August 16, 2008

Towing a car with a motorhome

Ultimate freedom by towing a Smart Car behind your motorhome

There are definately some advantages that caravanners have over motorhomers. Consider this; a caravanner can pitch up, set their awning up and ‘build’ their new home from home complete with table and chairs, sun loungers and other paraphanelia. When they need to pop to the supermarket, go out for the day or just drive down to the beach, they already have the tow car which can be used.

In a motorhome things are never so straightforward, to use the motorhome as a runabout is highly impractical, you would need to secure anything that could move inside, wind up the stays, disconnect your mains supply, turn off your gas supply and retract the awning. Then of course you have a large cumbersome vehicle which is not ideal for a short trip.

The answer is to tow a car behind behind the motorhome so that it can be unhitched when you arrive on site. Many people find it sufficient to have either some bicycles or a scooter on a bike rack at the rear of the motorhome, but to cover any distance comfortably, towing a car behind a motorhome has to be the answer.

Why use a Smart Car to tow behind a motorhome?

The Smart Car is ideal as a car to tow behind a motorhome as it can be put in neutral with the steering lock off and towed using an A frame. With a kerb weight of less than 750Kg, an extra braking system is not required. However if you fancy the 4 door version you can get a suitable A frame.

Towing is unbelievably easy as the A frame means that all 4 wheels of the Smart Car are in contact with the road (a legal requirement in many european countries), most motorhome drivers say that they can’t really tell they are towing at all!

About the Smart Car, one of the best cars for towing

The ideal Smart Car for towing, the fortwo coupé pure comes with a turbo engine (50 or 61bhp) and softip 6-speed gearbox (You change up or down the gears by gently tapping the gear lever forward or backwards. No need for a clutch). Standard equipment includes electric windows and remote control central locking. Safety features include tridion safety cell, dual airbags, abs, electronic stability programme, brake assist and acceleration skid control.