Alco-camping Weekend Update

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 10/14/2017 at 14:43 • Filed to: Weekend

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My family hasn’t owned a camper since 2003. We got this one last year. I had a crazy stressful 2016 and my parents had a stressful 2017, so we haven’t camped a lot since getting the thing. Things are pretty good now relative to last year, so I can really appreciate a nice weekend away. Crack open a nice cold Mike’s and enjoy a weekend without obligations.

I also moved Chelsea and Phil to my mum’s house. We’re serving my tenant her termination papers on Tuesday and I don’t expect it to go well. We just can’t be known as the drug house and I don’t feel safe anymore.

Per my state, because the lease termination is because possession and sale of an illegal substance, a 30 day notice isn’t necessary.

Likewise, I think it’s time to announce what my secret project is! So, I’ve been doing long term endurance testing on Tucker. I’ve been renting 5x8 enclosed U-Haul trailers, loading them so they reach a total of 1,400 +/- pounds, then going about my weekend with them on the back of the car. Just for giggles I’ll do a 3 hour interstate drive with it, carry a passenger with me, just live my normal life

I’ve traveled roughly 2-3k with these trailers so far. I monitor temperatures and other vitals with my UltraGauge. The car responds amazingly well. The engine doesn’t run at any higher temperature (so long as it’s in good condition, a smart’s cooling is overpowered), the transmission only slightly higher temperature, and the clutch performs like it would driving on a hill. My new brakes were way overpowered for the car in the first place, so nothing to note there.

The car wasn’t engineered for towing, but it does a good enough job it could fool even the most veteran tow people.

Why am I doing this? My secret project. I’ve done a crazy amount of research on fiberglass and vintage campers. I think I know more about them than I do trijets!

Turns out, there is an incredibly wide variety of hard body campers a smart can tow. Sadly, the few new ones that exist are unnecessarily small and/or heavy or just crazy expensive. You can buy a fleet of used smarts for the cost just of one tiny hard body camper.

Now, the amusing trade off of this is that these types of campers were insanely popular in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. There are more of these campers on the used market than there is demand for them. Most people just try to buy a truck and the biggest travel travel trailer they can afford, rather than getting a camper their existing car can tow. This means prices like $2k-$3k for relatively unknown brands in decent condition, and about $5k for slightly more collectible models. And almost all of them weigh in the range of 950-1,300 pounds, even fully loaded ones. Most of these brands dissolved in the 90s when big travel trailers became the new trend.

The awesome part about this is that the design of my off-road project will even further increase the car’s ability to handle it, namely the more durable and stronger suspension parts.

Europeans (no official rating from Mercedes-Benz) rate a fully stock smart at 1,100 pounds with no more than 200 pounds tongue weight. More durable parts and brakes are suggested for more weight. The 450 is somewhere around 600 pounds and the 453 about 1,800 pounds.

And finally, the power converter (converts the input power into 12V for the items in the trailer that can also be used for dry camping) in our trailer overheated and broke a solder a couple weeks ago. I located the broken solder and it is a mighty tiny one, no wonder it broke.

I determined the cause of the overheating event to be that the fan got stuck and thus couldn’t provide cooling. The heat sink can’t do it by itself.

This meant that high power items like the microwave and A/C worked, but almost everything else was dependent on the discharging battery.

Interestingly enough, I found out how to make the solder connect with a “hold my vodka” moment...Provide pressure to the board:

The drawer provides pressure to the screwdriver.

And we have lights plus a charged battery.

This temporary fix should get us through the weekend. After which the season in my area will be over and the converter can get replaced.

From what I can tell, these WFCO units are garbage anyway.

Hope Oppo is having a good weekend!

CRider > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 15:15

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Towing with a Smart seems like a very bad idea, with such a short wheelbase and suspension not designed for heavy loads. What are your axles rated to carry? What about your tires? Will your springs and shocks be able to handle this? And the Smart is not rated to tow anything . Towing above your rated GVWR is a problem in any vehicle, and if you get in an accident while towing, good luck.

“Towing without regard to the properly-equipped  limitations instantly makes the driver face the “Law of Negligence” charge in the eyes of an astute attorney and opens the door wide for a lawsuit.

“A plaintiff who was injured as a result of some negligent conduct on the part of a defendant is entitled to recover compensation for such injury from that defendant,” says Richard Alexander, a major injury trial attorney in San Jose, California, when asked about these towing issues.

“One test that is helpful in determining whether or not a person was negligent is to ask and answer the question whether or not, if a person of ordinary prudence had been in the same situation and possessed of the same knowledge, he or she would have foreseen or anticipated that someone might have been injured by or as a result of his or her action or inaction.

