadguy]

can't say I've seen it either; worry about its sturdiness over time. Personally, I have a TravelScoot which is only 35# total weight (including the 4# L-Ion battery which is airline approved). It too cost ~$2K with the lightweight battery but it gives me much freedom. That being said, it's not for everyone. You do need the ability to lift your leg up and over the bars and you need some balance while doing so. (It also has only foot power for reverse and although they say it'll turn on a dime, I just don't have the dexterity to make it do that in an elevator so I end up driving in and pushing with my feet - backwards - to get out of the elevator.) I also have a Go Go Elite (about 97# but comes apart in pieces weighing no more than 20-30# each). The Go Go has the ability to go in reverse which is nice. I like the TravelScoot for out and about and the Go Go for inside my house.

 

Before buying the TravelScoot, I rented one online for a week and found I really could use it quite handily so I decided to purchase. That may be an option for you as the TravelScoot has many devoted followers.

 

One suggestion - take the specs of the Freerider you're considering and compare it to a couple of other models you might consider. Go to a B&M store and sit in the models you're comparing it to and then decide if you still want to consider the Freerider. When I started out, I read a lot online and decided I only wanted a 4 wheeler. Then I sat in one and my big feet had to go up over the wheel wells which wouldn't be comfortable for any length of time. I now have 2 scooters - BOTH 3 wheels which are much more comfortable....

 

just an idea ... good luck on your decision.

[katisdale]

I also own a travelscoot and a larger Rascal scooter. I use the Rascal in my neighborhood but take the travelscoot everywhere else. I love that the travelscoot is so light and that I can use it without a lift on the back of my car. I have no trouble doing the foot powered back up but that would cause problems for some people. Also the travelscoot does not have a flat footboard but a pedal-like area to put your feet and this may not work for everyone. My scoot is over two years old now and I have not had a single problem with it. I find that amazing and wonderful.

[L cruiser]

Even though this is an old thread. I thought that some might still be interested. I bought the Luggie scooter. I used it on the ship Miracle on a Jan. 22, cruise. This was my first cruise, and won’t be my last. It does fold up like a stroller. I did that once, but then decided it was a lot easier to just fold it flat, and put it in the car. It is a lot easier to put one end in, and then pivot it in. There was no place on the ship that I couldn’t go. I could turn it around in the elevator. As long as no one else was on it. Had no problems going up and down the ramps leaving or entering the ship. I had a non-handicap room, and it fit through the door, even with the arm rests on. I couldn’t turn it around in the room, but it was easy enough to do it by hand. Just lift the front, and pivot it. If you cant lift the back. Then just drive it until you can pivot the front again. I can’t say how the range is. I bought it just before the cruise, and on the cruise I didn’t go far enough to find out. Not sure how well it will hold up over time, but seems to be a good product. I am happy with it. L cruiser

[ZellaLamb]

The scooter looks really interesting! Can you tell me how it handled hills and rough terrain? In the video it shows a man loading it into a car. Do you think that an 80 year old woman could do it? My mother in law would love to be able to load her scooter into the car herself.

[nieciez]

The scooter looks really interesting! Can you tell me how it handled hills and rough terrain? In the video it shows a man loading it into a car. Do you think that an 80 year old woman could do it? My mother in law would love to be able to load her scooter into the car herself.

 

The Travelscoot is not made for rough terrain. It can handle ramps but if you are on the hefty side (like me) you need to get a good running up spped on the approach to the ramp but I don't think it would do well on hilly terarain.

[katisdale]

I am quite tall (6 ft. 2 in) and really like my travelscoot. I can lift it into both the trunk of our sedan, partially broken down and into the back of our SUV with only the handle in the low position. It weighs about 35 pounds which I can manage. I have been up lots of hills without problem. However I find it a little more challenging going down as the brakes are not as strong as I would like. If I am going down I don't use the engine/battery at all and have been know to go very slowly. I don't take any scooter (I have a large Rascal I use in my neighborhood) in an off road environment. If it doesn't have a paved area or at least very well packed fine gravel then I am not going there. You can't expect any scooter, large or small, to last if you get it mired in mud or flooded with water. My travelscoot is great for shopping, cruise ships, airports, etc.

