Tow Hitch for Electric Mobility Scooters

Introduction

A Mobility Scooter is a mobility aid equivalent to a wheelchair but configured like a motor-scooter. It is also referred to as a power-operated vehicle/scooter or electric scooter. The newest accessory for electric mobility scooters gives more shopping and recreational freedom to its riders.

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A Brief History of the Mobility Scooter

The original electric scooter invented was designed to assist those with walking impairments to go from point A to point B. To assist them in gaining more mobility, which translates into gaining additional personal freedom and further breaking the barriers of their physical limitations.

The first crude mobility scooter was introduced in 1954 and was billed by Sears as an electric wheel chair, but it was more in common with a mobility scooter with its large seat, extra-large battery capacity and three wheel design. It was not a commercial success.

Then in 1968 Allan R. Thieme invented the first mobility scooter that was a commercial success, in Bridgeport, Michigan. Thieme was personally motivated to create this product to help a family member diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This first mobility scooter, a front-wheel drive model, was conceived and built at his home. The Amigo, as it was brand-named, initiated the entire "scooter" industry. Today, Amigo Mobility International Inc headquarters are located in Bridgeport, Mich.

The Problem

Since 1954 until today mobility scooters predominantly only gave a boost in additional personal mobility to the walking impaired. A fantastic boost according to many. But still not a complete freedom as the riders still have huge limitations in what they can or cannot bring along with them on their mobility journey. Since bicycles have had baskets on them for a long time, it was only natural that the baskets also migrate onto mobility scooters.

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Baskets on mobility scooters helped scooter riders a little as now they had a place to put their purse or other small bag of cargo. But still a scooter basket is no real substitute for a real shopping cart or the need to carry and haul significant quantities as on a real shopping trip as the kind that people frequently embark on in everyday real life.

Riders of mobility scooters were still left with the limitation of being unable to carry and haul the items they really wanted to bring along the most. They always had to make do with the limited technology/capacity at hand, and were frequently left out of the activities that mattered to them the most.

According to Martyn from South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, England:

"I have recently become disabled and have been unable to participate in my favorite sport of fishing for quite some time. So, I am very pleased that I was able to buy a purpose made device to enable me to do just that. I hope to e-mail you photos of me and my trailers in action. I look forward in eager anticipation of its arrival here in England."

Although Martyn could now use his mobility scooter to get to the water's edge for fishing, he was unable to bring along the gear necessary to successfully fish with. He was very grateful when he purchased the new invention that now allowed him to bring, carry and haul virtually anything he wants to accompany him on his scooter journeys. Martyn now gained his favorite sport of fishing back after several years of being denied its joyous pleasure and relaxation time. What good is being retired if you're locked up/cooped up in your home all the time unable to go where you want, or do what you want to do

According to Arthur, His kids and father in law (on a mobility scooter) were going to Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. The father in law needed a way to be able to bring the two young children plus enough gear for the day, without being able to push a stroller as he was limited to riding a mobility scooter. The new mobility scooter invention allowed him to accomplish this to his delight.

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According to Sharon of Deland, FL who loved the bargain hunting adventures afforded her at her local flea markets, when she became limited to riding a mobility scooter, her favorite past time melted away as it did her no good to find and buy the best bargain trophies, as she could no longer transport them while on her scooter. Now she was transformed into a spectator instead of the traditional role as a participator which saddened her greatly.

But then thanks to the new mobility scooter invention, not only was Sharon able to haul her shopping trophies again from the flea market, she actually discovered shopping on a mobility scooter with the new invention was easier and more fun than before she became limited to riding scooters when she could walk all she wanted to.

According to Sharon, a unforeseen benefit she gained when she began hauling trailers and wagons with her scooter, is now every weekend when her granddaughter comes to visit, the granddaughter loves being towed on the "train" (as she calls it) to the local playground at a nearby park where they spend the afternoon together.

Sharon says:

"I have discovered a new way my granddaughter spends quality time with me as she is having as much fun as I am with her. Without the scooter and wagon setup, we couldn't walk the mile to the park. Driving there is no fun but it was my only option, but once there all I could do was sit on a bench as Leigh Ann roamed the playground by herself within my sight. But now not only do we have a blast riding the scooter and wagon to the park, but once there I can roam the playground with her as my chair is on wheels. Now I can keep up with her adorable childish nature to go explore everything as grandma is always with her, supporting her. The value of quality time with a grandchild that enjoys being with me doing our fun activities together is beyond what words can express. This invention has rebuilt my life back to what I want it to be."

