violent left to right wheel movement while towing

howsmart · 08-05-2008, 03:51 PM

Is anyone having this problem? What are you doing about it?

John_H · 08-05-2008, 04:50 PM

More detail's needed:
Are you towing the smart and having violent movements in the vehicle towing or the smart being towed?
Are you towing something with the smart?

Please describe the vehicle towing, the item being towed, and the tow configuration.

I've had vibrations kick up in certain tow conditions which either requires a stern grasp on the towing vehicle's wheel or a trick I used early on: "dithering" the steering wheel by purposely giving it smaller, higher frequency changes to help damp out the natural tendency of a towing configuration to oscillate. Play in steering and natural response by the driver add up to a lag that can make things get out of balance quickly. The quicker, smaller movements tend to cancel out this lag.

**Dunerunner** · 08-05-2008, 07:17 PM

A look into this link might answer your question: blue ox customer svc. comment

**Old smart** · 08-06-2008, 04:50 AM

Remember that the smart does not have a steering column lock, so the only thing working to keep the front wheels straight is whatever caster is built into the front suspension uprights. The combination of caster angle, weight and weight distribution, and wheelbase may affect directional stibility. So also may the presence of non-operating power steering if that adds any restraint to the effect of caster.

howsmart · 08-11-2008, 07:45 AM

I have not looked at the blue ox page yet. But i am noticing the problem when I have the smart behind my RV. I have the blue ox base plate (towing on all 4's) After coming out of a turn I can see the smarts steering wheel moving hard left and right.

**Dunerunner** · 08-11-2008, 08:20 AM

WEELLL, there is no fix, some have stated their installer suggested a bungie to assist in stabilizing the steering but I haven't tried it. I feel for those towing without a rear view camera!!

Desertsam · 08-19-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

WEELLL, there is no fix, some have stated their installer suggested a bungie to assist in stabilizing the steering but I haven't tried it. I feel for those towing without a rear view camera!!

I wonder where they want the bungee installed on the steering wheel? Bottom or side/sides

rawlusÂ® · 08-19-2008, 08:07 AM

what you describe doesn't sound very safe for the rest of us sharing the road.

**Dunerunner** · 08-19-2008, 08:15 AM

The problem usually presents itself at low speeds following a full lock to lock turn. My experience was at less than 10MPH, but it caused me to come to a complete stop in traffic so the wheels could find center and begin tracking again.

aviddk · 08-19-2008, 09:46 AM

I was just camping at Oceanside RV Park south of Charleston, OR. Much to my delight there was a Smart Passion Cab toad in the park. He purchased a Smart Trailer USA. It looked spiffy and he said it was easy to load. The advantages I see are only two wheels on the ground and your Smart isn't getting dragged. Just another option for your Smart Toad.