How do you fold your TravelScoot?

From Jean, a new TravelScoot owner

This is me, with my brand new Travelscoot in Las Vegas in the Mirage hotel.  most people know how huge those hotel/casinos are and this was perfect to get around.  It is so maneuverable it was easy to move among the rows of slots, etc...not that I would ever do that of course.  This was the first time I've ever used it other than trying it out when we got it.  I love it now I have to figure out how to get it to fold and unfold to go in my trunk.  I sure don't find that as easy as some of the demos show.

Do you have tips for Jean on perfecting the art of folding your scooter?  If so, comment on this post or mail them to me at elizabeth@ifisher.com.  I found that practice makes perfect.  Within a week or so of getting my scoot I could fold it down in under a minute.

Compliments on Tony Korn, TravelScoot

I've had two compliments recently about Tony Korn, our U.S. TravelScoot provider.

The first came from one of our regular posters, Dean Hughson:

Tony is a standup guy. I have a 'short' in one of my lithiums and he is replacing it.  I don't know if other people have had much contact with him but he is a good provider of services and I appreciate his spirit.  It is a privilege to do business with someone of this caliber.  

The second came in a much more unusual way.  I was coming out of Target last Saturday and a man chased me out of the store, yelling "ma'am, ma'am!"  I knew immediately it was about the TravelScoot because this is FAR from the first time it's happened, but instead of wanting information about my scooter, he wanted to thank me.  Many months ago I was in a medical complex and a couple flagged me down for information about the TravelScoot.  They were the daughter and son-and-law of the man at Target.  My friend Rhonda ended up demonstrating the TravelScoot for the wife of the man at Target.  When Rhonda and I do this, we usually don't know what happens afterwards, so it was nice to find out that they'd bought the TravelScoot and had really been enjoying it.  One thing the man told me was that they'd had something go out on the scoot and he had called Tony and Tony had immediately sent him the parts he needed.  He seemed quite pleased with the quality of service he received.  That's been my experience too.  Thank you, Tony!

'97 Toyota Rav 4 and the TravelScoot

From Krystal:

Vroom-vroom fits nicely in the back of a '97 Toyota Rav 4.

I added a desk floor mat to protect the carpet.  A frame of pipes held down with velcro (so it can be removed if needed) helps keep the front wheel from turning while loading/unloading, and a twist tie holds it in place while moving.

Keep riding cool,

Krystal

Lincoln MKX 2011 and the TravelScoot (with a lift)

From Empress Bee (of the high sea):

I have a Lincoln MKX (the suv one) and recently had the lift installed. This is a photo of the back of the 2011 Lincoln MKX with the lift.

Bicicletta di Juge

I read a post on a fellow TravelScooter's blog that I thought you all would enjoy.  Read it and discover how Juge's TravelScoot came to be known as "Bicicletta di Juge."  It's a sweet story.

http://handinhappy.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-new-friend-travelscoot.html

Honda Crosstour and the TravelScoot

From Richard Jay

Hello Elizabeth, I always enjoy receiving your e-mails.  I recently moved from the Philippines to Las Vegas, Nevada.  The first thing I wanted to do after buying a home was to purchase a car.  I didn't want an SUV or any utility style vehicle.  Fortunately, there was an auto show in Las Vegas just the time I was getting ready to make a purchase.  I wanted a sedan, and  did not want to fold the travel scoot or take off the front wheel.  After seeing every sedan at the auto show, only 2 sedans satisfied this prerequisite.  One was a Honda Crosstour, the other was a Toyota Prius.  I opted for the bigger, more luxurious Honda.  The car was made with a travel scoot in mind.  It almost seemed like Mr. Huber and Honda synchronized for this perfect fit.

When pulling up to the Vegas hotels and casinos, valets are always very impressed how simple, light and easy it is to remove the scooter in its upright unfolded position.  Only requirement after it has been removed from the trunk is to put on the seat.

I hope that this information is helpful to my other travelscoot buddies.  I haven't purchased the hard golf bag recommended recently. It is on my things to do list and I eventually I will get one.  Thanks for that tip!

