A stupid question about towing

OK, I had a 1997 31 Class C about 9 years ago. Had the V10 in it. The Hitch was rated to tow 5k pounds. I wanted to tow a trailer with a car on it. Took my RV to a welding shop here in town. They run 2 pieces of large L shaped metal (4" x 8" I think) along my frame rails, starting above the rear wheels and continuing all the way to the hitch. Welded them to the hitch and frame. Cost me about $300. Then I added a larger transmission cooler and deeper transmission pan. And a electric trailer brake set-up.

I towed a 20' car trailer (dual axles brakes) with a 1995 Jeep Wrangler and a electric EZ-GO Golf Cart both on it. Around 6500lbs.

You will definitely know it's back there. But It can be done.

We're getting off topic here, so I'll keep this short. Ground clearance has not really changed. Rubbing, just a little bit during hard braking. Suspension rubbing - none. I did it for more side wall to smooth out the bumps in the road and so I can rotate my tires and have a usable spare tire. Daystar makes a 2 inch lift kit for the smart car - linky

Outstanding retrofit on your Smart Car's tire up-sizing! Do you get any tire rubbing of the wheel wells or suspension components? However, why does it still look like it has lower ground clearance in the front than the back?

Out in the desert, we need the best possible ground clearance at both ends. The ground clearance you've created in the back looks quite adequate for our needs. Having the same tire size all around is a BIG plus.

Did someone say they wanted larger tires on a smart?

Before - with 155/55/15 fronts on 15"x4.5" wheels and 175/55/15 rears on 15"x5.5" wheels


After - with 195/55/15s on 15"x5.5" wheels on all 4 corners

:S

John & Angela wrote:

Mocoondo wrote:
2500# max GVWR, 200# tongue weight.

Yeh, could be, never looked into the specs for the American version. We have the euro version.......l

I was answering to the OP. The above are the specs for his retired Cruise unit.

bukhrn wrote:
This is exactly how & what I tow, while the Focus is flat towable, I already had the dolly. Plus mine is the pretty Blue Candy. :B

Yep, we had the dolly too...priced it out to get the focus set up and without brakes, we were well over $2000... Mine is Tuxedo Black...however, it has different colors in the glitter...

This is exactly how & what I tow, while the Focus is flat towable, I already had the dolly. Plus mine is the pretty Blue Candy. :B

Or one of these (Ford Focus) at about 3000lbs

Mocoondo wrote:
2500# max GVWR, 200# tongue weight.

Yeh, could be, never looked into the specs for the American version. We have the euro version not to mention the diesel version so the specs are different. The hitch weight of our trailer never exceeds 75 pounds and is usually around 55. I'm not sure I would want it too much heavier than that. Our GVWR is 990KG and of course they don't list the hitch weight because it doesn't come with a factory hitch. Our hitch comes straight off the frame so it is the shear strength of 6 bolts that gives it the weight bearing strength. I weigh a couple hundred pounds and can jump up and down on it with no effect. Loaded the trailer weighs 550 pounds so it never really gets put to the test. The gas jobs (451) are definitely a little more robust than the diesels (450) and also a about 150 pounds heavier. The new 453 will be a little heavier again and 4 inches wider but the same length as the 451. As per normal the North American version will not be rated for towing. However this time they are expected to put a motor in it that is a little more closer in mpg to the european version. Time will tell.

2500# max GVWR, 200# tongue weight.

pnichols wrote:
John & Angela,

Can a Smart Car be towed all wheels down? Do Smart Cars have heating and air conditioning? How big is the storage area in the back?

Good morning.

Yes, smart cars can be towed 4 wheels down and thats actually the way most tow them although we prefer to tow ours on a trailer.

Smart cars have all the amenities of any car depending what you want. Angelas also has heated seats.

We'll the storage area ain't big but we can usually get a costco cart full in the back. The passenger front seat also folds down so you can put a ladder, lawnmore etc etc in the car. You may have to leave the tail gate down depending how long the object is...eg...8 foot studs etc.





You can put a hitch on a smart car so you can pull a small utility trailer etc or mount a bike rack but I personally don't recommend more than 100 pounds on the hitch. Curt makes the hitch.