Max gets to join in the fun.... the hitch is here!

[DowneasTTer]

YES! Brown just dropped off Max's new hitch purchased from Smart Car Universe. Yes I know it's a bit $$$ but worth every penny or buck to me. Living in Maine we have a small window in order to enjoy two of our favorite activities.... kayaking and biking. In the past only our Range Rover (read 12 mpg) could carry both our yaks and bikes. With 4 of our 5 cars being convertibles you can understand we both enjoy top down driving. So this spring I ordered a Rack and Roll trailer see. RackandRoll trailer and carrier rack for Kayaks, Canoes, Bikes and Outdoor Gear - Home So as soon as the htich became available for the Max, our 08 cab, I ordered one. So far this year Max has had to stay behind while Gurgi, 01 Audi TT roadster, has had all the fun. With a three day weekend ahead I'll have the time to install the htich. I can tell you the quality of the fabrication of the hitch is high. This is certainly a quality piece.. as it should be.

Here is a pic of Gurgi with the Rack and Roll ready for a little yaking

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/gal...p?imageid=3553

The new htich

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/gal...p?imageid=3554

And finally Max waiting for me...

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/gal...p?imageid=3555


DowneasTTer

[DowneasTTer]

Well maybe not the whole weekend. Just a few hours of it. The install when well. The longest time was finding one of the little metal clips for the top of the rear light assembly. It popped off when taking the rear panel off. This is really a heavy duty piece of equipment as shown by the close up below.

(Not linked)

Here is the finished product.

(Not linked)

Now just got to hitch up the rack and roll and go yaking. Oh ya, guess I better spend a little time on the wiring.....

DowneasTTer
Orrington, Me

[mike-in-sa]

Looks good, welcome to the club!

[nprsmart]

Does the hitch assembly replace the metal cross member under the rear bumper?

[DowneasTTer]

Yes it replaces the original bracket. While the original piece doesn't weigh much the new one is substantial. The only thing lost is the tow screw threads are not on the new piece. Not a big deal for me as I don't plan on reshipping Max back across the pond.

[donnyonee]

Originally Posted by DowneasTTer

YES! Brown just dropped off Max's new hitch purchased from Smart Car Universe. Yes I know it's a bit $$$ but worth every penny or buck to me. Living in Maine we have a small window in order to enjoy two of our favorite activities.... kayaking and biking. In the past only our Range Rover (read 12 mpg) could carry both our yaks and bikes. With 4 of our 5 cars being convertibles you can understand we both enjoy top down driving. So this spring I ordered a Rack and Roll trailer see. RackandRoll trailer and carrier rack for Kayaks, Canoes, Bikes and Outdoor Gear - Home So as soon as the htich became available for the Max, our 08 cab, I ordered one. So far this year Max has had to stay behind while Gurgi, 01 Audi TT roadster, has had all the fun. With a three day weekend ahead I'll have the time to install the htich. I can tell you the quality of the fabrication of the hitch is high. This is certainly a quality piece.. as it should be.

Here is a pic of Gurgi with the Rack and Roll ready for a little yaking

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/gal...p?imageid=3553

The new htich

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/gal...p?imageid=3554

And finally Max waiting for me...

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/gal...p?imageid=3555


DowneasTTer

thats all real nice but how much and where for the hitch?
thank,
don

okay smart car universe 540 canadian dollar

[DowneasTTer]

A bit pricy, but worth it to me. I purchased it from the Les McDonald of the smart car universe out of BC, Canada. The cost for the whole kit, that's hitch and electronics was $650 US. Shipping was via UPS, an expensive way to ship from Canada to the US but has great service and tracking. The shipping was an additional $95. Les was very helpful throughout the process.

Please realize that I already had both the rack and roll trailer for transporting the kayaks and bikes plus a couple of hitch type bike racks. So the cost of the hitch wasn't a blg deal in order to use the smart for the toys. I paid more than this for a hitch for my Jaguar XJ-S and almost as much for the Audi TT. When you chose to drive unique autos you can't expect to go to u-haul for things such as hitches. I'm thankful for the few small companies out there that will spend the R&D time and cash to allow me to enjoy the members of my sable.

see.

Smart Car Parts and Accessories » Smart Car Universe .com

for details of the hitch.

DowneasTTer
Orrington,ME

[wrumbarger]

Howdy
I understand that our smart requires a "special" wiring kit to attach the trailer plug?
smartcaruniverse.com offers
"Trailer Wiring Modulator Kit with fittings $70 CDN"

did you use this kit?