Towing with Electric Drive

[StreetSmart 4]

Hi,

Has anyone installed a tow hitch to their electric car. I have a small trailer which I like to use.

Thanks...

[darren 192]

I think towing anything with the ED is not recommended.

[dmoonen 54]

Just did some digging and here's a hitch that fits the ED. Also made by curt manufacturing so you can probably order it locally without shipping expenses.

http://smartmadness.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&keyword=hitch&category_id=0&product_id=1154

Edited September 30, 2014 by dmoonen

[StreetSmart 4]

Thanks

That is a good price too...

Wonder what it is like to tow. I assume as long as the weight is not too high, everything should be fine. Could not find anything about new vehicle warranty.

[darren 192]

Wow… that's an amazing price. I'd be concerned about loading down the battery pack and/or motor too much, which i would imagine could cause thermal issues. Proceed with extreme caution.

At the very least, the aero and weight penalties of towing anything will deplete the car's already limited range in a hurry.

[jwight 117]

From a discussion on SCoA: http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f170/weight-problem-59090/#post700266

The ED appears to have limited load capacity due to the battery weight.

[StreetSmart 4]

I see a lot of 450 & 451 smarts in Europe towing trailers.

[darren 192]

Yes, but the ED is a bit of a different beast.

[RunSilent 15]

Notwithstanding the owner's manual clearly states that towing is not permitted, I too am looking to rig my ED for towing, probably in a year or so once I get a feel for how the car is going to make it through the warranty period. I will either weld something onto the crush bar already fitted in the back, or get the Euro hitch kit. I don't like the available bolt-on-to-the-subframe hitches that need drilling, grinding of slots etc., hang down low, and are heavier than they probably need to be.

I am quite confident that the little car would have no trouble towing a lightweight aluminium trailer, something akin to the Yakima RankandRoll. It would be handy for bringing the occasional lumber or piece of furniture home. I had no trouble towing a modestly heavy tent trailer with my old 68hp diesel Jetta.

[StreetSmart 4]

I think its okay too to tow. As long as you don't over do it. The last thing I want to do is void the warranty.

[dmoonen 54]

Actually if you read the 450 manual, 451 and the ED manual they all say that. . Including pretty much every car. Its a do at your own risk situation.

[RunSilent 15]

Well, not quite. Every car I have ever owned big and small until this Smart has actually permitted towing, giving ratings for trailer weight, tongue weight, etc. in the owners manual. Which means as long as you stay within the weight limits, there will be no disputes with premature wear and warranty claims. With the ED, attaching and using a trailer hitch will mean a long a protracted dispute if the dealer claims that towing was the direct cause of a failure within the warranty period. The fine print in the warranty booklet is worth a read.

[RunSilent 15]

Electric smart fitted with trailer hitch towing a trailer...in South Africa. Guess that answers that question. Too bad the Smart Canada doesn't sanction this useful capability.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xpu4ah_smart-fortwo-electric-drive-testing-south-africa-boost-stop_auto

Edited October 4, 2014 by RunSilent

[StreetSmart 4]

I knew such a thing existed. Can't wait until the warranty is over.

[darren 192]

That looks like a test vehicle, which are often outfitted with trailer hitches for towing outboard test equipment. That doesn't mean that towing on a production car is supported or sanctioned.

[twobytwo 15]

For anyone who did the Ontario Mystery Run at the beginning of August would remember this guy and his horn:

[RunSilent 15]

Thank you, that is exactly what I'm going for. That looks like a custom hitch attached to the crash bar poking through the bumper. My only question is, why the spare tire on the trailer??

[FlossyTheSmart 81]

Spare tire because he was from Kansas Better to have a spare than to be out of commision for however long to get a new tire. (That's a gasser BTW). That's whoadale from SCoA, you could send him a message over there and see what hitch he has, or if it is custom.

[marchanna 115]

I have a client that makes custom lightweight aluminum trailers, I could get a quote for you.