Towing Smart Car
Could anyone who towes their smart car on all four wheels let me know how they are doing it and if they are having any problems with the car. Does the car register miles on the odometer? What do you have to disconnect to tow. Thank you. Ken
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Larry G on -
Ken: I tow a Smartie behind my Class B with all 4 wheels on the ground. There is a procedure you must follow in order to tow. The procedure is in the owners manual. So far I have had no real problems towing. When I disconnect I just release the power cord and the 2 tow lines and leave them on the motor home. Then I disconnect the tow bar. Just be careful when making a sharp turn. The smartie can get confused and cause itself to bounce badly by the steering wheel. Also, make sure you have a battery disconnect switch installed. With the battery disconnected the computer in the car is shut off so nothing works including the odometer. Of course before you disconnect the battery the transmission is put in neutral and then the key is turned back to the left one notch. Again, read the procedure. Hope this info helps and is not confusing.
Larry G.
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Permalink Reply by Louis O. Dewhurst on -
Hi Ken. My name is Lou. We've towed our smart from NY to WY with only minor head shake twice. It appears to be when a tight turn is followed by another. Simply slow down or stop and center the steering wheel. I tie a white handerchef on the steering wheel so I can watch it in the backup camera. I dont have a battery disconnect and dont feel the need for one. The mileage does not accumulate when the car is towed. I have talked to many people about the necessity for a battery disconnect and no one can provide a reason. My car is a 2009 Cabriolet. Give me a shout if this helps.
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Permalink Reply by Louis O. Dewhurst on
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Currently in Nevada still no problems.
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Permalink Reply by Leroy Barnes on -
Ken: I tow my Smart Car with my Roadtrek motorhome and have no problems. I have a battery disconnect from www.roadmasterinc.com - same company that made my base plate and tow bar - Falcon 2.
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Permalink Reply by jim rankin on -
Ken, like the others I tow my 2008 Smart behind my class A and have had no trouble except once with a little shaking at a sharp turn while statring my trip. I have had no problem since. I carry a bungie cord just in case. It's like a spare tire if you need it it's nice to have one. I drive throughout California and Arizona and have had no problems. I also have no battery shut off and do not add miles when towing.
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Permalink Reply by Debby on -
If keys not in the right position. She goes into lock down mode trust me it hapend to us. Not fun.
Larry G said:Ken: I tow a Smartie behind my Class B with all 4 wheels on the ground. There is a procedure you must follow in order to tow. The procedure is in the owners manual. So far I have had no real problems towing. When I disconnect I just release the power cord and the 2 tow lines and leave them on the motor home. Then I disconnect the tow bar. Just be careful when making a sharp turn. The smartie can get confused and cause itself to bounce badly by the steering wheel. Also, make sure you have a battery disconnect switch installed. With the battery disconnected the computer in the car is shut off so nothing works including the odometer. Of course before you disconnect the battery the transmission is put in neutral and then the key is turned back to the left one notch. Again, read the procedure. Hope this info helps and is not confusing.
Larry G.
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Permalink Reply by Louis O. Dewhurst on
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Am currently in Florida and still no disconnect, no problems.
Lou
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Permalink Reply by Andy & Carol Lynn on -
Did you find a convenient place to put the battery disconnect switch. Its a bit of a hassle to get to battery every time you hook up. Thanks.
Larry G said:Ken: I tow a Smartie behind my Class B with all 4 wheels on the ground. There is a procedure you must follow in order to tow. The procedure is in the owners manual. So far I have had no real problems towing. When I disconnect I just release the power cord and the 2 tow lines and leave them on the motor home. Then I disconnect the tow bar. Just be careful when making a sharp turn. The smartie can get confused and cause itself to bounce badly by the steering wheel. Also, make sure you have a battery disconnect switch installed. With the battery disconnected the computer in the car is shut off so nothing works including the odometer. Of course before you disconnect the battery the transmission is put in neutral and then the key is turned back to the left one notch. Again, read the procedure. Hope this info helps and is not confusing.
Larry G.
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Permalink Reply by Andy & Carol Lynn on
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Could you describe where you have the battery disconnect switch? Is it convenient to access? Thanks
Leroy Barnes said:Ken: I tow my Smart Car with my Roadtrek motorhome and have no problems. I have a battery disconnect from www.roadmasterinc.com - same company that made my base plate and tow bar - Falcon 2.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Jane Hills on -
Andy & Carol Lynn said:Could you describe where you have the battery disconnect switch? Is it convenient to access? Thanks
Leroy Barnes said:Ken: I tow my Smart Car with my Roadtrek motorhome and have no problems. I have a battery disconnect from www.roadmasterinc.com - same company that made my base plate and tow bar - Falcon 2.
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Permalink Reply by James M. Benson on -
Andy/ Carol
Sorry no one is answering your specific question.
But perhaps the real question is :Do you need a battery shut of switch?
I installed a shut off switch next to the battery terminal - battery under the passenger area on our 2009 passion. We have driven twice from Oregon to VA and I have never used the switch. And no battery or car running problems. We have 3000 miles on the car since Dec 08 and over 15,000 miles on the tires. We pull it behind a 28 ft Allegro MH with ease.
There is the frequently mentioned front wheels shake after sharp turns, particularly after stopping -at a traffic light or even a stop sign. Allowing 15 feet or more of straight pulling before starting the turn avoids most of these . If one occurs- stop 10- 30 seconds and slowly pull straight ahead until Smart car tracks correctly.
happy trails.
Jim Benson
We like to bird watch also Sacramemto valley great in winter.
Mary Jane Hills said:Andy & Carol Lynn said:Could you describe where you have the battery disconnect switch? Is it convenient to access? Thanks
Leroy Barnes said:Ken: I tow my Smart Car with my Roadtrek motorhome and have no problems. I have a battery disconnect from www.roadmasterinc.com - same company that made my base plate and tow bar - Falcon 2.
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Permalink Reply by Andy & Carol Lynn on
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James M. Benson said:Andy/ Carol
Sorry no one is answering your specific question.
But perhaps the real question is :Do you need a battery shut of switch?
I installed a shut off switch next to the battery terminal - battery under the passenger area on our 2009 passion. We have driven twice from Oregon to VA and I have never used the switch. And no battery or car running problems. We have 3000 miles on the car since Dec 08 and over 15,000 miles on the tires. We pull it behind a 28 ft Allegro MH with ease.
There is the frequently mentioned front wheels shake after sharp turns, particularly after stopping -at a traffic light or even a stop sign. Allowing 15 feet or more of straight pulling before starting the turn avoids most of these . If one occurs- stop 10- 30 seconds and slowly pull straight ahead until Smart car tracks correctly.
happy trails.
Jim Benson
We like to bird watch also Sacramemto valley great in winter.
Mary Jane Hills said:Andy & Carol Lynn said:Could you describe where you have the battery disconnect switch? Is it convenient to access? Thanks
Leroy Barnes said:Ken: I tow my Smart Car with my Roadtrek motorhome and have no problems. I have a battery disconnect from www.roadmasterinc.com - same company that made my base plate and tow bar - Falcon 2.
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