If you’re making a big move, there are likely some things you’re going to struggle to get shipped. A golf cart is one of those things.
Golf carts are heavy, they’re delicate, and they require special shipping to ensure they get to their destination in one piece. If you need golf cart transport services but don’t know where to start, keep reading. From the cost to ship a golf cart to a comprehensive list of golf cart delivery services provided by Nexus, we’ve got you covered.
How Much Does Golf Cart Transport Cost?
The cost of golf cart transport depends on a lot of different factors. These may include:
- How far you’re transporting the golf cart
- The company you decide to use for golf cart shipping
- How many golf carts you’re transporting
- The weight and size of the golf cart
- The season you’re transporting the golf cart in
For a shorter move, expect to pay anywhere between $100 to $300 for golf cart transportation service. For a longer move, golf cart shipping companies often charge between $400 and $700-plus depending on the particular nuances of your order.
Transporting a golf cart is just like transporting any other item. The more work it takes to ship golf cart apparatus, the more you can expect to pay.
Again, different companies have different pricing structures for their golf cart hauler services. So, don’t be alarmed if the above estimates seem high. The cost to ship a golf cart varies from company to company and day to day. At the right time of year with the right company, you can save a significant amount compared to average industry prices.
The best strategy is to call a few golf cart transport companies and compare estimates. Try and work out the best deal possible before locking yourself into an agreement. This will help ensure you get the best price possible for your golf cart shipping needs.
How Is My Golf Cart Transported?
You may be wondering what exactly goes into transporting a golf cart.
The majority of the time, your golf cart will be transported in a truck just like your other items. Professional golf cart transport companies will usually offer you two options for transport: enclosed golf cart transport, or open golf cart transport.
So, what’s the difference?
OPEN GOLF CART TRANSPORT
Open golf cart transport means transporting the golf cart in an open trailer, similar to putting a car on a truck bed. Some golf cart shipping companies transport several golf carts at once using a semi-truck, in which case they're securely stacked on top of each other.
This is often a cheaper solution, but it leaves your golf cart exposed to the elements. With open golf cart transport, your golf cart will be directly exposed to the weather, may sustain stone damage, and is generally less safe in the event of an accident.
For short-distance moves, open golf cart transport is usually a great option for those customers looking to save a few bucks. However, if you’ve got an expensive new golf cart on your hands (and want to securely ship golf cart equipment with little to no worries), you may want to choose a service that provides a bit more safety.
ENCLOSED GOLF CART TRANSPORT
Enclosed golf cart transport is the safest way to transport your golf cart across short and long distances. Simply put, you can’t beat an enclosed golf cart hauler in terms of security when you decide to ship golf cart equipment.
With enclosed golf cart transport, your golf cart is loaded onto a fully enclosed truck — basically, a moving van. The cart is strapped down to keep it from shifting around. The walls and roof keep it safer in case of an accident. Also, your golf cart will be completely protected from external road hazards such as dust, dirt, inclement weather, rocks, and debris from other vehicles.
If you're making a long-distance move, or you care about maintaining the quality of your golf cart, this is the way to go. While you can expect to pay a higher price for enclosed golf cart transport, the benefits far outweigh the costs for serious golfers.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Golf Cart Shipped?
The time it takes to ship a golf cart is highly dependent on the company and method you're using, and the distance you're traveling. Typically, you can usually expect to wait about a week or so for your golf cart to arrive at its scheduled destination.
Some companies, like Nexus Auto Transport, offer expedited shipping options for those working on a tight schedule. For an extra cost, Nexus will ship your golf cart, or any other type of vehicle, to you as fast as possible. We’ll provide an estimated time of arrival for your golf cart at the time of order. And while you can usually expect to get it in less than a week, we’ll keep you posted if unforeseen circumstances lengthen or decrease the duration of your shipment.
HOW DO I GET MY GOLF CART TO YOU?
The whole reason you're looking for a golf cart transport service is that you can't transport it to your desired destination by yourself. So how can you be expected to move your golf cart to the transport company's pickup location?
That's where a top golf cart transport company like Nexus Auto Transport comes in. We will come to your designated pickup location and pick up your golf cart from wherever you are. We’ll load your golf cart up, and handle all the heavy work so you don’t have to. You can sit back, relax, and know your golf cart is in the right hands with Nexus.
Transport a Golf Cart Yourself
If you’re feeling courageous, you could always try transporting your golf cart yourself.
However, golf carts are heavy, large, and unwieldy items. So, you're not going to be able to transport your golf cart using just any vehicle. Even a typical truck bed may not be a viable option depending on the size of the bed, the dimensions of your golf cart, and overall weight restrictions. Instead, an RV is the best solution for transporting a golf cart on your own.