[clyde3]

I think ZellaLamb was asking about the luggie scooter not the Travelscoot. I would also like to know how the luggie handles hills and steep ramps. I cruise a lot on HAL and their ramps are steeper than other cruise lines and my travelscoot won't make it up the ramp even if I have the power sprocket installed.

[L cruiser]

I didn’t have any trouble going up the ramps on the ship. This was on the ship Miracle. The ramp at Curacao was very steep, and the attendant there asked me if I wanted to be pushed up. I told him no, and just gave him my bag, and I floored it. I was surprised that I didn’t have any trouble. I weigh just a little over 200 lbs. Of course I waited until I had a clear shot, and wouldn’t have to stop, or slow down. You do have to lean a little forward when you go up ramps.

 

Also didn’t have any trouble with cobblestones, or rough concrete. You feel every bump though. Loading it shouldn’t be a problem as long as you can lift one end, and then pivot the rest into the car.

[RLM77]

I think ZellaLamb was asking about the luggie scooter not the Travelscoot. I would also like to know how the luggie handles hills and steep ramps. I cruise a lot on HAL and their ramps are steeper than other cruise lines and my travelscoot won't make it up the ramp even if I have the power sprocket installed.

 

What is a "power sprocket" ??:confused:

 

Marlee

[clyde3]

What is a "power sprocket" ??:confused:

 

Marlee

 

There are two sprockets available for the travelscoot. They fit on the motor shaft. One is an 11 tooth sprocket for power and the other is a 13 tooth sprocket for speed. The 11 tooth sprocket uses the 650mm belt and the 13 tooth sprocket uses the 660mm belt. Be aware that if you change them out the screw on the end of the motor shaft is left hand thread so you have to turn to the right to take the screw out.

[RLM77]

Thank you very much for this info. Power would be of far more value to me than speed...I'll be calling Tony!

 

Marlee

[seabird2]

I and my sister have owned a Luggie scooter for almost a year now. We have been very happy with them. We take off for adventure days out with both scooters opened out fully in my car (a Vauxhall Zafira) Each scooter weighs 27kg inc. battery so it is still a weight for us to pick up but I have a hoist fitted in my car to cope with this. People keep wanting to help me but it only needs me to press a button to load them. :DI could probably get three or four in if they were folded. The main attraction is that the scooter folds up with the battery in it and then pulls along like a shopper on wheels. It is a very useful scooter for taking on public transport as a result. Our purchase included the cases but frankly, there is not much use for the case so I would not suggest its purchase until you discover if you really need one. It is not a rough terain scooter although I have used it on forest paths etc. There are no springs and the seat is not plush but it is intended to get you around rather than for comfort. I want to buy an extra battery to go on my first cruise. I worry about how far I have gone and there is no way of being sure. :( The wheels are solid so you need to look for very low kirbs to get up one. It is however light enough to just hitch the front two wheels up a bigger step and pull up the rear. Overall it is probably not worth the high cost if you look at it as a machine but it is the only one of its kind "for the moment" that truly folds to include the battery. I am looking forward to seeing the next generation.:)

[Luggie Traveler]

Ask me anything about this scooter, and yes there is a company that rents them, Sierra Mobility in Reno NV ask for Don, This is great for cruising get in the doorway fine wheels don't slip, and folds nicely in a case.

[Luggie Traveler]

Patosea

 

Scooter Stores carry the Luggie, being an engineer I looked at all of them, the range on a single charge is 11 miles extra battery fits under the seat in a nice bag. recommend the extra battery, charges in just 2 hours, durable product, just won the Gold Taiwan Award over 456 products came in second overall.

 

Can shop online too several companies offer buy back if you aren't satisfied. Can't beat that!

[GRBlizz]

My DH needs a motorized chair, not a scooter, as his legs just don't hold well in a scooter. We loved the freedom of the scooter we rented for our last cruise (even though it wasn't perfect for him), so I was looking at getting a portable electric wheelchair that I could lift in and out of our car (we just can't bring ourselves to do the van thing). I saw this one: At'm Take Along. Anyone have any experience? We would want it for local activities (mostly church and friends) and cruising use.

