I Found The PERFECT Vehicle To Tow Behind RV!!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ธ.ค. 2020
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My name is Eric and I travel with my cat, “Jax” in a 2012 Coachmen Mirada 32BH Class A Motorhome on a Ford Super Duty truck chassis. (V10 Triton) We travel about 35 miles a day chasing 70 degrees year-round since 2010. I travel with a 2009 Honda CMX 250 on the back of my RV on a Titan Ramp 600lb carrier. Bike goes 78mph and gets 70mpg. Here is my gear & some popular questions answered:
Gear: (UPDATED 2019)*
*Video: Panasonic Lumix G95
*Main Vlog Lens: 12-60mm Kit lens (100% manual focus)
*Stabilizer: Zhiyun Crane 2 (For B-Roll)
*Audio: (On Camera) Rode VideoMic Pro+ With Rycote VMP+ Deadcat
*GoPro 7 Black for water/action shots & Timewarps, Timelapses, & Starlapses
*GoPro Hero 6 Silver with Purple Panda Lavalier Lapel mic for Driving Narration
*GoPro Hero 4 Black for driving shots out the front window.
Time Lapses: 2 second intervals. Sped up 1200x, cropped 4K down to 1080 for panning
Night Lapses: Manual settings: 800 ISO, 30 second Shutter, 3000K WB, Protune On
Slow Motion: Shot 1080p 240fps. Reduced to 8% in Post Production
Additional Audio: Sony ICD-PX333
Editing Laptop: 2019 16” MacBook Pro 2.4GHz 8-Core i9 ~ 64GB Ram ~ 2TB SSD
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Editing Encoder: Adobe Encoder - Presets: MP4 VBR H.264 16mbps
Aerial Drone Shots: DJI Mavic Air Shot in 2.7K Downscaled to 1080p
RV MPG: 7-8mpg depending on generator use.
Solar: 1280 Watts (320x4) Rec N-Peak Monocrystalline 120 cell panels on roof.
Charge Controller: Victron MPPT 150/85-TR
Inverter/Charger: Victron 3000 watt MultiPlus
Batteries: Battle Born Lithium 100ah x 5 = 500 amp hours.
Mobile Wifi: AT&T Unlimited Business Plan & Verizon Unlimited Cell Personal Line
Music: / audiolibrary & www.epdiemicsound.com
Jax is a MaineCoon/Ragdoll Tabby mix. Born April 21st 2010.
Tennessee Hayride by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
I think it makes great sense for you to tow this behind the RV, as it is much safer than a motorcycle, and you can drive it in any weather conditions.
Kent
Actually it is more dangerous than a motorcycle. On a motorcycle you get thrown off in many accidents. In those you are trapped inside it. If I was him I would just take it on the side walks .
The Smart car is safer than my Harley.
@@LarryTaint-qn8pd it’s meat over metal vs metal over meat. No comparison.
I was thinking that. I mean if you hit head on with a semi at least the smart car offers more protection than a motorcycle. So.....what's the difference in his motorcycle and the smart car?? more protection. and....whatever makes him happy is what he needs to drive.
Facts
And weather proof 👍
Safer but these cars are incredibly poorly built and rife with mechanical transmission and electrical issues
Worked with a guy at AT&T who was 6’ 8” and said he could comfortably fit into one with headroom!
Yep. My 6’4” husband is a mechanic. He needs his shorter coworker to drive a nineties model integra into the shop but fits into a smart car just fine.
No complaints here Eric. Looks about the same as my recliner.
But does your recliner have a tailgate? 😉
Lmbo
Just dont drink an sleep in the drivers seat,lol
To funny
I have a female friend she has a smart car she loves it plenty of leg room for the passenger. I saw the aftermath of two semi trucks after a head-on collision neither one survived it doesn't matter what you're driving
Eric you need to add a large windup key on the back. That would be awesome.
Or a big coin like a penny racer
... or a Hot Wheel’s track❗️🚗
LOL That was a great one!!!
Or Macky ears and tail.
Wings...
A welder/machinist will gladly create the “baseplate” for you.
Send him a guy
I know someone down where he is at, if he were in Chicago, I would help him out
@@richard.alber.6137 Is that a Vice Grip Garage reference?
@@hfvhf987 No it is used to connect it to a tow hitch. For towing.
