As Promised, More smart Towing Content!

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
12/30/2017 at 21:14 • Filed to: Smart

Today my brother and I had a tag team to help him move to a new house. He towed a 6x12 with his four cylinder Exploder with me trailing behind with a 5x8.

Today’s temperatures were a solid zero Fahrenheit. Here are the smart’s vitals while towing roughly 1400 lb.

DISCUSSION (24)

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 21:27

TIL they make a 4 cylinder explorer.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 21:28

That’s far better on the mpg front than i expected.

Under_Score > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 21:29

I remember seeing something about how U-Haul STILL doesn’t rent trailers to Explorers, even though the problematic ones were from 20 years ago. If I remember correctly, Consumer Reports tried to rent a trailer in c. 2011 from U-Haul with the new model like your brother has and U-Haul wouldn’t let them.

WilliamsSW > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 21:42

Was “Exploder” intended or just Kinja?

Either way I love it.

Brutal weather to move in, though. I stayed inside all day, thanks.

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 21:57

You need to try flat-towing the RallyMetro.

Ash78, voting early and often > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 22:06

My hat is off. I’m a DIYer as much as possible, but given the conditions and equipment, a few hundred bucks for Two Men and Truck would be my route.

Now I’m thinking you need to do a mega-roadtrip in the SMART while towing an old-school teardrop trailer. Lighter and better aero than the U-Haul.

smobgirl > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 22:09

Not quite the same scale, but some neighbors around the corner own a Fiat Pop with a tow hitch and a trailer (and moved all their stuff here from Illinois with it). I have all the respect.

Are insurance companies ok with this? I mean even my Abarth says it’s not rated to tow in the US...even though folks in Europe do it all the time.

Mercedes Streeter > Under_Score
12/30/2017 at 22:12

I remember that as well! It seems that they’re finally allowing Explorers to rent though. Their site instead only denies convertible SUVs.

Mercedes Streeter > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
12/30/2017 at 22:12

It sounds so wrong too! Like, no vehicle that size should sound so...puny?

Mercedes Streeter > WilliamsSW
12/30/2017 at 22:13

Intended!

I’m actually surprised that I don’t have frostbite. Ugh this weather sucks.

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher
12/30/2017 at 22:30

I mean, why not? :D

HammerheadFistpunch > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 22:32

I still find it weird that an xc90 is a 4 pot

Mercedes Streeter > smobgirl
12/30/2017 at 22:32

I never asked them if it’s okay. I assume not since there isn’t any official rating or even an insurance rating like the W450s have.

HammerheadFistpunch > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 22:35

its pretty much only wranglers they deny

Mercedes Streeter > Ash78, voting early and often
12/30/2017 at 22:39

My family is full of a bunch of cheapskates. lol We’re also used to moving A LOT so we’re not bothered by zero temps. I mean on average, we have moved at least once every year since 2004.

Actually, I want to get a U-Haul CT13 camper. They weigh as much as their 5x8 enclosed trailer empty, but significantly more round.

Oh god, this is like how I became obsessed with smarts.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Ash78, voting early and often
12/30/2017 at 22:41

Kinja'd!!!

Steve in Manhattan > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 22:48

You all seem to move a lot ... are any of you settled? We’re trying to be home for good ...

shop-teacher > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 23:22

Why not indeed!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 23:35

I’m looking at getting a hidden hitch to hide under the bumper of my Mini for when I move out after school and the inevitable tire trailer for autocross. There’s a company that sells one that is completely hidden until you pop out the reverse light and install them ball and gives 1500lbs capacity at 200lbs tongue weight.

Ash78, voting early and often > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
12/30/2017 at 23:36

Nice. Looks like one of those collective community garden cottages in Austria or Switzerland.

I thought it was a vintage shot until I saw the dish and a/c unit...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Ash78, voting early and often
12/30/2017 at 23:40

Looks to me like a KOA Kamping Kabin.

smobgirl > Mercedes Streeter
12/30/2017 at 23:57

Hah, yeah, I probably wouldn’t either. Insurance is getting so ridiculous here though that I’m afraid to do anything to compromise it. Mine has nearly tripled in 3 years and my driving record is as clean as it gets!

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > HammerheadFistpunch
12/31/2017 at 07:14

Yup. I tried to rent a trailer to retrieve my dead Honda with my Wrangler Unlimited. They wouldn’t do it. Drove the 3mi home, put on the hardtop, and suddenly there was no issue.

Under_Score > Mercedes Streeter
12/31/2017 at 08:27

That’s good; I’m glad they relaxed the regulations. But I can’t take a Murano convertible out there?