Want to build a hunting electric cart...some questions?

Cropslx

I only have a road cart for the beach (CC precedent). I am curious how much it would be to put together something for hunting. I would want to buy another cart and build it myself. For someone who never as worked on a cart before...is this feasible?

I just want something I can travel around the club and be able to go in "some" mud and not get stuck, retrieve game, put out stands, and be able to take the kids with me. What kind of cart would be best for this project? Total cost (approx) involved. Thanks for any help!

BGW

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arcitech

Gas cart, 6" lift kit, heavy duty rear springs. EZGO would run between 2000 and 6000 depending on age/condition/options. Doing it yourself will be between 2000 to 4000 depending on the pruchase price. If you aren't mechanically inclined, get a good running cart and do the add on accessories. If you don't have a lot of time and patience, don't buy a "cheap" or "fixer" cart. You'll spend just as much or more than if you spent the money on a better cart.

Brand loyalty aside, the Club Car and Yamaha's have some very good, strong frames. The EZGO's are cheaper to get parts for.

MOD_SSO

For hunting I would suggest electric, no noise no smell. Outside the purchase price - could be done in a basic format for 2-3k.

Or on the other side of the extreme: ~$10k

cvingr

I built mine for the exact things you described. I had about $2500 into it. I used a z-lift, but would suggest a spindle lift for you. 22-11-8 steel rims and tires.look everywhere you can and start with a decent used 48 volt series club car and go from there as budget allows

arcitech

The only reasons I recommended gas over electric:

"...be able to go in "some" mud and not get stuck, retrieve game, put out stands, and be able to take the kids with me..."

What will you be doing with this cart as far as miles per trip, weight of equipment being hauled, height, depth and number of hills, creeks, mud holes and other obstacles that need to be conquered? More info and you may see that a gas cart could be more advantageous for what you need a cart for. All other things being equal, a gas cart will get you in farther and bring you back, your only limit is how much gas you can carry.

Yes, electric can be made to work, but it will cost more to get the same performance, IMHO.

cvingr

I agree on the range of a gas cart. I went with the electric due to the silence. At 5 am heading to the tree stand, silence was a must. As far as power I can`t speak for a gas cart, but mine was stock and did 99% of what I needed. Now, with all the available power options, the sky`s the limit...or the budget I should say.

MOD_SSO

Cost depends on too many factors to say.

A properly built electric cart will have no issues with power, getting stuck, carrying heavy loads, climbing steep hills loaded, etc...however, the range is limited Unless you've got an oboard generator

Lifted

It'll depend on what type of terrain you hunt in. If youre going up and down steep hills, traveling long distances and needing power to haul game/stands, gas would be better. However, if you just need something to haul game/stands, an electric will work just fine. Ive towed other golf carts with my 48v. Works pretty good. :)

So, the choice is yours.

Scott H.

Personally, even though I own and love my Club Cars, I would recommend going with an EZ GO.

Why? The metal frame is easier to find someone to work on and weld to if it gets damaged and it's one of the easier carts to find parts for.

The choice of Gas V/S Electric is a personal choice. The Electrics are quieter, but have a limited range before needing charged. Gassers are more noisy and put off fumes, but they have a longer range and if you spend some time running around the club in the off season the animals will get used to it being there and won't spook as much.

Either way you go, I strongly recommend an auxiliary battery along with one of the inexpensive Harbor Freight winches. Trust me, if the $50.00 dollar one I have will pull my brother’s truck fully loaded with construction tools onto my trailer using nothing other than a snatch block, it’ll pull your cart or animal (unless you just bagged an elephant! ) out of a sticky situation with no problem.

I hope this helps and good luck with your project!
-Scott H.

kab69440

x2 on the winch. Winches are like pickup trucks... You never knew how much you needed one until you buy one. I got laughed at for mounting a winch on my cart at the rail yard. When the track pans got torn up, and I just winched them back into place, the laughter stopped. Saved hours of spud bar and sledge hammer work. When the cables broke on the overhead door torsion spring, I wrapped the new cables one at a time and let the winch do the talking once again. No need for winding rods. I could go on all day...