“If the answer to that question is ‘yes,’ and if the action or inaction reasonably could have been avoided, then not to avoid it would be negligence,” warns Alexander.”

Towing Liability: Pickup Tow Ratings explained

Mercedes Streeter > CRider 10/14/2017 at 15:36

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Well I mean, I’ve done my research and I know what I’m doing. I’ve thoroughly researched these cars for 10 years. If anyone is qualified on the subject of smarts, it’s me lol.

The Europeans have been towing with this car since its inception and have developed working towing stats based on the car’s specs. I’m well within the car’s abilities.

Just because the manufacturer says no doesn’t mean the car cannot do it. Mercedes-Benz says I can’t replace my wheel bearings without basically buying a new front end, but everyone knows that’s a blatant lie.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 15:39

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I’ve always thought those little teardrop shaped travel trailers were cool. I imagine you would get some hilarious looks towing a travel trailer of any kind with a Smart though.

Mercedes Streeter > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 10/14/2017 at 16:05

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Teardrops are another type I can tow. I think they’re cute, but I like being able to stand up in a camper. :3

Actually, you get looks towing *anything* with a smart. When I brought home my new clothes washer I got no less than 10 pictures taken. That load was about 1,200 lb if U-Haul doesn’t lie about weights.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 16:21

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No tent, so it’s “glamping.”

CRider > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 16:42

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Yeah, you probably know more about Smarts than anyone outside of the company. So you should know how ill advised towing with one is.

The Europeans have been towing with this car since its inception and have developed working towing stats based on the car’s specs. I’m well within the car’s abilities.

I’ll let HHFP explain why Europeans can tow with tiny cars

Just because the manufacturer says no doesn’t mean the car cannot do it.

Just because the car can move the weight doesn’t mean it’s safe (or legal!) to pull it on the road.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 17:07

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I want to see a small army of smart cars w/ camper trailers all in one big camping spot.

Wait, no, that’s now what I want to see.

I want to see a half dozen or more smarts w/ campers all encircled around a campfire, “circling the wagons” style!

Mercedes Streeter > CRider 10/14/2017 at 17:46

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“Yeah, you probably know more about Smarts than anyone outside of the company. So you should know how ill advised towing with one is.”

Counterpoint: My unique position of having such knowledge allows me to tow within my vehicle’s and my skill’s limits. :)

“I’ll let HHFP explain why Europeans can tow with tiny cars ”

I LOVE that article.

Newer smarts aren’t rated for towing anywhere in the world. The original W450 was officially rated to tow 800 pounds. That translated to 600 pounds in the US to account for what that article talks about.

The 451 never went through the official testing, leaving owners and private organizations to pick up the slack. The low end of tow capacity is 1,100 and the high end is 1,800. The difference in the numbers is because different engines, tow bars, suspension choices, tyres and whether the trailer is braked or not.

In my personal testing, I would recommend trailer brakes for anything over 1,400 pounds and a max trailer weight no more than 1,400 pounds if carrying a passenger. I cannot see the European 1,800 number ever being realistic in America.

“Just because the car can move the weight doesn’t mean it’s safe (or legal!) to pull it on the road.”

I think after 3k of highway driving I have a decent grasp on how safe or not my setup is. I mean, obviously there’s risk, but one should be careful towing anyway. :)

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 18:33

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You mad woman! :)

Good luck with the tenant!!

Verdog ~ manual Bro, Bro - HellHawk Equipped > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 18:40

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Setting up a vehicle for offroading means less rating for towing, mainly due to the WAY softer shocks and increased center of gravity.

A 3/4 ton PowerWagon has a lower tow rating than most 1/2 tons.

Mercedes Streeter > Verdog ~ manual Bro, Bro - HellHawk Equipped 10/14/2017 at 18:49

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Good points! :)

Interestingly enough, my shocks aren’t going to be softer, rather they’re going to be a bit harder than the wet noodles the car came from the factory with. The pre-production electric drive smarts (the source of my lift kit) had a massive battery that smart beefed up the suspension to take. Same part numbers, same fit, but much harder.

The increased center of gravity isn’t much of an issue. My towing hitch is currently so low to the ground that I have to use a riser-type bar for the ball. xD The big issue will be handling, but I tend to drive on the slow side towing (be it my parents’ 35’ travel trailer or my own testing rig) so I hope not to encounter any issues. I’m also widening the track based on suggestions from other Oppos. Heh, don’t want to roll over!!! :D

Mercedes Streeter > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/14/2017 at 18:55

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Me too!!!! I only know a few people in America who tow campers though. :/

Mercedes Streeter > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/14/2017 at 18:55

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TIL! Thanks! :)

Verdog ~ manual Bro, Bro - HellHawk Equipped > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 19:28

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Didn’t know about the shocks.

