(first posted 6/23/2014) Why carry a spare tire on the back of one’s RV when a spare car fits almost as well? Posted at the Cohort by Johnh875.
Cohort Sighting: The smart Spare
– Posted on July 11, 2020
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Curbside Classics Archives
Brilliant! But I’m not sure I’d want that much weight way back there (and that high off the ground) on my motorhome. Give me a bicycle for use at the campground and those short runs to the nearest Gas ‘N Grub for a microwaved burrito.
Yeah, at first I thought it was the first time I could find a good use for a Smart car. But you are correct, that doesn’t seem like a good place to carry that much weight.
I suppose it’s not much different than a couple of ATVs or a large side-by-side in a toy hauler though.
I don’t think the overhang was longer than a pantech body that the truck might have worn in its ‘working’ life, and there is probably less weight involved too.
My reaction, too. I’d hate to be driving that thing in a crosswind.
It’s nice to see the Smart’s short design actually meeting its design goal.
IIRC, the whole point of that car was that it could be parked perpendicular to the curb where other cars must be parallel-parked. Which is awesome…except that in the U.S. it has larger bumpers that stick out a few inches too far, and you’d likely get a ticket for trying it anyway.
Yes…I once got nabbed for parking the wrong way (I think I parallel parked but the spot was supposed to be pull-in parking)…in the city I live in. I couldn’t see the stripes on the road, and there were no other cars parked nearby, so I had no reference…tried to fight it, but of course they always find another infraction, they then claimed I parked too close to the intersection of the street (carry a measuring tape when you drive? I guess you should).
I think I actually saw an even more impressive sight (no camera though, alas) where a guy was pulling a sailboat behind his motorhome and also somehow had his smartcar (I think it was on the same trailer as the sailboat.) Gave me the impression he was taking his “toys” for a ride all at the same time (though I’m sure he wanted to cover all his recreational bases while camping)
I’ve seen photos of Smartcars carried on the back of large diesel pusher RVs with tag axles; some of those have enough payload and more.
Smartcars are popular with people who haul large 5th wheels with semi tractors; carrying the car on a deck on the tractor behind the cab
This is the first time a Smart Car didn’t annoy the hell out of me.
This answers the question nobody has asked: Can something be Smart and dinghy at the same time?
Apparently yes. Large private boats sometimes carry small boats on the back for running people and supplies back and forth from the shore. This Smart is the dinghy to this RV.
Good trick though I’d prefer to A bar tow a dinghy than carry it.
Oh goodie an RV with even more junk to clutter the road when the completely unskilled driver inevitably rolls it over. Can’t wait to be stuck in that traffic jam on my next road trip.
I hear that in places like Mexico the turn signal is used to signal following drivers when it is safe for them to pass. That could explain the bumper stickers. Sure is a cool sighting, wonder what Class of Motorhome it is riding on?
Aren’t the stickers just to warn of the extra overhang? Don’t they use turn signals for that in the US? Here in the UK, if you indicate left on a country road you’re telling people behind you to pass.
Good to know about the UK. I slow down,use my four-way flashers, and wave someone by if they want to pass.
It was shot in Australia, and it’s actually a converted medium-sized truck, according to the comment left with the photo.
FWIW, I think that in Europe (or at least Germany), cars are not allowed to be towed behind RV trailers. Instead, they actually have to be enclosed ‘inside’ the trailer. In effect, you have to have a garage attached to your travel trailer/RV if you want to bring along a car.
Those stickers are standard on Australian trucks. The larger version attached are a more visual representation referring to the wider radius of the truck’s overhang when turning. The imagery is a bit abstract, but I never overtake turning trucks anymore.
That reminds me of a horrible crash I witnessed in Geelong about ten years ago. A semi was turning left at an intersection, and someone thought she’d be smart and turn left next to the semi – despite these placards! Lights turn green, the truck takes off and the body of the trailer swung across the bonnet of the car and up into the A-pillar. I’ll never forget the crunching of metal, popping of glass and the screams from inside. She wasn’t hurt, but the truck driver was treated for shock.
Never underestimate other drivers’ potential stupidity.
For full size RVs, using Mini moke may be a better option. With the screen folded, it may be about to fit inside the belly of RVs?
http://02a3147.netsolhost.com/images/mini-moke-military-2-lrg.jpg
Is that an Australian number (licence) plate I see?
I work in the RV industry here in Aus, I might see that on the driveway yet.
Yes it was in Tasmania, a few years ago. I don’t think I got a close enough look to ID the truck as an Isuzu/Mitsubishi/Hino from the side/rear, but from the size of the truck – the actual RV section must have been about 15′ long – it could have easily had a 20,000lb gross mass.
Given there is a lot of fresh air inside the RV section I don’t think 17-1800lb of Smart car would tax it.
Looks like a Tasmanian plate …
I can’t believe I’m going to be the first to say it….
Well, there’s a Smart solution.
Que: groans.
I refuse to make a smart ass comment.
hehehe
You win
At last, a practical application for a Smart car.
Must have missed this the first time around.
Back in the early 70’s I saw a snippet in Popular Mechanics or similar about a guy who had a Honda 600 and created an enclosed space at the rear of his motorhome that he drove the car in sideways.
See my comment from six years ago about European RV ‘toad’ requirements, i.e., the spare vehicle must be kept ‘inside’ the motorhome.
That is a smart “ass” car.
The other day we learned about “toads” from fellow CC’er. Importamation.
Would this be more like a “remora?” 😉
Will those wheels fit an early Renault ?
To quote Al Cervik –
“HEY JUDGE! My dinghy is bigger than your whole boat!”
Youre allowed 3 metres behind the rearmost axis on length so that rig would be legal and two pallets of frieght in the same position would weigh a double a smart car it wouldnt alter the truck’s road behaviour much at all.