Flat Tow ?? YES!!! - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

apowers · 01-07-2008, 10:52 AM

I just found out that the SMART cars can be flat towed...

Fredvon4 · 01-07-2008, 01:21 PM

apowers

so.... prove it

I personally believe it can be because it looks like a typical manual trany with a neutral gear.... BUT I admit I don't know squat about a Getrag trany so there may be some pump I am not aware of that lube the diff or something...

Book says no more then 30 mile at slow speeds...or something like this...

I you found empirical info you should post all your data not just some declaration about a subject we have been discussing about for 8 months now

Old smart · 01-07-2008, 01:30 PM

The smart doesn't have a steering column lock. The Brits say that you have to lash the steering wheel (dead straight ahead!) for any flat towing. I would imaging that flat towing with the front end free could be dicey if one front wheel had appreciably more drag due to under inflation and if the smart was short on wheel caster.

apowers · 01-07-2008, 01:50 PM

THIS CAME STRAIGHT from SMART....

"As for flat towing â€“ the smart can be flat towed. "

Regards,

Joe

Joe O'Deven

General Manager After Sales

smart USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

apowers

so.... prove it

I personally believe it can be because it looks like a typical manual trany with a neutral gear.... BUT I admit I don't know squat about a Getrag trany so there may be some pump I am not aware of that lube the diff or something...

Book says no more then 30 mile at slow speeds...or something like this...

I you found empirical info you should post all your data not just some declaration about a subject we have been discussing about for 8 months now

**jediknight36** · 01-30-2008, 11:34 AM

And remember, apowers is a sales assoc here in Dallas.

Gortok · 01-30-2008, 04:06 PM

Sorry, but sales associates are NOT engineers...

I want real documentation.

hampyoung · 01-30-2008, 04:31 PM

Last week I asked a Smart USA rep about flat towing and she said the manual is being written to reflect that it indeed, can be flat towed. Just put it in neutral and go.
Many Canadians are towing their Smarts for the past few years.
We've flat towed a 4x4 car for years and it doesn't require anything be done to the steering wheel.
I'm hopeful that the hitch points will be a 2nd tow hook spot on the left corner like the existing one on the right corner.

Hamp

bumblebee · 01-30-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gortok

Sorry, but sales associates are NOT engineers...

I want real documentation.

she did asked someone from smart USA and got a response

24-42 · 01-30-2008, 05:01 PM

I have been reading this ridiculous go-around for some time and it is stupid.

BTW: you only tie/lash the front wheels when towing from the rear. The 'trail' (Caster) of the front wheel alignment takes care of steering with a towbar only, not a rope.

Think for a moment, WHY no Flat towing. Don't just come back with 'Automatic transmission'. We used to Flat tow automatics. what changed?
Tha Manf's, in their infinate wisdom, decided to eliminate the rear pump (driven by the driveshaft). You could Flat tow cars with rear pumps.You can Flat tow a car with an automatic trans today if...... It 's done with a aux. pump and a 1qt reservior. Dumps 1qt of ATF when you turn the engine off, pump returns 1qt back when engine is started. Motor homers do it all the time.

Now, GET THIS: The inside of the Smart transmission is a STD transmission. You can Flat tow a STD tranmission.

The interrogative I pose is: Not why prove it's OK to Flat tow, prove to me WHY I shouldn't flat tow with this transmission ? DON"T give me speculation, give me facts

Prove to me that after removing the, external electric. shifting mechanism you have anything but a STD trans.

BTW: I am an engineer

Donald LaFavor

nevis · 01-30-2008, 05:17 PM

You didn't have to tell us you are an engineer...it was obvious.