Go Kart Frames – The Three “Ts”

The go kart frames provide go karts with a skeletal or internal framework system. It's a part of the kart’s main chassis, or the internal framework, consisting of the vehicle’s frame and wheels.

The frame of a go kart serves as a platform for all its components, including the axle, wheels, seat and tires. It is important that the material used for these frames are durable yet lightweight:

Durable so that they can withstand the rough and tumble of the race track, and lightweight so that they can run at high speeds.

If you're a go kart driver and you plan to build your own go kart, you must know the basics behind the go kart’s frame.

Choosing the right type of frame depends on three factors, known as the “three Ts”

Type
Terrain
Traction

Let’s take a look at each one and see why you need to consider them, well before you choose a specific kind of frame for your go kart.

1. Types of Frames

There are two types of frames for go karts:

Unwelded frames (which may be made according to go kart plans) or
Welded frames (which may be purchased as part of go kart kits)

Building a reliable frame is integral to the overall performance and safety of a go kart. The frame and overall chassis must be designed in such a way that it can handle the huge amounts of pressure that the kart undergoes while racing at very high speeds. Frames are typically made out of angle iron and custom-shaped to fit the driver.

2. Terrain

The kind of terrain on which you plan to race will determine the kind of frame you need.

If you are racing on off-road terrain, choose a frame with longer rear rails since dirt tracks tend to put a lot of stress on the kart’s front rail. On asphalt courses, having a frame with longer front rails helps make turns easier to maneuver.

The racing terrain also determines the go kart’s ground clearance—your kart frame’s distance from the ground. Generally, a lowering of the frame to 2 inches from the ground is good for racing terrain that is mostly open and consists of asphalt. Note that the lower your clearance, the more stable your kart’s center of gravity.

3. Traction

Traction, an important aspect of your go karting experience, depends both on your go kart clearance (as previously mentioned) and the kart’s tires. "Traction" is basically what keeps your kart on the ground, when your go kart runs at top speeds on a specific type of terrain, such as asphalt or dirt.

Good traction prevents your go kart from flipping over when it is running at high speeds on a track. For go karts to run properly on either smooth asphalt tracks or rough terrain, the right type of tires and a flexible frame are essential.

High traction tires for go karts are ideal for multi-track go karts, which can run both on asphalt and off-road terrain. These types of tires need frames which allow for more flexibility.

As I said, frames for go karts may either be bought ready-made in go kart kits or built from scratch according to go kart plans. Generally speaking, go kart kits come with pre-built frames and all other components except the clutch and the engine. All you need to do is put the whole lot together.

On the other hand, built-from-scratch frames are far more customizable.

And of course - whichever one you choose, the key consideration when making a go kart frame should obviously be the safety of the driver.