towing by rv's

craig current · 07-20-2008, 01:44 PM

has anyone flat towed using either a blue ox or roadmaster base plate/towing system and if so how did it go?? any areas of concern since i have a cabriolet with fog lamps and must go woth raodmaster sonce blue ox isn't able to accommodate fog lamights with their base plate.

craig

aviddk · 07-20-2008, 01:47 PM

Check this out!

aviddk
Ashland, OR
Smart CDI or EV wannabe

mmmeat · 07-20-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig current

has anyone flat towed using either a blue ox or roadmaster base plate/towing system and if so how did it go?? any areas of concern since i have a cabriolet with fog lamps and must go woth raodmaster sonce blue ox isn't able to accommodate fog lamights with their base plate.

At this point, it depends on whether you believe the Owners Manual or some guys on the internet.

Only one of those two sources do warranty work...

Your pal,
Meat.

aviddk · 07-20-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmeat

At this point, it depends on whether you believe the Owners Manual or some guys on the internet.

Only one of those two sources do warranty work...

Your pal,
Meat.

Meat,

I have asked two dealers and they both told me that Smart intended the RV Toad market to be one they were targeting. Check out the Motorhome Magazine 2008 Dinghy Roundup. To quote from the opening section:

Quote:

As with previous years, we're only listing those vehicles that have been approved by the manufacturers for four-down towing...

On page 25 they list the Smart fortwo under Merceds-Benz. If anyone has doubts pick up the phone and call your local Smart dealer they will be happy to help.

aviddk
Ashland, OR
Smart CDI or EV wannabe

mmmeat · 07-20-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aviddk

I have asked two dealers and they both told me

Well, oddly enough "they told me" often isn't covered by warranty. Even if you include a "both" in that statement.

I'm not saying that it can't be done ... I'm saying that until the warranty and owners manual actually tell you it's okay to do it ... it's only okay if you don't get caught.

Your pal,
Meat.

Alan_Hepburn · 07-20-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmeat

I'm not saying that it can't be done ... I'm saying that until the warranty and owners manual actually tell you it's okay to do it ... it's only okay if you don't get caught.

Your pal,
Meat.

Well, Meat - I'm too lazy to walk out to my smartie right now, but if you go to the official smart web site and look at the answer to the question "Can I tow my smart fortwo?" you'll see that the manufacturer indeed says that the car is designed to be towed four-down.

mmmeat · 07-20-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

Well, Meat - I'm too lazy to walk out to my smartie right now, but if you go to the official smart web site and look at the answer to the question "Can I tow my smart fortwo?" you'll see that the manufacturer indeed says that the car is designed to be towed four-down.

Well, Alan_Hepburn, I'm too lazy to go out and buy a Smart right now, but if you read your Owners Manual - the part where it says "When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle may be towed only for distances up to 30 miles (50km) and at a speed not to exceed 30mph (50km/h)" and the warning box on the same page where it says "smart does not recommend towing a vehicle when all wheels are on the ground" you'll see that the manufacturer indeed says that the car cannot be towed any appreciable distance at any appreciable speed with all four wheels on the ground. In fact, they recommend flatbed towing.

I'm pretty sure "my owners manual says" trumps "but the internet said" when you take the car in for warranty work...

Your pal,
Meat.

annegee1 · 07-21-2008, 06:57 AM

We are using the Blue Ox to tow our Passion. There were some problems with the installation because of the fog lights, but my huband made some adjustments and it works great. We just got back from an RV rally in Iowa and there was a lot of interest from other RVers who are looking for a light car to tow. I can't seem to post the image, but it is in the Blue Gallery under "Smart with Motorhome"

**JPaul** · 07-21-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annegee1

[...] I can't seem to post the image, but it is in the Blue Gallery under "Smart with Motorhome"

randyzimmer · 07-21-2008, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmeat

I'm pretty sure "my owners manual says" trumps "but the internet said" when you take the car in for warranty work...

If YOU weren't too lazy to read the link posted, it was at Smart USA and they suggested talking to the local smart center for guidance...

"
Can I tow my smart fortwo?

The smart fortwo is designed to be flat towed with all four wheels on the ground. Your smart center can assist you with the procedures to allow for flat towing. In addition, the car can be carried on a flat bed."

If someone were to follow that plan, everyone would be on the same page and not surprised or lying. That goes far when dealing with warranty issues, at least at our store and our make.