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Does anyone have any experience towing a Smart car on an A frame with the Smart duo electric/vacuum braking system? Grateful responses good bad or indifferent.
thanks John
Not a Smart car, but a Toyota iQ. We haven't towed behind the MH yet as we have only just had it done, but we took the iQ out behind our X-Trail mainly to check everything was ok and to adjust the vacuum braking system which is an inertia type of brake. There is a black box fitted in the car which has an adjustment so that the brakes come on but not permanently (unless the car escapes from the tow bar ) when the brakes are applied in the MH. Going down a steep hill was fun as the iQ stopped the X-Trail, but got it sorted now. Seems to work well, but have had no experience of other systems as we are new to this. It is more expensive then other systems, but one of the reasons we went for this is that they were able to do the fitting in a garage close to home. Same garage also fitted tow bar to MH and will do the servicing and MOT so a good find.
Hope this helps
I have had one fitted to a Picanto 1, but likewise have not yet had the opportunity to use it in anger!
Just out of interest Jodi1, did you have the lights directly wired and if so, did they supply the 7 pin fly lead for connecting M/H to car? Or possibly you just use a trailer light board?
They didn't in my case and I found it slightly irritating that I had to source one independantly before I could use it!
I travelled down to Gloucester (Martin Clack, Smart-Tow) and had an A-frame fitted with the electronic vacuum assisted braking system.
Iv'e now had a chance to tow the Smart, Manchester to Southport and return. It was a doddle to pull. If the reverse camera hadn't been on I wouldn't have known it was there. I'm taking it up to Edinburgh next week so this should test the system fully.
I had the installer wire up the lights so I don't have to use a trailer board, that was an extra £60 +VAT.
The 'A' frame is so light compared to the Chris Cox system I used to use (and similar),and it folds up neatly and fits in the back of the Smart. Attaching the frame to the van and car is also easier because of the weight, plug in the cable for the lights, attach brake away cable to van and connector pin on front of car, switch on black box in car and your away. Its also very easy to calibrate the black box.
By the way, Because the panels are plastic on the Smart and I had magnetic red triangles, I drilled the rear reg plate and screwed them on, one each end.
All in all I'm more likely to hitch the Smart to the back of the van than I was with my other system.
Yes Harley we have got a direct socket on the front of the car. My husband did all the arranging of the fitting (also at Martin Clacks - lovely man and very helpful) and I had no idea that there was a choice of having a direct socket (a la caravan type) or using a trailer board. We have also fitted a reversing camera so that we can make sure the toad is behaving herself (and still there).
Agree with 'adgy' that the A- Frame is very light and easy to handle. I pushed the iQ into place when we hitched up and it was very easy (ok it was only a foot or so ).
We are only having long weekend breaks every other weekend for the next couple of months, so not planning to take the iQ with us until we go to Old Oaks at Glastonbury at the end of July as we will be meeting up with friends and need the toad then, so that will be our maiden voyage.
Hi, I am about to go through the process of getting a Smart Car fitted up with the same make of A Frame that you have so it is interesting to hear your comments.
A couple of questions I have though is about the number plate, do I need to have a different one to what is on the car at present and also am I required to have the red triangles? Sorry if I sound a bit clueless but have never had to tow anything here in the UK before Thanks, Frank (BLF)
Not sure about the red triangles. Have read other threads and some say yes and others say no!! So would like a difinitive answer on that myself
You do need your MH's number plate on your car when it is being towed and there seem to be various methods of attaching the number plate on those occasions. Some swear by some clips (google number plate clips) and others use bungee thingies and velcro. OH has bought a number plate holder off t'intenet which allows the plate to be removed and the MH's one put on, but it looks as if it is strongly attached to the car normally. OH was worried that the clip type might invite low lifes to nick the number plate. Son has just had his number plate stolen so have become more wary as of late.
When your Smart is being towed it is classed as a trailer and as such you are required to display red reflective triangles to signify this.
My reg plate is attached to Smart's plate using four, two either side, yellow and black plastic screws as supplied at most car spares shops, drilled thro the plate. On the back side of the screws attatch a suitable length of tyre inner tube cut to about 1 inch wide and about eight or nine inches long, secure this with large washers. The extra length of screw at the back of the attached plate allows it to sit proud of the Smarts plate and gives some tension on the rubber bands.
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France
) when the brakes are applied in the MH. Going down a steep hill was fun as the iQ stopped the X-Trail, but got it sorted now. Seems to work well, but have had no experience of other systems as we are new to this. It is more expensive then other systems, but one of the reasons we went for this is that they were able to do the fitting in a garage close to home. Same garage also fitted tow bar to MH and will do the servicing and MOT so a good find.
).
Thanks, Frank (BLF)