Regards to all travelscoot buddies,

Richard Jay.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Toyota Highlander and the TravelScoot

From Denise:

Funny you should bring this subject up as I 've been thinking about changing vehicles.  Right now I drive a Toyota Highlander, which I do love but with gas prices hitting $4 a gallon I've been thinking about getting the new Prius V5 that has a larger cargo area then the Prius that my husband drives.  I haven't made it to the dealer yet to see if the TS will actually "fit" but from all the pictures I've seen of this new model, it looks like it might.  We can get the TS in a standard Prius with the back seats down and a bit of a tipping to get it past a low spot in the headliner.  I cannot do this myself without hubby's help.  Right now this is just a possibility, not sure I am actually going to make the switch.

Like I said, I carry my TS in a Highlander and as you see, we have PLENTY of room.  Also note another item I've been meaning to share with you and your readers is that I further customized my seat.  I added decorative furniture nails to the banding around the seat.  If you remember I  had mine customized at a auto upholstery shop and though they did a very nice LOOKING job, the banding was starting to pop off just like it did with the original black.  It seemed the staples were not long enough and popping.  So, I got the idea about the decorative nails and so far they are working great and gives it an "Easy Rider" look LOL.  Next I want to get some purple upholstery spray color the canvas pouch.

OK back to transportation.  While traveling I have also set the TS in the truck of a Ford Crown Victoria trunk with only dropping the tiller to the lowest position and the lid of the trunk closed with no problem.

So, that has been my experience with my Travelscoot and transportation.

2011 Toyota Rav 4 and the TravelScoot

 

From Kate:

My TravelScoot fits nicely in my 2011 Toyota Rav 4, without folding. BTW the RAV 4 is excellent for being arthritis friendly for people with painful hands. 

Code of Federal Regulations for Lithium Ion Batteries 49 CFR 175.10

Below is the DOT regulation regarding airline travel with lithium ion batteries.  Up to January 1, 2012, compliance with this regulation has been on a voluntary basis for the airlines.  As of January 1, 2012, compliance is mandatory.

TravelScoot's single capacity Li-Ion battery contains 24 gram lithium and is approved for air travel.

The complete text of 49 CFR 175.10 is at
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1cbbd60e3b9ad751579279fd251f54b3&rgn=div8&view=text&node=49:2.1.1.3.11.1.25.5&idno=49.  Sections 17 and 18 apply to the lithium ion batteries.  I have excerpted the text below:

(17) A lithium ion battery-powered wheelchair or other mobility aid as follows:

(i) A wheelchair or other mobility aid equipped with a lithium ion battery, when carried as checked baggage, provided—

(A) The lithium ion battery must be of a type that successfully passed each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria as specified in §173.185 of this subchapter, unless approved by the Associate Administrator;

(B) Visual inspection of the wheelchair or mobility aid reveals no obvious defects;

(C) Battery terminals must be protected from short circuits ( e.g., by being enclosed within a battery container that is securely attached to the mobility aid);

(D) The pilot-in-command is advised, either orally or in writing, prior to departure, as to the location of the wheelchair or mobility aid aboard the aircraft; and

(E) The wheelchair or mobility aid is loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded in an upright position and in a manner that prevents unintentional activation and protects it from damage.

(F) A lithium metal battery is forbidden aboard a passenger-carrying aircraft.

(ii) A wheelchair or other mobility aid when carried as checked or carry-on baggage, provided—

(A) The wheelchair or other mobility aid is designed and constructed in a manner to allow for stowage in either a cargo compartment or in the passenger cabin;

(B) The lithium ion battery and any spare batteries are carried in the same manner as spare batteries in paragraph (a)(18) of this section.

(C) The lithium ion battery and any spare batteries are carried in the same manner as spare batteries in paragraph (a)(18) of this section.

(18) Except as provided in §173.21 of this subchapter, portable electronic devices (for example, watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, lap-top and notebook computers, camcorders, etc.) containing cells or batteries (including lithium cells or batteries) and spare batteries and cells for these devices, when carried by passengers or crew members for personal use. Each spare battery must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits (by placement in original retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. , by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch) and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each installed or spare battery must not exceed the following:

(i) For a lithium metal battery, a lithium content of not more than 2 grams per battery; or

(ii) For a lithium-ion battery, an aggregate equivalent lithium content of not more than 8 grams per battery, except that up to two batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of more than 8 grams but not more than 25 grams may be carried.

TravelScoot and the "SMART" Car

I am impressed.  The TravelScoot fits in the SMART car, unfolded!  Click HERE to view a video of Hardy Huber, TravelScoot inventor, loading his scoot into a SMART car.

