Towing w/ a gas/electric cart

Painter · 02-04-2021, 07:42 AM

Electric carts have instant torque when you take off. And there are aftermarket controllers that make even more power. Simply upgrading the battery cable size helps.
BUT, all the disadvantages are amplified when you tow with one. The batteries run down quicker and don’t last as long. Make certain you price a set of batteries to fit the cart you are looking at before you buy. They are not all the same. Buying gas every week is a lot easier than $8-9 hundred dollars all at once. When one battery goes bad you better put in a set.

340Cuda · 02-04-2021, 10:03 AM

While I don't own a golf cart, I probably would prefer electric.

However I have a friend with a couple of race cars and when his daughter started running a Jr Dragster he had to replace his electric golf cart with a gas cart because the batteries would not last a race towing the little dragster around.

So if I had a car that was going to be towed I would go gas.

jmcarter · 02-04-2021, 10:43 AM

Many are using the smart car providing there’s room in the trailer. Bonus being you can run out of the track in one although I’d recommend staying off interstates LOL. Electric smart cars are around and not much more than a golf cart.

Sean Marconette · 02-04-2021, 07:27 PM

Hi Ed,
I would suggest looking at a used gas golf cart. We have 3 different golf cart places in Kansas City that buy golf course fleets and refurbish and customize them, as well as sell new. We replaced our 1989 2 stroke gas EZGO last year with a 2006 Yamaha EFI for $4800. I then sold the EZGO for $1200. The Yamaha came with headlights and taillights added, plus a new windshield. The fleet carts also have the governors turned down to 10-12 MPH, so the engines are not abused. My wife said the new cart was too slow. We replaced the wheels/tires and adjusted the governor, it will now get up to 29 MPH and not hit the EFI rev limiter, and that is fast enough. I fabricated a tow hook that is also used as the rear tie down, it will easily pull my car around.

The cost of replacing batteries and lugging a charger around could become quite expensive in the long run, I am not sure what the weight difference is, something else to consider. I would think in your area you have even more places, than what I found here. Good luck and hope to see you at the races.

Sean

02-04-2021, 07:42 AM	#1
Painter Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 227 Likes: 4 Liked 162 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Towing w/ a gas/electric cart Electric carts have instant torque when you take off. And there are aftermarket controllers that make even more power. Simply upgrading the battery cable size helps. BUT, all the disadvantages are amplified when you tow with one. The batteries run down quicker and don’t last as long. Make certain you price a set of batteries to fit the cart you are looking at before you buy. They are not all the same. Buying gas every week is a lot easier than $8-9 hundred dollars all at once. When one battery goes bad you better put in a set.

02-04-2021, 10:03 AM	#2
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,672 Likes: 3,866 Liked 802 Times in 339 Posts	Re: Towing w/ a gas/electric cart While I don't own a golf cart, I probably would prefer electric. However I have a friend with a couple of race cars and when his daughter started running a Jr Dragster he had to replace his electric golf cart with a gas cart because the batteries would not last a race towing the little dragster around. So if I had a car that was going to be towed I would go gas.

02-04-2021, 10:43 AM	#3
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,297 Likes: 2,386 Liked 3,184 Times in 973 Posts	Re: Towing w/ a gas/electric cart Many are using the smart car providing there’s room in the trailer. Bonus being you can run out of the track in one although I’d recommend staying off interstates LOL. Electric smart cars are around and not much more than a golf cart. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

02-04-2021, 07:27 PM	#4
Sean Marconette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 977 Likes: 796 Liked 275 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Towing w/ a gas/electric cart Hi Ed, I would suggest looking at a used gas golf cart. We have 3 different golf cart places in Kansas City that buy golf course fleets and refurbish and customize them, as well as sell new. We replaced our 1989 2 stroke gas EZGO last year with a 2006 Yamaha EFI for $4800. I then sold the EZGO for $1200. The Yamaha came with headlights and taillights added, plus a new windshield. The fleet carts also have the governors turned down to 10-12 MPH, so the engines are not abused. My wife said the new cart was too slow. We replaced the wheels/tires and adjusted the governor, it will now get up to 29 MPH and not hit the EFI rev limiter, and that is fast enough. I fabricated a tow hook that is also used as the rear tie down, it will easily pull my car around. The cost of replacing batteries and lugging a charger around could become quite expensive in the long run, I am not sure what the weight difference is, something else to consider. I would think in your area you have even more places, than what I found here. Good luck and hope to see you at the races. Sean __________________ Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N