Bolero

mhaze

Hi All

Mainly because of Peter's attitude on this forum and the spaciousness and general design of the 600 compact I'm in the process of buying one. I have some questions. I would like to fit a water filter but I suspect getting at the water pipe to fit one may be difficult.
I also would like to add the odd shelf, cup rack etc. What would be the best way to attach fitments to theouter walls?
Finally I'm hoping to tow a small car, am I limited to something like a smart car or coluld I tow my wife's Corsa or similar?

SwiftGroup

Rapide561

Hi

I have just had a look at the Swift website re towing info for the 600.
The maximum recommended trailer weight is 1090kg. I yow a Corsa and the model I tow weighs 1005 kg according to the weighbridge.

A Smart car weighs about 700 kg.

Are you planning on towing using an A frame or trailer. A trailer will weigh about 300 kg - but do a lot of research.

Sorry I can't help with your technical questions as I am clueless in that respect. You could always send a PM to Swift.

Russell

Pusser

I have to say I am mightly impressed with the speed of replies from Swift. I am beginning to look at them in a new light. Looks like Rapido knew what he was doing when he stuck with them for his new one.

Rapide561

Hi

Sorry - forgot to say.....

Have a very thorough search of the forum for "A Frame" and "Smart". Some people say you should not tow a Smart in this way, other views differ. Ask a Smart dealer too.

Personally, I tow the Corsa on an A frame and I wil be glad to see the back of the thing.

Russell

Bessie560

I tow a smart Cabriolet which weighs in at 700kg
My trailer is over 300kg
but my maximum trailer weight is 1300 kg with a Bessie E560
Think you'll be very near your limit with other cars.
Smallest I saw was Hyundai Amica but when her indoors saw it she nearly p***** herself laughing and wouldn't entertain the idea of it..lol
There is no way I would put my Smart on an A frame
I've only done short distances so far but it handles like a dream
Barry

2kias

We tow a Perudua Kalisa as it is our 2nd car. Weighs 770 kg with 4 doors etc. Tows extremely well and is much cheaper than a Smart car which we hated!
Having said all that we are debating not towing at all and just hiring if we need a car. It is certainly a lot cheaper and makes using the MH much more fun to drive with no worries about legalities etc.

SwiftGroup

There is a limit on towing an unbraked trailer of 750kg (which a car effectively is on a dolly or a frame), hence the reason why the cars MGW needs to be less than 750kg's. The exception to this is in an emergency for recovery. See below for general guidance;

" A road vehicle, usually (but not necessarily) two wheeled, towed by a motor vehicle.Given the above dictionary definition, it is fairly clear that anything attached to the towball and having wheels in contact with the ground is a trailer. This includes cars on ‘A’ frames and dollies. Bearing in mind that the unbraked towing limit of 750 kgs refers to Maximum Gross Weight (i.e. the figure on the towed cars VIN plate) and not to actual weight, it severely restricts the options. The only cars I know of with a MGW of less than 750 kgs is the Aixam range. These are around 450 to 550 kgs.

There are strict regulations on braked trailers and, whilst a braked ‘A’ frame attached to a towed car constitutes a braked trailer, it is not legal for transportation as it cannot comply with EC71/320. With car dollies, the situation is somewhat different. Under regulation 83 of the Road Vehicles (construction & Use) Regulations 1986 (SI.1986/1078) Amending Regulations, a car dolly, with a car in place, will be considered as two trailers. This is legal for recovery but, under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984 (Schedule 6) the combination is limited to 40 mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 20 mph elsewhere.

Note that there is a very specific difference between recovery and transportation. Recovery is the removal of a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. It does not include removing a rotor arm (for instance) and travelling the length and breadth of the country. The police are well aware of the difference due to the regulations covering Tachographs and Operators Licences. Recovery vehicles are exempt.

It is well known that some countries in the EEC tend to overlook the regulations (the UK included) but some countries don’t. The situation regarding enforcement could change at any time and, as a result.

Andy - Swift technical

mhaze

Thanks Andy

So it looks like a smart on a braked trailer. BTW I pmed you Peter but it looks like it was not sent as it is in my outbox and not my sentbox - so how do I actually send a pm