The Electric Scooters That RVers Love
Let’s face it, traveling by RV is a lot of fun, but it isn’t always the most convenient way to get around once you’ve reached your destination. Sure, a dinghy vehicle can make things easier, but that can get expensive and overly complicated. For many RVers, an electric scooter is a good—but sometimes overlooked—alternative that makes exploring the local community easy and fun without a lot of hassle.
Image Courtesy of Jetson
Why Bring an Electric Scooter RV Camping?
There are a number of reasons why bringing an e-scooter on an RV trip makes a lot of sense. For instance, they’re lightweight and relatively small, making them easy to store and transport inside a motorhome. They’re also easy to learn how to ride, with most people feeling comfortable behind the handlebars after just a few minutes. Best of all, a scooter is just a lot of fun for zipping around the campground.
But for RVers, electric scooters deliver a lot of convenience. These handy gadgets make trips to the store, a restaurant, the post office, or other campsites much easier, especially when you don’t feel like taking a long walk after a busy day. Running errands on a scooter is faster and more enjoyable, allowing you to get back to the other activities you’d rather be doing much more quickly.
Image Courtesy of GlareWheel
What to Look for When Buying an Electric Scooter
A lot of electric scooters may look alike, but there are some things to consider when purchasing one for use while camping. For instance, if you plan on riding on unpaved trails, you may want a model with larger tires designed for off-road use. Bigger wheels often translate to a smoother ride in general, but not all of them are made for use on dirt, sand, or mud. Tires with knobby lugs will hold their grip better on rough terrain compared to smoother wheels that ride better on the tarmac.
Another important thing to keep in mind when purchasing an electric scooter is how much range it offers. Most models will provide somewhere between 10-25 miles of range depending on the size of the battery they use to power their electric motors. However, several other variables can impact that distance, including the weight of the rider, how smooth the surface is, and the length and steepness of slopes. Riding off-road or on long hills will drain the battery faster than on smooth streets and relatively flat conditions.
Most e-scooters have a top speed that falls in the 15-25 mph range. That may not sound all that fast, but it is surprisingly quick when you’re actually riding along on a city street. Some models will allow you to limit that top speed using a smartphone app, which is a handy safety feature, especially if you have kids who want to ride along. As with range, the maximum speed is impacted by the style of the terrain and the rider’s weight. Going full throttle will also affect how far the scooter can travel between charges.
Other things to consider when shopping for an e-scooter include charging time, weight, and whether or not it comes with additional features like a headlight or a cargo basket. Shorter charging times mean you can get back on the road sooner, and a lightweight design makes a difference when loading and unloading the scooter from your RV. Some scooters will fold down to a smaller footprint to make storage more manageable. Others will come with disc braking systems, seats, and smartphone connectivity for adjusting settings and theft prevention.
As you would expect, the price of an e-scooter tends to go up with additional features and as speed and range increase.
The Best Electric Scooters for RV Camping
Keeping all of the above features and specs in mind, these are the best electric scooters for RV camping.
Image Courtesy of Swagger
Swagger 5 Elite
While there are e-scooters on the market that offer a longer range, faster top speed, and more features, it’s hard to beat the Swagger 5 Elite in terms of all-around performance at an affordable price. This model has everything riders could ask for, including an LED headlight, maintenance-free airless tires, and smartphone integration for adjusting settings and route planning.
The Swagger 5 Elite has a 250-watt motor that can propel the scooter along at up to 18 mph. It has a range of 12 miles on a single charge and is powerful enough to sustain a maximum load of over 320 pounds, easily accommodating an adult rider and cargo. And with a charging time of just 3.5 hours, it is always ready to go when you are.
Two other standout features include the Swagger 5 Elite’s 33-pound weight—relatively svelte for an e-scooter—and its folding design. Because it is so lightweight, this model is easy to move about the RV and campsite, even when its battery is depleted. And since it folds down to a smaller size, it is very easy to store when not in use.
Buy the Swagger 5 Elite at Camping World
Image Courtesy of MotoTech
MotoTec Free Ride
The MotoTec Free Ride electric scooter is a powerful option for those looking to ride on and off-road. It has a 600-watt motor and a 48-volt battery, giving it a top speed of 25 mph and a range of 15-22 miles. The large battery has an average charging time of around five hours, getting riders back on the trail as quickly as possible.
The Free Ride is equipped with a front and rear suspension, making riding over rough terrain more comfortable and manageable. The scooter also comes with knobby 10″ tires that grip well on a variety of surfaces, including dirt and mud. The electric drive sends plenty of torque to those wheels, maintaining control and speed on rough terrain.
At 48.5-pounds, the Free Ride is a bit heavier than other models, but its folding design helps to make it surprisingly transportable. The scooter is equipped with dual headlights, a taillight, and LED strip lighting along the sides, which aid in visibility in low light conditions. A built-in LCD screen serves as the unit’s command center, displaying speed, distance, and battery life.
Buy the MotoTec Free Ride at Camping World
Image Courtesy of GlareWheel
GlareWheel EX-S10X
Built to cover 18-25 miles on a single charge and hit speeds of over 15 mph, the GlareWheel EX-S10X balances performance and efficiency. This scooter’s bright headlight, taillight, and under-deck ambient lighting enhance safety out on the road, as does its triple braking system. It even comes with 8.5″ solid tires designed to avoid going flat at any time.
GlareWheel’s integrated technology allows riders to link their smartphone to the EX-S10X, unlocking some handy additional features via a mobile app. Those features include limiting the scooter’s top speed and activating cruise control, which maintains a constant velocity on longer rides. The app also monitors battery life and the distance traveled while providing access to the scooter’s anti-theft modes. When switched on, the electric motor and wheels lock in place, rendering the unit non-functional.
