The Missus mentioned...

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

From what I've been able to see so far: towing a Smart "Four-down"; is also pretty easy.
Put the transmission (automatic) in 6th gear, disconnect the battery, and you're about ready to go!
At least that's how I understand the process!

How're you gonna put an Automatic Transmission is 6th gear? The manual says N for neutral.

[Bob Denman]

Ask Google: it's easy!

EDT: I didn't want to leave you hanging, so here's the video that shows the process.
I was only on my phone earlier, and don't know how to post links with it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FagHBa786E

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The Missus and I kicked this around quite a bit yesterday afternoon.
(A quiet day in our office! )
These little cars really do check off the boxes, in our list of important attributes; so we're moving forward on this front...
We're going to sell our golf cart and "too-small" trailer (She figures that we've owned 100 trailers over the years...), and look for the right car and trailer combination.

This setup has really caught our eye:

The trailer is just large enough to safely do the job, and the overall package can easily be towed by our rig.
We thought about going "four-down"; but were "intimidated" by the new an unfamiliar (to us!) hardware that it required...

I watched that video twice, where is the Smart Car? Maybe I need a bigger Smart TV to see the Smart Car

U ur need to be careful in that thing, it would be slick if you could use on golf course to replace the golf cart.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by dkoldman

I watched that video twice, where is the Smart Car? Maybe I need a bigger Smart TV to see the Smart Car

Clean your eyeglasses...
http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1564330970

[DogLovers]

Bob,

You should be able to tow up to 4500 lb trailer/auto combination without issue with your Sprinter. Here are some examples:

Trailer: https://www.rondotrailer.com/invento...ler-50fb-60184

Trailer cost $1,940.00 cargo capacity 3400 lb. Trailer weight 1600 lb. To stay under the suggested towing limit on your Sprinter in this case you would need a car weighing 2900 lb or less. Trailer 1600 lb plus car 2900 lb equals 4500 lb which is about 200 ld under your limit. Now this example is with a low cost 16' steel car hauler trailer. The weight numbers get much better with an aluminum trailer but the prices rise to the $5,000-$7,000 range. Still with this type of low cost trailer you could haul any of the following cars.

Toyota Matrix 2888 lbs
Honda Civic Coupe 2617 lbs
Mini Cooper 2535 lbs
Hyundai Accent 2396 lbs
Hyundai Elantra 2701 lbs
Nissan Cube 2768 lbs
Nissan Versa 2354 lbs

Ford Focus 2955 lbs remember I gave you 2900 car limit but it is 200lbs under the max weight.

If you want to tow a slightly bigger/heavier car go to the aluminum trailers.

If it's not about money, go with an aluminum tilt trailer. I have one and love it.

[Bob Denman]

I never like to "Push the limits"...
On a trailer: we'd be at 2850 pounds
Four-Down: we'd be at 2000 pounds

That's about all that I would ever care to pull...

[Calico]

Just a thought here, but with that tiny Sprinter... do you really need a Toad? My sis uses her Leisure Travel Van, Unity Camper for everything.... grocery shopping included. For her, it would be like putting a toad on a toad.

[Bob Denman]

In order to unplug, unhook, disconnect, pull the levelers, and clean up: it just ain't worth it...

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Ask Google: it's easy!

EDT: I didn't want to leave you hanging, so here's the video that shows the process.
I was only on my phone earlier, and don't know how to post links with it...

Wow, that's scary the Owners Manual is wrong. And although the indicator may say "6" the transmission is actually in neutral.

[vkb]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

In order to unplug, unhook, disconnect, pull the levelers, and clean up: it just ain't worth it...

AGREE Bob ! in the past when we have not had anything in tow, we just didn't go anywhere. (when enroute to our destination)

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by vkb

Hi Bob ! isn't it fun making these decisions !!! Regarding your post about fuel octane...Ron agrees with you and sez to remind you that a little Lucas added to the fuel doesn't break the bank.



and, regarding battery disconnect....you have pulled enough trailers to know this...but,..are you going to wire brake lights directly from your Tiffin ? When the guys setup our Wrangler TJ...they did so...and in that wiring the Axis charges the Wrangler battery so the electric bleed from the Patriot Brake does not leave us with a dead battery. That Blue Ox tow bar is so impressive and easy to use !





