Golf-FAQ.com

which wheel size is a better ride on a lifted golf cart

by Johnnie Kihn Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

We generally recommend using a 22 x 11.00 x 10 off-road knobby type tire on a negative offset 10″ golf cart wheel for most lift kit applications, although you can get as large as you like (at your own risk, of course).

Full Answer

What size tires will fit in a lifted golf cart?

In addition, lifted golf carts can fit any high profile tire measuring at 10”, 12” or 14”. Lifted carts will be able to take 20", 22", 23" and in some cases 24" all terrain tires.

Is it worth it to lift a golf cart?

There are many performance golf cart parts that can drastically improve any drawbacks but please understand lifting a golf cart can be an expensive and time consuming undertaking. The quality of the products you choose will play a huge part in the performance you can expect after a lift.

What is the size of a golf cart wheel?

Golf cart wheels are generally 8″-14”across at the bead seat and 7-8″ across from flange to flange. Most have a lug pattern which is commonly referred to as a “4 on 4” style.

How to extend the wheelbase of a golf cart?

If you want to extend the wheelbase of your golf cart, what can give your golf cart the stance you prefer is none other than the wheel spacers. Majority of the wheel spacers that are available in the market are cast from solid aluminum, made especially to add durability and for added strength.

What size tires can you put on a lifted golf cart?

Lifted golf carts can fit ANY 8” tire, low profile OR high profile. In addition, lifted golf carts can fit any high profile tire measuring at 10”, 12” or 14”. Lifted carts will be able to take 20", 22", 23" and in some cases 24" all terrain tires.

Is it better to have smaller or bigger wheels?

While larger-diameter wheels and tires should improve handling and high-speed performance, lower-profile tires also tend to have a firmer ride and may be noisier than the smaller, standard rubber. Some potential performance benefits may be offset by the additional weight of the larger tires and wheels.

Do bigger wheels ride better?

Avoid bigger wheels if you want a smoother ride. As a general rule, bigger wheels result in a rougher ride. Switching to a smaller wheel and a thicker tire can give you a smoother ride without any major modifications to your car.

What size tires should I put on my golf cart?

Thankfully, most golf cart tires are standardized – most of these vehicles are around the same size and require similar tire widths and heights. The most standard golf carts need an 18” tall tire with an 8” width. The standard golf cart tire size is typically 18” tall by 8” to 8.5” wide.

Are 17 or 18 inch wheels better?

The Quick Answer Smaller 18″ alloys will have tires with a lower profile compared to the smaller 17″ alloys. The benefits of the 18″ alloys are that they result in sharper handling and look more aesthetically pleasing, however, the 17″ alloys are more comfortable, quieter and cheaper in comparison.

What are the advantages of bigger wheels?

Wider car wheels, in the most basic sense, result in more road contact, wider thread, and stiffer sidewalls, all of these characteristics and more will contribute to your vehicle cornering better. Bigger wheels open your car up to better design choices along with a better assortment of tires.

Are 18 or 20 inch wheels better?

They may provide less comfort. Due to a decreased sidewall, 20-inch tires can increase the discomfort you feel when going over potholes, speed bumps, gravel roads, and other road hazards. If you're into off-roading, 20-inch tires might not be the best choice.

Are 16 inch wheels better than 17 inch?

The Quick Answer. Larger 17″ alloy wheels will have give the car sportier handling by improving cornering and stability compared to 16″ wheels. However, 16″ wheels are cheaper and produce less road noise, have better fuel economy and feel more comfortable compared to 17″ wheels.

Why are smaller wheels better?

Smaller wheels do handle better due to their size. They will always be better to work with than bigger wheels because they cover a lot less distance than the bigger models with each volume. This makes every sensor on a modern car more capable of keeping a tab on the behavior of the tires.

Do bigger tires make a golf cart faster?

The larger surface area of the bigger tires and wheels increases the maximum possible miles per hour. In some cases, this can be a boost of 300%! The bigger the tires, the better the speed.

Why does my golf cart ride so rough?

