Towing with a forfour

[herman1rg]

As the title says couple of questions,

Can you get tow bars to fit a forfour?

If you can, which would be the best engine for towing?

Finally as Putzie's fortwo and crossblade can tow his small caravan I would expect if a forfour could tow one of these (or similar)?

http://www.thebedbug.co.uk/

[starkie]

Re: Towing with a forfour

the forfour, being a 'proper car' (awaits aabuse for saying that), will tow anything say a corsa or any other car can

[starkie]

Re: Towing with a forfour

oh and best engine would be highest torque..so deisel or brabus

[lil.smartie]

Re: Towing with a forfour

I've towed with my cdi Forfour. IIRC 800kgs is the limit for the CDi and 750 kgs for the petrol. Towbar won't fit with Brab rear apron.


Kate

[El Stig]

Re: Towing with a forfour

You can tow with a forfour but the braked towing limit is 750kg which is quite low. Part of this will likely be down to the general lightweight nature of the forfour where under the 85% towing guide even the heaviest diesels would struggle to justify more than 900kg on the hitch.

My friend has an Eriba Puck which is a lovely little 'van and ideal for the forfour; they hold their price well (hers is 14 years old and cost £4K) but the quality is simply incredible, being part of the Hymer group (manufacturer of big 'vans and motorhomes) you can tell it's been made by people who know what they are doing. She uses her partners Renault Kangoo 1.5dCI 68 van which has a braked limit of 800kg.

As for which one to choose I don't think it makes much difference in weight terms but for performance the 1.5CDI models will likely be best; shame that (IMHO) they sound like a Washing Machine filled with gravel! I'd be looking at a 1.3 or 1.5 petrol.

Either that or an Audi A2 ops:

p.s. it's worth finding out how much a tow bar costs for the forfour - I was tempted for my A2 but the £650 charged by Audi (requires removal of rear sections of the car and no after-market fitter will touch 'em) put me off.

Edit: Sorry, didn't realise it was 800kg for the diesel (sorry Kate) which does makes sense

[alison1rg]

Re: Towing with a forfour

Having seen Putzie's little van, Herman and I are quite taken with the idea of a micro caravan ( but a bit bigger than Putzie's - we love each other but not that much )

We would like to keep our towing vehicle in the smart family, so are thinking a forfour would be cool.

[H Palmer]

Re: Towing with a forfour

If you use a site that is dedicated to the forfour the answers would be very clear ;-)

http://www.forfourowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=3081&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

That is the info on towbars and cavarans options.

Just checked the manual it's 500kg unbraked and 750kg braked throughout the engine range.

[Ferrina]

Re: Towing with a forfour

I sense a "little guy" might be on the cards Herman?? They are only 400kg, so your safe.

[putzie]

Re: Towing with a forfour

these are looking quite nice but not with a fortwo pulling it , should be ok for a forfour though!

http://www.teardroptrailers.biz/

[Ferrina]

Re: Towing with a forfour

Not so sure about those, they look too plasticy and that all glass door must be cold at night? I like the way it sits on those Mini Revolutions!!

[putzie]

Re: Towing with a forfour

it needs more piccies as there is none of the inside which is also a fairly important part methinks , my advise before you buy anything is also see if you can borrow one for the weekend and see how you get on towing it , sleep in it and make sure it does what you actually want it too!, i was lucky with mine cause i didnt do any of the above , all i did was sort out the car insurance and then buy it , then was under pressure to sort out the tow bar so i could actually collect it !! , no regrets though even if it has been a very contraversial subject!

[drageron]

Re: Towing with a forfour

Not enough room in a teardrop for me! Ive just bought this, a Bailey Cheiftain. It weighs in at 620kilos which gives me enough scope to carry gas, battery, awning, bedding, and basic supplies, (ie.. cup of tea and sandwich when we first set up, till we get to the shop!)

[drageron]

Re: Towing with a forfour

I've towed with my cdi Forfour. IIRC 800kgs is the limit for the CDi and 750 kgs for the petrol. Towbar won't fit with Brab rear apron.


Kate

On the plate and in the book it says maximum towing weight is 750kg. I have also got a detachable towbar that does fit with the Brabus rear splitter.

[Messerschmitt Owner]

Re: Towing with a forfour

you should stick to the 85% rule and not tow more than 85% of the car's weight or its plated figure, if that is less.

[Ferrina]

Re: Towing with a forfour

We are thinking of getting a German T@b caravan next year. We're going to the NEC show to have a looky see. Under 600kg for the off-road spec version and a huge bed!