Installed the Hitch today - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Smartfor2guy · 10-06-2008, 02:29 PM

I purchased the Curt (The Uhaul Hitch) From E-Trailer.com. With the Hitch and the ballmount and the upgraded chrome trailer ball, it was $150 and change shipped. They have free shipping with $150 purchase, so its worth buying the extras to get free shipping because it still totals less than just the hitch and paying shipping.

The first problem encountered was that the Hitch , when put together, did not line up with the existing holes in the frame. I decided to cold bend the brackets so not to ruin the powdercoat on the hitch with the torch.
In the instructions on the passenger side , its said the rear hole has to be enlarged. That would be nice if there was a hole in the frame to start.
Also it is much simpler to mount the hitch with the rear wheels removed.
After drilling the non existent hole for the rear bracket, the instructions had you fishwire the bolt into the frame and hang down to bolt the hitch, with the frame reinforcements. You have to enlarge the hole a LOT to get the frame reinforcements in. I guess what i am getting to here is that the average person will not be able to install the hitch in 30 minutes as they suggest. After the modifications, it took approximately 2 hours to complete the job, even eith the proper tools to modify everything. Unless you have a shop and all the extra tools, i would advise you to have someone do the install for you. Here are a couple of pictures of the final install.

ExonicJay · 10-18-2008, 02:14 AM

I was at the U-Haul store today to inquire about the hitch.
I really want a 2" hitch receiver and don't want to use the 1-1/4' to 2"
adapter. It would extend to far for my intended use and be troublesome
when parking and poking the eyes out of other cars.

The store didn't have the hitch in stock so I didn't get to look at it.
However, do you think I could cut the 1-1/4" receiver from the hitch
and weld a 2" receiver in it's place?

I have a welder and power hacksaw in my shop that might accomplish the task.

Kermit · 10-18-2008, 05:56 PM

Nice! I'm still wanting a hitch but I want to find a small motorcycle trailer first. I've been looking. Thinking about trading my old junker motorhome for a nice trailer. It's not that much of a junk and it's a low mileage Toyota but it has some issues. I should be able to get a nice trailer out of it though.

Thanks for the heads up about the install. Don't think it is going to deter me from installing myself.

gbryers · 10-18-2008, 09:47 PM

I got mine installed today, and it took the UHaul guy about 2 hours to install, too (hitch and wiring), so you did pretty well. I need to find a ball mount that raises the ball up about 8 inches or so, though, so that my trailer doesn't point downward so much...

Smart_Dude · 10-19-2008, 09:20 PM

What would/could you possibly tow with a Smart?

The only thing I can possibly think of is a Segway! (BTW, I have a pair in my garage... next to the pair of Smarts.)

Seriously though, there must be a thoughtful reason... and the tow ball looks good. But what do you feel comfortable towing with a 1-liter, 3-cylinder engine?!?

Cheers,
Jeff

mike-in-sa · 10-19-2008, 09:26 PM

When the smart car is too expensive to operate, I ride my scooter.

Smart_Dude · 10-19-2008, 09:37 PM

Never would have considered towing a pair of scooters - though the pair of canines in the back is extra argument! Good job, Mike!
Cheers,
Jeff

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-in-sa

When the smart car is too expensive to operate, I ride my scooter.

Kermit · 10-20-2008, 07:50 AM

Check out this "motorcycle trailer" site. It's what I'd like to get. More storage for trips.

Smartfor2guy · 10-20-2008, 09:11 AM

I pull this behind my Goldwing and now behind my smart on vacation or long trips

gbryers · 10-20-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smart_Dude

What would/could you possibly tow with a Smart?

The only thing I can possibly think of is a Segway!

Jeff,
I have a small utility trailer from Harbor Freight (ed is 42.5" by 48") that currently has a car-top carrier on it. In the future, I plan to build it up somewhat into a camper, of sorts (see pic below - not mine, but it will be along the same lines). I will also be building a setup to carry my grill and misc. stuff for tailgating (the whole setup doesn't take a much room that way).
So, in a nutshell, you can carry LOT's of different things, just none real big, or not a whole lot of small stuff.