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11-10-2017, 01:38 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 5
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Smart car or Wrangler
We are considering a toad for our Newmar 3403 and wanted a little input from the more experience folks here. We are considering a smart car that would be on an aluminum tow behind trailer. The other choice is a 2005 jeep wrangler/manual trans. that would be 4 down, Which would you pick ??? Thx Ghawkman
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11-10-2017, 01:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DFW, Tex-US
Posts: 6,196
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Welcome to IRV2 !
I already picked  and so glad we did - the one trip to Durango, Co and 4 wheeling up a scenic two track into the 10k+ high mountains was stunning!
but it depends:
1) what will you use it for?
2) will you still like dealing with a trailer that is difficult to backup and disconnect to park? (I couldn't!)
3) Never want to explore the 'off interstate' side streets and off roads ?
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'11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT RR10R pushed by a '14 Jeep Wrangler JKU. History.. 5'ers: 13 Redwood 38gk(junk!), 11 MVP Destiny, Open Range TT, Winn LeSharo, C's, popups, vans, tents...
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11-10-2017, 01:56 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Prescott, Arizona
Posts: 3,564
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I'd pick the Jeep. No question. As long as it is a 4x4 with a transfer case. Jeeps are known to be easy to tow. Follow the manual for towing.
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'04 Newmar MADP, 1100w of solar, Rubicon toad
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11-10-2017, 02:11 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,180
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Jeep...Jeep.
What are you going to do with the toad?
If you want something that has UTILITY written all over it...the Jeep wins!!!
We wanted something that would tow 4-down. I bought a tow dolly...used it twice and sold it.
Been on dozens of trips, and thousands of miles towing. Not a single regret with the Jeep.
We opted for a hard top, 4-dr, automatic...4wd. Easy to shift transfer case for towing. The flip down back seat gives us room to carry two carbon fiber road bikes in the back using the Saris trap. We have a 1upUSA rack on the back for Mtn bikes usually...but can carry road bikes as well. We have a Gobi rack on top and are adding Rhino racks for transporting kayaks...we can throw a Barker blue tank up there when camping for a week without sewer...makes transporting grey water fast and easy. Love driving the Jeep...and look forward to doing some off-roading when our adventures get us out west.
Smart car...hmmm I'm thinking you'll have to leave your toys at home.
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Charlie & Ronni
2016 Ventana 4037
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11-10-2017, 02:13 PM
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#5
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,520
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Glad to have you here in the forum with us. You'll love it here. 
I would pick the Jeep. It is so much easier to tow four down than having to bother with a trailer. Plus the Jeep is much more versatile. If you plan on visiting Nat'l parks there are many off road trails you can explore in a Jeep that a Smart car could never go down.
Happy Trails!!!
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Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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11-10-2017, 02:15 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 1,802
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There is NOTHING the smart car can do that the Jeep can't and the Jeep is tow able 4 down. Also people won't laugh at you.
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Jeanie, Ed & Slade the GSD(RIP)
Cape Cod, MA
2017 Entegra Aspire RBQ & Silverado Crew or GC
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11-10-2017, 02:29 PM
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#7
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,771
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Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang! 
I think the choice would depend on what you want to use the toad for! Keep her between the ditches!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!  
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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11-10-2017, 02:36 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Titusville, FL
Posts: 5,164
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cousin Ed
There is NOTHING the smart car can do that the Jeep can't and the Jeep is tow able 4 down. Also people won't laugh at you.
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Yeah there is. The Smart car can get totaled in what would be a little fender bender in the Wrangler.
__________________
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
2023 Grand Design 2600RB, 2022 F-350 King Ranch tow vehicle, Titusville, FL when not on the road
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11-10-2017, 03:57 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,728
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If I never planned on off roading and didn't need more space, I'd seriously consider the Smart Car, it's light, easy to tow, and wouldn't take up a lot of space at a campsite.
If I thought I would like to go on some trails and off road, then a 4 wheel drive vehicle would be seriously considered, not necessarily a Wrangler, there are other vehicles that are capable of doing the kind of off roading most of us would do. Not all of us need to go rock crawling. The Wrangler would be a fun vehicle, but they're not inexpensive.
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Steve & Nancy 
2005 Itasca Sunrise 33', W20 Chassis, Ultrapower, Henderson Trac Bar
2012 Chevy Captiva Sport AWD, ReadyBrute Elite Tow Bar, Blue Ox Base Plate, Protect-A-Tow
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11-11-2017, 05:40 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 5
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Thanks for all the input . Jeep it is...
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11-12-2017, 08:17 AM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Jayco Owners Club RV Trip Wizard
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poinciana FL
Posts: 7,781
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Easyrider
... the Smart Car, it's light, easy to tow, and wouldn't take up a lot of space at a campsite....
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No, but the trailer would.
I think you've made a good choice. I think once the novelty of the Smart Car wore off the size would start to wear on you and while the Jeep is no limo, I got to believe it would be a better choice for those longer day trips. The ability to explore off the beaten path is just icing on the cake.
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Jay and Peggy Monroe
"Can't take it with you, not leaving any behind"
2024 Jayco White Hawk 26FK
2024 Ford Expedition
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11-12-2017, 09:25 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: MD
Posts: 260
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I tow a 2013 Smart 4 down. I chose it for several reasons. It is only used as a toad, not around town when home. It is very light weight. There are only two of us so having only two seats doesn't matter. It was far cheaper to purchase and insure than the jeep I was considering. It fits in my garage with my other vehicles. If I purchased the jeep it would sit outside. We are happy with it.
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Fulton and Donna USN Ret (both)
Maryland
2016 Tiffin 32 SA, 2013 Smart Toad
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11-12-2017, 03:09 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 676
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Good call on the Jeep
Biggest negative with the Jeep is fuel economy, low to mid teens is probably all you will get out of it. If you go with the newer JK body then mid upper teens is possible, even 20+ mpg highway. The first few years of the JK they used a 3.8L engine which is a POS, 2013+ get a more powerful and more efficient 3.6L plus a reworked auto trans.
I think th smart gets upper 20’s?
W/o a doubt good and bad with any vehicle, for me if I wants going to pull a wrangler 4 down I would get a trailer and a Miata or something like that.
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11-12-2017, 03:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Baraboo, Wisconsin
Posts: 1,728
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JMonroe
No, but the trailer would.
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As has already been stated, no need to trailer. Small cars make a lot of sense for a lot of RVers.
__________________
Steve & Nancy
2005 Itasca Sunrise 33', W20 Chassis, Ultrapower, Henderson Trac Bar
2012 Chevy Captiva Sport AWD, ReadyBrute Elite Tow Bar, Blue Ox Base Plate, Protect-A-Tow
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