@@VickyGeagan yeah I know what it's for, I think the 'guy' reference was referring to vice grip garage, another TH-cam channel
Congrats on the new car. I have a Sprinter Van (Mercedes Benz) and the transmission is the same style. I would call it a automatic that does manual rather than a manual that does automatic, but that is probably more semantics then anything. Most people drive it in normal automatic mode, but you can push it into a semi-manual mode. I call it "semi" because the automatic features are partly still there even in full automatic mode. For instance if you are driving at 70MPH and switch to semi-manual mode, you will be in whatever the highest gear is (on the sprinter that is 5'th). You can downshift to 4'th from 5'th, but ONLY if your speed is within the range that the automatic transmission thinks is acceptable. The same goes for upshifting. If you are going 10MPH and try to shift up to 5'th, the transmission will refuse to let you. I think it is a great system. I drive my Sprinter in full automatic 90% of the time, but I do switch to semi-manual to handle things like steep downgrades where I want to downshift to hold back my speed without chewing up my breaks. I can also use it on upgrades where I want to drop a gear or two to gain more power. In general, the fully automatic gives me the best MPG so I never switch it out to semi-manual unless there is a specific need, but it sure is great that I can switch it when I need it. Does the Smart car have the same limiting factors such as preventing shifting at speeds that would be inappropriate?
Actually, that is one of the few cars where you could survive a head-on with a Semi. It is basically a NASCAR Roll Cage with a car built around it.
Fun fact: 'Täter tot' means 'perpetrator dead' in german.
Love the car 🚙 just what you needed 👍🏻
Bruh....that’s an automatic. Automatics shift automatically regardless
Yep, our Subaru has that gear override also..its still an automatic though.
What a sales men
@BadDriversOfTennessee no its not i own a 2013 myself it has a real clutch like a disk clutch and it wares out like a regular clutch would do and it shafts the same as a standard would do lol
Eric, nothing wrong with "Smart Cars". They are actually safer than a lot of other Cars on the Rods. As an example I watched one get clipped on a main Road. The Car that hit the "Smart Car" was moving at a high rate of speed when it changed lanes and hit the front right Quarter Panel of the "Smart Car" pushing it to the side and causing it to hit a Traffic Island. This caused the Car to flip and roll down the Road while spinning.
The result of this crash was the Passenger Compartment of the Car was not crushed in. Those Steel Side Supports work like a Roll Cage. Neither the Driver nor the Passenger were injured other than Bruises when I helped the Fire Department extricate them.
As for towing the Car. Is there any way to get a shorter Car Hauler Trailer? This would, I believe, be better for your Car. (Much less wear on the Drive Train.) Plus you might even be able to fit the Bike on there which would give you options while on the Road.
I always thought those smart cars are perfect for RV people. Good for you man.
I actually happen to think those cars are awesome! Perfectly designed for being towed by RVs because of their light weight.
Yeehaw! You got the perfect car! I had the electric one and loved it. Nimble, fast when needed, and SAFE. 3 steel bands around where you pointed out plus 2 crosswise front and back. I saw a video of Toyota and a Smart hit a jersey barrier at 35mph. Toyota became an accordian. Doors still opened on the Smart. There was also a video of a semi trailer sitting on the top of a Smart. I did a A LOT of research about safety before pulling the trigger. I like how the tailgate drops down even with the floor and you can leave the tailgate closed and just open the upper part to load groceries. Got A LOT of teasing: Where's the other half? How are you going to carry your horse in that? I just laughed and gave answers suited to the stupidity of the questions. I laughed ALOT when sitting at a stop light and the person next to me thought he was gonna get out ahead of me. They ALL got left in the dust. The electric ones have all the torque available instantly from a stop. Tater tot is a hoot. And just plain perfect. Enjoy! Now for some sisterly advice...stop being defensive, defending your decisions and what you do or think or say. You don't have to answer to anyone. Period. That crap from folks goes with the territory. Just delete em and smile to yourself that you didn't give up any of your power to the ejits. Nuf sed!
Tater tot is adorable, I think it’s a “smart” purchase that will bring you much enjoyment 😀
Just looked on RVugrades, their website is showing (22) Blue Ox Smart Car baseplates in stock.
With how you're going to be using it and pulling it behind the rv, it sounds like you got a great deal and it will be helpful to you to have a car like that.
Much safer than a motorcycle. Nicest looking Smart Car I've seen. We were thinking about one as well. I have seen videos of people actually towing them on heavy duty landscape trailers. The benefit to not flat towing it is you can back up and maneuver the trailer. You can't back up a 4 down toad. You have to get out unhitch it and then rehitch it after you have backed up the RV and reposistioned it. The manual shift mode sounds almost like the way a motorcyle shifts. Safe travels Eric & Jax!
We tow a Jeep behind our motor home and love the freedom it gives us enjoy your new toad looks 😎
Congrats 🎉! May you have many exciting new adventures in your new ride.
Love tator tot, our smart car had paddle shifters like a sports car lol. The faster you take off the faster it will shift and there is also an upgrade for it to make it shift quicker
I am sure I told you a long time ago to get a tow vehicle. I think you made a good selection. You Tubers "Gone With the Wynns" towed a Smart Car for years, and they had two cats. Personally I tow a H3 Hummer, and it works great. The only other vehicle I would recommend is a Jeep because of the 4 x 4 like my Hummer. But I think you will like the Smart Car because it is so light, and don't think you will hardly notice towing it. Congratulations. I think you will love it because it will give you so much more versatility of movement, and exploring.
