Smart Car...Smart Trailer

SmartnGreen · 07-17-2007, 09:24 AM

I found these trailers that are pretty cool...the best feature is that they are truly eco-friendly. Every model is less than 1,000 lbs and gas mileage is hardly affected (5-10%).

Anyone else think about extra hauling capacity or camping with your Smarty?

I don't have posting rights yet to show you my car, but here is a link to see the trailers - Little Guy Teardrop Camper/Trailers

rgaus · 07-17-2007, 10:09 AM

For those RV folks wanting to HAUL their smart (must be done with all 4 wheels off the ground), there is a guy near Kansas City working on an enclosed fiberglass trailer that is really sharp. We'll post here when he completes his prototype.

Ron Gaus, aSmartCar.com

Shane · 07-17-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgaus

For those RV folks wanting to HAUL their smart (must be done with all 4 wheels off the ground).

Ron Gaus, aSmartCar.com

It's interesting that the Europeans have been towing their Smart with all
4 on the ground for years with no problems, just unlock steering wheel put it in neutral,
hook up your tow-bar, plug in electric and go down the road...

I've towed a manual transmission Ford Festiva ( Great tow car by the way) for 8 years with no problem..
Officially Ford said: The Festiva cannot be towed with all 4 on the ground...

Shane...

**SmartCard** · 07-17-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmartnGreen

I found these trailers that are pretty cool...the best feature is that they are truly eco-friendly. Every model is less than 1,000 lbs and gas mileage is hardly affected (5-10%).

Anyone else think about extra hauling capacity or camping with your Smarty?

I don't have posting rights yet to show you my car, but here is a link to see the trailers - Little Guy Teardrop Camper/Trailers

It'll better significantly less then 1000lbs. While the fortwo isn't officially rated to tow anything, I believe the German government has tested the car up to a maximum of 330 kg (700 lbs or so) and only on one specific tow kit. (A German one, of course) So considering you want to tow "stuff", the trailer probably needs to be no more the 500 lbs empty. And I should point out, this rating was for the previous fortwo Smart (450), not the new model to hit the states.

a2jack · 07-17-2007, 02:42 PM

Quite a few trailers are being pulled by Smarties in Canada.

Check out the Canadian smart car forums at:

http://www.clubsmartcar.ca

A2Jack.

Smart-Trailers · 12-03-2007, 10:28 AM

First, I have to declare an interest as we are the premier manufacturer of trailers built specifically to tow a Smart car behind a Motorhome (RV) in the UK.

That said I feel I must comment on the statement:
"It's interesting that the Europeans have been towing their Smart with all
4 on the ground for years with no problems"

It is not true! There are problems!! Towing on an 'A' Frame - which I know is very common in America - is illegal in continental Europe. Particularly Germany and Spain.

Us Brits have been getting away with it for some time, as English Law is based on case law and a case has not yet gone before the English Courts.

In England fitting an 'A' Frame to your Smarty effectively turns your Smarty into a four wheeled trailer, and as such it then needs to comply with the UK Construction and Use Regulations as they would apply to a "trailer". It does NOT fully comply - although, as said, a case has not yet reached the Courts.

In Spain you run a very high risk of being stopped and heavily fined on the spot. You may be made to unhitch an 'A' Framed car and if you do not have a second driver to drive the car you will have to leave it behind.

Added to that Daimler Chrysler UK state in the handbook that the car can only be towed on its own wheels up to a maximum of 30 miles and at no more than 30 miles per hour - if this is exceeded it invalidates your warranty.

It is true that some Brits have been towing with 'A' Frames without problems and may be keen advocates of the practice. But there are a equal number who have had problems with the authorities in Continental Europe and also those who have arrived back at their Dealership with their shiny Smarty and a large box of oily bits salvaged from a large area of blacktop!

Fredvon4 · 12-03-2007, 10:44 AM

Alan

Can you cite any mechanical reason a Manual transmission Smart can not be flat towed? .... I believe the 30 mile limit you cited is because the Smart fortwo in Europe did have a fully automatic transmission option. If that is true, the the limit makes perfect sense...

Here in the USA flat towing does not require any trailer certification for the car... Nor do we require a separate brake system, though there are many devices that apply the cars brakes just like a electric or hydraulic trailer brake system.

We are required to incorporate the Smart cars tail lights into the turn signal and brake light system of the tow vehicle. In fact in some states it is perfectly legal to have a Boat trailer in tow and a Small Car behind the boat for a triple setup... There are only total length considerations... This practice is NOT allowed in all 50 states.

On to the issue of trailers behind a Smart car... with a significant limit on the overall load the car is rated to haul... two typical adults already come close to maxing the Lil bugger out.... BUT, I think many of the ultra light and small trailers I have seen in the ads will not add too much tongue weight and the GCVW and will not be so heavy to cause any serious problem.... I would not try to haul any heavy load though...

Smart-Trailers · 12-03-2007, 03:47 PM

Fred

No, nothing mechanical. All Smart models made by MCC at Hambach (that is the G1 fortwo, G2 fortwo, Roadster and Crossblade) had the same "type" of gearbox. That is a six speed (five for the G2) with cogs - all had an automatic clutch actuator. The actuator is initiated either by nudging the stick shift or, on the models with soft-touch, in a "fully automatic" mode by the vehicles software.

None of these Smart models had a fluid filled torque convertor as with most other vehicles in the USA. The only exception to the above is the Smart forfour that was a Mitsubishi Colt badged as a Smart.

The problems in Europe pretty much all derive from legal issue's or the manufacturers warranty conditions. I assume the few "mechanical" problems were probably operator error, but it would be incorrect to say there weren't any problems associated with "A" Frames.

SmartnGreen · 02-06-2008, 12:41 PM

Update: I bought a Little Guy and they put pics up of me, my car and my trailer on their site!!

Check it out HERE

P.S. I saw the question about my trailer weight, mine weighs 880 because it is one of their bigger trailers (a 5-Wide). They do make some that are as light as 460 lbs. Also, They have a couple dealers in Europe and they make them tailored to each country's specific regulations.

smart-IN · 02-06-2008, 01:06 PM

some of our members and their trailers...

smart 450 "normal maximum" of 300 kg - smart 451 between 400 and 450 kg...