| [GMCnet] TOW VEHICLES [message #104694] |
Sun, 31 October 2010 13:37  |
Charles Aulgur
Messages: 78
Registered: March 2006
Karma: 0
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Doug posted:
To make a long story short, my wife and I are thinking of a Smart Car
to tow behind our (future) GMC.
But reading some of the reports on the Smart car got me to thinking
of other small(er) vehicles that could be towed.
Our specific requirement is a small vehicle that can be towed 4
wheels down AND have an automatic transmission. (or some form of auto-
manual, like the Smart Fortwo).
I'm okay with a manual, but my wife isn't.
I'm also thinking that a 2-seater towd might be a little small over
the long haul.
So I hope this helps!
Doug,
Recently a friend took his MB in for service and they gave him a
Smart car as a loner. He is kind of a "hotroder" so of course he had
to see how fast he could accelerate. What he experienced was every
time the Smart car shifted gears under full throttle, the back of the
car would jump up about two inches. He brought it by for me to take
a look at it. When I looked at the rear suspension, I found it has a
trailing arm suspension similar to a GMC rear wheels. The rear
suspension consists of a large pipe bent in a somewhat "U" shape with
the bottom of the U facing forward and attached in the center to the
body by a single flexible joint. The two rear wheels were hard
mounted to the two aft facing legs of the U. When the automatic
transmission shifts gears, the surge in torque applied to the rear
wheels wants to rotate the trailing arm suspension in a
counterclockwise manner, causing an upward force where the suspension
is attached to the vehicle; just opposite to the rear wheels on a GMC
when the brakes are applied. When the brakes are rapidly applied, the
opposite motion happens. When the braking torque is applied to the
rear wheels, the trailing arm suspension wants to rotate the
suspension in a clockwise manner which puts a downward force where
the suspension is attached to the vehicle, which causes the rear of
the car to drop rapidly.
Just what I observed which you may are my not want to consider in
purchasing a Smart Car.
Chuck Aulgur
La mesa, CA
76 Royale with great brakes
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| Re: [GMCnet] TOW VEHICLES [message #104696 is a reply to message #104694] |
Sun, 31 October 2010 14:22  |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Paul and Nancy Doane, from Canada, tow a Canadian spec Smart Car with their GMC. They love it. I have rode in it here in Virginia, and it is pretty nice. they are lucky in that they were able to purchase one of the 3 cylinder Diesel Smart Cars. Excellent gas mileage.
The Smart Car is towable 4 wheels done. The Odometer will still count the mileage, unless you remove a fuse from the fuse box. I called Smart Car and a Tech rep stated that the car is towable, without modification.
Tom Phipps, 75 GMC Ex-Avion
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
[Updated on: Sun, 31 October 2010 14:22] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] TOW VEHICLES [message #104707 is a reply to message #104702] |
Sun, 31 October 2010 17:34 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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The diesel Smart is not available for sale in the USA and it does not
meet US standards. That said I know of several that are towed behind
big diesel RV rigs. Both have Canadian Tags are were purchased in
Canada and Licenced in Canada. I haven't heard of any upgrades in the
Diesel Smart that it meet US regs and can be imported and licenced.
Anyone know different please speak up.
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
TZE Zone Restorations
77 Eleganza Custom (For Sale)
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan
On Oct 31, 2010, at 5:01 PM, Doug wrote:
>
>
> Gentlemen:
>
> Thanks for the information and advice.
>
> I've read quite a bit on the Smart car forums about the transmission
> - both pro and con.
>
> My wife and I are going to check out a couple of used ones next week
> at a dealership. This is just research - not going to buy until we
> have GMC (don't want to get the cart before the horse!).
>
> But if it is/will be a Smart car, I think the diesel is the way to go.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Doug
>
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] TOW VEHICLES [message #104717 is a reply to message #104694] |
Sun, 31 October 2010 20:23 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Doug,
The Smart Car was released in 2003 in Australia and I have a several friends
that have them and they are VERY happy with them. They use them for around
Sydney as well as the occasional long trip.
I am happy to advise that none of them have had the rear suspension fall out
nor have they had any transmission problems.
I am reasonably confident that they are not "hoons" and drive like
responsible individuals. It obvious that Chuck's friend doesn't give a damn
about the Smart Car as it is a loaner so what the hell - give it heaps!
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Charles Aulgur
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 2010 1:38 PM
To: GMCnet
Subject: [GMCnet] TOW VEHICLES
Doug,
Recently a friend took his MB in for service and they gave him a
Smart car as a loner. He is kind of a "hotroder" so of course he had
to see how fast he could accelerate. What he experienced was every
time the Smart car shifted gears under full throttle, the back of the
car would jump up about two inches. He brought it by for me to take
a look at it. When I looked at the rear suspension, I found it has a
trailing arm suspension similar to a GMC rear wheels. The rear
suspension consists of a large pipe bent in a somewhat "U" shape with
the bottom of the U facing forward and attached in the center to the
body by a single flexible joint. The two rear wheels were hard
mounted to the two aft facing legs of the U. When the automatic
transmission shifts gears, the surge in torque applied to the rear
wheels wants to rotate the trailing arm suspension in a
counterclockwise manner, causing an upward force where the suspension
is attached to the vehicle; just opposite to the rear wheels on a GMC
when the brakes are applied. When the brakes are rapidly applied, the
opposite motion happens. When the braking torque is applied to the
rear wheels, the trailing arm suspension wants to rotate the
suspension in a clockwise manner which puts a downward force where
the suspension is attached to the vehicle, which causes the rear of
the car to drop rapidly.
Just what I observed which you may are my not want to consider in
purchasing a Smart Car.
Chuck Aulgur
La mesa, CA
76 Royale with great brakes
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] TOW VEHICLES [message #104718 is a reply to message #104694] |
Sun, 31 October 2010 20:45 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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It always amazes me when someone takes a vehicle and does something with it that it is patently not built to do and then complains about how poorly it does it. Who would ever think of gunning a smart car and then stepping hard on the transmission or brakes and think that it would react well? It's not built for that anymore than the GMC was built for heavy towing or mudding.
I've driven a few smart cars and have absolutely no interest in one myself since I have a family and an interstate commute. However, as a lightweight towd for 2 people or a city car it's a marvelously well constructed and designed vehicle. Personally I think some of the other small cars available provide more bang for your buck, but a smart car is a neat looking little vehicle for those who are interested in that kind of thing. Hotrodding in a smart car? Gee, can't imagine why it feels dangerous...
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: [GMCnet] TOW VEHICLES [message #104719 is a reply to message #104718] |
Sun, 31 October 2010 21:01 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| jknezek wrote on Sun, 31 October 2010 18:45 |
... a smart car is a neat looking little vehicle for those who are interested in that kind of thing. Hotrodding in a smart car? Gee, can't imagine why it feels dangerous...
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http://hubpages.com/hub/Smart-Car-Hot-Rod
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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