Has anyone considered a Smart car as a toad? It would certainly be light-weight. But I know that not every car can be outfitted with a tow-bar. I've just started considering something like this and I like the prices of them. It would be sufficient for any run-about occasions I'd have.
LarryW21 said
06:55 PM Apr 26, 2018
Unless you are a dry/boondocking camper.
bjoyce said
08:54 AM Apr 27, 2018
I see Smart Cars towed four down all the time. I think you have to get specific models, including engine and transmission choices. Check http://www.remcotowing.com/Towing/Store.php for details. Other smaller cars that can be towed are some years of the Honda Fit and many Chevrolet cars over the years, including the Sonic.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Friday 27th of April 2018 08:56:03 AM
Thomas_M said
10:24 AM Jun 7, 2019
2017 was the last year for a gas Smart in the US. They only sell the all electric version now. I believe that the 2016 model year was the first that offered a manual transmission. Previous years were only available with automatic. I tow a 2013 and it tows well. One thing that's very important is that when you finish hooking up, with ignition on, put transmission in neutral, turn ignition key to the left as far as it goes and wait for the instrument panel to go dark (extremely important). The key can not be removed. You then disconnect the battery which is in the passenger foot-well. The doors can not be locked after the battery is disconnected. The front wheels tend to go into a death-wobble after you make a sharp slow turn so fasten a bungee cord to the steering wheel. I don't have a brake assist. I have put on 20k miles towing the Smart. It works well for towing, but that's about the only benefit. The ride is rough, the wind blows you all over the road, the automatic transmission shifts roughly at times, there's room for only two people, and it gets only 40 mpg but you have burn premium.
-- Edited by Thomas_M on Friday 7th of June 2019 10:29:38 AM
-- Edited by Thomas_M on Friday 7th of June 2019 10:30:31 AM
PrairieRV said
07:13 AM Jun 8, 2019
Thanks for the info Tom.
My thinking has changed since my original post.
I've started a business in which I resell consignment items at Spyder rallies and online. I currently pull my Spyder on a flat-bed trailer and have merchandise in the basement. I'm running out of basement space, though. Now my thinking is that when I go full-time I'll get an enclosed trailer that can hold my Spyder, a tiny car (maybe Smart) and my merchandise. I'm thinking 28-30 ft.
My Spyder is 10 ft long, so I'll keep my eye out for a tiny car to add to the stable.
Has anyone considered a Smart car as a toad? It would certainly be light-weight. But I know that not every car can be outfitted with a tow-bar. I've just started considering something like this and I like the prices of them. It would be sufficient for any run-about occasions I'd have.
I see Smart Cars towed four down all the time. I think you have to get specific models, including engine and transmission choices. Check http://www.remcotowing.com/Towing/Store.php for details. Other smaller cars that can be towed are some years of the Honda Fit and many Chevrolet cars over the years, including the Sonic.
-- Edited by bjoyce on Friday 27th of April 2018 08:56:03 AM
2017 was the last year for a gas Smart in the US. They only sell the all electric version now. I believe that the 2016 model year was the first that offered a manual transmission. Previous years were only available with automatic. I tow a 2013 and it tows well. One thing that's very important is that when you finish hooking up, with ignition on, put transmission in neutral, turn ignition key to the left as far as it goes and wait for the instrument panel to go dark (extremely important). The key can not be removed. You then disconnect the battery which is in the passenger foot-well. The doors can not be locked after the battery is disconnected. The front wheels tend to go into a death-wobble after you make a sharp slow turn so fasten a bungee cord to the steering wheel. I don't have a brake assist. I have put on 20k miles towing the Smart. It works well for towing, but that's about the only benefit. The ride is rough, the wind blows you all over the road, the automatic transmission shifts roughly at times, there's room for only two people, and it gets only 40 mpg but you have burn premium.
-- Edited by Thomas_M on Friday 7th of June 2019 10:29:38 AM
-- Edited by Thomas_M on Friday 7th of June 2019 10:30:31 AM
My thinking has changed since my original post.
I've started a business in which I resell consignment items at Spyder rallies and online. I currently pull my Spyder on a flat-bed trailer and have merchandise in the basement. I'm running out of basement space, though. Now my thinking is that when I go full-time I'll get an enclosed trailer that can hold my Spyder, a tiny car (maybe Smart) and my merchandise. I'm thinking 28-30 ft.
My Spyder is 10 ft long, so I'll keep my eye out for a tiny car to add to the stable.