Look What I Can Do! Hauled 700 lbs golf cart 200 miles

[afreeman]

'24 Hybrid XLT handled 700lb golf cart 200mi. If the cart's wheelbase was 1/2" longer I wouldn't have done it. The tires' footprint just barely fit on the back of the tailgate. I was nervous about trying, but what's the point of having a truck if you don't do truck stuff? Yes, that's also my 8' bed Z71 in the background, but I really wanted to drive the new Maverick 200mi to the beach, not the 15mpg GMC. I used every tie down point and many straps to secure the load from the front, back and middle. It never moved a mm and I had less Carolina Squat than I expected. I drove up to 75mph no problem, but tried to stay around 65 on mostly highways all the way to the coast. I got 24mpg down there loaded. Around town, with no load, I'm getting ~39mpg.

So far, I'm very happy with the Maverick. As far as truck stuff goes, it's done this and carried an old washer and dryer to the dump. Both tasks were handled easily.
(587lb dry weight + li-ion batteries and back seat rack = ~700lb total cart weight. Maverick tailgate spec = 485lb max. As long as the cart's front wheels carry at least 30% of the weight, everything should be in spec . Regardless, it did it, not a scratch was made and the tailgate held well.)

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[GPSMan]

I almost did that with a 900# unit.

In the end I used an enclosed trailer because my trip was long and inclement weather more than likely.

But I would have done that in your case.

 

[JBryant]

And Maverick does it again. Never cease to be amazed at what these rascals can do.

 

[Tim d]

'24 Hybrid XLT handled 700lb golf cart 200mi. If the cart's wheelbase was 1/2" longer I wouldn't have done it. The tires' footprint just barely fit on the back of the tailgate. I was nervous about trying, but what's the point of having a truck if you don't do truck stuff? Yes, that's also my 8' bed Z71 in the background, but I really wanted to drive the new Maverick 200mi to the beach, not the 15mpg GMC. I used every tie down point and many straps to secure the load from the front, back and middle. It never moved a mm and I had less Carolina Squat than I expected. I drove up to 75mph no problem, but tried to stay around 65 on mostly highways all the way to the coast. I got 24mpg down there loaded. Around town, with no load, I'm getting ~39mpg.

So far, I'm very happy with the Maverick. As far as truck stuff goes, it's done this and carried an old washer and dryer to the dump. Both tasks were handled easily.
(587lb dry weight + li-ion batteries and back seat rack = ~700lb total cart weight. Maverick tailgate spec = 485lb max. As long as the cart's front wheels carry at least 30% of the weight, everything should be in spec . Regardless, it did it, not a scratch was made and the tailgate held well.)

And some say the maverick isn't a truck, here's more proof! My ram has also been sitting more since i bought our maverick. Need both though,the ram tows our camper and the maverick our 3100 lb boat.

 

[HTX]

Awesome. Continually impressed by its functionality and ease of driving. Very pleased with my hybrid as well.

Your thread title made me think of this classic

 

[MMaverick]

'24 Hybrid XLT handled 700lb golf cart 200mi. If the cart's wheelbase was 1/2" longer I wouldn't have done it. The tires' footprint just barely fit on the back of the tailgate. I was nervous about trying, but what's the point of having a truck if you don't do truck stuff? Yes, that's also my 8' bed Z71 in the background, but I really wanted to drive the new Maverick 200mi to the beach, not the 15mpg GMC. I used every tie down point and many straps to secure the load from the front, back and middle. It never moved a mm and I had less Carolina Squat than I expected. I drove up to 75mph no problem, but tried to stay around 65 on mostly highways all the way to the coast. I got 24mpg down there loaded. Around town, with no load, I'm getting ~39mpg.

So far, I'm very happy with the Maverick. As far as truck stuff goes, it's done this and carried an old washer and dryer to the dump. Both tasks were handled easily.
(587lb dry weight + li-ion batteries and back seat rack = ~700lb total cart weight. Maverick tailgate spec = 485lb max. As long as the cart's front wheels carry at least 30% of the weight, everything should be in spec . Regardless, it did it, not a scratch was made and the tailgate held well.)

Why didn't you back the cart in? Then no weight issues at all.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Why didn't you back the cart in? Then no weight issues at all.

It appears that if he backed it in the front wheels would not sit on the tailgate.

 

[OrCoaster]

It appears that if he backed it in the front wheels would not sit on the tailgate.

I bet it would have been just fine. Putting the weight up front would be better for the tailgate.

 

[imboden013]

'24 Hybrid XLT handled 700lb golf cart 200mi. If the cart's wheelbase was 1/2" longer I wouldn't have done it. The tires' footprint just barely fit on the back of the tailgate. I was nervous about trying, but what's the point of having a truck if you don't do truck stuff? Yes, that's also my 8' bed Z71 in the background, but I really wanted to drive the new Maverick 200mi to the beach, not the 15mpg GMC. I used every tie down point and many straps to secure the load from the front, back and middle. It never moved a mm and I had less Carolina Squat than I expected. I drove up to 75mph no problem, but tried to stay around 65 on mostly highways all the way to the coast. I got 24mpg down there loaded. Around town, with no load, I'm getting ~39mpg.

So far, I'm very happy with the Maverick. As far as truck stuff goes, it's done this and carried an old washer and dryer to the dump. Both tasks were handled easily.
(587lb dry weight + li-ion batteries and back seat rack = ~700lb total cart weight. Maverick tailgate spec = 485lb max. As long as the cart's front wheels carry at least 30% of the weight, everything should be in spec . Regardless, it did it, not a scratch was made and the tailgate held well.)

