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what causes a golf cart get towed

by Prof. Jocelyn Trantow II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Due to the fact many golf cart windshields are of the snap on variety, you must NEVER tow the golf cart in your truck or trailer with the front of the golf cart facing rearward. The pressure from the wind at high speeds such as on an interstate will cause the windshield to pop off and potentially fly away causing damage to other vehicles.

The most common scenario is when you go on vacation or leave for your seasonal home. Any time the cart is going to be stored for significant periods of time without being attended or charged, the vehicle should first be fully charged, and then the switch should be turned to “TOW”.Apr 23, 2013

Full Answer

Why does my golf cart lose power after driving?

You would have charged up your cart fully but after driving it around for an hour or two, the power would have got drained off completely. If this is a frequent occurrence with your cart, then you will need to take a look at the batteries.

What happens if you tow a golf cart without flipping the switch?

If you do not flip the switch to “TOW” prior to pulling the vehicle, you can cause serious and even catastrophic damage to the controller, the motor, or both. The most common component to sustain damage by towing the cart without flipping the switch is the controller.

How can I tow a golf cart with a truck?

Or you can modify your truck bed to hold a golf cart elevating the cart so it stands a little taller than your cab’s roof. That can get a bit expensive. Then you could tow the trailer and place your golf cart on your bed and either remove the tailgate or tow with it open. That situation may not be to your liking either.

Why is my golf cart stalling?

The most common reason why your golf cart is stalling is due to a bad solenoid or a faulty speed controller. The solenoid wears out every time the gas pedal is pressed down. The solenoid gets pressed down to a thin plate.

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What would cause an electric golf cart not to move?

Solenoid Wear When there is a disruption in the flow of the electrical current, your cart will not operate. A common reason for current disruption is solenoid wear. Each time the solenoid activates as you press down on the gas pedal, the solenoid compounds down onto a thin metal contact plate.

What do you do if your golf cart won't move?

When the cart won't move, you have to be sure that the batteries are sending sufficient power to the circuit. You must check the fuse. Use the voltmeter to check the voltage at the key switch. In a cart with batteries rated at 48V, it must show 48V at the key switch.

What is golf cart tow mode?

And during any repairs to your golf cart, your cart will stay in tow mode. This stops the cart from starting up by accident as the mechanics work. However, it also helps to stop electrical flow throughout the cart that may cause a shock to the mechanic as they work.

Should I charge my golf cart in run or tow mode?

Your golf cart needs to be charged in Run. Tow should only be used in long term storage or if you are going to remove the battery.

Why wont my golf cart go forward or backwards?

Check the Forward/Reverse switch of your golf cart for loose connections. If the connections are intact, interchange the top and bottom wires at the rear. If the cart now goes in reverse but not forward, the problem is with the switch. You have to just change the switch in this case.

How do you diagnose a golf cart problem?

There are a few simple problems that you can fix yourself that will not necessitate professional maintenance.Test the wall socket where you charge your cart. ... Expose your golf cart batteries. ... Test the batteries for voltage. ... Replace dead batteries. ... Expose the motor for inspection. ... Reset the motor. ... Test the cart.

How do I get my golf cart out of tow mode?

In a golf cart application, a separately excited controller draws a very small amount of power at all times, even when the vehicle is not in use. To disable this feature, you must flip the tow run switch into the “TOW” position. This minimizes its power draw over time.

Should I leave my golf cart plugged in all the time?

Manufacturers suggest leaving your golf cart plugged in all of the time while using an auto battery charger, as it will keep the batteries fully charged and always available. If batteries are not charged for prolonged storage, they may damage over time and deliver less capacity.

Should you charge golf cart after every use?

Should you charge new golf cart batteries? Yes. New golf cart batteries should be charged every time they are used as this will extend their lifespan, help them retain their capacity for longer, and prevent discharge. It is vitally important to charge new golf cart batteries, even after their first use.

When should a golf cart be towed?

Therefore, when you are leaving for vacation or otherwise storing your golf cart, you should always completely charge your vehicle and then flip the tow maintenance switch into tow mode. This will prevent your battery from receiving an unnecessary drain from the constantly active electronic speed controller.

Does golf cart need to be in neutral to charge?

Make sure that the cart is in the neutral position and the ignition is in OFF before the charging starts.

What happens if golf cart batteries run out of water?

If the water level in your golf cart battery is too low, the plates inside the battery will dry out and begin to flake off. When this happens, you will lose the ability to recharge your golf cart, and you will have to replace your battery altogether.