Widening the track lowers the COG, so +1.

Besides the hitch height for trailer leveling, the COG also can be important for overall stability, especially when it comes to cross winds.... Just be careful!

Mercedes Streeter > Verdog ~ manual Bro, Bro - HellHawk Equipped 10/14/2017 at 20:10

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Oh yeah! I’m learning a lot from both my testing and towing my parents’ trailer everywhere. How level we distribute the weight on theirs can make the difference between swaying in light wind or staying straight. Ford’s Trailer Sway control also seems to make things worse. Even a sedan passing makes our setup oscillate. Turn Trailer Sway control off and the sway goes away. I have a hunch that Ford’s system fights our anti-sway hitch.

I’ve yet to experience any sway in the smart, even in high Wisconsin crosswinds. Logic tells me that the super short wheelbase, rear engine, rear drive, and a heavy square trailer should be a recipe for disaster. I’m trying to figure out why the car seems to defy logic. My current prevailing theory is that the trailers I rent have really long tongues, reducing sway. That will also have to be a consideration in my plans.

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher 10/14/2017 at 20:19

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I’m scared, but excited to get my garage back! Also, my madness has no limits! I mean, I totally want my first non-smart to be a Porsche Boxster, IMS be darned!

PatFanda > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 20:56

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Now you know another one. My SiL has a lilac Smart and my brother fixed up a hitch and bought them a pop up camper designed for motorcycles. This one isn’t theirs, but it’s the idea...

https://goo.gl/images/QvYrXM

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter 10/14/2017 at 21:21

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You should try flat towing the RallyMetro!

Mercedes Streeter > PatFanda 10/14/2017 at 23:36

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You can now comment on Oppositelock and not be gray! :D

I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a Timeout camper, those are relatively popular with smart owners who camp. Lilac is an interesting colour, is it like my blue one that I posted?

PatFanda > Mercedes Streeter 10/15/2017 at 00:33

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In regards to my UnGreying: I now feel quite fancy. Thanks!

And no, not like your blue much. That’s her Lulu under my thumb. Also their newly-purpled house. If it ever stops raining the trim will be white and the door will be turquoise. I’m not sure what the name of their camper is, I haven’t actually seen it. We grew up using pop-ups for every vacation. Started in an old Apache that had been missed by a previous owner with cupboards and an electrical outlet. Next up was a series of air-conditioned and increasingly fancy Coleman’s until my mother demanded a slide-out and talked my dad into a Jayco. Holy balls that thing was garbage. Now they have a huge headache of a hardside that they basically park at a lake lot in KS, but I don’t go. I liked the travelling bit. What’s the point of mosquitos and sleeping on 2in of foam if you have to endure the same stupid neighbors each time? Plus Kansas!

Mercedes Streeter > PatFanda 10/15/2017 at 01:36

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Muahaha oh my gosh campers are so “fun”. Our 31ft hotel room (I mean, that’s basically what it is, more “Glamping” than “Camping”) is about as reliable as your average politician. At the beginning of this season we had a tyre explode, then the awning decided it didn’t like being supported, and now those power issues...it may as well be a second house!

Oooh that beautiful little car of your SIL actually isn’t a smart (my fleet is below).

Your SIL has a Chevy Spark. :) It’s similar to a smart but has 4 seats, more horsepower, and is probably held together better lol.

Honestly I’m very impressed, I’ve never seen a Spark tow anything and I suddenly want to see such a thing in real life! :D

PatFanda > Mercedes Streeter 10/15/2017 at 01:54

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Her car does have a 2nd row, but I didn’t know it’s a Chevy. My brother works for Ford so even though I drive 2 Impalas I’m not allowed to park them ‘too close’ to his house. And not because of my driving: I’m a school bus driver as a side gig. He’s such a shit sometimes.

I have met people who think ‘glamping’ is anything where you don’t sleep on the bare ground. I haven’t been out camping in almost a decade, but you’ll have to pry my mini-fridge, AC/heater and slide-out mattress from my cold dead hands. Camping is what you do when you’re awake, not the way you sleep at night!

My favorite childhood memories are of 3am leave out’s for 9 hours of straight driving in a minivan with the stripped down Coleman behind us. We went to South Dakota for the badlands and Crazy Horse so many times we might as well have lived there. Adventures.