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How Much Weight Can a Golf Cart Pull?
A golf cart probably isn’t the first vehicle you think to use for towing. After all, they don’t have the size and weight of a standard pick up truck. But that doesn’t mean a golf cart should be underestimated. There are times where a golf cart is actually the best option for towing, especially when you are working in tight spaces or want to avoid heavy loads on a lawn.
So how much weight can a golf cart pull? The average golf cart can pull anywhere from a few hundred up to a 1000 lbs. This number can increase depending on the make, model and engine of the golf cart. Gas golf carts can often have higher towing capacity than their electric counterparts. More on that later.
If you can have a small trailer that needs to be towed, a golf cart can usually get the job done. I used my old 1987 Club Car to tow a lawn sweeper. When that sweeper filled up with wet leaves and pine needles, it weighed a few hundred pounds easily. I didn’t want the vehicle weight of my truck on my yard. A golf cart was the best solution.
My Point? Electric golf carts are perfect for lawn maintenance tasks and small-scale towing, but gas carts work better as a tow vehicle.
Understanding Golf Cart Towing Capacity
There are several factors that influence a golf cart’s towing capacity.
Factor #1 – The Engine
The engine style is a primary factor in payload capacity. A golf cart with gas engine is generally more powerful and better at pulling heavier weights.
- Horsepower for Electric Carts = 3-10hp
- Horsepower for Gas carts = 10-13hp
Baring any significant modifications, gas golf cart almost always feature the more powerful engines, allowing them to tow significantly more than electric golf carts.
However, an electric golf car can still tow more than you think. I mean, a few hundred pounds is no small feat!
Factor #2 – The Weight of the Cart
The gross vehicle weight rating of the golf cat itself also affects how much the cart can pull. A heavier golf cart is more likely to withstand the strain required to tow a heavy item.
This isn’t the sole indicator of how much a golf cart can tow, but knowing the weight of a golf car does help when determining if your cart is up to the task. If the trailer weight drastically exceeds the cart weight, you won’t be bale to get very far with your precious cargo.
Example: The Yamaha UMAX One weights 961 lbs. It has a towing capacity of 800 lbs.
Factor #3 – The Age and Condition of the Cart
An Older golf cart may be less than ideal for towing. Modern golf carts are designed for several different uses, and many of them feature a ball mount or universal trailer hitch when they ship from the factory. Manufacturers now plan for trailer towing capabilities (not just carrying passengers on a golf course.)
Older golf carts, however, don’t always have the same type of versatility. Engine strength and golf cart batteries lose strength over time.
Obviously, an old Carryall still has some power, but you should test a golf cart trailer carefully before pushing an old Club Car or E-Z-GO to the edge.
The Best Way to Calculate Golf Cart Towing Capacity
Contact the manufacturer or consult your owner’s manual. This is the best way to get accurate information. These two resources can help you find the:
- Gross vehicle weight rating
- Ground clearance
- Tire setup
- Towing capacity
If you’re considering utility trailers, you may need to familiarize yourself with tongue weight, trailer brakes and other important details.
Again, talk to a professional if you’re unsure, as trying to tow too much weight can break your golf cart. It’s important not to put too much strain on the vehicle, or you can risk a serious accident.
When trying to decide if your cart is suitable, don’t just focus on the engine or the weight of the cart. Consider the age of the golf cart, the quality of the build and the manufacturer’s specifications.
In some cases the average golf cart may not be the perfect towing solution.
The good news in that there are utility vehicles designed for rugged terrain and heavy loads. These glorified golf carts are a step up from the standard course cruiser. Thing stronger engines and tougher components.
Specially equipped to handle heavy weights and rough terrain, these golf cart upgrades are less common and more expensive. However, they can pull much heavier loads.
Can you put a hitch on a golf cart?
Even if you golf cart is good for towing, it’s no use without the right hitch. A tow-bar or hitch can be mounting to the back of the golf cart to make suitable for use as a tow vehicle.
There are quite a range of aftermarket hitches available for golf carts. These will normally attach to the bumper. Some are universal, and can be fixed to any style of golf cart, regardless of age.
Universal hitches aren’t hugely expensive, making it relatively easy to convert your EZGO or Yamaha golf cart into a legit towing option.
When buying a hitch, make sure it’s right for both the golf cart and what you intend to tow. The wrong hitch can be surprisingly dangerous, as it won’t carry the weight evenly and may not be able to handle the load.