Autosleeper Sherbourne - Towing possibility

I'm thinking of towing a Smart car behind my Sherbourne. Is this possible and recommended?

the sherbourne from memory has a pretty long overhang so not sure but someone here should know

Dave

Your vehicle and AS manuals should give the maximum braked trailer mass for the base vehicle. The Smart will be about 850 kg on A frame or 1200 kg on a trailer.

I tow a Smart on a trailer with my Gloucester (163 bhp Merc). Tows very well, hardly notice it is there, about 4% increase in mpg.

I went for a trailer because the Smart is nearly new and an A frame fitted would have voided the warrantee on brakes, wiring loom and front body. There are reported problems with A frame legality in Spain and France?

PLOUGHLIN wrote:Your vehicle and AS manuals should give the maximum braked trailer mass for the base vehicle. The Smart will be about 850 kg on A frame or 1200 kg on a trailer.

I tow a Smart on a trailer with my Gloucester (163 bhp Merc). Tows very well, hardly notice it is there, about 4% increase in mpg.

I went for a trailer because the Smart is nearly new and an A frame fitted would have voided the warrantee on brakes, wiring loom and front body. There are reported problems with A frame legality in Spain and France?

...and problems in other Euro countries now too, following very recent (end of 2014) legislation.

At last another Sherbourne  owner that makes three on the forum to my knowledge, I was also thinking of towing our Smart

 but am now looking into possibly towing it on a trailer I have a tow bar which was already fitted so when I next go down to the van

 I will check it out underneath to see how the land lies.

I also chipped the VW a few months ago which gave me a good increase in power which would help if you find out anymore info

 regarding the towing please PM me and I will do the same.


Pat

I love my Sherbourne. I waited 3 years for a non-dealer one - Meaning a sensible price. Mine is 4 berth, 26k miles 'Y' reg. I would love to hear about the Towbar on yours and possibly see some photos? I was actually thinking of towing a Twizy. I do lots of running and the bathroom in the Sherbourne is perfect. Oh the chipping is interesting - does it help the pulling power? mel.cragg@btinternet.com

Ditto at the risk of going off topic the power difference was very noticeable and I am glad I did it very simple to do if you want

 the details I can e mail you including how to do it and the original emails and pictures from this well known company, however I brought through there auction site rather than there web site and saved about £40.  

With regards the tow bar I will pick up the van next weekend from the farm and check it out and take some pictures.

Pat

Hi Pat. will you be able to take some photos of the Tow bar? Many Thanks

Hi I have just put the Sherbourne back down the farm I will go next Sunday and see if I can take some pictures, I will also get

 the make and model of the towbar if that will help.

What I did notice when I was fitting a reversing camera this weekend is that the towbar is a serious bit of kit with really thick tubing

 involved,

My towbar was professionally fitted (by the previous owner ) so on the label it has the approvals weight etc.

regards Pat