Towing a Smart

JOG man · 03-12-2011, 11:42 AM

Hi All
I am new to this group and new to towing a toad. My wife and I always had a cycle and decided to buy a Smart Car this year.I have been told to install a bungy cord to the frame of the seat. My question is how tight to keep steering in center position? I am not sure how far the wheel will roll on regular turns on in town driving and the like. Anyone got some idea? Thanks JOG man

Dixieray53 · 03-12-2011, 01:06 PM

Welcome ....

to our little group. I tow a Vue...so I might not be much help. But I have a question. Why bugee the steering wheel

. I have never heard that before. Or is it a Smart Car thing...Again welcome..

JOG man · 03-12-2011, 02:04 PM

Hi Dexieray53
I was told that the wheel base and light weight on the frt axle will cause it not to come out of a turn without help from a bungee ! I am not sure how many folks tow with one of these but a fellow last year I met in Oregon said that is what he does. At that time I did not ask just how tight to keep it. The Vue is much heavier. This little thing only weighes 1600 lbs.

Finhawk · 03-12-2011, 02:22 PM

I hate to say this----and I don't mean it in a mean way, but I saw a Smart Car behind a 42' DP leaving this park. It looked like a cow having a calf!
I must admit tho that I'm a bit envious of the difference in fuel consumption. More power to ya!!

Dixieray53 · 03-12-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOG

Hi Dexieray53
I was told that the wheel base and light weight on the frt axle will cause it not to come out of a turn without help from a bungee ! I am not sure how many folks tow with one of these but a fellow last year I met in Oregon said that is what he does. At that time I did not ask just how tight to keep it. The Vue is much heavier. This little thing only weighes 1600 lbs.

So there is not enough weight to pull the wheel (tires) straight after a turn? If that is the issue I would say the bungee needs to be very tight. The next thing is if it is that light won't it, the car, just slide all over? Wow I think a couple trial runs and see for yourself...Good Luck...D

Ranger429 · 03-12-2011, 04:50 PM

Can't you just put the smart car in a storage compartment.

However you hook the bungee cord up to the steering wheel make sure that it doesn't get tangled and it will allow the wheel to go back to center or you could cause some damage.

wa8yxm · 03-12-2011, 05:35 PM

If you are towing a car 4-down you do not tie the wheel at all, you let it turn.. You my wish to have the car aligned with the specific note that you will be towing it. But you do not tie the wheel, you do not lock the wheel you let it turn as it will (Trailer) Else you put a whole lot of stress on the steering and tear up the tires very fast..

bullheaded · 03-12-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

If you are towing a car 4-down you do not tie the wheel at all, you let it turn.. You my wish to have the car aligned with the specific note that you will be towing it. But you do not tie the wheel, you do not lock the wheel you let it turn as it will (Trailer) Else you put a whole lot of stress on the steering and tear up the tires very fast..

I agree!!!!!!

mikron · 03-12-2011, 06:34 PM

I thaugh that's what the tie rods were for. If you take the car out, go left or right and let the wheel bring itself stright it should work towed.

bullheaded · 03-12-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikron

I thaugh that's what the tie rods were for. If you take the car out, go left or right and let the wheel bring itself stright it should work towed.

Thats what caster is for.

Lindsay Richards · 03-13-2011, 05:53 PM

No need to tow, just put it in the glove box.

Alan_Hepburn · 03-13-2011, 07:28 PM

We use two bungee cords on ours - but I don't recall how long they are and I'm too lazy to go outside right now to measure them. Basically they allow the wheel to turn but help bring it back to center. Without them the steering wheel would spin lock-to-lock in certain situations.