What toad is small enough to carry on the back of a Class A?

[RoushFenwayRock]

Okay so here is the question. We bought our first "monster" (to us) 32' Class A Motorhome. We could tow our son's car that we acquire in a week, but we are already overwhelmed a little with getting comfy with the 32'. (Formerly a TT owner.)

What kind of vehicle is "street worthy," if that is the best term... that is TINY? I wish we could mount something on the back of the MH. I have a feeling you guys are laughing now, but I'm serious. Is there any kind of tiny electric car or anything that we could use on regular roads? Usually we just run a couple of miles ... down to right across the street, to and from a campsite to a Nascar track. But also sometimes from a parking lot to a music venue.

Wish it could be a little golf cart, but are they allowed on city streets? I'd think not, but not sure. They are all over Nascar tracks, but I've also heard they are only allowed for the owner/drivers... and I've read some track rules that say NO GOLF CARTS ALLOWED AT ALL! Hmmm.

We have a small car... a Volks GTI that we could tow... but that adds so much length, when we are already not acclimated to the new length. Looked at a car trailer, but that's really long. I guess if we do the GTI, it will have to be a Tow Dolly. But I'm hoping there is some nifty little car that we can attach to the back of the Class A and go. D

I'm a Dreamer, right????

Thanks, as always for your kind replies. I'm really trying here and hit a dead end.

A

[RVUSA]

donandmax wrote:
the crash tests were better then some full size gas guzzlers. The Smart is made by Mercedes Benz

Which ones?

The reality of a small car in a crash.

[wa8yxm]

If I could afford a manual shift smart car that's what I'd tow.

But what I have is an 2001 Dodge Neon, 2500 pounds, not counting LP-1 Lube pump or base plate or my portable recording studio (perhaps 2700 with all that) it follows my Gasser (about 4000 max tow rating) like a puppy.

[dennis45]

VintageRacer wrote:
You have a pretty small Class A, front engine with a biggish rear overhang. Your tongue weight limit is likely around 500 lbs (matching a tow weight limit of 5,000 lbs) as is typical on those units. No car, golf cart, or anything else remotely street legal that meets the definition of "car" weighs 500 lbs. Just drive the thing a bit, you will get used to it. The only think to remember with a flat-towed car or a car on a dolly is don't back up, even a little bit.

Brian

Without reading through this whole post, This is the best advice on the subject. Your rig is Not Capable of carrying the weight. Be Safe.

[John___Angela]

Here you go. Smart cars are routinely pulled four wheels down. They handle as well on the highway as they do downtown, easy to park, reliable, great reputation, affordable, (5 to 8000 will get you something nice) have a convertible version etc etc. Very easy to get in and out with big doors and not too low to the ground. Good off road as well. Way fun and economical. We have a couple of them (his and hers). Have had them for years and will have them for many more.







and if you like you can pull a little tent trailer with a kayak on it to the lake.

[donandmax]

GREGORYJ wrote:
We tow a 2008 Smart Car behind our 34' RV without any problems. The car is about 1800 lbs. & tow bar/car base plate is about 70 lbs. We bought this used 08 Smart Car a year ago here in Canada for $6500 with only 30,000 miles on it, with A/C and panorama roof, accident free. I would think similar ones would be at a similar price in the US if you shop around. By the way, crash test ratings on these car are quite good. I installed the base plate myself(goes behind front bumper cover to connect tow bar to). Blue Ox tow bar/base plate was purchased new on Amazon.com for much less that at our local dealer.

Yup ours is a 2014 that we have a 3 yr lease on. we love the little guy and the crash tests were better then some full size gas guzzlers.
The Smart is made by Mercedes Benz

[donandmax]

RoushFenwayRocks wrote:

Executive wrote:
The "Smart" car looks like your best bet..the back end looks like it's already been in an accident so you shouldn't worry about getting in a crash.....Dennis

DENNIS!!!!!!!!! are you kidding me? An accident. so I guess we really are in trouble?
How can you see the back of it??

Because we're usually out in front passing everybody.

[donandmax]

Executive wrote:
The "Smart" car looks like your best bet..the back end looks like it's already been in an accident so you shouldn't worry about getting in a crash.....Dennis

Right on Dennis !! Love it..

[donandmax]

AZPops wrote:
How bout that Smart Car (?). The one that kind'ah sorta looks like a golf cart?

Thats what we tow..45 mpg and weighs in at 1800 lbs. We love it

[AllegroD]

RayChez wrote:

Kiwi_too wrote:
I suspect you can tow up to 5000 as that is the max weight of most hitches on a gasser. Having said that, you have a lot of options. You do not need to go with the smallest or lightest. You do need to know your weight limits.

OP said carry a small car, not tow.

I know. As others stated above. Not gonna happen. Just thought the OP would should move on to what is possible.

[RoushFenwayRock]

Mike M2 wrote:
I carry a 150cc scooter on the back rack. It works great for us, something you might consider.

No scooters/motorcycles, Mike. I'm a photographer. When we are camping off site we go to the track with my photo "stuff" and sometimes in the rain. Same to the music venues. Plus I wouldn't be dressed for a bike. no way. 😉

[RoushFenwayRock]

More!
GVWR. 20,500
GCWR 26,000
GAWR Front 7,000
GAWR Rear 13,500
UVW 166,674
SCWR 616
CCC 2,536
Fresh Water w/water heater @ 8.33 lbs./gal. 71 Gallons = 591
LPG Capacity @ 4.2 lbs./gal. 19.7 Gallons = 83

Towing capacity 5,000#

[Ivylog]

"buckle the frame" :Z Guess you have not looked at the frame of a DP with 10K of CCC. Putting 1500lbs on the back of most single rear axle DPs will over load the rear axle.
Unusual tire wear? In 75K miles of doing this I have not had any unusual wear.

[Mike_M2]

I carry a 150cc scooter on the back rack. It works great for us, something you might consider.

[RoushFenwayRock]

Thanx everyone! Here's the specs:
GVWR. 20,500
GCWR 26,000
Towing capacity 5,000 #

[rockhillmanor]

You can tow 'anything' on a straight flat road behind a MH that is within the 'rated' capabilities. Which those figures are based on towing flat and stopping not considered. The I don't know it's even back there usually is spoken of towing on a flat highway.

Most of the seasoned RV'ers know that it DOES make a difference when you have to pull it UP anything!

Henceforth why most of us look for the lightest car to tow. IMHO my toad is not to impress anyone, it is for functionality. Lightweight so when I am having to pull it up inclines it does not put added strain on my coach engine and I can actually get up there doing the speed limit.

I see a lot of big MH's with heavy toads struggling up even the smallest of grades as I blast past them with my little Tracker.

It's not so much that size matters, it's weight matters!