Well done! Nice thing about that is if your Mav had issues you could unload the cart and pull the Mav to the nearest Ford dealer.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I bet it would have been just fine. Putting the weight up front would be better for the tailgate.

Look how far the rear platform hangs out past the tailgate. Like at least 18-24". If you backed it in the rear wheel centerline would be 32-36" from the front wall of the bed. Maybe if you unbolted and removed it from the golf cart.

 

[thev8man]

'24 Hybrid XLT handled 700lb golf cart 200mi. If the cart's wheelbase was 1/2" longer I wouldn't have done it. The tires' footprint just barely fit on the back of the tailgate. I was nervous about trying, but what's the point of having a truck if you don't do truck stuff? Yes, that's also my 8' bed Z71 in the background, but I really wanted to drive the new Maverick 200mi to the beach, not the 15mpg GMC. I used every tie down point and many straps to secure the load from the front, back and middle. It never moved a mm and I had less Carolina Squat than I expected. I drove up to 75mph no problem, but tried to stay around 65 on mostly highways all the way to the coast. I got 24mpg down there loaded. Around town, with no load, I'm getting ~39mpg.

So far, I'm very happy with the Maverick. As far as truck stuff goes, it's done this and carried an old washer and dryer to the dump. Both tasks were handled easily.
(587lb dry weight + li-ion batteries and back seat rack = ~700lb total cart weight. Maverick tailgate spec = 485lb max. As long as the cart's front wheels carry at least 30% of the weight, everything should be in spec . Regardless, it did it, not a scratch was made and the tailgate held well.)

Booyah

 

[Call sign "Slick"]

'24 Hybrid XLT handled 700lb golf cart 200mi. If the cart's wheelbase was 1/2" longer I wouldn't have done it. The tires' footprint just barely fit on the back of the tailgate. I was nervous about trying, but what's the point of having a truck if you don't do truck stuff? Yes, that's also my 8' bed Z71 in the background, but I really wanted to drive the new Maverick 200mi to the beach, not the 15mpg GMC. I used every tie down point and many straps to secure the load from the front, back and middle. It never moved a mm and I had less Carolina Squat than I expected. I drove up to 75mph no problem, but tried to stay around 65 on mostly highways all the way to the coast. I got 24mpg down there loaded. Around town, with no load, I'm getting ~39mpg.

So far, I'm very happy with the Maverick. As far as truck stuff goes, it's done this and carried an old washer and dryer to the dump. Both tasks were handled easily.
(587lb dry weight + li-ion batteries and back seat rack = ~700lb total cart weight. Maverick tailgate spec = 485lb max. As long as the cart's front wheels carry at least 30% of the weight, everything should be in spec . Regardless, it did it, not a scratch was made and the tailgate held well.)

Awe man, you had at least another inch!!!! Piece o' cake!!!
Bawahaha

 

[afreeman]

Look how far the rear platform hangs out past the tailgate. Like at least 18-24". If you backed it in the rear wheel centerline would be 32-36" from the front wall of the bed. Maybe if you unbolted and removed it from the golf cart.

Exactly! Front wheels were pressed against the front of the bed. I needed the wheelbase to be supported as close to the front as possible so the cart would fit. If I turned it around, the front wheels would have been a couple feet beyond the end of the tailgate. I even took the air out of the front tires so I could press the cart another 1" closer to the front of the bed.

Even without the back platform, I would be off about a foot. The front wheels are the most forward part of the cart and you can see I used every mm of bed and tailgate space to fit it.

Also, if this cart had lead acid batteries (+350lb more), I doubt I would have done this. As it is, worst case, I was just barely above the stated weight capacity of the tailgate. With lead acid batteries, I would have been significantly over.

Thanks for all the replies, it's nice to know I'm getting good use out of the first new vehicle I've ever bought. I've been very happy with my Hybrid XLT! (but come on Ford, did you really have to delete the factory wired Securicode for 2024 on most trims?)

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Exactly! Front wheels were pressed against the front of the bed. I needed the wheelbase to be supported as close to the front as possible so the cart would fit. If I turned it around, the front wheels would have been a couple feet beyond the end of the tailgate. I even took the air out of the front tires so I could press the cart another 1" closer to the front of the bed.

Even without the back platform, I would be off about a foot. The front wheels are the most forward part of the cart and you can see I used every mm of bed and tailgate space to fit it.

Also, if this cart had lead acid batteries (+350lb more), I doubt I would have done this. As it is, worst case, I was just barely above the stated weight capacity of the tailgate. With lead acid batteries, I would have been significantly over.

Thanks for all the replies, it's nice to know I'm getting good use out of the first new vehicle I've ever bought. I've been very happy with my Hybrid XLT! (but come on Ford, did you really have to delete the factory wired Securicode for 2024 on most trims?)

Yep, you would have had to "re-home" the batteries to the back seat of your mave. In order to take load off tailgate oak 4x4 or 4x6's cross ways in bed just inside tailgate and hopefully past the center of longitudinal gravity pivot point. Could possibly put tailgate in partially raised position to carry some of weight. Would maybe need 6-8" extension to support tires.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Or "it's a flex bed"!!! Stack 2x4 flat across bed to take weight off fender wells and tailgate up to help carry weight, placing 1 or 2 4x8 3/4" plywood in bed. Find location where you can back up to and drive cart onto plywood.

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