Golf Cart Tugs

Does anyone have any experience towing their airplane with a golf cart? I'm
thinking about mounting a ball on the front of a golf cart to move my
Bonanza in and out of the hangar.

Many thanks.

Ashton

"Ashton" wrote in message
news:b3LSc.28147$ih.11225@fed1read07...
Does anyone have any experience towing their airplane with a golf cart?
I'm
thinking about mounting a ball on the front of a golf cart to move my
Bonanza in and out of the hangar.

I doubt a golf cart has enough power (400 lbs of people and 70 lbs of golf
clubs and 6 gallons of beer is their limit), unless the ground is level of
downhill out of the hanger.

Better would be a yard tractor.

"Tom S." wrote in message ...
..

Better would be a yard tractor.

Yep, my mechanic uses some cheesy little riding lawn mower as a tug. Works pretty well
(better than it does at mowing the grass).

Tom S. wrote:
"Ashton" wrote in message
news:b3LSc.28147$ih.11225@fed1read07...

Does anyone have any experience towing their airplane with a golf cart?

I'm

thinking about mounting a ball on the front of a golf cart to move my
Bonanza in and out of the hangar.


I doubt a golf cart has enough power (400 lbs of people and 70 lbs of golf
clubs and 6 gallons of beer is their limit), unless the ground is level of
downhill out of the hanger.

Better would be a yard tractor.



Or a 4WD ATV.

An electric golf cart will work acceptably. I worked the weekend desk at
a small flight school last summer that used one as a tug in the manner
you describe, and we would routinely move our fleet of 6 planes using it
(shuffling in /out of the hangar... pulling to/from the fuel pumps
because the truck had a surcharge.. etc)

The golf cart has been used in this manner for a few years and is doing
ok. This was a 2 seater with a small "bed/deck" on the back replacing
the golf club rack.

All the caveats about nose gear travel limits apply.. dont overdo it.
Dave

Tom S. wrote:
"Ashton" wrote in message
news:b3LSc.28147$ih.11225@fed1read07...

Does anyone have any experience towing their airplane with a golf cart?

I'm

thinking about mounting a ball on the front of a golf cart to move my
Bonanza in and out of the hangar.


I doubt a golf cart has enough power (400 lbs of people and 70 lbs of golf
clubs and 6 gallons of beer is their limit), unless the ground is level of
downhill out of the hanger.

Better would be a yard tractor.

Tom S. wrote:
"Ashton" wrote in message
news:b3LSc.28147$ih.11225@fed1read07...

Does anyone have any experience towing their airplane with a golf cart?

I'm

thinking about mounting a ball on the front of a golf cart to move my
Bonanza in and out of the hangar.


I doubt a golf cart has enough power (400 lbs of people and 70 lbs of golf
clubs and 6 gallons of beer is their limit),

That's the limit as to what it can carry. An electric golf cart will
have no problem moving a fully loaded Bonanza.

"Ashton" wrote in message
news:b3LSc.28147$ih.11225@fed1read07...
Does anyone have any experience towing their airplane with a golf cart? I'm
thinking about mounting a ball on the front of a golf cart to move my
Bonanza in and out of the hangar.

Never tried it with a Bonanza, but I have towed gliders over miles of rough
grass runways with both gas and electric golf carts, often at the same time the
cart is packed with pax. No problem.

Vaughn

"Kevin" wrote in message
news:XdRSc.293427$Oq2.40045@attbi_s52...
Tom S. wrote:
"Ashton" wrote in message
news:b3LSc.28147$ih.11225@fed1read07...

Does anyone have any experience towing their airplane with a golf cart?

I'm

thinking about mounting a ball on the front of a golf cart to move my
Bonanza in and out of the hangar.


I doubt a golf cart has enough power (400 lbs of people and 70 lbs of
golf
clubs and 6 gallons of beer is their limit), unless the ground is level
of
downhill out of the hanger.

Better would be a yard tractor.



Or a 4WD ATV.

I've seen some "retired" lawn tractors used after they have the blades
removed. You can pick 'em up for next to nothing. I would think (based on my
kids "experience") that they tend to accelerate too fast.

Some are suggesting electric golf carts, but I've never had one that could
carry my partner and I (he's 225, I've 205), our two sets up clubs (neither
of us carry one of those wimpy carry bags) and our beer efficiently. Well,
hell...maybe it's the beer we lug around?

"Aaron Coolidge" wrote in message
...
Tom S. wrote:
: "Ashton" wrote in message
: news:b3LSc.28147$ih.11225@fed1read07...
: Does anyone have any experience towing their airplane with a golf cart?
: I'm
: thinking about mounting a ball on the front of a golf cart to move my
: Bonanza in and out of the hangar.
:
: I doubt a golf cart has enough power (400 lbs of people and 70 lbs of
golf
: clubs and 6 gallons of beer is their limit), unless the ground is level
of
: downhill out of the hanger.

: Better would be a yard tractor.

The FBO at my home field uses an electric golf cart to move their rental
aircraft and some other aircraft around. It moves an Aztec with no
difficulties, even loaded with 120+ gallons of fuel. Do watch the turn
limits on the nose gear; they damaged their Dutchess with uncareful
handling this way.

Would it work on a Citation CJ or a JetProp?

"Dave S" wrote in message
ink.net...
An electric golf cart will work acceptably. I worked the weekend desk at
a small flight school last summer that used one as a tug in the manner
you describe, and we would routinely move our fleet of 6 planes using it
(shuffling in /out of the hangar... pulling to/from the fuel pumps
because the truck had a surcharge.. etc)

The golf cart has been used in this manner for a few years and is doing
ok. This was a 2 seater with a small "bed/deck" on the back replacing
the golf club rack.

All the caveats about nose gear travel limits apply.. dont overdo it.
Dave

Tom S. wrote:

Hmmm....why do they always die on the 15th hole for me?