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Old 11-17-2012, 09:19 PM   #1
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Tow bar and brakes

We are considering getting a tow bar and brake system to pull our 4 door Jeep with our Solera. Does anyone have any recommendations? Or any "must do" or "must not do"? Thanks
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Old 11-17-2012, 09:44 PM   #2
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We are considering getting a tow bar and brake system to pull our 4 door Jeep with our Solera. Does anyone have any recommendations? Or any "must do" or "must not do"? Thanks
The 4 door jeep wrangler in thin trim outweighs the tow bracket of a Solera. With tow bar and brackets I think you would be overloaded. This is based on 3500 rated Solera tow spec, and the jeep is in the neighborhood of 3700+, towbar and brackets around another 100 lbs. Maybe they have changed some things, but I just checked the net.
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Old 11-17-2012, 10:11 PM   #3
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Ok, I was wondering about that as well. Guess i will just have to unhook, or get a rental car. Is that what most of yall do?
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Old 11-17-2012, 10:24 PM   #4
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Ok, I was wondering about that as well. Guess i will just have to unhook, or get a rental car. Is that what most of yall do?
We just drove behind. Many times in my smaller units, we just leave CG and shop or whatever. Rentals are pricey, did that too when traveling far away and needed wheels to get around. Check my numbers but believe I found correct. My last RV was also a 3500 # hitch and limited the toads to use, but plenty are 3000 or less. Had 2D Wrangler also a few years back, great car, but had it before I was towing.
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Old 11-17-2012, 10:39 PM   #5
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I was told 4100 pounds capacity for a 2013 but was thinking a Mini Cooper would b a good toad
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Old 11-17-2012, 11:06 PM   #6
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We have a smart car too, but i just did the cost of a smart car trailer and it actually worked out to $4 grand. No, don't think so! I think we will just drive another car with us if we are only going a couple of hours away, or maybe rent a car when we get somewhere fairly far away and we dont want to drive two. You can rent a lot of cars for $4 grand! I just would hate to get all set up and then have to pack everything away just to go see the sights of the area, or go to eat at a resturant.
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Old 11-18-2012, 09:33 AM   #7
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I'm going to talk to the Smart Car dealership Monday about towing the Smart with all 4 down and see what they say. The jeep ends up being a good 1000 lbs too heavy.
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Old 11-18-2012, 10:09 AM   #8
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I'm going to talk to the Smart Car dealership Monday about towing the Smart with all 4 down and see what they say. The jeep ends up being a good 1000 lbs too heavy.
Check Motorhome mag Dingy Towing Guide, free online. They find and comment on all cars for flat towing including cost and specs. Lots of info.
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Old 11-18-2012, 12:03 PM   #9
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I gotta know...what does toad stand for?
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Old 11-18-2012, 01:25 PM   #10
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We've towed a Samurai a couple of times now with the Solera. Easy and the only issue is the exhaust from the Solera is very hot and on our first trip melted the turn indicator on the Samurrai :-( - you need a turn down on the exhaust.

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Old 11-18-2012, 02:26 PM   #11
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I gotta know...what does toad stand for?
Dunno, how bout Towed Frog???
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Old 11-18-2012, 05:27 PM   #12
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Engine: Engine Brand NameMercedes-Benz®Engine TypeV6Cylinders6Horsepower (bhp/kW)154 / 114.9Horsepower RPM3400Torque (Ft Lbs/Nm)280 / 379.6Torque RPM1200Fuel RequirementsRegularFuel TypeDieselChassis BrandDodge SprinterDisplacement (l)3Carburetion TypeFuel InjectedTransmission: Transmission TypeAutomaticNumber Of Speeds5OverdriveYesWheels & Tires: Wheels CompositionSteelNumber Of Axles1Front Tire (Full Spec)215/85R 16Rear Tire (Full Spec)215/85R 16Spare Tire LocationExterior MountedBrakes: Front Brake TypeHydraulic DiscRear Brake TypeHydraulic DiscAnti-Lock BrakesStandardTechnical Specifications: Length (ft/m)24.5 / 7.5Width (in/mm)91.5 / 2324.1Height (in/mm)138 / 3505.2Wheelbase (in/mm)170.3 / 4325.6Interior Height (in/mm)84 / 2133.6Length (ft/ft)24Length (ft/in)6Dry Weight (lbs/kg)9627 / 4366.8Payload Capacity (lbs/kgs)1403 / 636.4Towing Capacity (lbs/kgs)3500 / 1587.6GVWR (lbs/kgs)11030 / 5003.2Fuel Capacity (gal/l)

This was the source for towing cap, its also shown in the FR site. Its limited by the tow gear, not the weight ratings. Besides I don't think I'd advise to tow over 4000#'s with M/H rating of 154 HP. Besides it would be a 3:1 ration of M/H weight to dingy, pretty low. Source is RV Guide.com
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Old 11-18-2012, 06:30 PM   #13
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My 2013 said 188 horsepower and the owners Manuel said a 3500 could tow 5000 but dealer said 4100
The Manuel that came with it was for sprinter vans so adding weight of motorhome probably lessens tow rating
A small jeep would be fun to have but will look for something lighter
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Old 11-19-2012, 09:13 AM   #14
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Mercedes Benz specs call for 188 hp @ 3500 rpm...check this

http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/sprinte...roof-170-wb/14
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Old 11-19-2012, 10:35 AM   #15
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That is what the book
That came with mine says
I'm still not going to tow anything
Much over 2500 lbs if I tow
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Old 12-06-2012, 06:46 PM   #16
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We are towing a Smart car for two on four. Base plates are available from Road Master for $399.
I had installed myself with installation manual included on purchase. We are using a Falcon 2 tow bar. we reduced the six way elecric hook to 4 way since the 1600 lb car does not require to have brake on the toad car. the 4 way harness hooked into the front and brought to the rear of the smart car and hooked up into the smart car signal, brake and lights connections. I have installed a battery disconnect under the passengers side dash just above the battery. The procedure before you tow: Hook up the toad, start the smart car engine, place gear in to neutral, release the brake, stop engine, few second after disconnect battery. The car ignition key remain in the car . You are ready to go. We place a front protecting brow from the stones. We put 1400 Miles cumming fro British Columbia to south C.A. and my wife dove it without knowing you are towing anything bihind you.
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Old 12-07-2012, 09:02 AM   #17
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Thanks

We will give that some thought for this spring. It would be nice to have to not disconnect everything if we want to go out to dinner.
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Old 12-07-2012, 10:00 AM   #18
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We install a 5000 lb hitch, but there is not 5000 lbs of towing so we put a 3500 lbs sticker on the hitch since there is no such thing as a 4200lbs hitch.

Solera
GCWR: 15,250 lbs minus
GVWR: 11,030 lbs
Equals: 4,220 lbs

In a perfect world, 4 wheels down and no hitch weight.
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Old 12-07-2012, 12:33 PM   #19
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Hey, check out Iggy's post on the Georgetown Forum. He tows a Fiat 500 and it looks pretty light. Somewhere here he has posted the weight, etc.

Cheaper than a smart car, I think.

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Old 12-07-2012, 03:08 PM   #20
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Tow bar and brakes

If any body want to tow a smart car on four, Camping world do the complete installation for you. The baseplate, the tow bar and the electrical hookup.
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