Question Does anyone tow a trailer with a golf cart in the truck bed?

[jdubh]

My poor preggers wife had to ride her bike all over Ft. Wilderness for two weeks while everyone else there drove golf carts. Today I was looking at a blue electric yamaha cart and said "That blue would match the truck really nice." She replied, "Well then go get it." I was kinda shocked as she never lets me get anything cool but as we go camping 2-3 weekends a month in the summer and several weeklong vacations...and we plan on having more kids...she wants one to get herself and the kids around (especially when she's pregnant). Laziness wins again!

So I've started a search for a golf cart to fit in the bed of the DC SB. The length on most of the EZGO and Yamaha carts is around 94". The measurement from the front bumper to mid back wheel is around 73" so both wheels would be in the bed of the truck...meaning I'd probably have to either tow with the tailgate down or remove it all together.

That being said has anyone else here towed a large trailer with a golf cart (or similar sized ATV) in the bed of the truck?

Has anyone relocated their tongue jack on the trailer so they could tow with the gate down? With all four wheels in the actual bed, I figure I could get one of those extend a gate things and then use the space on the gate for a few light (less than the 300lbs owner manual travel limit) things?

Anyone have a picture of their truck with a golf cart in the bed?

Another thing to consider is that if you add that back seat to the cart then it extends the length of the cart another 12-20"...not sure haven't measured, but it sticks out.

[jdubh]

BTW I'm looking at Gas models...they weigh around 560lbs dry (6 gals gas) whereas the electric models weigh 536lbs minus batteries which can weigh 50-70lbs ea and usually have 4-8batts...I would be way overloaded with an electric model...gas will be cuttin' it close.

[tomhole]

So you are going to take your current setup that has 2,000 lbs of hitch weight and ADD more cargo to the truck? Wow...

You should get a 5er and double tow the golf cart behind that.

[jdubh]

Originally Posted by tomhole

So you are going to take your current setup that has 2,000 lbs of hitch weight and ADD more cargo to the truck? Wow...

You should get a 5er and double tow the golf cart behind that.

I should but I figure I'll just spend some time at the CAT scales adjusting the hitch and the way the trailer is loaded and remove enough weight to add the golf cart. The Tundra can do it!

Here were my last weights without bikes/wife/kid.

Steer Axle 3160
Drive Axle 4140
Trailer Axle 8300
Gross Weight 15,600

That puts the truck at 7300lbs...isn't the dry curb weight 5300lbs? I am under the axle weight ratings for each axle, but over GVWR. Does anyone know what a Tundra really weighs 4x4 DC Ltd SB on each axle?

[nomadic]

I would not worry to much about the weights, I run the weights you will all the time with my set up. If you had an 8 foot bed like me it would not be an issue, j/k. I need to lower my tailgate with my tool trailer attached and I think I’m going to replace the jack with one like this.
Bulldog Round Tube Mount Jack — 5000-Lb. Lift Capacity | Trailer Jacks | Northern Tool + Equipment

[TundraBay]

Weight is one issue, but the real problem I see with that setup is you can't extend a receiver and then use a weight distribution hitch. That's a long way back, and the torque on your hitch will be extreme.

You sound like a good candidate for a toy hauler!

[tomhole]

Originally Posted by jdubh

I should but I figure I'll just spend some time at the CAT scales adjusting the hitch and the way the trailer is loaded and remove enough weight to add the golf cart. The Tundra can do it!

Here were my last weights without bikes/wife/kid.

Steer Axle 3160
Drive Axle 4140
Trailer Axle 8300
Gross Weight 15,600

That puts the truck at 7300lbs...isn't the dry curb weight 5300lbs? I am under the axle weight ratings for each axle, but over GVWR. Does anyone know what a Tundra really weighs 4x4 DC Ltd SB on each axle?

jdubh,

This is interesting. My DC weighs 5600 lbs empty. Add me and it's 5800 lbs. So, you really don't have 2,000 lbs hitch weight. Max hitch weight is 7300-5600 = 1700 lbs. You were in the truck, so subtract your weight. Go weigh your truck empty and we will know your actual hitch weight.

The toyhauler suggestion was perfect. You get the best of all worlds.

Tom

[jdubh]

I'm looking for a 5er Toyhauler that the Tundy can handle. I did a search on your posts Tom for your weights and redid some math based on them.

Front axle = 3300 lbs (Tomhole's truck)
Rear axle = 2280 lbs (Tomehole's truck)
Total= 5580 (5540 per manufacturer)
+Me = 5830
+Misc (tools and retrax) = 5930

Gross Weight 7100lbs

My weights from the CAT scale (w me in truck)
Steer Axle 3160 (140)lbs
Drive Axle 4140 +1860lbs
Trailer Axle 8300
Gross Weight 15,600 (-400 under)

Truck 7300 - Curb = 1720
1720-me-misc= 1370--Tongue Weight
TW + TA = 9,670lbs

If I can reduce the tongue weight to 900lbs, shifting 470lbs back to the trailer making the trailer weigh 8770lbs behind the truck then that would free almost enough to cover the weight of the golf cart 536lbs dry (no gas). Of course I'm not sure how much weight ramps will add, 50lbs? Could strap those to the back of the camper and stash my tailgate inside the camper as well.

I also bought a storage bench for my seasonal site so I could remove some things from the trailer such as a weedeater, box of parts, extra chairs, etc. So I could possibly remove even more weight from the trailer reducing the tongue weight as well.

[1jeep]

Sorry, but you are heading down the same path i was just on.

Way too much weight for a 1/2 ton between that trailer and everything you are going to load into the truck, also as tundrabay said you really need a long bed as a hitch extender will cut your receiver rating by 1/3. Taking off the tongue jack might work as long as your tailgate clears the trailer nose on tight turns.

Another thing would be how much will the tailgate take from that cart sitting on it, my third tailgate bent from me walking on it and i only weigh 204lbs! Seriously not trying to beat down the tundra, but you are towing a similiar trailer that i have and it isnt fair to the tundra to ask it to carry more than it was designed for.

[Tankerhank]

If you go with a 5th wheel like you have be thinking in the other post, that rules out putting anything in the back of the truck of any size. The toy hauler idea is excellent except most of them are too much for the Tundra. Sucks ...

Other option is a small trailer behind your 5th wheel for the golf carry.... YeeeeHaaaaaaaaaa Raw Hide!

[jdubh]

Well, I just picked up a brand new 2009 Yamaha gas powered golf cart in cobalt blue to match the truck. It fits in the bed with both wheels in the bed. Left it there to have a windshield and rear seat installed. Got 0% financing and got a great deal since the 2010's are here and it is the slow season for their sales. Now to see how the Tundra feels towing with it in the bed, will stop by a CAT scale and post weights.

[TundraBay]

Originally Posted by jdubh

Well, I just picked up a brand new 2009 Yamaha gas powered golf cart in cobalt blue to match the truck. It fits in the bed with both wheels in the bed. Left it there to have a windshield and rear seat installed. Got 0% financing and got a great deal since the 2010's are here and it is the slow season for their sales. Now to see how the Tundra feels towing with it in the bed, will stop by a CAT scale and post weights.

Looking forward to seeing them! I can't remember, do you have air bags? E-tires?

[jdubh]

Originally Posted by TundraBay

Looking forward to seeing them! I can't remember, do you have air bags? E-tires?

I have LT tires, I wasn't able to find E tires anywhere for the 20" rim, just the 18" which my truck did not come with. I have since learned on this forum that if I lift the truck 3" then I can fit a bigger tire on the 20" rims and they will be E rated. I plan on doing that before next years camping season. I do have airbags...thinking about the compressor now...