Why does my EZGO golf cart hesitate?

The main reason why an EZGO Gas golf cart hesitates while accelerating, is because of a dirty carburetor. A dirty carburetor causes this hesitation. Regular cleaning can prevent this problem. Check the rubber boot and clean if you spot any dirt. In case it has worn out too much, you can replace the carburetor.

How to check for leaks in golf cart?

You can check for any leaks by following these steps: Crank up the golf cart and check every seal for leakage. You can also spray wd40 at the clutch to find leaks. When the cart becomes hot, the voltage also drops. So, make sure you provide enough voltage to the batteries so the cart can run.

Why is my EZGO RXV hesitation?

In most cases, the hesitation problem occurs due to bad batteries. If you have bought new batteries for your EZGO RXV, make sure to fully charge them before the first use. Batteries should then be charged after every use. To keep the batteries in check, get a Digital MultiMeter to measure the individual voltage.

Why does my golf cart stall?

The most common reason why your golf cart is stalling is due to a bad solenoid or a faulty speed controller. Batteries have lost charge. Faulty ignition. Problem with the direction switch. Faulty speed controller. Bad solenoid. The solenoid wears out every time the gas pedal is pressed down. The solenoid gets pressed down to a thin plate.

Why does my cart stutter?

If you change the battery, change the charger as well; otherwise, the battery will keep running down. If your cart seems to run fine for a few feet, and then it stutters, it is most likely the batteries. If it is not the battery, then check if it is the speed controller or the resistor.

Why does my golf cart spin out?

The brake bub will spin out when there is too much load to prevent any damage to the rear axles, causing the golf cart to stall on hills. Remove the covers from the rear wheel. Notice the castle nuts that are holding the hub to the axles. Apply the brakes.

What causes a cart to heat up?

Weak batteries. Bad connection between the batteries. If there are loose connections, it will cause heating in the battery. To check, you can drive your cart for a while and feel the temperature in the cables and connections. If there is no heating, then check the individual voltages.

How to make a golf cart go forward?

If yours is the rocker switch that you use to make the golf cart go forward or reverse than place it in the middle position. Or if yours is the bulky knob down in front of the bottom seat then place it in the straight up or neutral position. Thirdly, lift the seat and place the tow/run switch in the “tow” position.

How fast can a golf cart go?

This is the reason that most golf cart manufacturers suggest not to exceed speeds of five to eight miles per hour while towing the golf cart. Higher speeds produce higher motor rpms which lead to devastating heat!

Where is the shifter knob on a golf cart?

This is an absolute must if your golf cart is a series cart. These are the carts that have a bulky shifter knob located down in front of the bottom seat. Secondly, place the shifter on the FNR switch in the neutral position. If yours is the rocker switch that you use to make the golf cart go forward or reverse than place it in the middle position.

What happens when the armature rpm is high?

This extreme heat melts the brush holder and them burns the field coils and ultimately explodes the windings of the armature which in turn wipes out the motor and eventually locks up.

Where is the tow switch on a golf cart?

On the older Club cars, the tow/run switch is located at the top of the battery compartment toward the front under the seat and also at the top in the middle of the four twelve volt batteries.

Do golf carts break down?

Unfortunately, there are times that they decide it’s quitting time and that they need a break. These times seldom ever happen at a convenient time. You know, like in your garage or at the cart barn. The golf cart will usually break down during usage whether out on the back nine or while your kids have it down at the community center swimming in ...

Do you need a wrench for a golf cart?

I realize most people do not carry wrenches with them when using a golf cart, however even if you can use a pair of pocket pliers it is advisable to unhook the electrical connection of the batteries to the golf cart. This is an absolute must if your golf cart is a series cart.

The Tow Run Switch Explained

In general, a golf cart’s tow mode is activated via a tow run switch, which occasionally is referred to as a tow/ maintenance switch. This switch is common among modern golf carts and is rarely present on older models. The reason for this variance is that tow run switches are only installed on golf carts with a separately excited motor.

Where is the Tow Run Switch Located

Most likely, the tow run switch for your golf cart is located in the battery compartment. As you are probably aware, this compartment is almost always under a golf cart’s seat. The tow run switch should be in plain sight.

Will a Golf Cart Charge in Tow Mode?

The simple answer to this question is, yes, your golf cart will charge while tow mode is activated. Yes, activating tow mode will disable your cart’s computer, but it does not affect your battery or its charging capabilities. However, you can also charge your golf cart while it’s tow maintenance switch is toggled to ‘run’.

