Golf cart carrier - Montana Owners Club

RVDH · 06-13-2021, 02:53 PM

I have a Montana 35 high country and I'm looking for a rack to carry my golf cart on the back frame. Ant ideas/

rohrmann · 06-13-2021, 07:02 PM

The frames on these rigs are no where strong enough to carry a golf cart, maybe the bag of clubs and a few balls.

RVDH · 06-14-2021, 06:21 AM

How do you figure that? The gate on the back right now is rated for 500lbs, total weight of my golf cart with batteries is 875lbs without batteries 476lbs well within the spec for the trailer. I appreciate your input but don't give out opinions without fact. I may have my local welder come up with something.

Dave W · 06-14-2021, 06:39 AM

Add that weight to the back of a HC and your frame and suspension will suffer plus your trailer handling will be abominable with sway.

I can assure you that our HC 343 even with the as installed and upgraded suspension would not handle that rear frame lever arm load. If you know better - go for it. It's your choice, your trailer

RVDH · 06-14-2021, 07:08 AM

Like I said in the previous post the about the cargo gate on the back already with I already carry about 300lbs on between the generator and dock box full of equipment. Plus I if don't fill the water tank that saves me 450lbs which is just forward of the rear bumper. I figured taking the batteries out and put them in the truck bed and I shouldn't have a problem. Of course you have to keep the overall weight and balance in check, so again where do you come up with your comments? I this by experience? Have you ever looked into it?

kowbra · 06-20-2021, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVDH

Like I said in the previous post the about the cargo gate on the back already with I already carry about 300lbs on between the generator and dock box full of equipment. Plus I if don't fill the water tank that saves me 450lbs which is just forward of the rear bumper. I figured taking the batteries out and put them in the truck bed and I shouldn't have a problem. Of course you have to keep the overall weight and balance in check, so again where do you come up with your comments? I this by experience? Have you ever looked into it?

If you want to know the right answer, ask the manufacturers; in this case Keystone/Montana and Lippert. But I think you already know the answer.

I find it strange how aggressive you are in coming here ostensibly asking questions then slamming the people who provide them.

Try it out and report back. Maybe it works, but more likely your slides start jamming, or you start noticing cracking in the fibreglass. Will the local welder fix those issues if they arise?

But, hey, I hear some local welders can make anything work

Brad

Edd · 06-22-2021, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVDH

Like I said in the previous post the about the cargo gate on the back already with I already carry about 300lbs on between the generator and dock box full of equipment. Plus I if don't fill the water tank that saves me 450lbs which is just forward of the rear bumper. I figured taking the batteries out and put them in the truck bed and I shouldn't have a problem. Of course you have to keep the overall weight and balance in check, so again where do you come up with your comments? I this by experience? Have you ever looked into it?

I built steel 4x8 foot deck on the back of my Montana witch puts us at 44 feet. I carry a late model 1k pound full dress Harley Davidson on the back with ease. The deck is about 225 pounds. I welded two receivers on both side I beams and regular trailer hitch square tubing on the deck. It slides in and with ease! We have over 30k miles on this rig with 0 problem's! and that is saying alot with all the jacked up roads in this US of A

Ozarkwoods · 06-20-2021, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVDH

How do you figure that? The gate on the back right now is rated for 500lbs, total weight of my golf cart with batteries is 875lbs without batteries 476lbs well within the spec for the trailer. I appreciate your input but don't give out opinions without fact. I may have my local welder come up with something.

Sounds like you have it all figured out, how much do you figure the platform able to support the bouncing weight of the cart is going to weigh? So you plan on taking your batteries out every time you have the cart on the platform?

Ram Montana High Country · 06-21-2021, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVDH

How do you figure that? The gate on the back right now is rated for 500lbs, total weight of my golf cart with batteries is 875lbs without batteries 476lbs well within the spec for the trailer. I appreciate your input but don't give out opinions without fact. I may have my local welder come up with something.

Just check with manufacturer, my bet is you’ll void frame warranty. And you should not be rude when you ask for opinions, accept what you get

skippydoo · 06-21-2021, 02:33 PM

Hi there,
I do not have an answer to your question.

I am very interested in your follow UP info for us when you hitch everything up.

We would LOVE to have a golf cart on back of our MHC. So far we have not found anyone who has done it. Come to think of it, we have never seen one either in all of our travels.

Cant wait to find out what you have decided.

richfaa · 06-14-2021, 07:08 AM

Pay no attention yo the posters here trying o offer constructive advice hook it up and go.

RVDH · 06-14-2021, 07:13 AM

I was just looking for a brand or someone that has this configuration, I'm well in tune to people that post BS, I also am a seasoned RV'r. Been towing trailers for 40 years! I know its a matter of weight & balance. i see posts about tow behind's installing sway bars and load levers, if you load any trailer correctly you don't need any of that!

