Community Forums

YachtSea2 · 01-20-2013, 06:42 AM

Hey folks, Ive been searching for a toad to tow behind our 45' Signature and yesterday at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale I got an idea ( I so hope I can do this). We looked at the Smart car....awsome. What I would like to do is build a rack similar to those that carry motorcycles/golf carts that would be mounted to the frame of the coach and carry a Smart cart perpendicular to the coach. Thinking about a non hydraulic permenant framed unit that I can drive the Smart car up on tie it down and drive away. This would eliminate dealing with tow bars, brakes, light etc. Not to mention backing up would be a breeze, and I could still tow my vintage boat. The Smart car is 106.1 inches long and weighs 1852 lbs. I know the legal limit on road width is 102", but Im willinng to take my chances on that, just wondering how to deal with the weight, even with the tags down. The hydraulic lifts Ive looked at hold up to about 1000 lbs. I sure would appreciate any and all imput, advise etc. any of you might have on this...thanks in advance and safe travels......YachtSea2

docj · 01-20-2013, 07:01 AM

Unfortunately, physics makes it pretty much impossible to do what you want safely unless the entire coach was designed around the concept to start with. If you hang a platform and your Smart off the back end of the coach, not only will the entire weight of the assembly transfer to the rear axles of the coach, but the lever-arm created will actually transfer some weight from the front axle to the rear. The chances are very high that you will overload the rear axles and tires and may end up with not enough load on the front.

Libero · 01-20-2013, 07:31 AM

Good luck with your venture. Your hitch weight capacity might be a problem with what you are suggesting plus the bit overwidth issue, albeit the latter issue would be hardly noticable.

Perhaps a set of swivel wheels under the Smart carrier might solve the tongue weight issue but that might be considered a double tow with a boat on behind. Not certain of that aspect.

You could have the carrier beefed up so it had 3 receivers to hold the weight. I have seen DP's configured with 3 receivers. But think of the temporary downward thrust with a 2000 pound load as you bounce over bumps. This force on the hitch would be greater than the static weight of the load, considering the weight extends 5' from the hitch receiver.

I have a Smaft Car toad and it works great for us. I picked up the Smart because it is the lightest car available. I also have a Malibu Max toad, but since I downsized from A's to a B+, I found towing a 3000+ lb load was a bit sluggish on hills with my smaller RV. Never was an issue with my DP.

Towing a Smarty makes sense for us, it can carry 2 sets of golf clubs and 2 people. More room in then than would appear.from the outside.

Looking forward to see what you come up with.

Libero · 01-20-2013, 07:36 AM

What docj says makes sense. You will be putting about 2k lbs several feet more aft of the rear axle thus moving the coach C of G much further back. It could impact vehicle peeformance.

**CountryFit** · 01-20-2013, 09:27 PM

Yachtsea2, i hear ya... considering the effort to do what you want, your best bet would be to sell your 45fter and buy one of this

Mr_D · 01-20-2013, 09:40 PM

Yes, it has been done, I've seen a picture of it. But, is it advisable? Not unless you have a Prevost or Newell conversion

Arch Hoagland · 01-20-2013, 10:24 PM

About a year ago, or so, there were pictures posted of Smart cars on the back of some class A coaches.

So it can be done. I can't locate the pictures but I remember it because I showed them to my wife.

Pretty cool.

You may want to rename the thread "Mount Smart Car on back of coach."

This would catch the attention of Smart Car owners.

Jack1234 · 01-20-2013, 10:34 PM

You might want to consider a Polaris Razr......they only weigh-in at around 1000lbs?

**CountryFit** · 01-20-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

About a year ago, or so, there were pictures posted of Smart cars on the back of some class A coaches.

So it can be done. I can't locate the pictures but I remember it because I showed them to my wife.

Pretty cool.

You may want to rename the thread "Mount Smart Car on back of coach."

This would catch the attention of Smart Car owners.

arch, you are not talking about this right?

okmunky · 01-20-2013, 11:06 PM

I have seen Smart Cars that drive up a ramp unto a heavy duty tow vehicle for a big fifth wheel. I tow my Smart with a convention tow bar set up, and have a ramped carrier for my power wheelchair on a dual hitch adapter. The carrier sits above the tow bar and the toad helps keep the tow bar level and carries some of the wheelchair's weight.

okmunky · 01-20-2013, 11:12 PM

Oops, hit send too soon.

I can see a heavy duty version of my carrier with 3 receivers, but it might cause some tail wag having that much weight added to the rear and not having a 4 wheeled toad helping support the weight.

Scarab0088 · 01-20-2013, 11:45 PM

With good engineering, lightweight materials, and quality welding, I'm sure you could do it. You would be shifting and increasing the weight on the rear axle, so if you are near your GVWR then some overload suspension system (airbags?) would be advisable. The weight shift would also change the weight on the front (steering) axle - impacting steering and ride.

I would be very interested in the results if you do it.

BTW, here are all the Class A toyhaulers that we've been able to find:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/clas...rs-130973.html

Best luck!

okmunky · 01-21-2013, 09:53 AM

If the main reason for carrying a smart car is so you can also tow a boat, perhaps it would wiser to add the car carrier to the boat trailer, and not the motorhome?