TT Towing with Golf Cart in Truck bed

[SouthCo]

Originally Posted by Texdan25

I have seen some folks mentioning an extended shank could affect towing?

My shank is the standard size that comes from Blue Ox. I didn’t order longer one. I can get a measurement on that too but it may be a few weeks. Sorry.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Texdan25

I have seen some folks mentioning an extended shank could affect towing?

There seems to be a weight limit IFF (if and only if) you are using a hitch extender. I haven't seen anything about reduced limits when using an extended shank.

IIRC, my shank is (from etrailer site)...
Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank - 18" Long - 7" Rise, 3" Drop - 600 to 1,400 lbs TW (tongue weight) Item #EQ90-02-4500. There is the tongue weight range, but that's it.

I have a F-350 w/4-point Equalizer brand hitch and have hauled MANY trailers MANY miles with no issues. Well, one issue: A couple of times I believe it cost extra due to the combined overall length of TV & TT.

[Texdan25]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

There seems to be a weight limit IFF (if and only if) you are using a hitch extender. I haven't seen anything about reduced limits when using an extended shank.

IIRC, my shank is (from etrailer site)...
Equal-i-zer Weight Dist Shank - 18" Long - 7" Rise, 3" Drop - 600 to 1,400 lbs TW (tongue weight) Item #EQ90-02-4500. There is the tongue weight range, but that's it.

I have a F-350 w/4-point Equalizer brand hitch and have hauled MANY trailers MANY miles with no issues. Well, one issue: A couple of times I believe it cost extra due to the combined overall length of TV & TT.

Now that you mention that I believe that's what I heard, extender and not shank. Thanks oldmanAZ.
So with my tailgate down and my existing 12" E2 shank I only have about 2" clearance between the tailgate and power jack. Using an 18" would give me 8" of clearance. How much is needed to be able to make a 90 degree turn? I don't think I can raise my gate any due to my GC rear tires resting on it.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by jbrnigan

Not to hijack the thread, but, after going through the same process, I finally installed a hitch on the rear of my trailer and now just tow my golf cart behind the trailer.
(yeah, I get it, not legal in some states, you can't back up, etc etc etc)

Great, do you have any pics?

[jasonnorton]

Well I tried to get the golf cart in the back of the truck this AM. It was... interesting. I'll be making a slight modification to the cart.

https://youtu.be/qTJ3trFQtm0

[Witt74]

You might want to put a couple of 2x6s at the end of the ramps to keep the rear of the golf cart from dragging.

[Texdan25]

Originally Posted by Witt74

You might want to put a couple of 2x6s at the end of the ramps to keep the rear of the golf cart from dragging.

Mine did the same thing, I used a couple of 2x12's about 7' long at the bottom of the ramps, problem solved.

[jasonnorton]

I'll see if the wife will let me hit Lowes on the way home from church! Do ya'll think a 2x8 cut in half will work?

[Texdan25]

Originally Posted by jasonnorton

I'll see if the wife will let me hit Lowes on the way home from church! Do ya'll think a 2x8 cut in half will work?

Well, my tires are almost 10" wide and ramps11 or 12 so that's why I used a 2x12. That's a lot of weight going on them. I'll let someone else chime in though.

[jasonnorton]

2x12 sounds good then!

[Texdan25]

Originally Posted by jasonnorton

2x12 sounds good then!

I would think for a few extra dollars it would be better safe than sorry. If one broke it could flip the cart onto it's side right? I also placed a block under each one about midway 'just in case'.

[jasonnorton]

Just purchased it from Lowe's and had them cut it in half in store. Of course now it's snowing like crazy.... Since my ramp has a lot of holes in it I purchased four carriage bolts to drop through the wood into the ramp just to make sure it doesn't move.

[Texdan25]

Originally Posted by jasonnorton

Just purchased it from Lowe's and had them cut it in half in store. Of course now it's snowing like crazy.... Since my ramp has a lot of holes in it I purchased four carriage bolts to drop through the wood into the ramp just to make sure it doesn't move.

Yea, I had a couple of those ramp thingies that you bold onto a 2x8/10/12 and then hooked them onto my ramp. Since there is not a whole lot of incline they worked fine. Any way to anchor them should work.

But now my problem is that there is not enough clearance to leave my tailgate down while towing my TT, there's only about 1" between the TG and TT jack. I could get and extended 18" shank which would add 6" for a total of 7" clearance but don't know if that would be enough when making a 90 degree turn?

[jasonnorton]

I purchased the full size and 13" bars from DG Manufacturing. They sent me a mail saying the 13" was on backorder. As soon as I get that I'll do another quick video or upload some pictures.

[Texdan25]

Originally Posted by jasonnorton

I purchased the full size and 13" bars from DG Manufacturing. They sent me a mail saying the 13" was on backorder. As soon as I get that I'll do another quick video or upload some pictures.

I know about those bars. But my cart is 7' long from the front bar to the bottom of the rear tire so it sits on the tailgate about 6" (I have a 6-1/2ft bed). So the tailgate can't be partially raised.

[jasonnorton]

My bed is 6'9" long. The wheels will be just inside the bed. I'll try to shut the tailgate when the weather gets better. But I did get the car up!

[Texdan25]

Originally Posted by jasonnorton

My bed is 6'9" long. The wheels will be just inside the bed. I'll try to shut the tailgate when the weather gets better. But I did get the car up! Attachment 47503Attachment 47504

Looks like the wider boards did the trick! Wish I could get my cart on the back of my truck without having to remove the tailgate. I tried making a platform which stuck out about 8" from the bed but just didn't look secure having the cart hang off the bed like that. And wife said 'no way' so that was that!

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by Texdan25

Looks like the wider boards did the trick! Wish I could get my cart on the back of my truck without having to remove the tailgate. I tried making a platform which stuck out about 8" from the bed but just didn't look secure having the cart hang off the bed like that. And wife said 'no way' so that was that!

You have a smart wife!

[jasonnorton]

A few pics of it in. To put the tailgate (mostly) up I had to pull off the rear steps. Going to use cotter pin/bolt instead of nuts and bolts to make it easier.

[RAurand]

Looks good, Just try not to hit the tail gate on the trailer tongue jack or propane tanks if you ever have to make a tight turn.