You can buy an RV golf cart carrier specifically for this purpose. It’s a metal panel that attaches to the back of your RV. You simply put the golf cart onto the carrier, strap it down tightly, and make your move.
If you’ve got an RV and don’t mind using an open golf cart transport solution (and incurring increased gas costs due to the added weight), DIY golf cart shipping might be for you!
How to Load a Golf Cart in a Truck
For those looking to transport a golf cart with a moving truck or an attached trailer, there are several things to keep in mind.
The low ground clearance of most golf carts necessitates the use of an arched ramp for both golf cart pickup and golf cart delivery. Also, you need to make sure that your golf cart transport trailer is parked in a flat area to reduce steepness during loading and unloading. Be sure to set your golf cart's parking brake once it's loaded. And either box the golf cart in to reduce shifting or use straps to attach it to the inner walls of the truck trailer.
Remember -- the cost to ship a golf cart this way might be greater than simply using a professional golf cart shipping company! With gas, lodging, food, and other travel costs factored in, you might be better off having your golf carts shipped with a cost-effective moving service like Nexus!
What Size Trailer Do You Need to Transport a Golf Cart?
For those using a trailer to haul a golf cart, a 5x10 trailer will suffice for most makes and models. It’s the perfect golf cart transport trailer for easy loading and unloading, especially if comes complete with an arched ramp to help with the vehicle’s low ground clearance.
Can a 5x8 Trailer Hold a Golf Cart?
A 5x8 trailer will work in a pinch for some smaller golf carts. Be sure to measure your vehicle beforehand so you don’t run into any snags during the golf cart shipping process. There’s little worse than renting a trailer, only for it to be too small for its intended purpose.
How to Load a Golf Cart on a Pickup Truck
Loading a golf cart into a truck bed is a tricky proposition. Remember -- they are quite delicate. A golf cart shipped incorrectly in the bed of a pickup truck could end up costing you a pretty penny in damages.
So, do you think you’ve got the right golf cart pickup truck for the job? You have to make sure that your pickup truck bed has the space to accommodate the golf cart, and that you have the proper arched ramp to load and unload the cart when needed. If your golf cart has offset wheels, you’ll need to factor that in when comparing it to the dimensions of the ramp and your pickup bed.
If everything checks out, here’s a step-by-step guide for loading a golf cart onto a pickup truck bed:
1) Park your truck in a flat space and set your parking brake. Do what you can to reduce steepness when loading and unloading your golf cart.
2) Assemble the ramp, affixing the plate edges or finger to your tailgate’s edge.
3) Attach tie-down straps to your bumper or the safety chain loops on your trailer hitch. Tie your golf cart into place, consulting your vehicle’s manual if necessary for proper placement of the straps.
4) Remove your roof, if possible. It’s one of the most delicate parts of a golf cart and could easily get damaged by wind or road debris.
5) As you travel, consistently check the security of your load. If the golf cart begins to shift, do what you can to tighten the constraints to keep it in place.
We’re not going to sugarcoat it -- shipping a golf cart with a pickup truck is a ton of work. On the other hand, moving a golf cart with a dedicated golf cart service like Nexus is both affordable and so, so easy!
What is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Golf Cart?
The average cost to ship a golf cart ranges from $300 to $850 when you work with a professional golf cart delivery service. Your total bill will vary based on key factors involved in your particular shipment. These factors include how far you need your golf cart shipped, the accessibility of your golf cart pickup and golf cart delivery locations added labor for loading and unloading inoperable golf carts, and the time of year that you decided to move a golf cart.
While DIY golf cart shipping might be cheaper out the door, especially in the case of local golf cart transport, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Not only will you have to potentially pay for gas, rental equipment, food, and lodging, you run the risk of overtaxing or damaging two vehicles (your golf cart hauler and your golf cart).
Don’t take that chance! Nexus provides five-star golf cart nationwide shipping, 24/7/365! Whether you’re shipping local or from coast to coast, no golf cart transportation company balances services, efficiency, and safety like Nexus.
Golf Cart Shipping Made Easy
As you can see, you’ve got a lot of options to consider when it comes to golf cart transport. By picking the right golf cart transport method and company, you can rest easy knowing your cart will make it safely from point A to point B. Golf cart transport doesn’t have to be difficult, so don’t let it be!
Click here to get a quote from Nexus Auto Transport. Within seconds, we can estimate your total golf cart shipping cost based on the limited information you provide! We’ll help you safely transport any vehicle you have, from golf carts to sports cars and beyond.