What vehicle do you carry your TravelScoot in?

Hi everyone.  I'd like to do a blog post about transporting the TravelScoot and it's true that when it's folded up it will fit in any vehicle (at least any I can think of), but if you're carrying yours without folding it up, what vehicle are you putting it in?

Please tell me the make, model and year of the vehicle, and if you have a picture of your TravelScoot in it, that would be wonderful!  You can either post it in the comment section or send me an email, elizabeth@ifisher.com.

Both the pictures are of a TravelScoot in the back of our 1999 Honda Odyssey.  In the first one there are two TravelScoots and the back seat is folded down into the floorboard.  The van will seat 4 people in this configuration. In the second one it's in the back well, and the van will seat 6 people.

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)

Dean Hughson shared a letter with us that he sent to Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) about a recent trip he took with his TravelScoot.  Dean said his TravelScoot was so happy it got to ride in business class upstairs that it ran fast through the Stockholm Sweden airport.  He had to remind it that it is a servant, not the passenger.

More information about SSA is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavian_Airlines .


From: Dean Hughson
To: SAS


Per, I am back from my trip to ORD-Stockholm-AMS-Copenhagen-ORD

First let me tell you your help was immensely appreciated.  Your notes in the computer helped the ground crew in Chicago understand and I wish I had the woman's name (Belgian I think). She was amazing. She took me to the plane and all of a sudden 2 of your stewardesses picked up my TravelScoot (16 kgs)   www.travelscoot.com  and carried it to the front of business class and put it in with the luggage there. When I arrived in Stockholm they carried it out and I was one of the first people off of the airplane: felt like a rock star. I happened to be on the flight with long term stewardess Eva who was retiring after 39 years and this was her last flight and her mentoring of the other staff was an inspiration to all of them and to me personally: I love to see someone who loves their job and after 39 years it is obvious SAS loved her also.

I observed with my own eyes your staff's careful care for other disabled people and you should be commended. I think if you don't have it already, you should put together a 'panel' of handicapped people to give you info on developments in technology (like TravelScoot) and other things coming down the road in the future.  As an aging world, you will see more people needing some assistance to fly and you guys are on it.

Thanks again. I will favor SAS with my business in the future.

Dean Hughson, COO
Henningsen Foods
www.henningsenfoods.com
Omaha, Nebraska

Modifying to use a cane

From Cynth:

I saw the cane post today and thought I would send you my customization. My new cane has a bigger tip and it did not fit in the scoots can cup. I had a plastic Easter egg in my drawer that the cane end fit into so I punched two holes in the bottom of the biggest half of the egg and ran a wire through them then wired the half an egg on top of the scoots cane holder. Works great.  To hold my cane up by the handlebars I use a drawstring. 

Lymphedema patients benefit from TravelScoot

From Dean:

For many of us who suffer from lymphedema walking great distances is a problem when your legs are wrapped or in compression bandages.  I tell people frequently that I couldn't do 180,000+ miles/year travel if it wasn't for my TravelScoot but even in my home city, Omaha, it allows me to be mobile.  I was at a hospital yesterday receiving massage therapy on my legs and as I left on my scooter I saw an old man with a cane struggling through the hospital and I heard him say "That is what I need".  I agree with him but many people are too proud to acknowledge their lack of ability to move around and suffer needlessly when they could be using mobility aids.  I think the best thing we can do as happy users is to help spread the word and explain why people should use TravelScoots. I have heard people say cruel things like  "It just makes you lazy". If they think that users would use them if there was an alternative, they are crazy.     Stroke victims, people recovering from leg surgeries, are all good candidates also.

 

Shopping with a rolling cart

This is Rhonda's new shopping cart.  It came from Office Depot, and costs about $20.  According to the manufacturer it can hold 60 lbs.  You can see it on Office Depot's website here.  

This is Melissa, shopping in Target with Rhonda's new cart. She said it worked well for her. Rhonda said to let you all know that it folds up and stores easily in her vehicle.

TravelScoot maintenance: Cleaning the fabric triangle

The TravelScoot comes with a fabric caddy that attaches with Velcro between the main frame. A few weeks ago something I was carrying leaked and I ended up with a huge stain on mine. I really didn't know if I could get it out or not. It turned out to be super easy to make it look like new again. We detached the fabric triangle from the scoot and I put it in the kitchen sink. I used a scrubbing sponge and some Dawn dishwashing liquid and it took the stain out immediately. When I was finished rinsing it I dried it with a towel and it was soon dry enough to put back on the scoot.

