Towing a smart car behind a motorhome

TomRowe
TomRowe Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited November 2022 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hi,

Picking up my Smart Car to tow behind my Motorhome next Monday...

I need to get a tow bar system professionally fitted but so far have not been able to find anyone who can do it for me.

I was wondering if the members can advise on what towing system is the best to get, and also where I could get it fitted in the Surrey or Kent Area preferably near Croydon. 

Many thanks...

Thomas James Rowe...

 

 

 

Comments

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited November 2022 #2

    Go for an electronic one rather than the override system, they are easier to handle and allow limited reversing (a few yards). I saw quite a good one at the NEC show last month but sorry I cannot remember who made it. Perhaps someone else can. I have one supplied by Towbars2Tow which I can reommend but they are based just south of Grimsby. However, there is a very good open all year CL *Hunger Hill" just a couple of miles distant for an overnight stay.

    peedee

     
  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited November 2022 #3

    Think this was the one on display at the NEC:

    Towmaster

    Looked quite well made but have no experience of the the system.

    peedee

     
  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2022 #4

    Hi Tom. When i had my Autocruise Sunningdale ,i towed a Smart Pure 450 ,purchased from the Smart dealer in Nice ,as that was our location at the time  Travelled many times through France at the time .Although the French do manufacture 'A' frames ,i chose "Car a Tow " in Poole Dorset. They would fit the equipment ,or D.I.Y. I fitted in four hours .Make sure the Smart that you use is in neutral ,and that the model is one that CAN be towed long distances !! 

    As you may have seen or know ,several E.U countries disallow cars to be towed on 'A' frames ,BUT ,but the DVLA say in this country ,it IS a trailer !!

    Another point that keeps cropping up is 'REVERSING' whilst coupled up .This can be achieved easily by hooking a pair of expanders /Bungy cords  ,around the straight steering wheel and clipped to the underside of the seat .Doing this enables you to reverse straight OR round corners just like a caravan/trailer/boat/horse box etc.Good Luck & enjoy the extra facility .

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited November 2022 #5

    Another point that keeps cropping up is 'REVERSING' whilst coupled up .This can be achieved easily by hooking a pair of expanders /Bungy cords ,around the straight steering wheel and clipped to the underside of the seat .Doing this enables you to reverse straight OR round corners just like a caravan/trailer/boat/horse box etc.Good Luck & enjoy the extra facility .

    I have never tried this Triky but with the Car-A-Tow frame you would have to disconnect the override braking first. I would be concerned about putting too much strain on the car and the brackets holding the A Frame onto the car. Useful to know if ever you find yourself in a situation where you need to reverse some distance but in my view best avoided if possible.

    peedee

     

     
  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2022 #6

    @ Tricky .... Make sure the Smart that you use is in neutral ,and that the model is one that CAN be towed long distances !! 

    Mercedes will tell you that a 450/451/452 Smart can not be towed because it's an automatic. Though we know they are just covering themselves .... I've towed a 451 several times over long-ish distances.

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2022 #7

    cool Hi Peedee ,been there done that NO PROBLEM !! Several left & right reversing procedures ,as well as straight line.!! 

     

Categories