Smart Car advice please

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Just how much does a dolly cost to haul a FWD car behind an RV? I have rented the u-haul type and they work well.

I know I would not want to load and unload a car on that trailer with any regularity.

Now, if you just have a hankering to get a smart car, then go get you one and enjoy!

 

[IslandTractor]

Have you looked at the Fiat 500?

If it were me I'd already have the Honda Fit lashed to the back bumper. Amazing value, reliability and flexibility.

 

[mikehaugen]

Smart car ramming concrete barricade at 70mph
SMART car crash (TEST) - YouTube.
I'd say it protects the inside fairly well.

I was going to post this, but you beat me to it. It was pointed out to me a while ago, I will admit I was impressed, but there is more to it than that. I think it does well because it is so light, it does not have much inertia. This means it will come to a stop more suddenly... exactly what you don't want if you are a passenger. I suburban on the other hand will not stop as suddenly and will transfer far less energy to the passengers.

 

[daugen]

so what if the frame is built to handle 30G's...we sure aren't.
Actually I bet the Smart car is state of the art safe for the use it was intended.
And I don't think that includes a lot of 70mph driving. And if you do drive that fast, likely
a good idea to drive seriously defensively, like riding a motorcycle.

I have the latest towing guide that lists every possible vehicle to tow. Now if I had a 500hp diesel back there, I might tow our Suburban, but I don't. So this means looking for a reasonably priced 3000-3700# used car to pull . It needs to be a hatchback or small wagon for shopping, though I suppose a convertible would do. Three doors fine. Actually better three than five to get a bigger door for easier entry, I think. An older VW GTI or Audi A4? I always liked the small Saturn SUV's too. Never bought a Saturn but was really disappointed when they got yanked. Creative engineering tossed by the beancounters.

This is where I go into autotrader.com or something similar and search by max price. What's the nicest car I can get for?
otherwise I would spend too much and buy an old Corvette or something like that. Ford Focus might be too small,
a VW Jetta diesel sportwagon might be just perfect. No CJ jeeps for me, too bouncy. Need something comfortable, no performance hair shirts. So first I have to read the towing guide again. Most cars just need to be run once a day , certainly easy enough to do.

The flip side of the coin is the nice all metal sided trailer almost totally shields the vehicle and avoids any use of the towed car's machinery, approved or otherwise. Definitely need to get some big mud/debris flaps put on the back of the Itasca.

 

[daugen]

Just how much does a dolly cost to haul a FWD car behind an RV? I have rented the u-haul type and they work well.

I know I would not want to load and unload a car on that trailer with any regularity.

Now, if you just have a hankering to get a smart car, then go get you one and enjoy!

it's very reasonable. the only downside is that one has to disconnect the dolly and drag it somewhere nearby or even further. If the towed vehicle has a rear hitch, that makes moving the dolly a lot easier of course. A dolly lets most, but not all, fwd cars be pulled. So yes, that's another option. And a very popular one apparently. easier to move a dolly than a trailer for sure. But then other stuff can go in the trailer....

the smart thing to do here would be to avoid the Smart car and get a hatchback that's fun to drive and tow it behind.
I appreciate all the input in providing sanity checks here. Anything can be done, but does it make sense?

 

[troutsqueezer]

Here's what I would do: Sell the Itasca, buy a Buick and stay in motels and hotels. Talk about less work and hassle. You could do a lot of traveling and still come in under the price of a motor home and tow-able car. Course that's just me. :thumbsup:

 

[mikehaugen]

Here's what I would do: Sell the Itasca, buy a Buick and stay in motels and hotels. Talk about less work and hassle. You could do a lot of traveling and still come in under the price of a motor home and tow-able car. Course that's just me. :thumbsup:

Party pooper!

 

[ultrarunner]

We bought a new Suzuki Samurai in 1987 or '88 and at the time expected to later buy a motorhome and planned to tow the Samurai behind the motorhome. In the meantime, my wife drove it to work every day. I had the dealer install an after market cruise control and we drove it to the Texas coast and back a couple of times. However, when I retired, we decided on a fifth-wheel travel trailer instead of a motorhome. So in the Fall of '89, I sold the Samurai back to the dealer from whom we bought it new. It had 45k miles on it and a month or so before I sold it, I had to replace the battery. Other than oil & filter changes, no other repair costs.

As for tipping . . . yep, Consumer Reports did a number on them because Suzuki was just getting too successful, and the Samurai was really selling fast. There were stickers on the driver's door and on the sun visor to warn you that such vehicles handled differently from cars. And after Consumer Reports killed the Samurai, they finally admitted that the Samurai would not turn over as easily as a Ford Bronco. And in spite of my playing with ours, doing some off road hill climbing and such, it never turned over and nothing ever broke.

My Samurai is a real workhorse and the only service has been a battery and oil changes the last 11 years.

Can't say enough good things about them.

I also have two triumph spitfires... can't really say much positive other than they are fun to drive.

The Smart Diesel is the popular one and restricted in the States...

My 1933 American Austin is small enough for a couple of guys to pickup!

http://www.americanbantam.com/images/2004_Old_Sacramento_027.jpg

 

[sd455dan]

yes, I know this is an odd way to tow, and I understand the conventional means, have researched all of them. But...we have this nice new trailer ,which would get the entire car off the ground, which appeals to me.

No, it doesn't have to be new, but eleven feet is awfully tiny. I've driven an MG Midget, no thanks. Not sure I could get in or out of one any more.
But I like the idea...the first gen Miata is almost the right weight, but way too long.

If we lived in Arizona, I'd get a motorcycle or trike instead. But if I want to go out and get a few groceries while on a trip in this area, having a roof over my head sounds attractive. And a street legal golf cart costs ten grand new, or more with options. A used Smart car is less than ten grand.

If we wanted a conventional toad/towed vehicle, I'd get a Honda Fit or a Mini. Simply much better cars. But what is a Smart car like to drive?
Since my point of comparison is a golf cart/UTV and not a real car, I'm trying to be realistic in my expectations.

How about a late 1980's Honda CRX or Civic DX Think they are about 1800#

 

[IslandTractor]

I just passed a big motor home towing a Honda Fit!