Lets talk golf carts.

[rbstern]

I have a 2014 EZGO 48V RXV with a flip-style rear seat that converts into a flat platform, bought used via craigslist a few years ago. Previously had a 2007 Yamaha 48v. The EZGO is a DC to AC setup, much faster than the Yamaha.

Biggest problem for me has been keeping expensive batteries well maintained. The two 48v chargers I've had, despite both being digital chargers branded by the cart manufacturer, would overcharge the batteries, boil off water, and shorten the battery life. Tried to be good about not leaving them plugged in too long, but it was a headache keeping up with the water and terminal maintenance.

Recently changed strategies: I mounted a MinnKota four bank charger on the cart. I also changed the dying, expensive, 2017 batteries to a set of Group 29 Everstart Maxx deep cycles. I did this knowing full well the batteries are not the quality of the typical golf cart batteries. But they were less than half the price per battery. The cart is plugged in whenever not in use, and I trust the MinnKota charger to keep each of the batteries properly charged. I've gotten as much as eight years of service out of similar batteries and chargers on a trolling motor setup.

Seven months in, and I am very happy with the results. With zero battery maintenance, the cart never falls below 3/4 charge in our regular use. The terminals remain clean and need no attention. The cart also weighs about 100lbs less with this setup, so it's a bit quicker, especially up hill. If I get 2 to 3 years out of the Everstarts, I will consider it a success.

The cart is used daily on our 62 acres, and does everything from pulling carts and a 4x8 trailer, to hauling hundreds of pounds of garden supplies, chicken feed, cement, building materials, etc. I even use it to pull a log arch with modest sized tree sections. The rear flip seat serves as a work table, sawhorse, and many other things for all of our projects. We take it into the woods (on trails) during deer season. It's a fairly stealthy way to get to a deer stand. And, it's very useful when we have elderly folks like the M-I-L visiting. It's an essential piece of equipment for our lifestyle.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I've had gas golf carts for 25+ years. My second one was a 4 seat club car that I converted the rear seats to a flat bed. I also put on a 6 inch lift kit and 25 inch ATV knobbies. Last spring I sold my 20 year old cart for more than I paid for it and bought an RTV-XG850.

Golf cart Pros:
* barely used any gas, 5 gallons lasted a summer
* capable of towing 1,000 lbs
* I really liked the stop start feature
* lower to the ground and lots of leg room made it easy to get in an out of the seat, ideal for garden work vehicle
* top speed 50kph
* if you do the maintenance they will run forever
Cons:
* limited cargo capacity and no dump box
* two wheel drive only good in up to 6 inches of snow, limited mud
* not good in plowed fields, bumpy ride on rough terrain
* no front brakes

RTV-XG850 Pro
* lots of power for towing, hill climb
* 4WD goes through 12 inches of snow, handles soft mud well, plowed fields, smooth ride
* 4WD High and Low speeds + diff lock, great in deep mud
* large dump box, easy to dump fully loaded
* good onboard storge, racks for tools etc
* high bed height good work bench for chainsaws etc
* very low center of gravity, very stable on hills and bumps, feels glued to the ground
* very fast 70kph, hard acceleration
* built like a tank
* good farm vehicle that doubles as a fun run-about
Cons
* gas guzzler will drink 7 gallons of gas in 80 km (aka 1 week)
* limited leg room, hard to get in and out of machine, bad for frequent in-out of machine
* no start stop, engine always on
* noisier two banger subaru gas engine vs club car
* have to wait 5 seconds after start up before shifting into gear
* high bed level harder to load ie. pitchfork needs to be at shoulder level
* very fast, accelerates hard

Over all I occasionally miss my golf cart as a garden vehicle, the RTV puts a smile on my face until I have to fill the gas tank.

BTW I did want an electric golf cart but changing all the batteries every 3-5 years was a no go for me. Potentially the unit will sit 6 months a year in our long winters.

Electric
Pros
It’s quiet
Cons
Who cares? I can actually carry on a conversation

 

[Gem99ultra]

One more vote for an electric golf cart. Yeah, I do have a SxS as well as a tractor. But for quick 150' walking trips to the workshop, or any other errand, you can't beat a GC.

We're on our 2rd one. Started out with a 1994 in 2010 ($900) and used it until it slap wore out. Bought a 'new' one iin 2013, a 1997 ($2000), that we're still running the wheels off. We don't need a $9K shinny one for our use out here in the country.

