How Much Does a Golf Cart Weigh?

Written by: Carolyn Jackson

 

Golf carts aren’t only for golfers! Golf carts are rising in popularity as a way to travel short distances in small communities such as beach towns, downtown areas, retirement communities, and much more. Not to mention golf carts that are used for work such as landscaping, farming, and more — golf carts are an affordable way to make traveling easier.

If you are thinking about investing in a golf cart for any of the above uses, or one not listed, one thing you need to consider is the golf cart weight. The weight of your golf cart is important for two reasons:

1) transporting your golf cart

2) replacing your golf cart batteries (if it is electric).

In this article, we are going to discuss how much golf carts typically weigh, why it’s important to know how much they weigh, how to transport a golf cart, and more.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Golf cart weight is dependent on a few factors, including the manufacturer, the type of power the golf cart uses, and any upgrades or accessories.
  • If you are going to haul, tow, or transport your golf cart, it is very important to understand its dry wright and its curb weight
  • Electric golf carts usually weigh more than a gas golf cart after the batteries are added

 

How Much Do Golf Carts Weigh?

Most traditional 2 person golf carts are between 500 and 700 pounds. There is a slight difference in weight between gas-powered golf carts and battery-powered golf carts. Usually, the dry weight of a gas golf cart is lower than the dry weight of an electric golf cart. This is because batteries are fairly heavy on their own.

For example, a basic EZ-Go model, the Freedom RXV, comes as a 48V electric, Elite Lithium electric, or as a gas-powered golf cart. Here are the different weights for each type of the same model:

EZ-Go Freedom RXV 2 Passenger
48 V Elite Lithium Gas
Dry Weight 565lb 615lb 676lb
Curb Weight 905lb 662lb 692lb


Pro Tip: What is dry weight? When reviewing different golf cart specs, you might see dry weight and curb weight. Dry weight is how much the golf cart weighs without the battery or any fuel loaded onto the vehicle. Curb weight is how much the cart will typically weigh with all of the required parts such as the battery and liquids such as gas, oil, coolant, water, brake fluid, or anything else.

 

Let’s look at another, larger example. The 2021 Club Car Onward 4 Passenger is a luxury 4 passenger personal golf cart model. It comes with 3 different electric options as well as available as a gas option. To better understand the difference and pros and cons of electric golf carts vs gas golf carts, read our Ultimate Guide to Golf Cart Batteries.

Club Car Onward 4 Passenger
Electric HP HP Lithium Gas
Dry Weight 1070lb 1070lb 784lb 795lb

Now, if we look at a commercial-use golf cart such as the Yamana UMAX Two, a 2-seater with an open trunk in the back, the weights are different as well. This model is still available in 48V, Elite Lithium, and Gas.

Yamaha UMAX Two 2 seater
Electric Gas
Dry Weight 1031.8lb 945.8lb

You’ll notice not every manufacturer has the same verbiage for Dry Weight and Curb Weight, and some don’t even mention the difference. You can assume the curb weight for an electric golf cart will be significantly higher


What Impacts the Weight of a Golf Cart?

There are a few factors that will affect the weight of your golf cart. If you need to know the weight of your golf cart, you can start out by consulting the manufacturer’s guide, which should tell you the dry weight. Then, you will need to do some simple math and be conscientious about what you add and how much each additional item weighs, so you can understand your capacity for towing, hauling, and transporting.

Here are some things that will directly impact the dry and curb weight for your golf cart:

  1. The Manufacturer – Different manufacturers use different materials and build techniques that impact how much their golf carts might weigh
  1. The Battery – Golf carts use 6v, 8v, and 12v batteries, and each golf cart may use up to 6 of these large batteries.

Typically golf cart batteries weigh between up to 80 pounds each, and if you need multiple, that can add a significant amount of weight to your cart. For example, the 48V EZ-Go golf cart mentioned above increases by 340lbs after the batteries are added in.

  1. Added Accessories
    • Rear seating kits
    • Sound system
    • Cooler
    • Roof racks
    • Trailer hitches
  1. The Type of Golf Cart
    • 2-seater, 4-seater, 6-seater, commercial, with a trunk, gas vs electric, etc.

Why is it Important to Know How Much a Golf Cart Weighs?

There are a few reasons you might need to know how much your golf cart weighs at a given time:

  1. If you are going to transport it on a trailer, you will need to make sure your trailer and tow vehicle can handle the load.
  2. If you are going to haul something with your golf cart, you need to understand how much added weight you already have on your cart (with added accessories, the batteries, etc.) and calculate that weight into your total hauling capacity.
  3. Like towing, if you are going to fill the cart with people or items, you need to understand the total weight of the cart (included batteries, gas, liquids, accessories, etc.) and ensure it can handle the curb weight load and the additional load you are using it for at any given time.

How to Transport a Golf Cart?

There are many reasons why you might transport a golf cart. Typically golf carts are best used for traveling short distances, such as just a few miles. Golf carts are not meant to drive long distances and most golf cart aren’t street legal, which makes transporting them from point A to point B a bit more involved.

If you sold your golf cart, are buying a golf cart, are traveling somewhere you want to use your golf cart, or want to transport a golf cart for any other reason, you will need to invest in a trailer and a tow vehicle. Otherwise, if you have a toy hauler RV, you can easily park the golf cart in the storage facility in the back of your toy hauler.