Your golf cart ride can be rough because of tire problems, suspension problems or issues with the transmission. Tire Problem: Incorrect air pressure and wrongly aligned tires are two key tire-related problems that can trigger rough golf cart rides.

What's the biggest tire you can put on a stock golf cart?

All carts can fit up to a 23" tire with a 6" lift kit installed.

What size tires can a golf cart fit?

Lifted golf carts can fit ANY 8” tire, low profile OR high profile. In addition, lifted golf carts can fit any high profile tire measuring at 10”, 12” or 14”. Lifted carts will be able to take 20", 22", 23" and in some cases 24" all terrain tires.

How long do golf cart tires last?

Generally, golf cart tires last 2-3 years. Here are a few things that will help to prolong the life of your golf cart tires: 1 Proper Ply/Tread - Make sure that you’re selecting the proper ply/tread for the terrain where you’ll be driving. For example, you won’t want to buy 2 ply tires if you’re going offroading. 2 Rotate Tires Regularly - Uneven weight differences between the front and rear of the golf cart can cause wear and tear. Keeping your tires rotated periodically keeps them as even as can be, thus cutting down on the wear and tear. This is best for golf cart tires.

What is a dot tire?

A DOT golf cart tire is a tire that is approved by the Department of Transportation for legal use on highways. DOT approved golf cart tires have street tread patterns. These golf cart tires come in several different sizes to fit 8”, 10”, 12”, and 14” golf cart wheels.

What is an all terrain golf cart tire?

An all terrain golf cart tire is just another term for a high profile tire or off road tire. See above for more on high profile tires and click here for some big All Terrain Tires.

How to remove lug nuts from golf cart?

The first thing you’ll want to do is slide a small floor jack under the chassis of the golf cart to raise it up slightly. Next, remove the lug nuts using the proper socket size and pull the wheel off of the lug studs. From there, you’ll need to use a valve stem tool to remove the valve from the tire stem.

What is a high profile tire?

High profile tires, also known as all terrain tires, are generally thicker and made to fit any golf cart that IS lifted (aga in, no lift kit installed). A high profile tire can be bought in several different sizes as well (8”, 10”, 12” & 14”). All Club Car EZGO and Yamaha golf carts will accept an 8” high-profile golf cart tire without a lift kit.

Why rotate golf cart tires?

Rotate Tires Regularly - Uneven weight differences between the front and rear of the golf cart can cause wear and tear. Keeping your tires rotated periodically keeps them as even as can be, thus cutting down on the wear and tear. This is best for golf cart tires.

Why are golf cart wheels so popular?

Golf cart wheels are becoming more popular in the custom golf cart industry, and for good reason. They make the golf cart stand out, and add a level of awesomeness that turns heads when it rolls down the road.

What is a golf cart tire?

The golf cart Tire is pretty much what you’d expect. It’s a big piece of black rubber that is shaped around the silver metal that supports the tire. That silver metal part is called the wheel. A rim is just another name for a wheel. So if you’re confused about the difference between rim and wheel, there is none.

What does it mean when a golf cart tire is DOT approved?

DOT Approved. If your tires are DOT approved, this means that they are certified through the Department of Transportation. The treads are designed for road use, and will come in sizes such as 8”, 10”, 12” and 14” for your golf cart wheels.

How long do golf cart tires last?

Depending on the amount of use they get, and how hard you ride, tires will last anywhere between 2 and 4 years.

What size tires do you need for a club car?

You can find High Profile tires in sizes such as 8, 10, 12, and 14 inches. If you own a Club Car, EZGO, or Yamaha, you’ll be able to get away with an 8” all terrain tire without a lift kit. As you can see, the type of tire you purchase can directly affect whether you’re going to need a lift kit.

What are high profile tires?

These are mostly designed for off-roading, and will require your golf cart to be lifted. You can find High Profile tires in sizes such as 8, 10, 12, and 14 inches.

Can you put low profile tires on a golf cart?

