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thelehans's avatar
thelehans
Explorer
Aug 15, 2018

Golf Cart purchase??

Hi everyone! I have a golf cart question. We are in the processing of finding one to purchase but we want to be able to haul it on a platform type system on the back of our 5th wheel. Does anyone do this and if so, any recommendations or advice? I would really like a 6 seater but if that's not possible for towing, we would be ok with a regular sized 4 seater. Any advice appreciated!
  • Are you considering a lift platform, IMO a bad idea due to the strength of the frame, or towing a trailer with the cart on it? Some states have regulations against pulling a trailer behind a trailer or 5th wheel.
  • This is a good question, I had planned to do the same until I found out that ANY MODIFICATION to my LIPPERT FRAME would negate any warranty which included a hitch! I found that out when our fiver's deck started to spring and lucky for us Cedar Creek went to bat for us and forced Lippert to do the repair at their shop (BTW that's on a 10 year old fiver, that's the kind of customer service Cedar Creek gave us!) it turns out that the frame can't handle the weight that far from the rear of the back wheels which in our case was over 12'. I saw another rockwood fiver with a full-dressed Harley on a lift deck but the guy had a third axel installed and extra steel to beef up the frame. The other option is to build/buy a swivel wheel deck which works good according to my research but your in violation of the double towing law as you would with a small trailer but I see other fiver owners hauling small boats and carts on small trailers to and from Florida all the time and never seen one pulled over in fact I seen several pass troopers on I75 without a problem! My solution was to simply buy a cart and leave it in our shed in Florida and make my life easier!

    Red Green: "Vegetarian" is an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."
  • Problem is that's a lot of weight and the center of gravity for the cart is a long way past the rear bumper...Assuming the frame could even support it:
    - You are looking at around 600-800lbs to support and the center of gravity is going to be 3-4' behind the rear bumper...that's going to take a beefy support system.
    - With say a 300lb support system, it's going to take around 900-1100lb off the pin...on many 5ers, that will leave you too light on the pin.

    Options:
    - Toy hauler: Simplest and best protection for cart but unless you go bigger, you lose interior space.
    - Double Tow w/Standard utility trailer: Some states prohibit but pin weight is least affected (only about 12% of the weight of the cart/utility trailer is on the rear bumper of the 5er). Downside is you have to disconnect to back up.
    - Swivel wheel trailer: Gray area if it's really considered a double tow. Around 30-40% of the weight of the cart/swivel wheel is on the rear bumper (but not 3-4' behind) so you lose a little pin weight but nothing close to hanging it off the back. Advantage is you can back up with the swivel wheel attached.
  • Here is a swivel wheel for sale

    https://springfield.craigslist.org/rvs/d/swivel-wheel-platform/6672366343.html
  • Great info, guys! I didn't even thing about the weight on the back (guess I thought a golf cart was light as a feather)... I'll look into some other options.
  • Yea, a swivel wheel is the best option. Or.... sell the Fiver, get a TT and put the golf cart in the bed of the truck. :)

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • Most 5er frames will not support the weight of a golf cart. Also, that much weight will seriously effect the weight distribution on the 5er. Think see-saw. Get a toyhauler of forget the golfcart.

    Also many campgrounds prohibit the use of any unlicensed vehicle on the roads and/or the driver must be licensed and insured.

    Ken