The P5: What Would You Change?

[WilliamH]

You bring up a point that I don't think has been discussed [AMAZED!]. To secure the front wheels you're going to have to remove the fairings to get the straps on...not liking it already. It seems there would be 'some' lean in the corners depending on how stiff the front suspension is, but I don't see it being significant. If they're towing mine, they'd better send the roll-back type tow truck.

That's one that I've been thinking about for a while.
I plan to pick mine up in Shreveport on a 16' utility trailer.
How do I tie it down to get my weight balance right.
( Thought I got away from weight and balance when I quit flying. )
Not to mention keeping the rear end of the Elio from bouncing around on the trailer.
I've pretty much ruled out a two wheeled dolly.
Uhaul car transporters are not built for three wheelers.
Some interesting issues here.

 

[Coss]

I wouldn't worry I know the cluster will be modified by the aftermarket.

something like this

Those were just gauge faceplates, not full replacement gauges.
We've been over this point a number of times; replacing the gauges is actually difficult; you're working in a very small confined area. Then besides the gauges, you have to have matching sender units, and the speedo head will have to be calibrated to match what the car is actually doing, that's why it's best to go to a GPS unit. By the time is all said and done, you'll be into it for close to $1K and not many people want to spend that much on a $7K vehicle (I'm just rounding numbers here). So yes, it can be done, no it's not cheap, nor is it easy.

 

[Coss]

Does anyone drive a wrecker? If an elio is picked up by the front wheels will it tend to tip off the wrecker because the Elio has no rear stability?

The rear stability??? Have you ever worked with a wheelbarrow? It would be almost the same; the front wheels would be locked in place, and the back wheel will just follow the rest of the car. It would be the same if you attached a wheelbarrow to your back bumper by the handles, the wheelbarrow would just follow right along. They even make trailers like that

 

[Chaz]

Ditto. Had all 3....only matters when it's time to fill'er up. The one under the plate stumped me for about 30 minutes the 1st time I had to fill up.

I moved to Spain and took my Wrangler which had the it under the plate. Spain did not let you pump your own gas, the attendant would walk around my car until I told them where it was "sota de la placa". It did not help I had the only Wangler in Catalonia

 

[Frim]

Nothing against the Elgin, but I would like some functional gauges instead of idiot lights. If something is going 'south', I want a little heads up before it gets to the border. Might have to fab some pillar gauges to satisfy my OCD about what's going on under the hood.

That's CDO if you really have it. You have to keep those letters in order.(smiles)

 

[floydv]

My concern is with getting curb rash on these wheel fairings. It will only take one brush with a curb to ruin the fairing. Maybe Elio can work out a discounted deal with the makers of SmartRim so he can offer it as an option with the Elio. The second pic shows a smartphone app for this; maybe it can be integrated into the Skyz app.



http://www.gizmag.com/smartrim-parking-sensor/37215/

 

[DeltaMike]

The rear stability??? Have you ever worked with a wheelbarrow? It would be almost the same; the front wheels would be locked in place, and the back wheel will just follow the rest of the car. It would be the same if you attached a wheelbarrow to your back bumper by the handles, the wheelbarrow would just follow right along. They even make trailers like that
).

Uh, those unicycle trailers had a castoring wheel since the attachment of the trailer was unarticulated (two point hitch).
For a situation where it was a manual transmission and the front tires were ok, seems like the wrecker (or a motor home, in an RV situation) could pick up the rear wheel and tow it backwards.

 

[Elio Amazed]

That's one that I've been thinking about for a while.
I plan to pick mine up in Shreveport on a 16' utility trailer.
How do I tie it down to get my weight balance right.
( Thought I got away from weight and balance when I quit flying. )
Not to mention keeping the rear end of the Elio from bouncing around on the trailer.
I've pretty much ruled out a two wheeled dolly.
Uhaul car transporters are not built for three wheelers.
Some interesting issues here.

Custom bike-type wheel chocks and ratchet tie downs.
You can even save money by building your own custom wheel chocks out of 2x4s.
Check Youtube. There are a number of "How to" videos.

 

[Sr.MailMan]

Tow bar attachments were mentioned early on,for RV owners, to flat tow.
1200 lbs. rolling is still in the class one hitch class.

 

[Lilfurbal]

Regarding the Elgin dash, I actually seem to like the way it looks. Haven't used anything like that before, but I like how it lights up in the youtube video, and also glad to see that they changed the speed increments to 5 miles from the 10 that it was. To me it looks cool, maybe a bit retro. However what I don't like is that it seems like it's lacking features. Seems to not display things I have been use to seeing. Engine temperature? Estimated miles til tank is empty? A mpg gauge to show if you're driving habits are getting the best mileage? A fairly nondescript fuel tank meter. The style of the dash is fine for me, but I can hope it can do more things. However if there are alternate clusters available, I might change out for something with more features. I'm more for what all can it do, more so than I am about what it looks like.