Towing A Trailer
Although the smart is not rated to tow any weight, many people use them to pull light trailers.
You have to fit an adapted crash bar with a tow ball on it, these aren't cheap.
Be sensible when it comes to towing, you aren't going to be able to tow even a small caravan unless it is one of those 2 person teardrop style ones that are barely big enough to get in. Keep trailers small and light, no longer than the smart and try to keep the weight down to under 100kg to save the clutch.
You can get away with towing very light loads simply because the smart is rated to carry 2 people and a maximum of 100kg in the boot. If you have no passenger you can tow about 180Kg but that includes the weight of the trailer. With a passenger you can tow 100Kg but again this includes the weight of the trailer.
However, it is not recommended that you tow up to this weight
very often as it reduces the operational life of the clutch severely.
The clutch is a dry system like in most cars and lugging excessive loads causes it to slip which
increases wear and causes the clutch plate to glaze, glazing will cause it to slip even more.
If you tow, make sure you have at least £600 put aside for a new clutch (including fitting).
Towing Behind A Motorhome
The Americans love towing a fleet of fuel efficient cars behind their 'gas guzzling' motorhomes, it wasn't long until the question appeared and the arguements began. Read on, this is the truth.
The smart manual states you should NOT tow for more than 30 miles at a maximum of 30mph they are just covering themselves as the manufacturer of the gearbox (Getrag) impose no such limits.
As long as you have the car in neutral (N) you can tow as far as you like up to the legal towing speed limit with no problems at all. You can tow front up or back up on a trailer or tow flat (all 4 wheels on the floor) with an A frame. With the ignition off, the mileage will not increase.
Smarts Towing Information
Ideally you should only tow if you have experience.
The ignition must be on when being towed.*
The gear selector must be in neutral N when being towed.
Towing speed shouldn't exceed 30mph. (according to smart)
Towing distance should be less than 30 miles. (according to smart)
A tow bar is better than a tow rope.
The towing eyes of the two vehicles should be on the same side.
Only use the towing lug to tow.
- The towed vehicle must not be heavier than the vehicle towing.
*Although smart recommend towing with the ignition on this is quite clearly unnecessary
as long as the gearbox is in neutral and the car can free wheel. If it wasn't the case, you
wouldn't be able to tow a smart that had a flat battery. I believe that smart have put
this so the mileage increases as you tow, of course, you don't want that.