 

The Luggie looks very cool, we just can't use a scooter. Any advice?

[rascalrider]

Luggie Traveler, what is the ground clearance on the Luggie? Does it have a thumb throttle or a finger throttle? Does it have a keyed ignition? Is there an indicator of some type to keep you aware of battery power available?

 

The lithium batteries are quite expensive. Any idea of how often they would need to be replaced?

 

My scooters get a lot of mileage put on them in ports. I do my own scooter sightseeing tours when accessible transportation is not available. Last year I bought four batteries at half the cost of one of these lithium ones. The others were still good, but I don't like to start out on a cruise with batteries that only hold 50% of original charge.

 

Do airlines require special handling of the lithium batteries? If it has to be removed and put in the underseat bag, will the bag hold both the operating battery and the spare battery?

[Paul&Kathy]

DH has had a Luggie for about 18 months now and it has been on 4 cruises and about 10 flights and he loves it. So far no problems with tendering, we just wait until the crush has gone and ask nicely can we take it and never been refused yet (NCL, Oceania and Princess) .

 

It does ground at the top of a gangway ramp unless it is almost flat so we tend to fold it up and pull it onboard. It fits easily through the cabin doors and (folded up) pushes under the bed in a standard inside cabin.

 

Airlines always ask about the battery, we have it in writing from the company that it is a 'dry cel polymer' so show them that if asked. Airline policy does vary, however, BA usually let us take it on as hand luggage, Virgin insist that the battery is removed and carried while the scooter goes in the hold, others refuse to let me take the battery as hand luggage ! After stressing for the first few trips we just go with the flow now.

 

Our only issue is after-sales service here in the Uk, the distributor we bought it from no longer deal with them and the new one was impossible to deal with - it's a real shame but the nose-cone is very brittle plastic and needs to be made of metal, we have had about 4 already, but other than that it has been very robust.

 

Mileage - the only time we have run it out on a cruise day was in Monaco when we walked/scooted up the hill to the casino in addition to several miles around the town. I don't think it does the 10 miles they claim but easily 4-5 (which is about all I can keep up with running behind anyway !!). If it does run out you can put it into freewheel and gently walk it along - hardly needs any pushing but if you go to fast the auto brakes come on - so provided the companion is able to walk then you will never be stranded.

 

I can lift it easily into the car boot but DH or, probably, many elderly people, would not be able to. If I have to carry it up airline stairs I take the battery out which does make it easier.

[Agent 86]

Hi Paul and Cathy. The Luggie manufacturer may have provided you with a letter saying it is a 'polymer dry cell' battery but that is misleading. The safety hazard with lithium polymer and lithium ion batteries is the lithium. By not telling the airline that you have a lithium based battery you are causing the airline safety regulations to be violated as there is special treatment required for Lithium batteries. You risk having the scooter removed if they find out.

 

That said, the rules for transporting lithium based batteries are slowly changing and in the next year or two should ease. Delta currently allows no lithium based batteries if you tell them that is what you have. Again by just saying polymer dry cell and leaving lithium out of the description (the Luggie website describes the battery as 'lithium', it is in fact a 'lithium polymer' battery)is misrepresenting the safety hazard.

 

The USA as of Jan. 19 passed new regultations allowing lithium battery powered mobility scooters for the first time. The regulations are voluntary for a year but by next January hopefully they will be adopted by Delta and the like.

 

Let me be clear, I own a lithium powered scooter and am on your side. It is ridiculous that we have to misrepresent our batteries to get them on an airplane. That said we need to make sure we follow the safety regulations for the interests of all the passengers on the plane. I would be happy to answer any questions about the current state of affairs as I participated in the new U.S. rulemaking along with Tony from Travelscoot.

[Paul&Kathy]

That's very interesting, Agent 86, Iappreciately your explanation, but we had no intention of misrepresenting anything, the first time we flew with the scooter they asked what sort of battery, I emailed the company to ask and they said 'dry cel polymer' - no mention of lithium. If they were still in business I would have taken this up with them in light of your explanation. Maybe I will try emailing Freerider to see what they say - we certainly don't want a problem onboard.