If you own a trailer and a tow vehicle, great! All you need to do is ensure that the towing capacity is in line with the weight of the trailer and the golf cart. If it is not, you will need to rent, borrow, or purchase a different, more compatible trailer, or possibly even take the batteries out of the golf cart and transport them separately.

If you do not own a trailer, you can easily rent a utility 8×10 or larger trailer and a ball and hitch to transport your golf cart. You will need to do some investigating on your current vehicle; does it have a hook up for a trailer to attach to and can it haul both the weight of the trailer, the golf cart, and anything inside the vehicle itself.

 

How Do I Calculate My Vehicle’s Towing Capacity?

You need to understand the tow vehicles hauling capacity before you set out to transport your golf cart. There are two ways to do this, first you can consult your manufacturer guide and look for the towing capacity, or you can calculate it yourself by following these steps:

  1. Find out the curb weight of your tow vehicle, which is usually located on the VIN sticker
  2. Add the weight of passengers, fuel, and cargo to the curb weight
  3. Subtract this number from your vehicle’s GCWR, which is also found on the VIN sticker (you may have to look this up using your VIN# if it’s not on the door sticker)

= Your vehicle’s max towing capacity

You will also need to ensure your ball and hitch meets the towing capacity required to haul the trailer and golf cart. This is why it is so important to understand your golf carts dry and curb weight. If you ever do need to transport it, you can easily determine the towing capacity you need to get the proper tools.

Types of Golf Cart Batteries

We’ve talked a lot about how you can have a gas-powered golf cart or a battery-powered golf cart. For the conversation around golf cart weight, battery-powered golf carts are a little more involved. The weight of a full, half-full, or empty gas tank will always be the same, and golf carts only hold an average of 5 gallons of gas, which minimally affects the curb weight.

Battery-operated golf carts, however, can drastically change in weight when you add in batteries. As mentioned above, some batteries can weigh as much as 72lbs per unit — and sometimes you will need multiple batteries for a single cart.

Additionally, batteries wear out. Although, not nearly as frequently as a new tank of gas is needed. When you change out your batteries you will need to keep an eye on the weight difference so you can continue to safely use your golf cart.

Here is some general information on golf cart batteries:

There are two categories of golf cart batteries, each with some subsets.

  1. Deep Cycle Lead Acid Batteries
  2. Lithium-Ion Batteries

Pro and Cons

There are pros and cons to each type of battery. Most golf carts come standard with a deep cycle lead-acid battery.

Lead-acid batteries cost less upfront, but do not last as long as their competitor and require regular maintenance throughout their life span.

Lithium-ion batteries last longer than lead-acid and do not require maintenance while in use, but they do cost significantly more for those added benefits. Lithium-Ion batteries are made for deep cycle applications and are sealed units.

Golf cart batteries typically last anywhere from 4-10 years.

Put another way, a lithium-ion battery should last between 2,000 and 5,000 charging cycles. A lead-acid battery should last somewhere between 500 and 1,000 charging cycles.

For more information on Golf Cart Batteries, see our Ultimate Guide.

How to Buy a Golf Cart

If you are interested in purchasing a golf cart, you have one choice to make first: new or used. There is no wrong answer, but it does impact where you look for your dream golf cart. If you are interested in a new golf cart, finding a golf cart dealer in your area or reaching out directly to your manufacturer of interest is the best place to start.

If you are open to new and used, you can check some of these places for available inventory:

Just like cars, motorcycles and RVs, new golf carts are sold through franchised golf cart dealers. Simply head to google and search golf cart dealers in your area. Remember, most dealers will only sell one brand, so consider deciding which brand you want to purchase before visiting a dealership.

If you are feeling ready to search inventory, we recommend you start with GoRollick’s nationwide network of new and used inventory.

GoRollick works with the best dealers in the country who are dedicated to price transparency and a great buying experience. With GoRollick you can get an upfront price and a special offer on your next golf cart, plus savings on after-purchase products. Then when you’re ready, you can shop at one of our Certified Dealers. GoRollick also ensures that you get access to all available manufacturer incentives. If you’re curious about what’s currently available, you can check out our incentives page here.


Check Out More Helpful Golf Cart Guides and Articles

Golf carts are quickly growing in popularity as more and more areas are accommodating streets for golf carts and manufacturers are creating ready-to-go street legal golf carts. They are a fun and easy way to travel short distances in low-traffic areas. If you are dabbling with the idea of purchasing a new or used golf cart, or if you just aren’t sure what you want yet, check out some of our other articles on golf carts to see if we can answer any of your questions.

GoRollick Marketplace

When you’re ready to find your next golf cart, be sure to check us out at GoRollick.com.

You can:

  • See nationwide inventory, specs, and incentive information
  • Get an upfront, transparent price on your desired golf cart
  • Receive special offers on both the golf cart as well as additional accessories
  • Take advantage of Bonus Savings plus the option to Buy From Home from select Certified Dealers
  • Shop at one of our Certified Dealers who are committed to providing an exceptional buying experience

Check out and Subscribe to the GoRollick YouTube Channel to watch reviews, test rides, and more!

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