Smart Car flat towing pro's and con's.

[Vegabonds]

What is the experience of flat towing a Smart Car behind a 2016 Prism 24G. It is just me and DW travelling. Do not want the hazzle of either a dolly or a trailer. All suggestions appreciated.

[Herk7769]

This article might be informative:

https://www.etrailer.com/question-63126.html

Herk

[Mikegjax]

Originally Posted by Vegabonds

What is the experience of flat towing a Smart Car behind a 2016 Prism 24G. It is just me and DW travelling. Do not want the hazzle of either a dolly or a trailer. All suggestions appreciated.

I tow a 2013 Smart. I installed a Blue Ox base plate and us the Ready Brute Aluminum Tow bar with built in surge brake. The Brake system uses the Smarts brake pedal Through a cable to apply the brakes when slowing. That brake system can be a little awkward to install yourself but is doable.

For tail and brake lights I use magnetic mount trailer lights. I made and installed two brackets that attach just inside the rear hatch. Ran the wires behind the inside panels and out the front (easy). The lights plug into RV. No diodes to mess with.

You will need a battery disconnect switch installed.

Hookup and towing is a snap.

You will need a bungee to the steering wheel down to the driver seat frame. This insures the wheel re-centers during slow speed sharp turns (due to smarts short wheel base).

1 Before towing: Make sure the ignition is
switched on.
2Engage the parking brake.
3 Move the gear selector lever to neutral
position N.
4 Release the brake pedal.
With the gear selector lever in neutral
position N, the key cannot be turned fully
to starter switch position 0. Therefore
turn the key in the starter switch as far
left as it will go when switching off the
ignition.
5 Switch off the ignition.
6 Leave the key in the starter switch.
7 Wait approximately 30 seconds until the
multifunction display in the instrument
cluster is completely blank.
8Turn the battery off using the previously
installed battery switch.
9 Release the parking brake.
10During towing: Make sure the gear
selector lever remains in neutral
position N with the ignition switched
off.
11 After towing: Engage the parking brake.
12 Turn the battery on using the previously
installed battery switch.
13 Move the gear selector lever to park
position P.
14 Remove the key from the starter switch.
15Lock the doors.
Not disconnecting the battery and
leaving the key in starter switch
position 1 (ignition on) may result in
- the vehicle locking. The vehicle will
lock if the wheels are turning at
vehicle speeds of approximately
8 mph (14 km/h) or more.

[Vegabonds]

Originally Posted by Mikegjax

I tow a 2013 Smart. I installed a Blue Ox base plate and us the Ready Brute Aluminum Tow bar with built in surge brake. The Brake system uses the Smarts brake pedal Through a cable to apply the brakes when slowing. That brake system can be a little awkward to install yourself but is doable.

For tail and brake lights I use magnetic mount trailer lights. I made and installed two brackets that attach just inside the rear hatch. Ran the wires behind the inside panels and out the front (easy). The lights plug into RV. No diodes to mess with.

You will need a battery disconnect switch installed.

Hookup and towing is a snap.

You will need a bungee to the steering wheel down to the driver seat frame. This insures the wheel re-centers during slow speed sharp turns (due to smarts short wheel base).

1 Before towing: Make sure the ignition is
switched on.
2Engage the parking brake.
3 Move the gear selector lever to neutral
position N.
4 Release the brake pedal.
With the gear selector lever in neutral
position N, the key cannot be turned fully
to starter switch position 0. Therefore
turn the key in the starter switch as far
left as it will go when switching off the
ignition.
5 Switch off the ignition.
6 Leave the key in the starter switch.
7 Wait approximately 30 seconds until the
multifunction display in the instrument
cluster is completely blank.
8Turn the battery off using the previously
installed battery switch.
9 Release the parking brake.
10During towing: Make sure the gear
selector lever remains in neutral
position N with the ignition switched
off.
11 After towing: Engage the parking brake.
12 Turn the battery on using the previously
installed battery switch.
13 Move the gear selector lever to park
position P.
14 Remove the key from the starter switch.
15Lock the doors.
Not disconnecting the battery and
leaving the key in starter switch
position 1 (ignition on) may result in
- the vehicle locking. The vehicle will
lock if the wheels are turning at
vehicle speeds of approximately
8 mph (14 km/h) or more.

Thank you for the input. It is appreciated.

[poppytoymaker]

I have been towing my smart fo 2 years flat, and don't even know it's there. Have a Blue Ox setup and a breakaway switch.. The car is 1900 lbs and only needs an aux brake in 4 states whose weight limits are ridiculous, 1000lbs to 1500lbs. Iv'e been up and down the back roads of th Ozarks and others and the towing mode does a fine job.What you need is a breakaway cable a battery cut off switch and a bungee cord to secure the steering wheel and th car tows fine 4 down.

[FleckDreher]

Originally Posted by poppytoymaker

I have been towing my smart fo 2 years flat, and don't even know it's there. Have a Blue Ox setup and a breakaway switch.. The car is 1900 lbs and only needs an aux brake in 4 states whose weight limits are ridiculous, 1000lbs to 1500lbs. Iv'e been up and down the back roads of th Ozarks and others and the towing mode does a fine job.What you need is a breakaway cable a battery cut off switch and a bungee cord to secure the steering wheel and th car tows fine 4 down.

X 2
I use a diode harness to drive the Smart Cars taillights from the RV's trailer connector.

[Jack McCord]

I sold my 4-year-old Smartie and bought a 2015 stick shift Honda Fit and Blue Ox. Finally decided to add a Break Buddy Select I which is a pain to set up each time. But we’re legal and DW is satisfied.

We just couldn’t establish if our model of Smart Car could be toed four down. I would have preferred to keep the Smartie. At least the Break Buddy has a charger that charges the toed battery from the Isata3 while under tow.

[Beachsailor]

Originally Posted by poppytoymaker

I have been towing my smart fo 2 years flat, and don't even know it's there. Have a Blue Ox setup and a breakaway switch.. The car is 1900 lbs and only needs an aux brake in 4 states whose weight limits are ridiculous, 1000lbs to 1500lbs. Iv'e been up and down the back roads of th Ozarks and others and the towing mode does a fine job.What you need is a breakaway cable a battery cut off switch and a bungee cord to secure the steering wheel and th car tows fine 4 down.

Add anywhere in Canada to that list.

[namusmc]

Originally Posted by Jack McCord

I sold my 4-year-old Smartie and bought a 2015 stick shift Honda Fit and Blue Ox. Finally decided to add a Break Buddy Select I which is a pain to set up each time. But we’re legal and DW is satisfied.

We just couldn’t establish if our model of Smart Car could be toed four down. I would have preferred to keep the Smartie. At least the Break Buddy has a charger that charges the toed battery from the Isata3 while under tow.

Now that you have experience with both a Smart and a Fit, which toad would you recommend?

[Oaklevel]

You can always use your Smart car for a truck if needed......

Sorry my son took a picture the other day on I81 in Virginia had to share.........

[gmccullers]

We towed our 2014 Smart car over 7k miles last year four down. It uses a surge brake and use diodes on lights. We do not use a battery switch, never had a problem. I did forget to turn the switch off once and the car clocked miles and locked the doors. No big deal, we carry extra key. Quit using bungee cord after second time. Just avoid stopping in turns. If you have to stop in a turn, start off very slowly to avoid front wheel chatter. We couldn't be happier with the Smart Car. Highly recommend...

[namusmc]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

You can always use your Smart car for a truck if needed......

Sorry my son took a picture the other day on I81 in Virginia had to share.........

That photo gave me a laughing Fit.