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According to Reg Hardy of Nashua, NH author of Mobility Scooter Solutions Website:

"My wife and I like to shop the Big Box stores and malls where I get a chance to stretch my scooter's ability. The front baskets are useless and knapsacks also don't hold much. I am also concerned I will break my wife. She does all the heavy lifting as my legs aren't much help. The (new mobility scooter invention) market cart on wheels solves both these problems.

I have some other ideas about using the set-up for hauling grocery items, shopping farmer's markets (up here we often go direct to the farm) and moving summer and winter clothing back and forth to the garage. There are a number of flea markets around here, usually in the summer months.

I am planning a lot of tool shopping for friends at Christmas and the (new mobility scooter invention) cart will be great for Home Depot. It also is a neat way to deliver Christmas presents."

Helping My Caregiver:

"There are few things a MS person can do to help out. For the better part of 40 years I could have, but didn't help my wife with work around the home, now I can't. I am reminded of this every time she helps me out of love. We love to go shopping together Costco, Home Depot or Lowes, but she has to carry everything."

Helping Myself:

"Since moving into our own condo, my roaming area has expanded to better than four city blocks which includes two mini malls, a hobby shop and several stores where my wife old actually buy things for herself. I have my own gift shopping world if there was just some way to transport them back home."

Physical Fitness:

"I recently joined a gym located within my roaming circle. The exercise is good for getting my MS under control. Did you ever try to carry a gym bag on a mobility scooter."

Yard work:

"I used to do it all the time, but lately have left it to others including my wife. The condo association does the lawn mowing and snow removal, but our building is flanked with a forest of trees, including a phalanx of pines. If there is one pine cone out there, there are 500 that need picking up. That's something I could do if I could just carry them."

Rear basket:

"My scooter is equipped with a receiver/receptacle and I figured it would hold a basket. I got a seven-inch length of square tubing at Home Depot, drilled a pin hole in it and bolted a metal tee to it. I then bolted a large metal basket to it. It wouldn't balance correctly and I lost the first four grocery bags I tried. Yup, Broke a half dozen eggs. Trashed the project."

Economic, green move:

"I realized about two years ago that the Restless Leg Syndrome caused by my MS was making automobile driving more and more risky. It created erratic spurts on the gas pedal I could not control."

"I did the math and between car payments, insurance and registration I'd save about $500 a month if I just gave it away. The rising cost of gas for maybe four trips a month cinched it. I sold the car and left myself with a mobility scooter. Works for me except I don't have room to carry anything."

The Solution? A Mobility Scooter Invention

It is a JCV-TOW-HITCH which connects to the rear of most mobility scooters. This jcv tow hitch allows normal electric scooters to tow and pull with them, wagons, trailers, market carts and trolley's.

The benefit & gain:

• This allows the riders of disability scooters to carry and haul up to 20 times more groceries and shopping items than a scooter basket.
• Now scooter riders can go shopping without the cargo hauling limitations previously associated with scooters.
• Now scooter riders can bring along passengers (for the ride) as when they want to go strolling (rolling) with their grandchildren, perhaps to a park or through a flea market, and even Disney Land.
• Now scooter riders can bring along their pet on their journey without having to make the pet run along and tire out.
• Now scooter riders gain the additional freedom of being able to bring along what they can't carry so as their lives makes another significant leap further towards normalcy, freedom and self-independence.

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Short of giving them back the ability to walk well, this removes one of the last major obstacles for riders of disability mobility scooters. For so long they have been limited in their abilities, but now that is quickly changing in a major way as more of them learn about the JCV-TOW-HITCH option for bringing along everything they want with them. It is a Godsend to many like Martyn who can resume his beloved sport of fishing and spending quality time outdoors. And Sharon who now takes her granddaughter out riding with her on her scooter as she resumes her bargain hunting adventures at the flea market.

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2013, January 15 - Last revised: 2021, December 28). Tow Hitch for Electric Mobility Scooters. Disabled World. Retrieved October 6, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/mobility/scooters/accessories/tow-hitch.php

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