Flat Towing

[johnbo]

Hi I would like to flat tow an automatic small convertible...I need one as light weight as possible. Is anyone towing an automatic small convertible ?? Thank You

[sassydad]

We bought ours with running around the vicinity of the campground we are in. Mileage isn't a concern. Now taking it out into the desert in Lake Havasu might be an option. Check out u-tube for Geo Tracker/Suzuki Sidekick.

[Fifty4F100]

A quick look on craigslist produced a few. I'll keep them in mind! The better one's are about an hour away. I'm surprised the gas mileage isn't better.

[sassydad]

Find an old Geo Tracker at 2400 lbs with auto transmission and 4X4. Has sun roof that easily folds back.

[Fifty4F100]

I can solve your problem. Move to Tennessee! Our next door neighbor is selling her house (3 bedroom on 1.3 acres) for about $140k. I used to have an F350, 30' 5er, and a 16' bassboat going down the interstate. Looked like I was moving.

[John___Angela]

mowermech wrote:

Fifty4F100 wrote:
Just my $.02 - we tow a 2005 PT Cruiser convertible, but it has a manual. It is a lot for me (56 y/o) to get out of and I'm tiring of driving a manual every day. It gets great MPG's if I'm driving it. But its really a crappy car. I wish I would have ponied up for a Civic automatic with a sunroof.

I have been very happy with my PT Cruiser Turbo convertible.

As for the Smarts towing kayaks on a trailer, when towing the Smart behind a motorhome that would be a double tow, illegal in most of the Eastern states.

a
Agreed. Only viable if when not being used as a Toad.

[mowermech]

Fifty4F100 wrote:
Just my $.02 - we tow a 2005 PT Cruiser convertible, but it has a manual. It is a lot for me (56 y/o) to get out of and I'm tiring of driving a manual every day. It gets great MPG's if I'm driving it. But its really a crappy car. I wish I would have ponied up for a Civic automatic with a sunroof.

I have been very happy with my PT Cruiser Turbo convertible.

As for the Smarts towing kayaks on a trailer, when towing the Smart behind a motorhome that would be a double tow, illegal in most of the Eastern states.

[John___Angela]

Here is how we solved our Kayak problem. The timeout trailer also doubles as our accomodation on overnighters.

[gotsmart]

John & Angela wrote:
Well kinda sort of. These are automated manuals meaning you don't have a clutch pedal and the computer does all the shifting but technically they are standards. 1850 pounds and way fun.

fixed it

Fifty4F100 wrote:
I almost bought a Smart. I still might. But now my wife wants to buy kayaks and I don't know how a For2 could haul them!

See this link:

[Fifty4F100]

I almost bought a Smart. I still might. But now my wife wants to buy kayaks and I don't know how a For2 could haul them!

[John___Angela]

Well kinda sort of. These are automated manuals meaning you don't have a clutch pedal and the computer does all the shifting but technically they are standards. 1850 pounds and way fun.

[Hank85713]

we just returned from a 4000 mile trip with a Hyundai Elantra in tow. It is fwd, std trans and there is no evidence of tire scrub or anything. We saw many fwd cars in tow, saw nothing out of the ordinary with them either! Trailers and tow dollys ok if you just have to have an automatic trans if you want to tow, but only add another weight and item to have something go wrong with. Friend of ours was towing with a dolly and had a strap come loose, beat the hell out of the front fender. Additionally he scraped the other side trying to get it on the dolly! So there are pos/cons for everything. But the blanket statement made about why not to tow fwd I find is just plain not true. can you post a credible link to back up the statement?

[tempforce]

the tow at under 35 mph is with the engine off.. with the engine running you can go 55-60 mph.
the reason for not towing four down with front wheel drives. is that the steering is slower to react than a rear drive vehicle. which will cause more tire scrub...
the best method is to tow, is by using a trailer. saves lots of wear and tear on drive line and steering components and you won't need to buy a brake buddy...
the next best method is using a tow dolly, great for front wheel drive vehicles. nothing more to buy.. unless you are towing a large vehicle. then you will need brakes on the dolly or something like a brake buddy in the vehicle. also using a tow dolly the rear shocks will wear out prematurely.

[Fifty4F100]

Just my $.02 - we tow a 2005 PT Cruiser convertible, but it has a manual. It is a lot for me (56 y/o) to get out of and I'm tiring of driving a manual every day. It gets great MPG's if I'm driving it. But its really a crappy car. I wish I would have ponied up for a Civic automatic with a sunroof.

[mowermech]

Remco makes a lube pump kit for many automatic transmission vehicles.
Some of them are convertibles.
My PT Cruiser Turbo convertible can be towed four down using a lube pump. In fact, there is an old one installed in the car. I have never used it, and don't plan to. I don't even know if it is any good! My Demco dolly works just fine for taking the PT with us, I see no need to spend the money for a towbar and brackets for the car.