Erick: The smart car is really light you do not need an expensive tow bar. Get a generic towbar from Uhall or Harbor freight. With such a light toad you do not need a $3000.00 tow system. Your RV has plenty of power and break power for the smart car. Use magnetic lights on the car, same as towing a small boat. I looked up U-Hall and Harbor freight tow bars they are under $100.00 and have 5000 Lb capacity. U-Hall will install it for you. Car trailers and axil carriers are a pain in the B. Towing on all four you will forget the toad is there.
Awesome, I was wondering how long it would be before you got one.
I had one and loved it. The best tow behind vehicle you can get.
You could easily take both the bike and the smart car. The bike on the RV bumper and towing the car.
I watched this and I don't remember is I commented. I think this is a great choice, it's a safer option in weather and sight wise and locking up your stuff plus ability to take Jax, so have fun, looking forward to your adventures
People really underestimate how safe these little tanks are. Don't judge a book by its cover, a brand new tiny car you can barely fit into is multiple times safer than an old luxury sedan. That roll cage and the way it distributes force in case of a crash is so much safer than just having a bigger crumple zone. They don't feel very safe, especially on the highway when you hit a certain speed and everything starts rattling and you really feel every bit of wind pushing you, but they really are very safe.
I like that car ! F those Tater- Haters. Peacefrom510
Love it!!! AMEN!!
Just remember Eric, you can't straddle any road debris anymore. If you run over it with the RV you will destroy the front of the smart car. It sits very, very low.
Good point, I'd tow it on an auto trailer.
Congrats Eric and Jax, enjoy and be safe. Thanks for the vids !
That’s not a manual transmission. That’s an automatic. Pretty much 50% of automatics transmissions have that manual shift option .
They're actually manual transmissions that have an autoshifter basically bolted on to it.
Congrats, Eric! I think it was smart to get the Smart Car! 😉 Perfect car to zip around town with Jax. 💜
Any welding shop can make you a base plate.
Was thinking the same thing .
hey there eric , in the trucking industry those transmissions are called auto-shift ( standard trans but electronically shifted ) THEY HAD TO GO THAT ROUTE due to weight etc and the automattic (band style) could not handle it , Really a Good idea for those who just could not get double clutching Down & a Standard trans is less work most repairs ARE the clutch disc but with the computer shifting for you that should last a long time , NOW i am old school so it would noy be for me , but looks like you made a good choice
Awesome “toad”. Great choice in so many ways. Hot/cold weather and fun exploring. Makes the rv life so much more fun. Love motorcycles but they are mostly our fair weather friend❤️ Great decision! Enjoy!!!
You gonna love that car, I’m pulling a fiat 500. 😎💪🏼
I sold my 2009 Smart and bought a Fiat 500. :-)
I think you picked a great car also perfect for the nomads. I think you and Jax will be very happy driving around in it. Congrats to you both. Im loving your videos and whats to come.
One of the things I like about your channel is how open you are to change and new ideas. Go Eric!
So glad you got Tater Tot. We have a 2014 Chevy Spark (Daisy) manual, with 86,000 miles so you got a great deal. We can flat tow Daisy and get 41 mpg. You are going to love having access to everything and the space for groceries and Jax. Also, Jax will look cool in Tater Tot. Look forward to your videos of the area. I've never left the West Coast, except for vacations, so always interested in other States.
I like your Smart car, great choice for you & Jax!
Love the Smart Car and love your name 'Tater Tot' for her.
I think what you need to be towing behind Miranda is a tow truck. Kidding aside, you made a good choice, especially when you consider the fact that you won't be logging a lot of highway miles behind the wheel. As a campground commuter / local exploration vehicle, it ticks off a lot more boxes than a bike or an ATV.
Good for you buddy. have all the fun you and Jax can handel.
Wonderful choice! This is a great addition and it fits you very well too.
Great car....you and Jax can now visit out of the way places together.
I recommend actually putting your smart car on a little trailer and towing that behind the RV. When you flat tow a vehicle on the ground behind something you can't back up with it. You would have to get out and unhitch your car from the back of your RV every time and go through the whole procedure of re-engaging the transmission and back the car up separate and park the car someplace so then that way you could back your RV up, I know you get into a lot of places with that big RV where sometimes you have to back up and jockey around things and do three-point turns get into certain places. with a trailer it would make it a lot easier.
Good vid, it's nice you found a good/safe solution to the daily challenges that pop up all the time!
This is a great purchase for you and your needs! Good find!
I bought a used car with heated seats for the first time. You will love them.
Love it! Love the name too! It's perfect for you and Jax.
You will love it! Great for scooting around town in.