Darrel · 06-20-2021, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVDH

I was just looking for a brand or someone that has this configuration, I'm well in tune to people that post BS, I also am a seasoned RV'r. Been towing trailers for 40 years! I know its a matter of weight & balance. i see posts about tow behind's installing sway bars and load levers, if you load any trailer correctly you don't need any of that!

It would have been helpful to include more information (Make, year, batteries left in or taken out). People here are also just trying to help. If you don’t like the help ignore it but don’t trash anyone when you opened this dialog with almost zero information.

WeBeFulltime · 06-14-2021, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richfaa

Pay no attention yo the posters here trying o offer constructive advice hook it up and go.

I agree. You should pay no attention to the man behind the curtain. Hook it up and go for it!

DutchmenSport · 06-14-2021, 08:11 AM

Well 'ol timer, I don't think you are going to get any responses to your question because no one has done it (at least, no one who reads these posts). And I'm pretty sure the reason why no one has added a golf cart carrier to the end of their Montana is because it's really questionable if the frame structure of the Montana can actually support that much weight dangling off the end. I "think" we all pay too much for our campers, and even the remote risk of doing frame damage is more than any one want's to deal with.

The other issue is the shear length from the axle centers to the end of attachment. Depending on the total length of your Montana, the farther out, the greater the G-forces bouncing up and down. Adding an additional 12 inches or 24 inches can increase the G-forces tremendously, where a shorter extension would not be as great.

With that said, if you are still determined with your plan, then you need to look for a carrier that has a carrying capacity much greater than your "anticipated" expectations. In other words, if you are considering a carrier that will carry 500 pounds, you'll do better looking for one that will actually carry 1000 pounds.

A lot of these types of carriers are designed to hang off the back of a pick-up truck where the distance between the end of the carrier and the truck "pivot" point is not so great. Meaning the G-forces are not as great, if it was extended out another 15 or 20 feet from the pivot (up and down), the risk of failure over time is compounded greatly. So, that's why, if you are looking for a carrier, don't settle on one that just meets the weight of your golf cart. Double that and you'll have better success.

Which brand should you get? I have no clue. I purchased a cargo carrier (hitch mounted) for my previous travel trailer and it rocked back and forth so bad, I had to build supports for it to keep it from rocking. It worked OK, but on my Montana, It simply hangs "out there" too much. Even carrying a garden hose, I'd be concerned the actual frame of the carrier would get snapped in a heart beat.

Your best bet is to research and then read the customer reviews on the brand you are considering. I'm finding great value in reading customer reviews before purchasing items that cost more than 25 cents, because things are NOT what they always appear to be. Well (25 cents may be an exaggeration, but you know what I mean.)

Still, the basic concern still remains, can your Montana actually support the added stress on the frame, and do you need to add additional support for the carrier?

Dave W · 06-14-2021, 08:27 AM

Look up dynamic load vs static load. You will find that. i.e.. a 500 pounds of static, at rest, load can become a lot more when you get moving and those bumps cause the now dynamic, moving at speed, load to be possibly many times more then the original. and will the welds or even that LCI frame capable.

As said above, you choice, your trailer

RVDH · 06-14-2021, 01:11 PM

Thanks that at least is some constructive criticism. I have done some research, checked out a couple of brand names and yes it does look like the frame rails will need to be reinforced, also the mounting points (at least two) for stability. I understand the weight moment and leverage that possibly affect how this works which can be calculated with a pretty easy formula. Fatigue is another consideration.

Mighty hauler states that it can be done with frame reinforcements and they claim to have a facility that can do it so I know its possible. Taking the batteries out brings the weight to 476lbs which is under the weight of the present tailgate carrier installed now. Also the additional weight won't be at the very end it will be spread out from the bumper back.

I'm having my local welder take a look and see what his thoughts are and if its feasible or not. Naturally I don't want to break my rig. I don't think the suspension will be a problem due to its a function of keeping the weight under the GVWR. One of the ideas I had and my welder can confirm it is too cut a square out of each side of the bumper where the frame rails reside and slide in a slight smaller box beam which would greatly increase the strength. Its all still in the beginning stages and I'll have to see where it goes.

Wentpostal · 06-20-2021, 01:58 PM

Have you looked at a swivel wheel? I’ve seen golf carts on the back of Fifth wheels using this. We have one with a single wheel and haul a motorcycle all over the US. It’s not considered double towing because it has no axle, does not pivot/ can’t jackknife and it’s not on a hitch.

raygreg · 06-14-2021, 09:17 AM

this will work

https://www.freedomhauler.com/

Mikendebbie · 06-14-2021, 10:45 AM

This is the weight sticker on my rear hitch. What does your sticker say?
If it was me - I would want to know if the little hitch is going to stay welded to the frame along that small 3" long weld while getting pounded with a live load hanging off the back that well exceeds the note on the sticker. Then I would worry about GVW numbers. I believe the main frame on a HC may be different (smaller) from the frame size on a Legacy - but I don't remember the numbers. You can check that by searching.

There have been many similar threads on the rear hitch. Some folks have had a welder add structure and weld off to the frame toward the front.

You may also like: