Smart Car Camping in Michigan.

[a2jack]

Our little cars make great haulers for small campers.

We just returned from a three day, test, camping trip at Bishop Lake State Park, near Howell Mi. All went great. Lots of attention paid to our little rig. It was a ball.

We will be heading for Ossinek State Forest camp ground this weekend. The camp ground is just South of Alpena, and the campsites are in the woods, and right on Lake Huron. A2Jack

[eddie.vandermark]

Im sure you received tons of attention! I was just up that way last week, spent some time in Germfask and at some point drove through Alpena. Beautiful camping up there with the Yoopers!

[Kermit]

Looking good! AND it looks like you're enjoying it too!

Of course we did miss out on pictures of what you cooked on your trip.....I knew this thread was missing sometihng after seeing the first few pics.

[kdfcogwheel]

A2jack-we drive a silver/silver Brabus Cabrio. The hitch you have is one from U-Haul. I know that the payload capacity is very little. In my situation I am looking at around 75 to 100 lbs. By placing the weight in a small utility trailer weighing at 161# with less thann 100# load, I should be able to tow it easily. My issue here is finding a hitch and an installer capable of fitting one to a Brabus. The Curt hitch specifically states "except Brabus". Hence, my dilemma. U-Haul in Waterford tells me that they specialize in custom hitches. I wonder if I can trust those guys? Are they hacks? I know that the install will usually require some "drilling". That is a scary thought! I noticed from your pictures that your receiver extends straight out the back and the curves upward to accomodate the ball. Other installations I gave seen use a receiver that angles upwards. It would seem that the curvy one might clear the exhaust pipe and tips. What do you think?
Kdfcogwheel

[a2jack]

Kd. the hitch is rated at 2k load, I estamate my load at @ 400lbs,
tongue wt 20 lbs. The A2 UHaul is at Washtenaw and Gulfside. and they have already done one...mine! The UHaul hitch is the Curt hitch, they just re-brand it. Take a look at the close up pix on the Towing Forum.

You are welcome to have a look at mine. I'll PM you with directions. A2Jack.

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by eddie.vandermark

Im sure you received tons of attention! I was just up that way last week, spent some time in Germfask and at some point drove through Alpena. Beautiful camping up there with the Yoopers!

Yes camping "Up North" is great here in Michigan.

Your town, Austin, looks and feels very much like Annarbor, and both towns are "U" towns as is Westwood in LA, home to UCLA. Not sure where Germfask is though. A2Jack.

[a2jack]

BBB. I cheated. Although I packed the full load of cooking gear, I just went to "Mickey Ds" for breakfast, and had cheese sandwich's for lunch.

Wife was in Chicago, so I had to run home morning and night to feed our two cats. But I needed to do a first time test before I head up north this week. Fix's and adjustments were made and I learned how NOT to fold up in the rain. A2Jack

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by a2jack

....................and I learned how NOT to fold up in the rain. A2Jack

That's a good one.

Glad it was a successful trial run.

I know I would do OK with one but I know that if I wasn't alone camping in one of those I would be kept awake by a familiar whining noise.....my wife.

She would complain about the lack of facilities though I know you have or can get one.

[kdfcogwheel]

A2jack - I would like to look at the hitch. Again, as I stated the Curt hitch was also shone in close on another thread. The Curt website specifically says for Fortwo "except Brabus." So, I am to understand from that vendor it won't work on my Brabus. I wonder if that u-haul dealer is capable of adjusting it to fit. I am expecting about 30# for the hitch and no more than 20# tongue weight. I have a 75-100# payload window to work with without exceeding the GVWR. The combined weight I expect to tow will be around 250# (trailer wt. Plus load). I know that the car does not have GCWR. Assuming that, then the manufacturer does not endorse towing, at least that is what I believe if you read between the lines. With the cruise set at 70mph, it will down shift to 4th on moderate hills to maintain speed with two people and a few pounds of cargo. I can only imagine what stress is place on the clutch and drive train with 60-80 pounds combined payload and 250-300# of trailer behind. Any more thoughts?

[forestacademy]

isn't the Brabus Issue the exaust. The Hitch and Center Exaust would need to share the same space. Since you spent the Money on the Brabus I would hesitate to put some frankenstined thing under it to somehow get the hitch around the exaust. In the end, you would wind up with one HOT hitch.

This is like trying to figure out how to tow with a Vet. The car is purpose built for somthting else.

Anything anyone -including myself - puts up about this issue is going to be speculation. If you want to know what a shop would to to help you, your going to have to go to the shop and ask them with the car.