Ok. I am a newbie. I am considering towing 4 down. I have a couple of simple questions. 1. I am reading that I will be unable to back up a 4 down tow. Can anyone tell me why? I know, may be a simple answer, but if the car is in the neutral, why can it not be backed up?2. I have a 2013 Smart Car. I am getting feedback I am unable to tow it, so I am considering trading it in for a Chevy Malibu. Any thoughts from those that are experienced. I have a small 23E Thor and do not require a truck. Just a small get around. I would appreciate your help.

You don't want to back up when you're towing because you risk bending the tow bars. They're for pulling - not pushing.

We were parked next to a guy at the FMCA Rocky Mountain Rally who towed his Smart Car everywhere. His was a manual transmission (do they even make an auto)Anyway, he did it. You don't back because your steering column is left unlocked and the front wheels turn freely to track. If you back the front wheels can turn counter to the angle causing all types of unpredictable problems. I have backed a foot or two with an observer checking all the time to better reach a fuel pump. But that's it.

The caster alignment in the front end causes the wheels to track in the given direction. But unlike a grocery cart cannot turn around when in reverse. They stop turning at the stops resulting in a damaged tow bar.You should:1. Plan ahead so that you don't have to backup.2. If you have to unhitch and you're blocking traffic ... take a deep breath and unhitch.

We have a couple members here towing Smart Cars. Don't give up on the towing idea just yet.My doctor says "Just because you haven't done something doesn't mean it can't be done."But for backing it's "Just because you can do something doesn't mean it should be done."You may be able to back up a couple feet. Even a longer distance if everything is straight and level. But you're more likely to bend something.

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j-d
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2015
We have a couple members here towing Smart Cars. Don't give up on the towing idea just yet.

My doctor says "Just because you haven't done something doesn't mean it can't be done."

But for backing it's "Just because you can do something doesn't mean it should be done."

You may be able to back up a couple feet. Even a longer distance if everything is straight and level. But you're more likely to bend something.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2015
The caster alignment in the front end causes the wheels to track in the given direction. But unlike a grocery cart cannot turn around when in reverse. They stop turning at the stops resulting in a damaged tow bar.

You should:
1. Plan ahead so that you don't have to backup.
2. If you have to unhitch and you're blocking traffic ... take a deep breath and unhitch.
GMandJM
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
Towing guide(s)
kalynzoo
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
We were parked next to a guy at the FMCA Rocky Mountain Rally who towed his Smart Car everywhere. His was a manual transmission (do they even make an auto)
Anyway, he did it.
You don't back because your steering column is left unlocked and the front wheels turn freely to track. If you back the front wheels can turn counter to the angle causing all types of unpredictable problems. I have backed a foot or two with an observer checking all the time to better reach a fuel pump. But that's it.
GMandJM
Explorer
Jul 27, 2015
You don't want to back up when you're towing because you risk bending the tow bars. They're for pulling - not pushing.

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