Low Profile tires are going to be thinner, and more versatile when it comes to fitting your golf cart. Chances are, you’ll be able to fit most low profile tires on your golf cart without a lift kit.

Sizing

Modern golf cart tires are tubeless and come in a wide variety of sizes and tread patterns. All tubeless golf cart tires have a thick ‘bead’ at the inner diameter of the tire on each side and air pressure pushes the bead against the wheel to form an air tight seal.

Tire Pressure

Your golf cart’s tire pressure is critical to long tire life. Proper tire pressure is usually indicated on the sidewall and will vary between brands or models of golf cart tires. Most golf car tires use somewhere between 15 to 25 PSI (pounds per square inch) with an average of about 20-22 PSI.

Tire Tread Patterns

Golf cart tire tread patterns vary from smooth (no tread at all) for greens mowers to straight rib and sawtooth for golf, turf, and street, to every type of knobby imaginable for off-road, mud, sand, and lifted application. We carry a full line of golf cart tires in our online store for golf/street use and for all types of off-road terrain.

Golf Cart Wheels

The rubber tires just described are useless without a golf cart wheel to which it is mounted. Golf cart wheels are generally made from steel or aluminum and can be painted or chromed. Wheels have rim flanges at their outer edges that provide a ‘seat’ for the ‘bead’ of the golf cart tire and a small hole for the valve stem.

What is the best lift for a golf cart?

4″ Lifts. If you are looking for 4 inches specifically, then a block lift is going to be your best option. These are the easiest to install, tend to be affordable, and still allow you to add taller, beefier tires to your custom golf cart.

Why do golf carts have wider stances?

This can give your golf cart a wider stance, and increase the stability. The wider stance is perfect for those looking to fit those big off-set wheels on your cart, which in turn, can allow you to add wider and taller tires.

What golf carts have 20" tires?

Yamaha is another golf cart brand that has very little space for upgraded tires on stock models. The only exception would be their G29 (DRIVE), which can handle 20″ tires without installing a lift kit.

What is a drop spindle lift?

Drop Spindle Lift Kits are probably the most popular options when increasing the ground clearance for your golf cart. These kits are very easy to install, they utilize the already existing suspension, and they aren’t expensive. Drop Spindle kits are used to replace and increase the golf cart spindle size and length.

What is an A arm lift kit?

A-Arm Lift Kits are probably one of the most popular types of lift kits for golf carts considering they use a circular tubing construction as opposed to square. This makes the cart look a lot nicer, and adds durability and strength.

What is double take golf cart?

Double Take is another well known company in the golf cart industry, leading the way for aftermarket parts for your custom cart. They offer lift kits, body kits, wheels, and tires. They also have a color matching system so you can design your custom cart to stand out from the rest.

How does a drop axle lift work?

The way a drop axle lift works, is they add a longer stock radius, which then tapers down to the spindles already attached to the golf cart. This can increase the axle height, and allows you to replace the whole front axel without having to mess with your spindles.

What is a golf cart lift kit?

Golf Cart Lift Kits come in several types and lift sizes depending on your make of cart. The most common lifts are spindle and drop axle. Recently long travel adjustable lifts have taken golf cart lifts to a whole new level! These truly amazing lifts allow you to be in control of your carts height and easily change it to suit your needs.

Why are larger tires better for climbing?

More work combined with the strain to rotate the larger tires will greatly reduce your climbing speed and load carrying torque.

What is an adjustable tire kit?

An adjustable kit will give you the freedom to drop your cart down and swap your tires when you want to play a round. All terrain tires are designed to be used both on and off road, however you will wear them down faster on pavement and the ride is not all the time pleasant.

What is the easiest lift to install?

Spindle lifts are probably the easiest kits to install as well as the cheapest. Spindle lifts simply replace the factory spindles lifting the cart. Drop axle lifts replace the entire axle and can be a little more expensive and complicated to install. However a axle lift is a much stronger cleaner looking lift.

Why do tires roll faster on flat ground?

