Seeking Input from Others - Hydralift/Golf Cart

[rewillia]

We've decided we want to tote a street legal golf/leisure cart by means of a Hydralift(HL)and beginning research on both; the best type of cart to buy (4-passenger)? and the particular model HL we'll need? We're aware US Fed/State Hwy code limits the length of the cart (or width when using a lift) to 101.5" and wondering if there are any others here in the Newmar Owner's forum that have done the same. Typical 4-passenger carts are too long (i.e. >101.5") so we're looking into modifications that would allow the rear facing cart seat base plate to fold up for transporting the cart. The attached photo is an example of what we're talking about (shown with a 2-seater GC). Hydralift tells us they make a special lift (modified to accept the heavier carts) but we're also considering potential interference with the coach's taillights. Pulling a toad/dinghy will not be an issue and Spartan advises that our chassis can handle both with no issue. Experience/opinions welcome...we just want to make the right choices and have a trouble free set-up. Our coach is a Newmar Essex 45 DP on Spartan K3.

If you've got a similar set-up, please share your experience, advice and opinion. Thanks and Happy Holidays.

[specmga1]

Have a look at these 2 carts. They are both street legal

http://www.ezgo.com/Home/Personal/2Five/2Five4Pass

Home - Garia Luxury Golf Car

The Hydralift is a great lift!

Good Luck!

[SMertens]

Originally Posted by rewillia

We've decided we want to tote a street legal golf/leisure cart by means of a Hydralift(HL)and beginning research on both; the best type of cart to buy (4-passenger)? and the particular model HL we'll need? We're aware US Fed/State Hwy code limits the length of the cart (or width when using a lift) to 101.5" and wondering if there are any others here in the Newmar Owner's forum that have done the same. Typical 4-passenger carts are too long (i.e. >101.5") so we're looking into modifications that would allow the rear facing cart seat base plate to fold up for transporting the cart. The attached photo is an example of what we're talking about (shown with a 2-seater GC). Hydralift tells us they make a special lift (modified to accept the heavier carts) but we're also considering potential interference with the coach's taillights. Pulling a toad/dinghy will not be an issue and Spartan advises that our chassis can handle both with no issue. Experience/opinions welcome...we just want to make the right choices and have a trouble free set-up. Our coach is a Newmar Essex 45 DP on Spartan K3.

If you've got a similar set-up, please share your experience, advice and opinion. Thanks and Happy Holidays.

Attachment 146300

I can't answer about a golf cart, I use the Hydra-Lift to carry a 1000 pound motorcycle. If the vehicle goes side to side on the back of the coach, it WILL block the tail lights. I had the lift installed and had the installer add aux lighting on the back of the lift to compensate. I use a L.E.D. strip right under the back lip of the lift, but I have also seen regular round lights added to the lift on each side.

[Isaac-1]

While I don't havea Newmar or a Hydralift, I do have a 4 seat golf cart, it is a E-Z Go RXV which is on the same body and shares much of the same drivetrain with the above mentioned 2Five (the 2Five adds mechanical brakes, a speedometer and a few other things and is registered at time of production as an LSV with has a VIN number, etc). Anyway the point I am getting at is that my RXV was bought as a 2 seat cart, then had an aftermarket rear seat conversion done which uses a different foot plate than the factory 4 seat cart and can removed easily (4 bolts), or if 2 bolts are removed it can pivot up, I know because I have a trailer which is about 102 inches long with a lift up tailgate and I either have to remove the tailgate or remove pivot the foot rest to get the golfcart to fit onboard. I suspect you could swap out all the parts between the aftermarket rear seat and the factory rear seat and do the same thing. I am not sure what is involved in removing the factory fixed foot plate, but suspect it is likely still only a few bolts, however they may be at arms length. I had to remove my foot plate as well as its mounting bars to replace a bad electric brake on my RXV (simple job the thing is held in by 3 bolts, just a pain since it must be done at arms length and the brake weighs about 7 or 8 pounds).

I would suggest double checking this with an E-Z go dealer that has a factory 2Five or RXV with factory 4 seat cart though.

Also be aware LSV's and street legal golf carts (2 different things for legal reasons, LSV's have a VIN number at build time) are not street legal in all states. In many states they are limited to operate on roads with a speed limit below either 45 or 35 mph. I happen to live in Louisiana which has some of the strongest legal restrictions on such vehicles, where they are illegal for all practical purposes, only allowed on designated streets marked with signs by the local government which have a speed limit below 35 mph. In reality this means streets around golf courses in some towns and cities if the city wants to allow it.

p.s. here is a close up photo I had posted on the buggies gone wild web site of the rear wheel which also shows the aftermarket rear seat frame and foot plate on my RXV.

[rewillia]

well thanks thus far, we have decided to goth with the Garia 2+2 cart and are working with the manufacturer (together with the dealer) on the modification to the rear passenger seat base (floor plate) that will allow for either quick on/off removal or folding that will result in something like the set-up shown below but with keeping to US Fed/State Highway regulations which limit the overall width. In our case, we're not golfers hence we don't need the bag holder on the rear, just the floor plate which if we can modify it to be secured (down and folded up) using some pins then that would be the best solution for us.

Not sure how the owner of the set-up shown is getting by with it as shown (as it appears to be exceeding the width of the coach) but sure we'll get ours sorted out just may have to spend some money with a good machine shop or fabricator to modify the OEM base.

[trimacon]

You can see the LED brake lights I added to my HL. I also added another set underneath the lift so when the lift is empty and folded up, there's additional brake lighting as the lift partially obscures my coach set.

[rewillia]

Originally Posted by trimacon

You can see the LED brake lights I added to my HL. I also added another set underneath the lift so when the lift is empty and folded up, there's additional brake lighting as the lift partially obscures my coach set.

Real Nice. We used to ride too but had to give it up due to wife having some orthopedic issues.