I'm gonna need some good advice...

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

this company builds a trailer specifically for a Smart car.https://www.sporttrailer.co/ECHO/SMA...20TRAILERS.htm

Thanks... But that's for our ex-Toad.
I've got a Chevy Spark on it's way.
It's definitely not a 4-down car; so I'm looking into "dollying" it...

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

This one will have the CVT tranny in it. It definitely needs a dolly under the front wheels...

Since Spark doesn’t weigh that much more than Smart, I’m curious why the switch from trailer to dolly? Is trailer too small, not enough load capacity, or too much combined weight for motorhome? Or do you just want to try new system?

[Bob Denman]

Yeah... I'm been forbidden to shop for any more trailers.
The Spark is 37" longer than the Smart.
The two cars weigh within 100 pounds of one another...

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Yeah... I'm been forbidden to shop for any more trailers.
The Spark is 39" longer than the Smart.
The two cars weigh within 100 pounds of one another...

Are you saying trailer and motorhome can handle weight, but trailer is too short for Spark?

Sparks are so tiny it’s difficult to visualize a trailer being too small.


P.S. — I’d prefer a trailer over dolly if everything else was equal so that I could backup.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

.....cut....

The Spark is 39" longer than the Smart.

.....cut....

By the way, wheelbase difference is about 20 inches. Also, since one is FWD and other RWD with rear engine, the weight distribution are very different. Just saying that it may be worth checking to see if trailer would work, assuming you still have it. As I recall from pictures, it is a nice trailer.

[Bob Denman]

It's a 12' trailer... 144"
The Spark is 143"
The Smart was only 106"
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1631553539
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1631553539

[JamieGeek]

car tow dolly here for 7 years now various vehicles.

Surge + disc brakes--just keep the fluid topped up and you're good to go.

There is a bit of crawling that needs to be done with the safety chains underneath (a good yoga mat helps greatly for that).

I've also found that cars with smaller wheels are a bit more troublesome than larger ones--just for getting the safety chains around the suspension and getting the straps around the wheels. Larger wheels leave more room for your hands/arms to get in there and usually have more clearance in the wheelwell.

[Bob Denman]

I've kind of got my eyes on this one...
Does anybody see anything grossly wrong with this choice?

https://towsmarttrailers.com/product...h-surge-brakes

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I've kind of got my eyes on this one...
Does anybody see anything grossly wrong with this choice?

https://towsmarttrailers.com/product...h-surge-brakes

Rotating pan: If your car's steering doesn't lock you'll have to lock it.

Drum brakes (https://cartowdolly.com/ has disc brakes, no rotating pan and is likely a bit lighter).

[Bob Denman]

Jamie,
You're the bestest!

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Jamie,
You're the bestest!

It is sold out anyway. I don't see why you need a toad. I could take your Tiffin as my toad That is if you know if it could be flat towed? Wait don't tell me the Missus not gonna let you sell the Tiffin

[Bob Denman]

If my Missus wants a Toad: somebody needs to start croaking!

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

If my Missus wants a Toad: somebody needs to start croaking!

I always knew you wuz a Kool Kat, just didn't know which one. I think it is clear now

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I've kind of got my eyes on this one...
Does anybody see anything grossly wrong with this choice?

https://towsmarttrailers.com/product...h-surge-brakes

Grossly wrong is relative to what we want or need. For me, there is no way I would consider a dolly (or trailer for that matter) that was 102 inches wide to tow behind a relatively narrow Tiffin like yours. To some degree I would feel I was defeating the reason I downsized the motorhome. Granted, I recall you downsized to get more room; but I wouldn’t consider such a wide dolly for a tiny Spark behind a narrow Sprinter motorhome. Maybe they make a narrower dolly for smaller cars?

Your trailer looks good behind the Tiffin. Maybe it’s just as wide as the dolly (difficult to see in your gallery), but doesn’t seem to stick out past motorhome that much. I like your trailer solution better.

[Bob Denman]

I hadn't given much thought to width...
But I did like seeing the outside edges of the trailer as I tottered down the road...
The little Spark is just 62" wide. I guess I can look for something a bit narrower.
Thanks!

[WarEagleDan]

Hi Bob,
The older I get the more I look for easy solutions. Here's one for whichever dolly you get.

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f9...lly-13804.html

[Bob Denman]

Dan,
Thanks for that tip!

[Wiley1]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I've already got a 2021 Chevy Spark (ICE) coming. I found it used; with just 241 miles on it.
My questions:
Which tow dolly would you suggest?
Which Toad braking system would you suggest?
[/url]

That car is so small and lightweight that I'd consider towing it zero-down.

It might fit onto a little 10x6 trailer. A trailer has the advantage being able to back up. Quick on and off. But, it would probably still need trailer brakes in most states.

[carver Gary]

I have a 2021 Spark with auto trans and tow it on a tow master dolly. My dolly has electric brakes and are controlled by the RV. The dolly swivels and the steering wheel does not lock. I asked tow master about that and was told to take a ratcheting strap and hook it to the bolts under the seat and thru the wheel to the other side of the seat. I do that and also pull the seat belt out thru the wheel and locked down, pull the belt to tighten and lock it. I also put axle straps under the car hooked to the safety chains on the dolly.

[Bob Denman]

Thanks G!
That's the car, and the dolly!