Smart-Trailers.co.uk - Leaders in Smart Towing

Many of our customers have not bought a trailer for towing a car on before and often ask the same sensible questions. Here I have tried to answer some of the most frequently asked questions and offer some advice on what you may wish to ask the competition when comparing products!

What are the differences between the trailers you offer and their options?

Please see our "Trailers" page for a more detailed explanation of the choice of quality components used and the differences between the "XCountry" and the "Brooklands"..

Why are Smart-Trailers so inexpensive?

Smart-Trailers are manufactured at our site in the midlands, where much of the UK's manufacturing industry resides. Unlike some of our competition we do not go in for high tech glass and alloy buildings on expensive estates. We have a small unit in an out of town industrial estate with low overheads. Much of the machinery is bought and paid for. We do not indulge in expensive advertising or glossy brochures! = Maximum Derived Value.
We prefer to pass the savings on to you.

Why do you use such high specification wheels and tyres?

We now offer AL-KO Kober components on our basic models, using 13" four stud wheels on an AL-KO axle and a pressed steel hitch. These components compete favourably with other trailer manufacturers and allows us to be unbeatable in terms of maximum derived value.

The Bradley upgrade option includes the Doublelock Hydratow Mk3, cast alloy hitch with hardened locking bolt and jockey wheel integrated into the casting. We used to use just Bradley components as standard. We did this as many of our customers traveled south for the winter and had asked us over the years to give them that little extra safety margin. The upgrade 12 inch wheels option are rated at 900Kg capacity each. These allow the whole rig to sit slightly lower than 13" wheels and thus lowers the centre of gravity helping to improve stability.

The Bradley components are available as a low cost upgrade option. Please see About Our Trailers for more details.

Can I open both doors of my smart car when it is on the trailer?

Yes! We mount the trailer spare wheel well forward on the chassis where it does not interfere with the opening of either door on the smart car. You can also mount the spare wheel on either side of the trailer to suit your preference. You can also mount a spare smart car wheel on the other side of the trailer and neither will stop you from fully opening the car doors!

Why do you use pre-galvanised steel?

We believe that pre-galv gives a better finish than hot dip. The manufacturing process "wipes" the galv across any punched holes and results in a better standard of construction.
It is our view that hot dip distorts manufactured parts, leaves a non-uniform finish and the heat shock could weaken the fold lines leading to cracking with age.

Why don't you fit a winch as standard?

In discussion with our customers we have found that all smart car owners drive their cars on and off the trailer. Only our customers with veteran or vintage cars use a winch. Hence we do not fit one as standard thus saving you money.
However, we can fit one at any time, as an option, in 15 to 20 minutes if you require.

Do I need special straps for securing my smart car?

Smart-Trailers can supply heavy duty ratchet straps with hooks on each end. These straps comprise a "choker" that pulls across the face of the wheel allowing the body of the strap to form a tight cradle around each wheel. Recommended.

What do you mean by "forward loading"?

The smart car has its engine at the back. Ordinary trailers tend to have their axles in the centre of the bed. Putting a smart car on an ordinary trailer will mean that too much of the smart cars weight is too far back leading to light or negative nose weight that will affect the handling of the tow vehicle. Some people try to overcome this problem by reversing the smart car onto the trailer - this will alleviate the problem but is hardly convenient. Smart-Trailers are designed from the outset with the axle positioned correctly to balance the CoG of the car with the nose weight of the trailer, thus allowing forward loading plus safe, easy and legal towing.

Can I use an 'A' Frame instead of a trailer, is it legal?

A simple question, unfortunately the answer is complex, and there are many "experts" in your local pub who will wax lyrical on the subject in return for a few pints.

The problem comes from the difference in English law, where everything tends to be allowed if it is not expressly forbidden, and Continental law, where everything tends to be forbidden unless it is expressly allowed. Hence 'A' Frames should be considered unlawful in Europe as they are not expressly allowed, for the use that motorhomers tend to use them for.
But the UK situation is unclear.

The UK situation relies on the Trailer Construction & Use Regulations with the 'A' Frame turning the car into a trailer. The Regs require certain braking performance that the car cannot meet unless its engine is providing the power assisted brakes, and that you can reverse the whole rig "under control" which I have never been able to do with an 'A' Frame castoring effect!!

Two things I can say:
1. If you tow your new smart on its own wheels for more than 30 miles or at a speed above 30 mph you will invalidate any Daimler-Chrysler warranty.
2. If you tow your smart car on a trailer there is no question that it is legal and you will not subject your car to unnecessary wear and tear.

Remember "A trailer is still the only provably legal way to tow your car"

Motorcaravan & Motorhome Monthly printed an EXCELLENT article by Mel Eastburn on the subject of Towing and A-Frames in their September 2004 Issue.
I am indebted to the Author and Publisher for allowing us to reproduce it here..