tow bar and a Marauder.

[Aren Jay]

I'm just wondering if I could use a Tow Bar to tow a car with my Marauder.

I know the Marauder is rated at 2000lbs and is likely able to tow up to 5000lbs, but does it work with a tow bar?

I'm thinking of driving to California in the summer and buying a Smart Fortwo and towing it home. Yes in the summer in the heat and through the mountains. Fortwo's weight 1650 Lbs empty. Would a Tow bar work with this or would I need a trailer?

[ImpalaSlayer]

whats a fortwo?

[offroadkarter]

whats a fortwo?



Smart car

Why use the Mm to tow? You Probably could tow one, but wouldnt it be easier to bring someone to just drive the smart back?

[ImpalaSlayer]

ok whats a smart car?

[Marauder386]

ok whats a smart car?


... A Marauder ! Can I have a cookie now ?


:cool:

[Aren Jay]

A little car that is for two people.

Mid engine, RWD 2 seater. pretty good on gas, better in an accident than a Miata. Easiest car to park, exactly 1/2 the length of a Marauder, yet has the same size trunk.

I've been in one, they do not seem as small as they look, from the inside. On the outside they look tiny.

As for the second driver, no I'm the only driver and I'm taking my Mom to visit her Brother, my Uncle, who lives just east of LA, by Marauder. (She can't fly)

It will be my longest trip by car, ~2000 miles. I'm just wondering if I will need a trailer or if I can use a Tow bar to bring a Fortwo back with me.

Fortwo's are 35% cheaper in the USA. For the same price as a base model up here, I can get a high end version or a fully kitted out base model with all the options.

Now if my Mom doesn't want to go, or can't for some reason, then I will fly out to LA, visit some friends and then my Uncle then buy and drive a Fortwo back. But that gets complicated.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2008/smart/fortwo/100888152/photos.html

[freakstatus]

Marauder to Smart car?? Talk about one extreme to the other!

[TooManyFords]

Don't make fun of a car that is cute as a bug and gets 40+ mpg. I'd like to have one too!

John

[fastblackmerc]

Just put the smart car in the Marauder's trunk.

[offroadkarter]

Don't make fun of a car that is cute as a bug and gets 40+ mpg. I'd like to have one too!

John



I think they are pretty quick to. If they are using the same engines as the ones from europe they will be turbocharged.


Its fun to see the smart cars with the busa engines in them :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV4HdsDZX6c

[LILALLEYKATT]

Don't make fun of a car that is cute as a bug and gets 40+ mpg. I'd like to have one too!

John
+2 spot on John...They should have a 3cylinder turbo diesel purportedly 68mpg in 2010...:beatnik:

[Aren Jay]

+2 spot on John...They should have a 3cylinder turbo diesel purportedly 68mpg in 2010...:beatnik:


The out going model has a 800CC Turbo Diesel, 60-70mpg. but it only made 40bhp.

the new North American version is the NA gasoline 1L, 32city/40 highway. but that is with the new EPA numbers. Closer to 40/50 with the old numbers. Even when it is cold. 71-74BHP.

They are very interesting/fun/cute/go cart like cars, on the outside. On the inside it feels a little narrow but after 5 minutes you forget how small they are until you go to park somewhere and it looks like you can almost drive right into the wall and yet you never hit it. 12cubic foot trunk too. Not quite Marauder like.

They say they are a little squirrelly on ice, show me a mid engine rwd that isn't. I don't know if they traction control can be turned off yet, the old version couldn't which cause problems when you tried to rock the car out when stuck. The cool thing is a 10 foot pole will fit inside, although it will stick out the rear glass hatch. You might get a 7 foot pole inside, but then that fits in the Marauder too.

Passenger seat folds flatish. but there is not enough room to sleep inside it for very long, Glass roof option is cool, might be too cold in winter though. The fabric top is nice but the back window is only plastic. Those who have never riden in one say it is like driving/riding a motorcycle, but once your inside and moving that whole idea dissappears. Manual automatic 5 speed transmission is an improvement over the rather bad previous 6 speed version. The new one is bigger too, 8.8 inches longer and a couple wider. Seeing the old and new side by side it is amazing just how small the first version is.

They do not feel like a golf cart.

Not fast but you can turbo or supercharge it if you want.

The Smart Fortwo, they only sell this version in North America in Europe you can also get the forfour and the coupe sporty version. Does have an option for 4 wheel flat tow bar towing or flat bed towing. They don't recomend lifting and towing them, something about it being to short.

There is a German version with a trailer hitch and a specially made camping trailer. Kind of a single bed pop up tent with stove. towing is limited to 750 lbs max and depends on passengers weight.

I was thinking a little winch would be a good idea if you get stuck.

It is 48 inches shorter than the BMW mini.

[cyclopsram]

A snowmobile trailer would be just right... Is the smart car towable? Some cars have to have a electric pump to keep the tranny bearings in neutral oiled...etc.. I would trailer it...no brakes needed on trailer of that size..and flat tow with 4 wheels on ground is rough... If you meant tow dolly, that is a different story... you put the drive wheels up on the dolly and away you go... be sure to lock the steering wheel if you are rear wheel drive in the not so smart car....and then you need tow lights...and if you go thru MA you need 3 sets of tags...what a place!!

[Aren Jay]

Turns out the plastic convertible window is glass and heated now.

The cargo capacity is 8 cubic feet, 12 if you go to the roof and around the Marauderish 21 if you fold the passenger seat. Plus the foot well.

Yes it is tow bar towable. But a tow dolly, that was what I was looking for, didn't know what it was called. Thanks.

[jdando]

ok whats a smart car?

Very popular little car over in Europe. I was in Madrid early this year and saw a whole bunch of them.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/IMG_5112ps1.jpg

Here is how they park them
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/1/0/2/smartparking.jpg

jeremy

[Aren Jay]

So how fast can you go when towing a trailer or Dolly or Tow barring a Smart car?

[rauder775]

My only comment on the towing is pay attention to whether the OD is on or not up hills and long grades. If OD is left "on" in such situations it is hard on your MM tranny.