Tow Run

The tow run switch, also sometimes called a tow maintenance switch, is present in many brands and models of modern golf carts. This switch is only installed into golf carts with a separately excited motor which produces regenerative braking. They are not used in traditional golf carts with a series wound motor.

Separately Excited Systems

The tow run switches are used in golf carts with separately excited motor and corresponding controller. The electronic speed controllers used in this application have a bit of logic memory within, similar to your automobile’s stereo when it saves your favorite preset stations.

Roll Away Feature

There is also another use for the tow run switches used in golf carts with a sepex controllers and motors. Most carts with this type of system also have a special feature built into the programming of the controller, called the “Roll Away” feature.

Snap On Windshields

The vast majority of golf cart windshields “snap on” to the front top support frame work. By “snap on”, this means they are only held in by pressure. Most golf cart windshields of this style have two large “C” shaped channels which slide onto both sides of the windshield.

Towing Backwards

Due to the fact many golf cart windshields are of the snap on variety, you must NEVER tow the golf cart in your truck or trailer with the front of the golf cart facing rearward. The pressure from the wind at high speeds such as on an interstate will cause the windshield to pop off and potentially fly away causing damage to other vehicles.

Towing Forward

On the other hand, if you point the front of the golf cart facing forward, there should be no issues with the windshield popping off, since the channels install from the front towards the rear. This is the same direction the wind would be pushing while moving so there should not be any issue.

Will a Golf Cart Fit in a Pickup Truck?

Not always. If your pickup truck has a length of 6 feet 4 inches for the bed, that is only 76 inches of room you can use. A standard golf cart reaches 96 inches which means you will not be able to fit a golf cart in that size of bed.

Does a Golf Cart Fit in a Short Bed Truck?

This is a definitive answer, no it won’t. The compact short bed measures roughly 60 inches of 5 feet long. That is going to be 3 feet short. Then the standard short bed size is only 6 1/2 feet long or roughly 77 inches making the bed 19 inches too short.

Golf Cart Rack for Truck Bed

There are different options you can turn to if your truck’s bed is not long enough or you can’t shut your tailgate. However, you may be paying a lot of money for these alternative options.

Golf Cart Truck Bed Extender

There are these devices available as well. Usually, they are used for ATVs, Snowmobiles, and similar toys. However, the toy you place on top of it must weigh less than 1400 pounds.

Can You Tow a Golf Cart Behind a Camper?

While this idea would solve many of your problems, some states frown on this train-like caravan. In fact, they have frowned on it so much that they have made it illegal for you to put a trailer onto a trailer.

How do You Haul a Golf Cart While Pulling a Camper?

One option would be to get a camper with a built-in toy hauler. That will solve most of your problems no matter which state you are in. As long as the toy hauler is long and wide enough, you should be good to go.

Golf Cart in Truck Bed Towing Camper

The methods you have for this option are also limited. The biggest issue will be the tailgate. Most trucks have a problem with the tailgate hitting the hitch when the truck is on lower ground than the trailer.

Golf Cart

Support for gas-powered and electric golf carts, sometimes referred to as golf cars or club cars after the Club Car Golf Cart brand.

1 Answer

All I can tell you is I have a 48 volt Club Car golf cart. I did the same thing and called the repair shop I use

Why does my golf cart make a grinding noise?

If your golf cart is making a grinding noise while running, the issue could be due to the bearings. The grinding noise is very irritating, and the problem is generally with one of the physical or mechanical parts.

Why does my golf cart beep?

Golf carts are designed to carry a specific load for a distance. Replacing the tires may put them under a great deal of pressure for their torque. If all of these efforts fail, you can inspect the batteries or the motor. If any of these have malfunctioned, then you may hear the beeping sound.

Why does my washing cart make a buzzing noise?

If the buzzing noise is coming right after you washed your cart, it could be because of the water getting under the floorboards. The best solution is to let the water dry well before using the cart.

How long does it take for a bearing to go bad?

This is because, once bearings start to go bad, they often fail almost entirely and can become almost unusable in just a few hours.

Is it dangerous to drive a golf cart?

Golf carts sometimes make some weird noises, and most golf cart owners have experienced it. While these noises may not be dangerous, they can be irritating and a sign of damage.

Can you leave water in a F&R switch?

However, you may also have some water left in your F&R switch, or it could be because of water on the battery wires. This water-related danger is one you need to take very seriously.

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