Can my Kingham tow a Smart car?

I'm thinking of buying a Smart car to tow on an A Frame behind my Kingham. 

I will only be using it in the UK and for quite low mileage. The original Smart was well under 1000kgs

Would the kingham manage? It's a 2013 model so I think it's the 120hp engine. 

Thanks

Provide you have A Frame which gives operational braking on the car, should not be a problem. What is the Braked Trailer mass for your Kingham, 2500 kg?

Thanks. I've checked the autosleeper manual. It's says maximum braked trailer mass is 3000kg. (Unbraked 750kg).

Just a thought . . . are you over 6 feet tall? Have you considered a Skoda Citigo?

Plenty of headroom for me at 6' 3". Can't reach the pedals if I push the seat right back. Considerably cheaper than a Smart and definitely cheaper if something goes wrong.

Good little car. Mrs Gromit uses ours as "her" car, and loves it.

Having blithered on a bit  to answer your question, we have the 130 bhp engine and it tows the Citigo with no problem at all. I do change down to fifth on any sort of serious incline, but there's plenty of power to spare. (I'm a bit paranoid about straining the clutch so I try to keep the revs above 2000 minimum.)


We have an electronic braking A-Frame with full servo assistance. Not cheap, but the A-Frame itself is very light and compact, and full powered braking on the toad gives peace of mind - and far more chance of stopping in an emergency!!

Hi. I'm a bit of a Smart expert and fancy getting a decent original style one. Also I only need 2 seats. I know they are a bit expensive to repair but I can do lots DIY. They are very light so shouldn't strain the Kingham. Car-a-tow have a couple for sale already converted with the A-frame and they look to be good value. Thanks.

Their A-Frame is a lump, and weighs a ton!! That may not bother you, but we find the lightweight frame from Smart Tow a great advantage when hitching and un-hitching.

If you fancy a browse [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and Mike at Smart Tow is a lovely chap to deal with. He leans strongly toward Smarts, and I know he sometimes has converted models for sale as he asked (too late, unfortunately) if we would sell him our previous toad when we bought a new one.

He's one of the nicest people I've dealt with too - nothing is too much trouble.

Hope this is of interest.

Caravan towed by a 120Hp car would be a far better option......................!
Hard hat now on!

IanH wrote:Caravan towed by a 120Hp car would be a far better option......................!
Hard hat now on!

You can use a motorhome like a caravan, but you can't use a caravan like a motorhome!    

IanH wrote:Caravan towed by a 120Hp car would be a far better option......................!
Hard hat now on!

Ian, not quite my take on it but i was surprised to see a PVC like a Kingham looking to tow a car...
i thought the idea of a small, slim van like the Kingham to be easy to drive, take off site for days out etc, negating the need (and cost and hassle) of a second vehicle on site...
ive seen some PVC's towing a caravan. to give (perhaps) a variation from long stays in the caravan to long weekends (or more) without it...
i was surprised to see that Grommit towed a car with a tiny Nuevo, another (i thought, wrongly?) go anywhere van.
BTW, Ian have you recently moved to the dark side of motorhoming and i to the light by dumping CT? 
if so, nice to catch up with you...

I get all of your points but I'm not your regular camper. 

I never use campsites hence a small van - as it can be parked just about anywhere. I like to run up in the hills then stay over. If a pub is nearby then even better. 

I want to tow a Smart car because I like to do long distance point to point running. Meaning drop the van off at the run destination, then drive the car to the start. Then go back and collect the Smart. 

I've just entered the Sandstone Trail running race which is 34 miles and with the van/Smart combo I can practise big sections without needing lifts or having to run out an back. 

I told you I wasn't a normal camper. :)

Oh, Gromit - thanks for that info. I will look at that option! :)

bolero boy wrote:i was surprised to see that Grommit towed a car with a tiny Nuevo, another (i thought, wrongly?) go anywhere van.

It may be of interest to others considering a toad if I briefly outline some of our reasoning.

The Nuevo is just as wide as any other van, so it's not such a "go anywhere" vehicle as you might think. No matter how long the van, if the door mirrors will go through the gap it's almost certain the rest of it will follow.

Parking is the major problem, such as when visiting the sister in law in South Wales. It would be a real pain with the van, and would involve a walk of about half a mile, whereas with the Citigo we can park in her driveway.

A recent holiday in Northumberland was another scenario. We were with friends in their van, and I have to say the towing parts of the holiday were no fun on the often very narrow roads, but we only had to unhitch and reverse once!!   While on campsites the little car was invaluable for mooching around the "must see" sights, many of which would again have created parking problems with the van.

I confess that 30 years of caravanning probably left me with a mind set, by which I am still reluctant to go out for the day in the van. I've heard a number of ex caravanners express the same feelings. Daft I know, but difficult to shake off. 

If I had to single out the biggest advantage to having the small car with us (when we are staying put for several days), it's the ease of parking. And as another friend is fond of saying, "The fact that you have a toad doesn't mean you have to drag it with you on every trip." 

Dave, thanks for that....you sound like perfect candidates for electric bikes...

bolero boy wrote:Dave, thanks for that....you sound like perfect candidates for electric bikes...

Had them for several years, for when we don't take the car.

Particularly useful in France. I wouldn't want to tow the car there, even if it was without risk. On what is usually a touring holiday it would be a pain in the backside, so while we are able and want to take touring holidays, the motorhome suits us best.

If (or when) we can no longer go abroad we may well go back to a caravan - assuming we are still fit enough for that mode of holiday. Life styles have to change, and it's what suits one's needs at any one time.