Parts Needed to Flat Tow 2012 Smart fortwo
Question:
Hi Team! My wife and I are a couple of RV newbies. We just bought a 32foot BT Cruiser, model 5316, Ford E450 chassis and V10 engine. Info on the BTC says it has a 5,000 lb hitch with 7-way connect and brake controller.inch FYI, the bottom of the 2x2 hitch opening is 16inch off the pavement. The BTC came equipped with the Curt Discovery Brake Controller, model 51120, mounted under the dash and wired back to the hitch. We want to tow a 2012 Smart ForTwo, four down. We need to have a manual battery disconnect switch installed on the Smart car. They dont want the computer waking up and finding its traveling 65 mph in Neutral. Its said to panic and lock all four tires. From reading your great earlier response regarding the Toyota Tacoma towing the same car I think we need Blue Ox model # BX1987 base plate, the Alpha tow bar # BX7365 and a Roadmaster # RM-154 light kit or the magnetic light kit C-ATL20A. Please confirm. Im at a loss as to what I need to buy to activate the brakes in the car. Also, if we want to hang a couple bikes on the back of the BTC, should we buy the Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver? Then the lower hitch would be for the car and the upper for the bike rack? Only two bikes. One is a womans. What bike rack would you recommend? We have a well-respected local mechanic who says theyve never done it before, but theyll install the baseplate and run the wiring. Any idea what that should cost?
asked by: Dennis S
Expert Reply:
Let's start with a base plate kit for your 2012 Smart Fortwo. For that you want the part # 52285-1 which is confirmed as a fit.
In addition to the base plates, you will also need a compatible tow bar, safety cables, lighting, and supplemental braking to flat tow your vehicle. The most popular compatible tow bar is the Falcon 2, # RM-520. For safety cables you can use # RM-643. The coiled design helps keep the cables off of the ground.
For lighting you can use the diode kit, # RM-15267, and not have to worry about cutting into the taillight housing. This will splice into your taillight wiring to allow your tow vehicle to control the taillight assemblies of the towed vehicle. This comes with a round 6-way connector that you will install on the front of your towed vehicle and enough coiled wire to go from there to the RV.
And finally, most states now require supplemental braking in the vehicle being flat towed. The easiest system to set up and use is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR, that applies 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. Your brake controller is not used at all for this.
Most likely you will also need a high low adapter so that the tow bar will be level when you are flat towing. I attached a link to a page that has all of the ones we carry.
I have included a couple of helpful links to our articles on flat towing for you. Be sure to consult the vehicle owners manual for more specific information on flat towing your vehicle.
A dual hitch adapter like the part # RM-077-4 would work great for allowing you to carry a bike rack and tow your vehicle.
For a bike rack the part # TH9058 would work great for two bikes. To carry the woman's bike you'll want the frame adapter bar part # UB01 as well since they do not have level top tubes.
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
Blue Ox Patriot Portable Flat Tow Brake System - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- Recurring Set-Up
- Portable System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Air Brakes
- Air Over Hydraulic Brakes
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Blue Ox
more information >
Roadmaster Dual Hitch Receiver Adapter, 2" or 4" Drop/Rise
- Hitch Adapters
- Dual Hitch Adapter
- Bike Racks
- Cargo Carriers
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- 2 Inch Rise/Drop
- 4 Inch Rise/Drop
- 10000 lbs
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Diode 7-Wire to 6-Wire Flexo-Coil Wiring Kit
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6000 lbs
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Crossbar
- Fits Roadmaster Base Plates - Direct Connect
- Stores on RV
- Standard
- Roadmaster
more information >
RoadMaster 68" Single Hook, Coiled Safety Cables - 6,000 lbs
- Safety Cables
- Coiled Cables
- 68 Inch Long
- 6000 lbs GTW
- Snap Hooks
- Coated Cables
- Roadmaster
more information >
Kuat Ubar Bike Frame Adapter Bar for Women's and Alternative Frame Bikes
- Accessories and Parts
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Spare Tire Bike Racks
- Trunk Bike Racks
- Adapter Bar
- Frame
- Kuat
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Roadmaster EZ Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Roadmaster
more information >
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Instructions
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