Speeding Up and Slowing Down

So the other day I took a little ride around the parking lot at work to enjoy the sunshine and feel the wind in my hair. When I got back to my desk THIS sticky note was on my computer monitor. I was busted by my coworkers -- for speeding on a TravelScoot!

I still haven't paid the "fine" (or suffered any consequences) but I am slowing down my life for awhile to take care of a health issue. I'll be having surgery in a few weeks and will be recovering after that, so please be patient if my posts are few and far between during this time.

If you're new here and considering a TravelScoot, please take time to read through previous posts. So many have shared their experiences and adventures.

If you have something you'd like to share, please send it to me at elizabeth@ifisher.com. It might take me awhile to post it, but nothing puts a smile on my face like hearing from someone who is able to get out and do things that they couldn't do before they had their scoot.

Happy trails!

The Krewe of Peggy, a Mardi Gras Adventure!

This adventure began with a broken seat on 2/24/2011, the Thursday before the first big weekend of Carnival Parades in New Orleans, leading up to the big day, Mardi Gras. I called Tony with my crisis. I think it took him a few minutes to realize it was a crisis. He suggested seeing if I could get someone to fix it. My brother, Bobby, came to the rescue. He had a piece of pipe, a flange, and the equipment to make it work. He was able to cut the pipe, file it because it was a little big, tread it so he could put it into the flange and then bolt that to the aluminum plate under the seat.

Thank goodness. I use my scooter daily as a teacher of high school students with autism. We take them in community to learn how to make purchases and explore potential jobs. The scooter allows me to go everywhere.

Since Bobby got my temporary (now backup) seat to work, I was able to e-mail Tony, order a new seat and have it shipped. It would come in the Friday before the next big weekend of parades. This was important because I needed to be able to put the seat back on. With Bobby’s rig, the seat didn’t snap into place. I needed to be able to put a flag on the seat back so that people could see me better when I was riding in the street. New Orleans sidewalks are terrible, courtesy of all of the large live oak trees. In the street I might have to dodge pot holes but didn’t have all the breaks as in the side walk.

The weather was beautiful today and we didn’t need to bring the ice chest. You can see I was loaded down. We were a comical site with me in the lead, Anne following, and then Diane bringing up the rear. Anne is a resident of Poydras Home which is on the parade route. They have a BBQ for the residents and their families on Sunday. I brought my friend Sandy to push Anne’s chair, Diane and her mother Carole came along too. Anne knew all of these people and enjoyed sharing her “home” with us. We were just glad of the most precious commodity at parades, a BATHROOM! We also enjoyed spending time with Anne.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Peggy

 

Has anyone seen my hinge bolt?

From Elford

On my last ride on my Travelscoot, I lost my hinge bolt. I didn`t realize it until I tried to fold it up and put it into the trunk of the car. I sent an e-mail to Hardy and he sent me another one immediately. So from now on I wiil check the bolt for tightness so I won`t lose it again. Enjoy reading about your cruises with Travelscoot.

Elford lives in Helsinki and has had his TravelScoot for almost 2 years. He's sent in many wonderful posts and pictures of his adventures. If you'd like to read them, click the link below.

http://mytravelscoot.blogspot.com/search?q=elford

Changing the TravelScoot Belt

Changing the TravelScoot Belt
	As part of preventive maintenance we decided to change the belt on my TravelScoot. Melissa came so she could help and learn more about how to perform maintenance on her own scoot. In this picture Alan is reading the belt change instructions. Click any picture to see a larger version
	This is the hex tool that came with the scoot.
	Alan and Melissa decided the wheel needed to be propped up, so they turned the seat upside down and propped it on the u-bar part of the yoke.
	Melissa is rolling the old belt off.
	Tada!
	Now they're working together (each with a hex tool) to get the wheel off.
	There was some cursing involved because they were having a hard time getting the wheel loose.
	Alan went and got the big guns -- his ratchet set.
	Success!
	Now Melissa is rolling the new belt on.
	Alan is putting the pin back that holds the wheel on.
	There's that ratchet again.
	All done!