Anyone use scooters? (Zuma, Vespa, etc..)

Dawghouse92 wrote:
I was just wondering if anyone uses a scooter when they travel and what that experience is like. I bought a class c last year we currently dont use a tow vehicle. I dont really want to tow a car but would like to be able to get around when we travel. I was thinking about getting 2 Zumas for the wife and I and a versahauler. Basically combined its about 700lbs so it seems convenient and easy.

i know some parks dont allow them but was hoping for some insight by people who go this route. thanks.

I don't think a "Versahaul" would be what you want for 2 Zuma's. You have to consider the see-saw effect of what you are proposing to haul.

This subject comes up fairly frequently. There are several things you need to check. You need to know what your current "ready to go" weight is on the rear axle compared to the GAWR. Know the capacity of your receiver hitch - usually 350 or 500 lbs. Know the weight of your small scooters. Add the weight of the carrier for the scooter. Measure the distance from the front axle to the rear axle. Measure the distance from the rear axle to the center of your scooter carrier. Now multiply the weight of the scooters plus the carrier by the distance behind the rear axle. Divide this answer by the distance between the axles. This is the amount you are lifting off the front axle (the see saw effect). If for example:
1. scooters weigh 250 lbs each
2. carrier weighs 100 lbs
3. scooter carrier is 8 feet behind the rear axle
4. wheelbase is 12 feet.
(500+100=600 x 8 feet divide by 12 = 400). In this example the scooters would be adding 1,000 lbs to the rear axle and the front axle would be 400 lbs lighter.

The above is not to discourage you from considering it, but to give you some things to consider. There is a see-saw effect that will lift weight off your front axle. I believe Ford recommends something like 32 to 35% of your weight should be on the front axle for stability.

This subject usually is counter-intuitive. The expectation is that the bigger the RV unit the more ability it has to carry or pull a load. The surprise is that the longer ones often have the same chassis as the shorter and lighter ones.

A small trailer would be your best solution.