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what will happen if you tow an electric golf cart

by Alycia Grimes Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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’.

Full Answer

Why do I need to turn my golf cart from run to tow?

Anyhow, So lets get into why you need to turn your new style golf cart from run to tow mode when it is not able to move under its own power. Meaning you will need to push it, pull and or tow it home. Not because the motor blew up or you broke a drive shaft or the transmission or differential went out like in a car or truck.

What can go wrong with an electric golf cart?

There are quite a few common things that can go wrong with an electric golf cart. These common issues include rapidly depleted batteries, worn machinery behind ignition, damaged ignition switch, blocked motor just to name a few. Read on to find out the twenty most common things that can go wrong with your electric golf cart.

What happens if you don’t charge your golf cart battery?

If batteries are not charged over a storage period of several months, they can deteriorate and provide less capacity. When there are experienced and inexperienced owners asking the same question, you have to wonder if this question is being addressed by golf cart manufacturers and where the confusion surrounding the questions is sprouting from.

Why is my golf cart battery draining so fast?

Leaving your golf cart’s tow maintenance switch on ‘run’ while you store your golf cart will almost always cause your golf cart’s battery to drain. This is because of that electronic speed controller we previously discussed.

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Is it okay to tow an electric golf cart?

Whether your golf cart is gas-powered or electric, moving the cart just takes a few steps and can be done easily. Any time your golf cart needs towed or dies, you must use the “tow-run” switch on the cart and switch it to the “TOW” position.

What happens when you tow an electric golf cart in run mode?

First of all, leaving your cart in run mode during storage will cause your battery to slowly drain, as your cart's computer and its regenerative braking system will be active, causing a slow drain that will leave your battery dead after a long-term storage situation.

How do you tow an electric golf cart?

Easiest Way to Tow a Golf CartUse a ball reciever to attach the trailer to your towing vehicle.Use the latch to secure the ball receiver and keep the trailer from falling off when you hit the highway.Attach the wiring harness to the hitch.Open the trailer gate, and place a ramp at the edge.More items...•

How fast can you tow a golf cart?

If you're still worried about the roof, you can tow golf cart at a speed of 60 or 70 mph without getting into any kind of trouble. There really is no need to worry as long as you have the straps holding the roof in place.

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.

Can you tow a golf cart backwards?

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.

What is the best way to transport a golf cart?

Using a utility trailer A utility trailer is the type of unpowered vehicles that are towed by powered vehicles. You can hire a large utility trailer to transport your golf cart comfortably for shorter distances.

Can you push an electric golf trolley?

Can I still push it if the battery dies? You sure can, and thankfully modern electric golf trollies are lighter because this used to take the power of Hercules back in the day.

How much can an electric golf cart tow?

To answer the question at hand though, the typical towing capacity of a golf cart is approximately 1000 pounds. Outside of the average, some models can support as much as 4000 or 5000 pounds without issues, while others can tow up to 3 similar golf carts at one go, falling in the 3000-pound capacity range.

What kind of trailer do I need to haul a golf cart?

What Size Trailer do I Need? If you have standard-sized golf cart than you will need a 5X10 size trailer. This size trailer helps you load the golf cart effortlessly and provides plenty of space to securely and safely tow your golf cart. Smaller golf carts can be placed in a 5X8 trailer.

How much do golf carts weigh?

between 500 and 1,100 poundsA golf cart typically weighs anywhere between 500 and 1,100 pounds. The wide discrepancy has to do with the make, model, and type of golf cart. Additional modifications can also increase the weight of a golf cart.

What is the best way to tie down a golf cart on a utility trailer?

0:148:01How to tie down/secure an ATV/UTV/Golf Cart - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo as a rule of thumb. Try to take your whatever you're hauling and put it over top the center ofMoreSo as a rule of thumb. Try to take your whatever you're hauling and put it over top the center of the axles. Distributes your load properly.

What is tow mode on a golf cart?

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. Normally, a golf cart with this type of motor also possesses the ability for regenerative braking and roll away protection.

Where is the tow switch on a golf cart?

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. Normally the switch will include a diagram that displays which side of the toggle is designated for ‘run’ and which side is designated for ‘tow’. If you are having trouble locating the switch on your golf cart you can look for a ‘warning’ label which is occasionally printed around the tow switch by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

How to stop golf cart from draining battery?

The only way to disable this continued drain on the battery is by flipping the tow run switch to tow.