Tipping the scales at 37 pounds, the EX-S10X strikes a good balance between weight and durability. The scooter is well built and designed, with components that are tough enough to survive plenty of abuse in the outdoors. As with most other models on this list, the two-wheeled vehicle reduces its size by folding down when not in use.
Buy the GlareWheel EX-S10X at Camping World
Image Courtesy of Jetson
Jetson Eris
While the Jetson Eris won’t overwhelm riders with lots of high-tech features or groundbreaking performance, it does offer solid specs at an attractive price. Lightweight, agile, and fun to ride, the Eris zips along at sustained speeds of 14 mph for up to 12 miles between charges. The scooter comes with 8.5″ tires for smooth riding on pavement and includes both a headlight and taillight.
While the Eris doesn’t come with an integrated LCD, it does have a built-in clip that can securely hold a smartphone while riding. When paired with the scooter, that device serves as the primary display, providing updates on the current battery life, speed, and distance traveled. It also allows riders to adjust the scooter’s settings, turn on the headlight, and navigate to points of interest.
The 30-pound Eris is one of the lightest e-scooters on the market, which makes it an ideal travel companion for RVers. Additionally, the handlebars fold down onto the deck to help reduce the size of the unit when it comes time to store it. And when you’re ready to ride, everything snaps back into place in a matter of seconds.
Buy the Jetson Eris at Camping World
Image Courtesy of Jetson
Jetson Ryder
The Jetson Ryder is an e-scooter built for people who might not feel comfortable on a more traditional model. The Ryder has a built-in adjustable seat, allowing passengers to sit down while they roll along on the road or trail. The scooter’s massive 12″ tires easily glide over dirt, mud, and snow, providing a comfortable and controlled experience.
With its 250-watt motor and 36-volt battery, the Ryder is capable of speeds of up to 15.5 mph with a 12-mile range. The scooter features a twist throttle and a handbrake for maintaining control and comes equipped with a front-facing LED light. A basket for carrying cargo sits behind the seat, making this an excellent model for supply runs to the store or hauling gear between campsites.
The Ryder’s larger tires and frame add some weight and bulk to the scooter. The unit weighs 48 pounds, and even though it has folding handlebars, it still occupies more space than a traditional e-scooter. That said, it still fits nicely inside an RV and brings more versatility to the campsite.
Buy the Jetson Ryder at Camping World
Image Courtesy of MotoTech
MotoTec 2000-Watt Electric Scooter
The MotoTec 2000-Watt e-scooter is a rugged off-roader with 11″ pneumatic knobby tires, a front and rear suspension, and an over-engineered frame. It is also equipped with a quick-release seat, giving riders a comfortable place to sit while riding on trails or pavement. It even comes with a key ignition, which you won’t find on most other scooters.
With its powerful 2000-watt motor, this scooter can easily conquer steep hills and rough terrain. It has a range of 10-20 miles and can reach speeds of up to 30 mph, easily outpacing just about any other model in its price range. An economy mode limits speed in favor of conserving battery life and is recommended when riding around town.
Compared to traditional e-scooters, the MotoTec 2000-Watt model is faster and has a more reliable range. It is also much heavier—105 pounds according to the manufacturer—and requires 6-8 hours to recharge its battery. But if you’re looking for a fun and fast scooter to accompany you on your RV adventures, this is the one for you.
Buy the MotoTec 2000-Watt Electric Scooter at Camping World
Image Courtesy of Razor
Razor EcoSmart Metro HD
RVers looking for a scooter with a comfortable ride and the option to carry cargo will want to have the Razor EcoSmart Metro HD on their shopping list. This model comes with a well-padded seat and a large basket that attaches to a detachable rear luggage rack. But it is the Metro HD’s unusually large 16″ pneumatic tires that make it the smoothest riding scooter on this list.
The Metro HD has a 350-watt electric motor with a high level of torque, allowing it to take on hills with power and confidence. It offers a top velocity of 15.5 mph and has a range of up to 12 miles before needing a recharge. A twist-grip throttle gives the rider precise control over the speed, while a hand brake makes it easy to maintain control and balance.
This model straddles the line between traditional scooters and an e-bike, sharing some features with both products. It is larger and heavier—72 pounds—than some other scooters, and it doesn’t easily fold down to a smaller size. But, it is less intimidating for new riders, and its large tires give it increased stability on the road. If you have space to haul it in your RV, the Metro HD is an excellent choice for extra mobility at the campsite.
Buy the Razor EcoSmart Metro HD at Camping World
Photo Credit: Jetson
Jetson Disney Villains Kids Scooters
Kids love to ride scooters too, but it isn’t always a good idea to put them on a model made for adults. Instead, consider the Jetson Disney Villains model, which comes with colorful graphics featuring famous animated characters along with a host of features designed specifically with younger riders in mind.
This e-scooter is built for riders weighing 132 pounds or less. It has a top speed of 7 mph and a max range of 4 miles, which is enough to allow kids to safely zip around the campground at speeds that aren’t overwhelming. This model features smooth 5.3″ wheels and a foot-activated braking system that ensure a safe, comfortable ride with good balance and control.
Other features include illuminated wheels and deck, which not only delight kids but improves visibility their visibility with other drivers and pedestrians. The scooter weighs just 10 pounds, making it easy to manuver and carry, even for children. It sells at an affordable price too, delivering a lot of bang for the buck.
Buy the Jetson Disney Villains Kids Scooter at Camping World
An electric scooter is a surprisingly useful item to have in your RV, bringing high levels of convenience and fun. Having a scooter or two at your disposal will change how you explore a location and make running errands a quicker, more enjoyable experience. Just remember, when riding, always obey the rules of the road, stay safe, and don’t forget to recharge the batteries.
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