Ok,

I've been looking at getting a mobility scooter, I looked at the possibility a while back and chose a car big enough for the dogs and a scooter - just in case - now I'm finding myself having to think about it again otherwise the dogs won't get walked.

However - I don't know if even a scooter will help me. I need something that I can lift into the car preferably, although at worst I could get a ramp but I'm not sure a large heavyweight non foldable thing would fit.
Also, being in Sheffield, I also need something that would go up hills, keep me going for an hour's walk without conking out (it wouldn't be uphill for the full hour) and can manage slightly rough ground.

Is there a foldable scooter that can acheive this? I know nothing about them but presumably if I wanted to use it for longer than the battery life I could carry another battery with me to change part way through?

The smaller, lightweight ones that fit into cars tend to be a lot less powerful and stable than the big 'uns.

My ma in law had an Aquasoothe, an older version of this. (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUASOOTHE-TRAVEL-LIGHT-SCOOTER-NEEDS-ATTENTION_W0QQitemZ190255172908QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item190255172908&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)

It breaks down into three pieces - the seat and foot rest section (which folds), the front bit with the handles and the battery. We needed a lightweight one 'cos I had to lug the bugger down 6 steps at the front of the house, so a standard one wasn't an option.

It fits easily into the boot of a standard car (ie: it'd not fit into a Micra!). It managed the hills around Firth Park OK and, as for stability, despite my ma-in-law's attempts to tip it over by going full pelt over broken tarmac in the park, she didn't quite manage it!!

They usually come with 2 batteries, one which does about 8 miles and one which does 12, but the distance is obviously affected by the number of hills it has to cope with. As you can see from the photo, it comes complete with a basket under the seat where you store a spare battery.

The other small ones we looked at tended to have somewhat smaller seats and less space to put yer feet, which is why we settled for the Aquasoothe

We bought it second-hand from a stall on Barnsley market. The chap was very helpful and brought 3 for us to try out, though the test drive was obviously not very comprehensive.

I've still got the scooter upstairs somewhere, though I haven't had the battery charging or anything, so I'm not sure if it still works.

If you like, I'd be more than happy to find it and see if I can get the battery to charge and you could borrow it for a week or two to see if it would be suitable for you. All it's doing at the moment is sitting gathering dust, because I'm too idle/disorganised to flog it!!

By the way, I'm not just offering you a loan of it in the hopes you'll buy it - I just think us doggie people should stick together! Plus, if I get it out for you, I could even get round to photographing it and sticking it on E-bay.

Oh, and the offer is dependent upon you bringing the spotty dogs along when you come to look at it!!

Dozy :- be careful about whom you go to for the replacement batteries as some places charge an arm and a leg. I'm due for a battery change before much longer, on my powerchair, and I'll be going to SYBS (South Yorkshire Battery Supplies) on Shoreham Street, for mine, as they are much, much cheaper than the mobility shops for the identical items.

Lotti:- if, like me, you would struggle to lift a chair in and out of the car, Motability could help you get adaptations to the car, such as a boot-hoist, to lift the chair/ chair's components into the boot, or help you chose a car like, say, the Astra estate, which has a flat floor to the boot/ estate, rather than a lip like most hatchbacks have. It may be worth pursuing that route, if it gives you the independence to take spotty boys and girls (hehe) for their walkies.

If you contact Shopmobility, they can let you try a number of different styles/ sizes of scoota, to get a feel for which are easiest to handle, most appropriate for your height/ weight/needs/ terrain. Give them a call, they'll be happy to advise.

If you look on Ebay it can give you an idea of what's available to help you put in a scooter, ramp hoist or special trailer. How well a scooter manages the hills depends partly on how heavy the passenger is as well as type of scooter. I would try out some in Shopmobility there and talk to the people there as you will get an unbiased view. You can also have a scooter from them for a longer time than just a shopping trip. If you want to buy new go to the shop, do not invite salesmen to your door as some companies employ extremely pushy salespeople and if you need a loan to pay for it, shop around, don't get the loan through the scoota company as you will pay much higher interest.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Dozy that would be wonderful thank you. I'll pm you.

I'll also contact shopmobility, thanks PT.

I may need adaptations to the car but at present have a C4 Picasso which is great as it should fit a dog crate AND a scooter.

Thanks again and thanks for the advice duckweed - I've seen them advertising scooters that take quite a heavy weight so I don't think it should struggle too much with me although I do need to lose a few pounds!

Thanks everyone for your help.

Dozy that would be wonderful thank you. I'll pm you.

I'll also contact shopmobility, thanks PT.

I may need adaptations to the car but at present have a C4 Picasso which is great as it should fit a dog crate AND a scooter.

Thanks again and thanks for the advice duckweed - I've seen them advertising scooters that take quite a heavy weight so I don't think it should struggle too much with me although I do need to lose a few pounds!

No problem - I'll go and brave the dreaded attic tomorrow, to see if I can find it!!!

I didn't realise Shopmobility offered that service - I think it's excellent, because you can't help wondering if the advice offered by salesmen is the best for you - or for their commission.