When you increase the overall height of your tires you may gain a little top-end speed when on flat ground, due to larger tires rolling further with each revolution. More strain is put on your motor or engine to move the larger tires the same amount of rotations it was moving the smaller tires.

What is the best lift kit?

Drop axles are usually the best lift kits you can buy and there are several great premium manufacturer’s such as Jake’s or All Sports Mfg. Always invest as much as possible, as quality really makes a huge difference in a lift kit. Save up if you have to but never sacrifice quality for cost!

What to expect after a lift?

The quality of the products you choose will play a huge part in the performance you can expect after a lift. Lift Kits are one area that you should never cut corners on or buying lesser quality equipment. Here are some of the basic areas you should consider before lifting your cart, if you find the benefits of a lift outweigh ...

Why do golf carts need lift kits?

Many golf cart owners and golf cart enthusiasts are turning to lift kits, not just because they are necessary if you plan on adding larger tires or carrying an extra amount of weight , but also because they make the golf cart look totally rugged and awesome. Some folks do it for actual workability on rugged terrain and some folks just do it for show.

What is a golf cart tire?

A golf cart part that would be essential to installing bigger, meatier golf cart tires. A golf cart accessory that would make it a breeze to bump on over rougher more rugged terrain without fear of “bottoming out” while carrying back seat passengers (which, of course makes the golf cart heavier than if you had a few golf bags or a cooler in ...

What parts do you need for a golf cart lift kit?

There are several parts that we recommend replacing and/or adding while you are down there adding your golf cart lift kit and one that we ALWAYS recommend is: Heavy Duty Leaf Springs: This may be a no-brainer, but Heavy Duty Golf Cart Leaf Springs are essential. If you are planning on adding bigger tires and a lift kit, ...

Where is the habitat of golf carts?

For decades upon decades, the elusive habitat for a golf cart was really any climate from the Arctic Circle to the equator, just as long as the ground was, for the most part grassy, sprawling/rolling hills with a few low-impact paths that connected on relatively flat surface to another, in couplings of eighteen or nine.

Do you need leaf springs for a cart?

If you are planning on adding bigger tires and a lift kit, to prepare for driving on more rough and rugged terrain, all while carrying more weight, then you will definitely want to get a set of heavy duty leaf springs to throw on your cart. They are super easy for regular folks to install and can be replaced within a short amount of time.

Do you need to overhaul your golf cart?

This means that you must overhaul the underbelly of your golf cart to give way for extra width and height of your new tires. As you can imagine, this can become a pretty involved task/project and generally requires the assistance of a golf cart tech or service depot, especially if you do not have the tools necessary or the knowledge to get ...

Do golf carts have predators?

Yes, you guessed right! These things were called “Greens” and they were a part of a system of tee boxes, ponds, sand traps and fairways. Essentially, your basic, run of the mill golf course. However, golf carts, much like most other species that are invasive, had no predator to be concerned about and there, was born an expansion into back-country ...

Why do golf carts need lift kits?

Golf Cart owners are turning to lift kits. There are many reasons to buy a lift kit including the fact that they turn a buggy-looking golf cart into something that looks more like a roadster. Just the tires alone give extra height to the cart, but the fancy, new tires create another problem, which is that they shrink the clearance between ...

How much does a lift kit cost without tires?

One reason to stop is money, of course. A lift kit without new tires can run from $100 to $400, but it is not wise to go cheap on such a project. You don’t want taller and weaker. You want a solid job if you do this at all.

What is the habitat of a golf cart?

For many decades the natural habitat of the golf cart was almost any climate from the equator to the arctic circle so long as the terrain was mostly grassy, rolling hills with a few meandering paths that wandered from one relatively flat space to another usually in groupings of nine or eighteen. The relatively flat spaces had very short grass ...

Is golf cart invasive?

But the golf cart, like many other invasive species, had no natural predator to worry about and thus began a sure-footed expansion into residential communities, backcountry areas, farms, beaches, you name it. As such, while the golf cart was perfectly adapted for the game of golf, the species had to adapt to fit other types ...

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9