Parts Needed to Flat Tow a 2015 Smart Car Behind a Motor Home
Updated 10/04/2013 | Published 10/03/2013
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Question:
I need to tow my car 4 down behind my motor home. What will I need? It is a 2015 Smart car. The RV has a 7 pole connector. Thanks.
asked by: Michael
Expert Reply:
To flat tow your 2015 Smart car behind your motor home you will need base plates on the car, a compatible tow bar to connect the car to the RV, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking.
For base plates I recommend the Roadmaster EZ base plates # 52285-1. These base plates feature removable arms so that the base plates can't be seen when you are just driving the Smart car like normal.
For a compatible tow bar I recommend the Falcon 2, # RM-520. It is a very popular tow bar and features a convenient Autowlok locking mechanism and quick disconnects for effortless, one-person mounting and removal. I have linked a video review of this tow bar for you.
You may also need a high/low adapter to tow the vehicle level. I have included a link to the adapters we carry and a link to a help article that explains how to measure to select the right one.
For safety cables I recommend # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.
For lighting I recommend the 4-diode kit # RM-154. Once it is installed you will not have to worry about again. And since the RV has a 7-Way trailer connector at the back I also recommend using coiled umbilical kit # HM47054. One end plugs into a 7-Way on the RV and the other end plugs into the 6-Way included with the kit. Just remove the 4-Way and attach the wires from that front 4-Way to the 6-Way. The 6-Way is labeled and the wire functions are white for ground, brown for tail lights, yellow for left turn/brake lights and green for right turn/brake lights.
It also looks like the battery will have to be disconnected to flat tow your Smart car. Consult the vehicle owner's manual to confirm. To provide a maintenance charge to the battery you can connect a length of 12 gauge wire, # 12-1-1, from the 12 volt pin on the 6-Way from the umbilical kit to the positive battery terminal.
And finally, most states now require supplemental braking on the vehicle being flat towed. One of the preferred systems for our installers and what I recommend is the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO proportional system, # SM99251 with pedal clamp # SM99602. It will apply the vehicle brakes in proportion to how much the tow vehicle is braking. This is the safest way to stop and it reduces wear and tear on both vehicles.
Be sure to consult your vehicle owners manual for specific information on flat towing the vehicle. I have also included some helpful links to our series of help articles on flat towing for you.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Tow Bar Base Plate
- Removable Draw Bars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Completely Hidden
- Roadmaster
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