What car, Smart Car? (1 Viewer)

[Rockingdodge]

My 1997 Swift 640L, according to the Fiat book is capable of tugging 1600k.
I intend to use a 4 wheeled trailer but can't decide on what car to get.
Whatever I buy will have to replace my Grand Scenic and I know I will miss the space in it :Sad: but what do you all personally find works best.
I would prefer a 2 plus 2 hatch type but don't know which ones to look at.
If all else fails I will get a smart car but I know that in some ways it will be restrictive, but fun.

 

[pappajohn]

you shouldnt have a problem with most small hatchbacks etc.
my ifor williams 3500kg trailer has an unladen weight of 640kg (but it is a heavy plant type trailer) and most small cars will have an unladen weight of less than 1000kg...my corsa is 860kg kerb weight so it would be 1500kg in total.
with a proper car transporter you may save 150kg or more over mine plus a car onboard making it around 1350kg gross weight.

i assume your kontiki is 3850kg ?
all older fiat ducatos have a train weight of 5500kg (check the plate under the bonnet) and if it is 3850kg then you have a towing limit of 1650kg regardless of what the handbook says.
if, on the other hand, its a 3500kg van then you have a full 2000kg limit.

 

[bobandjanie]

Hi, we have just got a Smart and use a Smart Trailer, but as you say a bit restricted but we manage, more space than you think as long as you don't have a dog! But its a second car and Jane loves it.
If it was our only car it would be hard work, and would have a 4 seater hatch back. Bob.

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[Jaws]

Smarties are just so much fun !!
And you will be amazed at how much room there is in them and how much luggage will fit in
The year before we bought our first MH Mo and I did a ten day camping holiday in Italy in our ForTwo !
There is also the added bonus, that just as there is a considerable MH community and lots of social events, there are loads of Smart car related functions too.

The one that always makes people do a double take is the M25 run .. yes really
Yep, we get about 40 or 50 Smarties in a tube* and go right round the M25, stopping at various services for a bun fight or somesuch
It sounds nuts and I spose it is really, but always have a lot of fun doing it

*yes, tis true.. Smart car folk call a line of em a tube.. A tube of Smarties

 

[hilldweller]

If all else fails I will get a smart car

Don't overlook the Toyota IQ - Japan's more smart than Smart.

 

[madbluemad]

We will be in this dilema when I retire. We have two cars and they are both starting to cost money because of ther age.

I intend to get shut of both cars and buy a small new one (or nearly new).

I always fancied a Smart and on the plus side appear to be very economic in the long term if not expensive to purchase.

Is it not more economic to buy an A frame rather than a trailer ?

Jim

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[Big Ed]

We brought a Toyota IQ last March and have been very pleased with it. You can fit three large adults in with ease. With the rear seats folded down there is loads of space.

 

[Larrynwin]

We tow a Peugeot 107 5 door 1000cc 3 cyl 62mpg 5speed gearbox, nippy , carries 4 people and £ 35 pa rfl. weighs 800kg. We have Brian James 2 wheel trailer and car a tow a frame.
A very good toad :thumb::thumb:

 

[madbluemad]

What does £35.00 pa rfl mean ?

Jim

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[Brisey]

What does £35.00 pa rfl mean ?

£35 per year, (rfl) Road Fund License or Car Tax.

 

[hilldweller]

Is it not more economic to buy an A frame rather than a trailer ?

Jim

Aren't A frames illegal. A friend of a friend's mother in law got 6 weeks jail in Spain for using one.

 

[Jaws]

You sir, are a wicked wicked man !

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[madbluemad]

Aren't A frames illegal. A friend of a friend's mother in law got 6 weeks jail in Spain for using one.

Honestley, thanks for that Brian

 

[madbluemad]

Aren't A frames illegal. A friend of a friend's mother in law got 6 weeks jail in Spain for using one.

Now do you know the answer to the question, if you do you give it, if you dont you say no.

Jim

 

[hilldweller]

Now do you know the answer to the question
Jim

It seems to be a seriously grey area out of the UK - folk seem to be relying on "if it's legal in the owner's country that carries across EU". All you have to do is convince the nice Spanish policeman with one hand resting on a 9mm automatic who does not speak a word of English.

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[Larrynwin]

What does £35.00 pa rfl mean ?

Jim

Hi Jim £35 a year road fund licence

Larry

 

[madbluemad]

It seems to be a seriously grey area out of the UK - folk seem to be relying on "if it's legal in the owner's country that carries across EU". All you have to do is convince the nice Spanish policeman with one hand resting on a 9mm automatic who does not speak a word of English.

Thats a breeze, dont forget I'm from Birkenhead

Jim


Edit: And I'm trying to stop smoking.

 

[Larrynwin]

Have we had a thread on A Frames??

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[madbluemad]

Have we had a thread on A Frames??

Well they havent been mentioned for a while

Jim

 

[Larrynwin]

Well they havent been mentioned for a while

Jim

The week before last

 

[Rockingdodge]

you shouldnt have a problem with most small hatchbacks etc.
my ifor williams 3500kg trailer has an unladen weight of 640kg (but it is a heavy plant type trailer) and most small cars will have an unladen weight of less than 1000kg...my corsa is 860kg kerb weight so it would be 1500kg in total.
with a proper car transporter you may save 150kg or more over mine plus a car onboard making it around 1350kg gross weight.

i assume your kontiki is 3850kg ?
all older fiat ducatos have a train weight of 5500kg (check the plate under the bonnet) and if it is 3850kg then you have a towing limit of 1650kg regardless of what the handbook says.
if, on the other hand, its a 3500kg van then you have a full 2000kg limit.

My plate info is as follows, I've adjusted for the 2.5td:
GVW 3400
GTW 4600
Axle1 1650
Axle2 1900

The GVW ties in with the Swift manual

Unladen Mass 2810
Payload 590

The Ducato manual gives a towable limit of 1600

So I'm a mite confused as the Swift weights gives me just 1200 for the trailed limit, now wondering which weight I work to and what the gentlemen at the side of the road will take into account.

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[DJP]

My plate info is as follows, I've adjusted for the 2.5td:
GVW 3400
GTW 4600
Axle1 1650
Axle2 1900

The GVW ties in with the Swift manual

Unladen Mass 2810
Payload 590

Has the GVW weight of 4600 got to include the weight of the car, trailer and total contents of the van? I.E. all within the 590kg payload?

 

[Rockingdodge]

My plate info is as follows, I've adjusted for the 2.5td:
GVW 3400
GTW 4600
Axle1 1650
Axle2 1900

The GVW ties in with the Swift manual

Unladen Mass 2810
Payload 590

Has the GVW weight of 4600 got to include the weight of the car, trailer and total contents of the van? I.E. all within the 590kg payload?

The GVW is the total weight of the van, i.e. 2810 + 590 = 3400
The car and trailer will be the difference between the gtw and the gvw, i.e. 4600 - 3400 = 1200, would be enough for a Smart plus trailer but may be a little tight for anything bigger, the risk will be if you load any items into the car, toolbox etc.

 

[savantuk]

I have a really, really nice Smart car for sale. Black, around 25k miles, and only £2500. Brilliant condition too

PM if anybody interested.

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[hilldweller]

Now do you know the answer to the question, if you do you give it, if you dont you say no.

Jim

Have you spotted this thread:

Link Removed