No gas needed. Batteries maybe, every 6 or 7 years. Just add water and keep the GC greased. Small price to pay for the utility, not to mention the nice quiet ride on our trails, be it for hauling feed, utility trailer or whatever. We plug ours into the charger when the volt meter gets down to 50%; not so much different than any other vehicle.

My experience with gas golf carts has not been so great, having had to used them for my work in chemical plants. I suspect other users ran them really hard before I was assigned to them but they always seem to break down on me when I needed to go somewhere. Not to say they aren't good - I'm sure they are. They're faster and a bit more powerful than the electric model, but not nearly as dependable for me.

 

[Pixguy]

We just bought our first golf cart 18 EZGo with lithium batteries. We're told we can leave plugged in for the 8 months we're not at the house. We'll see.

As an update, we did leave our cart with the lithium pack plugged in for 7 months and all is well, no issues.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Like others here, my shop is a quarter mile from the house. It's also up hill with a fairly steep grade. I've looked at golf carts and UTV's to make the twice daily trip but with my limited garage space, storage is an issue. I suppose these vehicles can be stored outside but the weather is sure to take it's toll.

For now, I keep my Kubota L6060 in the garage next to the house and use it to shuttle back and forth to the shop. It uses more fuel than I'd like though and I'm a bit concerned about the frequent stop & start action.

For those who own these carts & UTV's, do you leave them outside and if so, does the weather cause problems?

 

[Pixguy]

Like others here, my shop is a quarter mile from the house. It's also up hill with a fairly steep grade. I've looked at golf carts and UTV's to make the twice daily trip but with my limited garage space, storage is an issue. I suppose these vehicles can be stored outside but the weather is sure to take it's toll.

For now, I keep my Kubota L6060 in the garage next to the house and use it to shuttle back and forth to the shop. It uses more fuel than I'd like though and I'm a bit concerned about the frequent stop & start action.

For those who own these carts & UTV's, do you leave them outside and if so, does the weather cause problems?

Buy an old one and watch out for mice

 

[kcflhrc]

My Yamaha Cart stays inside as does every other expensive toy I own

 

[bdhsfz6]

My Yamaha Cart stays inside as does every other expensive toy I own

Same here.

The local golf club stores their fleet of carts outdoors but they replace them every few years.

 

[sd455dan]

Golf carts with a box.. I would trade 2 of those gators for 1 good running cart. Club Cars are about the best. I am kicking myself for not buying a new one every year a while back.View attachment 709193View attachment 709194View attachment 709195

That is similar to our first cart , but ours is a 1970 Cushman Golfster with a box.
We got it for free but it needed some work for sure.

11 hp kohler got a new piston ring set ( was burning a LOT of oil) , gaskets, carb, fuel pump, and rear tires. Still needs new fronts and wheel bearings. But for being 52 years old not bad on repairs.

Wife wanted an electric and her dad just upgraded to another new electric (he golfs a lot) So he offered to sell his well used electric ez go? (haven't even looked at it closely) and she bought it.

So far she said she really likes it and I guess the Golfster is mine now
Unfortunately for me, she painted it pink before she bought the electric cart.


I think both gas ad electric have advantages over each other.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Do any of you use a golf cart and find it practical? When we built our house 12 years ago there was not room to build my shop right next to the house (past house all I had to do was walk about 30' and that was it) so I had to build it in the back of the lot behind some trees and it is about 150 yds away. At first I didn't mind it too much, making a dozen trips a day back to the house to go to the bathroom, get a drink, answer the phone etc. But now it is getting old and my wife does a lot of flower gardening and does the same. We have a UTV that we use to ride the back co. roads and haul our drinking water from a spring. But a UTV is not practical for yard work when you start and stop every 5 minutes. We have a recycling center about 1/4 mile away and I don't like to get the Kubota out just to do that as it never even gets warmed up. I was thinking about getting a used 48 volt golf cart. Have any of you used them. Don't want a gas, just another motor to work on and maintain.

I'm 52. We are on a large place. Dad has a sxs he uses and we put my momma in the golf cart business years ago. Keep one going for her. If it goofs up we fix. If it's not worth it, we get another one. My brother is close and has 4 wheelers and a cart. Usually the kids are on the golf cart. We have a large pond 3/4 mile behind the house. They all go fishing almost daily. Probably 5 acre pond. Don't turn down a gas one, they are good too. Electric keep good batteries and clean connections. I've chased horses and drug stubborn mules with that golf cart. When I drive up to the house, first I look for golf cart in the shed. If it ain't there, garden next, ain't there, she's at the pond fishing.