Golf carts in the woods

[Heartman]

Own a 2008 EZ-GO cart and it seems to have lots of power - not high speed but low-end torquey power. Now wondering about taking the turf tires off and converting to higher more aggressive tires for use in the woods - maybe even hauling a deer or something. Not an ATV for riding through the woods off-trail - just for use on tote roads, etc. Biggest issue to my eye seems the low ground clearance as is - lifted, big tires will get me up and over rocks, puddles and the crown in the trail alot easier by my way of thinking.

Any experience with lift kits and bigger tires to get a little more use out of this thing? Again, I realize it cannot take the place of a gas four-wheeler, no questions about that. But I know the Bad Boy carts are all electric and they seem to be pretty slick - put a lift kit and bidder tires on my EZ-GO and all of a sudden I won't have to drag my deer as far as I used to - now I can throw it on the golf cart and head back to camp.

Any experience from users? Advice and suggestions all welcome - call me anything you want but I'm looking to make this rig a bit more all-season.

[Dave S]

people use golf carts for ice fishing too so your idea isn't too far fetched. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you have it properly registered if you take it into the woods and read up on the ATV laws specific to your use.

Comparing to a Bad Boy Buggy might be a stretch. They may be similar to a golf cart but the overall design is intended for off road use whereas golf carts aren't. So the added elements such as deeper water/mud/dirt will take its toll.

[luckycrank]

ive got a buddy at work thats been doing exactly this i will let him read this maybe hea can offer advise . i think you would be amazed what you can do with then , when lifted snorkled and winched

[magnum mike]

One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you have it properly registered if you take it into the woods and read up on the ATV laws specific to your use.

The last time I checked, there was NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED for golf carts. They are in a class of their own and the DNR didn't recognize them as ATVs. Motor vehicle laws do apply with firearms, alcohol, etc..

[Macgyver55]

The last time I checked, there was NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED for golf carts. They are in a class of their own and the DNR didn't recognize them as ATVs.

So if I put EZ-GO on the front of my Foreman and carry a few clubs and golf balls I dont have to register it?

Seriously, they dont need registration if used as a golf cart, but if operated on an

ATV trail or in the woods they are in effect an off-road vehicle and would require registration. I'm sure you've seen the signs on trails "NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES EXCEPT ATVS AND SNOWMOBILES".

I believe it fits right in to the following description with some big tires on it and most likely you'd have a tough time convincing a CO otherwise.

Class 1 ATVs are motorized flotation-tired vehicles with at least

three but no more than six low pressure tires that have an engine

displacement of less than 1000 cubic centimeters and total dry weight of

less than 1000 pounds

[Dave S]

The last time I checked, there was NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED for golf carts. They are in a class of their own and the DNR didn't recognize them as ATVs. Motor vehicle laws do apply with firearms, alcohol, etc..

Magnum mike,

I would strongly recommend you do a little more research before giving false information.

Any motorized vehicle that is operated on any land or roadway that is under local gov. jurisdiction (city, township, county or state) needs to be identified or registered appropriately in MN.

I say "identified" due to vehicles such as tractors or other slow moving equipment that is required to have the triangular sign attached to the back.

On a side note, some golf carts are designed to travel on roadways with posted speed limits of 30 mph or less and must be licensed the same as a car.

There are of course some exceptions. Some of which are listed in the ATV regulations located in the top thread of the ATV forum.

[leech~~]

Magnum mike,

I would strongly recommend you do a little more research before giving false information.

Any motorized vehicle that is operated on any land or roadway that is under local gov. jurisdiction (city, township, county or state) needs to be identified or registered appropriately in MN.

I say "identified" due to vehicles such as tractors or other slow moving equipment that is required to have the triangular sign attached to the back.

On a side note, some golf carts are designed to travel on roadways with posted speed limits of 30 mph or less and must be licensed the same as a car.

There are of course some exceptions. Some of which are listed in the ATV regulations located in the top thread of the ATV forum.

I agree. I'm sure the Sheriff or Warden would scratch their heads for a minute when they see a Golf cart out in the woods, but would come up with some reason that it is an ATV and un-licensed because it has 4 wheels and a motor on it.

[magnum mike]

Fellas, the last time I checked was around 10 years ago. A golf cart was not an ATV. It could not be registered as an ATV. All other motor vehicle rules applied at the time. Nothing was said about the current status of these machines. Pretty quick on the trigger to criticize. Maybe a more civilzed response after carefully reading the post would have been "When was this? The current regs state..."

[backlash 1]

Glen and Diane Erlandson have started a new business in Baxter a couple years ago dealing only with modifying golf carts. They designed hi lift kits, clutchs and kits, etc, check em out.

google their last name and Technology.

[Bent Elbow]

We have a 1990's vintage EZ GO Marathon (Gas) - Lifted suspension with oversized tires installed. We have the flip/fold seat that converts into a small box on the rear. This unit has had it's share of issues (clutch, engine, suspension) but has served us well for the last 10 years. Remember, these machines are designed to run on a golf course - not through mud and rough trails. Expect to have repairs and modifications as you go but much less expensive than a new UTV.

[Bent Elbow]

One more thing, The CO stopped by our camp around 5 years ago and said that we needed to license the cart as an ATV or he would site us on the next visit. I went to the local license bureau back home and they said that I do not need to register the cart. I insisted they license it and bought the Agricultural/Private permanent registration ($45.00) as we never take the machine off of our own property. The CO has never returned to inspect the machine, but I am ready for him if he does show up again.