I'm gonna need some good advice...

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

I already own a great little 2016 Civic Touring with amazing turbo power.

So, I'm left with these choices:
1. Get a dolly, but then I can't back up anymore.
2. Get a trailer for the Civic, but it would have to be over 16 feet long and really heavy, probably with tandem axels.
3. Get a manual Spark and a tow bar, but I really hate manuals.
4. Get an automatic Spark and a trailer like Denman's, but even an aluminum trailer adds a lot of weight.
5. Just keep towing my golf cart around on a utility trailer.

Right now, I'm leaning toward #4 or #5.

Somebody, please, "steer" me in the right direction.

Get a Sonic at 2700 lbs. and flat tow it.

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

There are a lot of things to like about this solution:

1. The trailer is aluminum, so it weighs minimal.
2. Only two wheels are touching the ground, so only two tires are wearing.
3. 2 trailer tires will cost less than 4 car tires.
4. Can be backed up easily.
5. The trailer has no sides, so the car doors can be opened and closed.
6. No brakes or lights need to be added to the car.
7. No drive shaft to disconnect.
8. No steering adapter to attach/detach.
9. Easy on, easy off. Probably 5 minutes max.

Now my questions:

1. What holds the car onto the trailer?
2. Is a Spark really 12 feet long?
3. Why does the trailer have a triangular cage in the front?
4. What kind of brakes does the trailer have?
5. What is the GVW of the car/trailer combo?
6. What is the make and model of that trailer?
7. Where can I get one?

I tow a 12’ tandem axle trailer behind my unit. On the trailer are 2 bikes, 2 kayakers, beer cooler, dog fence, blue tank, Smart Car, etc. Smartie weighs 1890. Trailer 1200. So I’m still way below the GCVW. The V10 doesn’t know it’s back there. Fuel mileage doesn’t change.

[Jimbo56]

Oh! I’ve placed hold downs on the trailer floor. 3 straps similar to what’s used with a tow dolly hold the car on the trailer. Takes about 5 minutes to drive it onto the trailer and hook and tighten the straps.

[Wiley1]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

Oh! I’ve placed hold downs on the trailer floor. 3 straps similar to what’s used with a tow dolly hold the car on the trailer. Takes about 5 minutes to drive it onto the trailer and hook and tighten the straps.

This is the kind of story I've been wanting to hear. I love the idea of a quick drive on and drive off.

I have a trailer just like yours but it is only 6x10 with a single axel, perfect for a golf cart. It might hold a Smart, but it is definitely too small for a Spark. After you drive it on, do you have to climb out the window?

How is it possible for the gas mileage to not change? You've got nearly 2 tons of stuff back there. The laws of physics say you can't drag it free. How are you calculating your gas mileage?

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

This is the kind of story I've been wanting to hear. I love the idea of a quick drive on and drive off.

I have a trailer just like yours but it is only 6x10 with a single axel, perfect for a golf cart. It might hold a Smart, but it is definitely too small for a Spark. After you drive it on, do you have to climb out the window?

How is it possible for the gas mileage to not change? You've got nearly 2 tons of stuff back there. The laws of physics say you can't drag it free. How are you calculating your gas mileage?

When the Smart is on the trailer, the door opens just above the railing. Worked out perfect. Fuel mileage goes from 8.25 mpg to 7.5 mpg when towing. The unit is not streamlined. Oh and the trailer without the rack weighs 1300 lbs. You’ll get a tad bit better fuel economy pulling a trailer than flat towing a car or truck.

[Bob Denman]

When we had out Smart on the trailer: it didn't seem to affect the fuel mileage much at all. We still managed 14 mpg...

[Siesta17]

Originally Posted by paulwadley

Hi Bob
If the toad does not fit on your current trailer and you decide to tow dolly it, remember that you will have to crawl around the tow dolly each time you either hook up or unhook your toad. I use a tow dolly (Cartow dolly.com) that has surge brakes with disc brakes on the tow dolly wheels. It also has brake lights on the tow dolly, but I added magnetic tow/brake lights that I just stick onto my toad for additional braking lights. Some states require them. I just added a two plug adapter to my hitch plug so I can have both the trailer brake lights and magnetic brake lights working. There are also wireless magnetic brake lights available(comes with a trailer hitch plug that operates the brake lights). On my tow dolly, I have to put on the safety tire strap on each front wheel and then attach an under carriage safety chain on each front side. I also made up a check list that I follow whenever I hook up or remove the toad from the dolly. That way I don't forget a step. I keep it inside the cab and pull it out each time to use. There are several YouTube Videos on car tow dollies to view. If your car does not have a locking steering wheel, you do not need a tow dolly that swivels.

NOTE: I have been very happy with my tow dolly from Acme CarTow Dolly.com. Their customer service has been outstanding.

Paul

Hi Paul, I have a 2017 Thor Siesta 24ST, MB powered. Im looking to either flat tow a toad, or use a Master Craft tow dolly (toad:Fiat 500 automatic transmission). What is your experience using the tow dolly with your Thor? What vehicle do you tow? Thanks!

[Wiley1]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

It's an Aluma UTR-12.
The trailer's GVW is 2955 pounds. Probably a licensing thing.
With the car weighing 2100: we're at the max for it.

I'm looking at a 2022 Spark Activ and I'm trying to find a trailer like yours.
But, I'm having trouble getting the numbers to add up right.

How much does your trailer weigh?

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

I'm looking at a 2022 Spark Activ and I'm trying to find a trailer like yours.
But, I'm having trouble getting the numbers to add up right.

How much does your trailer weigh?

My 12 ft tandemmaxle trailer weighs 1300 lbs.

[Wiley1]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

When we had our Smart on the trailer: it didn't seem to affect the fuel mileage much at all. We still managed 14 mpg

14 mpg ???? Is that a typo?

If I could get 14 mpg instead of 8.1 mpg, I could save 126 gallons per 1000 miles. At $3.30 per gallon, that's a difference of $418. If I drive 5000 miles next year, that's $2089 that could be put to better use.

What size engine is in a Tiffin Wayfarer?

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

14 mpg ???? Is that a typo?

If I could get 14 mpg instead of 8.1 mpg, I could save 126 gallons per 1000 miles. At $3.30 per gallon, that's a difference of $418. If I drive 5000 miles next year, that's $2089 that could be put to better use.

What size engine is in a Tiffin Wayfarer?

Some kind of diesel I think.

[atreis]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

14 mpg ???? Is that a typo?

If I could get 14 mpg instead of 8.1 mpg ...

The Wayfarer has an MB diesel chassis.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

14 mpg ???? Is that a typo?

If I could get 14 mpg instead of 8.1 mpg, I could save 126 gallons per 1000 miles. At $3.30 per gallon, that's a difference of $418. If I drive 5000 miles next year, that's $2089 that could be put to better use.

What size engine is in a Tiffin Wayfarer?

3.0 liter turbo V-6

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

I'm looking at a 2022 Spark Activ and I'm trying to find a trailer like yours.
But, I'm having trouble getting the numbers to add up right.

How much does your trailer weigh?

The UTR-12 Weighs just over 800 lbs.

[Wiley1]

Originally Posted by atreis

The Wayfarer has an MB diesel chassis.

Oh. That's very different. I wonder how many years to be able to break even on the cost of a Benz. Never mind.

[DogLovers]

Originally Posted by Wiley1

Oh. That's very different. I wonder how many years to be able to break even on the cost of a Benz. Never mind.

It's a motorhome. No matter what is powering it, you will never break even you'll just break.

[Bob Denman]

. Yup!