What is tow mode?

Tow mode is a mode golf cart manufacturers allow users to enable in case they need to work on the electronics of their golf cart or tow their golf cart. Tow mode will deactivate the computer which cuts voltage to sensitive electronics and any roll away function that will enable the brakes for towing.

Why do you need to make sure your tow run switch is switched to tow?

If you are ever performing battery maintenance or working on your solenoid, you will want to make sure your tow run switch is switched to tow to protect the electronics in case of a short.

Is it better to charge your golf cart in tow mode or run mode?

Therefore, your golf cart’s battery will charge faster and more efficiently. Now, this charging difference may be very minimal between ‘tow’ and ‘ run’ mode, but if you are becoming annoyed with your vehicle’s tendency to constantly need charging you may find charging in ‘tow’ mode to alleviate some frustration.

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’. The difference between charging a golf cart in ‘tow’ mode or ‘run’ mode is very minimal, but it is worth exploring.

Golf Cart General Introduction

The popular definition for a golf cart is that it is a small vehicle designed to carry two or more golfers and their equipment around the golf course or desert pathways to avoid walking effort.

Electric Golf Carts

The two main types of golf carts driven at the golf courses are gasoline and electric golf carts. Both of them function on the principle of a regular, less powerful gasoline or electric car, with some insignificant differences. Electric golf cars are popular with their environmentally friendly mode of operation.

Common Things That Can Go Wrong With An Electric Golf Cart

Buying and driving an electric golf cart, you should be aware that, just like other cars, it has a lifespan, and its parts also wear out. Some golfers perceive their carts as small, funny vehicles that can drive them around the golf course forever.

How To Avoid Or Mitigate The Issues

The key to avoiding or mitigating possible electrical golf carts malfunctioning is, as already mentioned a few times above, proper and regular maintenance. Golf cart owners should perceive their small electric vehicles as regular cars with a more restricted use range.

The Elite Of The Electrical Golf Carts

Pointing out so many common issues with the electrical golf carts may leave you with the wrong impression that they are pretty problematic vehicles. Let’s clarify that technical issues are typical for the used carts but are quite unusual for new carts with a warranty.

Electric Golf Carts FAQ

To determine whether your electric golf cart motor is bad or not, you need to test it first. Sometimes the problem is easy to detect, but sometimes you need to check the entire electrical system.

Sources

Wikipedia, “Golf Cart.” Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_cart Assessed June 8, 2021

What happens if golf cart batteries are not charged?

If batteries are not charged over a storage period of several months, they can deteriorate and provide less capacity. When there are experienced and inexperienced owners asking the same question, you have to wonder if this question is being addressed by golf cart manufacturers and where the confusion surrounding the questions is sprouting from. ...

Why do golf cart batteries deteriorate?

The main reason would be a concern for the golf cart battery. Manufacturers recommend leaving your golf cart plugged in all of the time, but only if using an automatic battery charger. This will keep the batteries topped off and ready to go. If batteries are not charged over a storage period of several months, they can deteriorate ...

What type of batteries does a club car use?

They have produced carts with 48V lead-acid configurations and lithium ion batteries. However, the 48V lead acid carts are the most common. The Club Car guidelines for charging such a cart are as follows:

How cold should a golf cart battery be?

As we know, it is a pain to uninstall and reinstall golf cart batteries, my recommendation would be to make sure your golf cart is stored above 32 degrees F and keep them charged and maintained throughout winter. This will prolong their life and keep older batteries running for a long time.

Can you leave a golf cart plugged in?

In conclusion, the answer to the question at hand is most likely: No, you shouldn’t always leave your cart plugged in when you are not using it. However, depending upon which type of golf cart you have, the proper guidelines from your manufacturer will differ. According to Club Car, you should leave your cart plugged in during storage and let the computer detect when the batteries need a charge. According to E-Z-GO, you can leave your cart charging during storage, but you should consistently check on your power source. And, according to Yamaha, you should remove your batteries from the cart completely.

Can you leave RXV on charger?

We throw our RXV on this charger and are able to leave it plugged in and it will automatically top off the batteries if need be.

Can you leave a battery charger plugged in?

The battery chargers can be left plugged in during prolonged storage, if the charger is plugged into an active electrical source. If the electrical source is not consistent, you should not leave the battery chargers plugged in , for the battery charger will automatically continue to address the battery pack.

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