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S

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
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
 
R

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#2 ·
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

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#3 ·
rgaus said:
For those RV folks wanting to HAUL their smart (must be done with all 4 wheels off the ground).

Ron Gaus, aSmartCar.com
Click to expand...
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...
 
S

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#4 ·
SmartnGreen said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
S

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#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
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

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#7 ·
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...
 
S

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#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
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.
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
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.
 
2442

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936 Posts
#12 ·
rwj53 said:
Were you able to have a 2" ball hitch put on it? And was it a difficult addition?
Click to expand...
No need for a 2" ball. 1 7/8" is more than the capacity.

I also have to add that I've been posting 2 things on this forum for almost 6 months and now with the preceeding posts, I feel completely vindicated.

1. trailer towing is practical
2Towing '4 down' is practical.

Now, I'm going for a Smart ride !


Donald LaFavor
 
deaconpark

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#15 ·
SmartnGreen said:
Not sure about everyone else, but the Little Guy dealer recommended a local place that is a Truck Accessory Store.
Click to expand...
smartngreen;
I was just in the Little Guy dealer here in Canton, Ohio today to check on trailers and I saw pics of your car and trailer. I am looking more at the travel mate (360 #) due to the car size and not using it for camping or anything. Just in case I need to pick up something bigger than my car. The dealer here also recommended a local place for hitch. What about the towhook sites on the back of the car. Couldn't something be done with that? Looking to enjoy all the car's abilities. Russ
 
S

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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
to be frank, I don't know, although it would certainly seem so. I just asked the guy at the place I got my hitch at what would be the best way to get set up to haul the camper. Since you are looking at the Travelmate, the answer you get may be different. I know that is under 400 lbs, so you won't have any trouble at all...

Sorry I can't give you a more helpful answer than that. I did see "smart-IN" posted a few pics of some smaller trailers and they look like they all used the standard hitch...good luck and keep us all posted.
 
Steff

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#17 ·
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