If you own or are considering a Smart Car and you’re looking to pull your rig, you’re probably wondering: can a Smart Car pull a trailer?
Yes, a Smart Car can tow a camper or trailer up to 1,600 pounds.
There are additional factors you’ll need to consider when pulling a trailer camper with your Smart Car which we’ll cover below.
Pulling A Trailer With A Smart Car
So, can a Smart Car tow a camper? Yes: the Smart Car towing capacity is 1,600 pounds, so as long as your trailer, camper, toy hauler, travel trailer, or pop-up camper is under 1,600 lbs your Smart Car can successfully tow it.
Now we need to explore the additional factors you’ll need to keep in mind when towing a trailer with your Smart Car.
Smart Car Tow Hitch Details
Does The Smart Car Come With A Tow Package?
The Smart Car does not come with a tow hitch included, so you’ll need to add one yourself or have one installed professionally.
Smart Car Trailer Towing: What Do I Need?
At minimum you’ll need a trailer hitch and wiring harness to tow your camper behind your Smart Car.
Do I Need A Brake Controller To Pull A Camper With A Smart Car?
If your travel trailer or camper has electronic brakes then you’ll also need a brake controller to send a signal from your vehicle to the brakes on your trailer.
Most states have laws stating that any trailer over 3,000 pounds must have a brake controller, but check with your state for specifics.
You do not need a brake controller because the Smart Car can only tow up to 1,600 pounds.
Smart Car Hitch Cost
Smart Car Trailer Hitch & Wiring Harness Cost
Smart Car trailer hitches run between $275-$400.
Take a look at this recommended Smart Car Hitch Kit:
- Made in USA
- 2 Inch receiver opening
- Black powder coat finish
- Ball mount and ball sold separately
- See product description below for ratings and details
Smart Car Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed on your Smart Car (including the hitch and wiring harness).
Smart Car Brake Controller Cost
Smart Car brake controllers cost between $100-200 for the part, and up to $250 for the installation of the brake controller.
Can You Put A Trailer Hitch On A Smart Car? Smart Car Tow Hitch Installation
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Smart Car trailer hitch installation:
What Else Will I Need To Pull A Trailer With My Smart Car?
Depending on what trailer or camper you’ll be towing with your Smart Car, you may opt for a suspension enhancement kit to reduce rear-end sag and to improve your ride quality and stability.
Additionally, if your trailer or camper has electric brakes then you’ll need a 7-way connector and brake controller kit.
What Trailers And Campers Can A Smart Car Pull?
Your Smart Car can pull a trailer, camper, or pop-up camper under 1,600 pounds which is going to be most ultra lightweight campers.
The Smart Car can safely tow the following travel trailer and camper models under 1,600 lbs:
Smart Car Trailer Options
- Happier Camper HC1
- Palomino Palomini
- Jayco Hummingbird
- Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro
- Taxa Outdoors TigerMoth
Smart Car Camper Picks
- Forest River Flagstaff E-Pro
- InTech RV Flyer
- Riverside Retro
Smart Car Teardrop Trailer Choices
- LG MyPod
- Pika Teardrop Trailer
- NuCamp Tag
This is by no means a full list, but the above are some popular examples of campers that can be towed by a Smart Car.
When determining what travel trailers you can pull behind your Smart Car, you’ll want to know the following specs:
- UVM (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) aka Dry Weight: This is the weight of a trailer as it’s manufactured at the factory. This figure includes all the weight including the axles and hitch of your trailer or camper.
- Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC): This is the maximum weight of your personal belongings that can be added. This is the GVWR minus the UVM, full fresh water tank weight, and full LP (liquid propane) gas weight. In other words, CCC = GWVR – (UVM + water + gas).
- Tongue Weight aka Hitch Weight: This is the amount of weight that’s pressing down on your vehicle’s hitch or 5th wheel connection when your travel trailer or camper is fully loaded for travel.
The most important factor to look for is the dry weight or UVM of your travel trailer or camper and making sure it’s below 1,600 lbs so your Smart Car can safely tow it.
Understand that if it’s close to that number, you must also factor in any additional weight added to your trailer via cargo, water, or propane tanks and make sure the total does not exceed 1,600 pounds.
Smart Car Towing Capacity
So, how much can a Smart Car tow?
The Smart Car can tow up to 1,600 pounds.
- Smart Car Towing Capacity: 1,600 lbs
- Smart Car GVWR: 1,550 lbs
You’ll want to pay attention to the following specs to make sure your Smart Car can tow your camper or travel trailer:
- CGWR (Combined Gross Weight Rating): This is the max allowable weight including your vehicle, cargo, passengers, and the trailer.
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): This is the maximum weight capacity of your vehicle including the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo without a trailer or camper attached. Exceeding either or both of the Smart Car GVWR or Smart Car towing capacity can damage the vehicle.
Can A Smart Car Pull A Trailer? Wrapping Things Up
Hopefully this guide helped you to understand that yes, you can pull a trailer with a Smart Car as long as you pay close attention to the total weight (the camper or travel trailer must be under 1,600 pounds).
Smart Car models don’t come with a towing package installed, so you’ll need to add one to the vehicle. Once complete, you’re ready to hit the road and get camping!
What hitch and wiring harness did you choose for your Smart Car, and what camper or trailer are you towing with it? How did the hitch installation go? Let your fellow campers know in the comments below.
While you’re here, check out our other helpful RV repair guides:
- What to do if your RV water pump keeps running
- How to perform RV toilet foot pedal repair
- Our guide to RV roof reseal cost
- What to do if your RV heater is blowing cold air
- How to fix an RV microwave not working
- Our guide to motorhome fuel pump replacement
- How to replace RV window glazing bead
- How to fix an RV toilet not holding water
- How to fix a sagging RV slide out
- Preparing for an RV one night freeze