10 yrs ago, Ron would have done the install himself....



We are truly enjoying the Jeep ! Our next item is new tires, and probably, remove the 3" lift kit !

I just found a great Wrangler TJ - 2004 with 66,000 miles. Still pretty spendy for a 15 y.o. car but it sure is a kick to drive! I was going to tow my 2014 Ford Focus but the base plate install was pretty intimidating and for my set up I needed nearly a foot of drop on the hitch. The Jeep will still need 6 or 8 inches but at least the install is easy!

[vkb]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I just found a great Wrangler TJ - 2004 with 66,000 miles. Still pretty spendy for a 15 y.o. car but it sure is a kick to drive! I was going to tow my 2014 Ford Focus but the base plate install was pretty intimidating and for my set up I needed nearly a foot of drop on the hitch. The Jeep will still need 6 or 8 inches but at least the install is easy!

You got a great find … an 04 with 66k miles !! = pricey ! Our 2000 TJ has 167k...was well taken care of and we love it ! We were fortunate in that the Blue Ox baseplate fit right under our bumper and lined up straight to our hitch on the Axis. What luck...we were prepared to buy a drop down...but with the 3" lift on the Jeep and the Axis riding rather low...all was perfect ! If we remove the lift kit, we will address that situation when it arises !


be sure to post photos when you get it setup !!

[Blindcoyote]

Originally Posted by bob denman

rentals ain't happening...
Nor are mountain bikes or mopeds...

lol

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by GaTripster

We are in the market for a toad and what we've learned is the only vehicle you can flat-tow that's an automatic is a Jeep. Good luck trying to find a reasonably priced one.

We also have a 28H. It is a 2015 and we flat tow a 2018 Subaru Forester 6 speed with a Roadmaster set up.. Tows great! What year is your 28H?

[Bob Denman]

A Hopeful Update: They say that they got the money that we sent, and the shipping company is being contacted. Once they do an inspection of the vehicle: it'll be coming North.
(I'm still as nervous, as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs! )

[mountainsam]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I'm going to figure out out to put a Mercedes emblem on the grille; in place of that "Smart" emblem.
Then: I'll have a matched set!

Don't do it Bob, service costs will triple.

[Bob Denman]

[Calman]

Bob,

I took the easy route. Alumna trailer and Gold Wing trike. Since I do all the driving it makes sense it is something I like and the GF enjoys from the rear seat. I got a big ass Champion trike kit so you know I got as much stowage as a Smart car. Easy to find parking and the 35+MPH on the Gold Wing is great.

:whistl ing:

Oh yeah - have had the Gold Wing a whole lot longer than the RV.

[Calman]

Bob,

I took the easy route. Alumna trailer and Gold Wing trike. Since I do all the driving it makes sense it is something I like and the GF enjoys from the rear seat. I got a big ass Champion trike kit so you know I got as much stowage as a Smart car. Easy to find parking and the 35+MPH on the Gold Wing is great.



Oh yeah - have had the Gold Wing a whole lot longer than the RV.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Calman

Bob,

I took the easy route. Alumna trailer and Gold Wing trike. Since I do all the driving it makes sense it is something I like and the GF enjoys from the rear seat. I got a big ass Champion trike kit so you know I got as much stowage as a Smart car. Easy to find parking and the 35+MPH on the Gold Wing is great.



Oh yeah - have had the Gold Wing a whole lot longer than the RV.

Now that's what I am talking about. If the Smart Car is just your thing to have, you can put the tent in the Champion, tow the Smart car or the RV with the trike. Maybe both if the Smart car fits in the Champion? You prolly couldn't carry the tent though?