Congrats Seems like a ideal car for your needs and easy to haul. Look forward to new adventures for you and Jax.
Congratulations on getting Tater Tot. Hopefully you will find the part so it can be towed as soon as you leave Base Camp.
Congratulations to Jax and his new car!!!! You are such a great DAD!!!! Merry Christmas!🎄🎁 TTer Tot, hysterical! Love the secret cannabis compartment too! You get a car, I get a fat tire bike.....same price! Neither one of us will do well against a semi head on....sheesh. Oh, and towing makes a ton of sense over the motorcycle. Costco has tons of TP.
Great Eric now you can enjoy things with Jax and stay warm when it gets cold! Be safe !thanks for sharing!
love the car ! & I think it’s just perfect for you & Jax. Happy trails❤️
This car fits you and what you want to do! Tator Tot, great name!
Is there any kind of flat bed trailer option for the car?
Good luck with the new ride!!!
We are in Oklahoma, and we don't have any shortages here(yet). Everything seems to be running normal... lol (just sayin).
Perfect, congrats buddy!
Good choice for local/sighting trips. Looking forward to seeing how you hook it up to the RV and how it tows.
So if it is manually automatic how will you tow it? Flat tow or with a front wheeled trailer?
What up nomadic fanatic keep up the good work Bud cheers
BTW they make a Small Trailer for that car. I have one for my Spark. Makes it easier.
Looking forward to watching your travels Eric. Thanks for the video!
I live in a rv ,the snow birds use them alot.
U-Haul has a tow bar that you can drive the front wheels up on and tow it that way. Maybe you can buy a used one from them.
Also known as a Car Dolly. If your talking about the Receiver type with 2 wheel pockets then there is NO way that Class C could handle that type of setup.
@Amazing Polly is on Bitchute Still not a Wrecker class of vehicle to support the hydraulic type setup
@Amazing Polly is on Bitchute He would use a standard type tow bar and or car dolly.
My daughter, has one it's her first car, she loves the vehicle, we have had zero problems with it, and the car is very well built and easy to work on.
Makes alot of sence. Safe travels!
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you and jax. I'm sure this will make getting around town a lot easier.
I want one now. I'll pull it behind my RV with a smile on my face!
Tow it on a trailer, easier to tow, you can reverse, less ware and tear on the smart.
And more clearance.
@@timburrose2833 If the smart is like my Saturn Vue toad, the odometer doesn't turn over when towing. Towing on all 4's is the easiest way to tow.
The Smart is only $3,000.00, I think a trailer is as much. Eric is only one person putting a car in a trailer is a lot of work. Eric will be able to back up on all 4 down as he doesn't need trailer breaks.
Agreed, people don’t understand how difficult it is to backup something so small as a smart car. It’ll pivot quick and jackknife
Good idea.
I love it!! Goes perfectly with an RV. Enjoy !!
It’s great that you can take Jax with you now! And another great idea that if your RV breaks down again you will still be able to be mobile. Great choice!
Smart cars had lots of problem with transmission
VW Bug had a trainy like that in the late 60's
I’ve been wanting one of these and will get one after I get some off grid property
FWIW I had a 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 wheel drive until this past summer when a hail storm did so much damage insurance wrote it off.....Now I have a 2014 Honda CRV that I'm in the process of making towable. Wiring with diodes at the rear tail lights is done and I have the Blue Ox baseplate here ready to put on in the next few days. I bought both baseplates and one for my 2000 GMC 1500 4X4 off Amazon and had no problem getting them or installing them.
For months I have been wondering when you would get a smart car!!
Right the GAys love them
I want to get one of those for my daughter. Cheap on gas and a good first car for learning to maneuver
That thing is a death trap!
@@TheRekrap I’ve done my homework on it and it’s no more a death trap than all other vehicles on the road.
@@darrenhollinger4629 you'll never convince me of that.
@@TheRekrap research is key
@@darrenhollinger4629 this car scores 3 out of 5, where a honda civic scores 5 out of 5.
Congrats on your purchase. Really enjoy the videos. Safe travels.
Love it. They are incredibly safe!
eric, you really need to do a vinyl wrap and make "tater tot" look like a tater tot
Great idea!!!
have family in Seattle that own a smart car, and they drive it all over and love their car.
So cool! Congrats on the car!
I've had three smarts, all fantastic! They are amazingly safe and crash resistant. 👍
Super excited! Good choice Eric! Can't wait to see where you go with it.
So cute and love the name. We have an RV and thought about getting a small car. Love what you do.
Great addition Eric, it will make life a lot easier. You can go to a welding shop and they can fabricate the part for the tow bar, it is just a few bits of strait and angled steel welded together so it can bolt to the frame, likley cheaper that from blue ox. One thing to be careful with is YOU CAN NEVER BACK UP. So always look ahead to see a way out before pulling into anywhere. TRUST ME I'VE HAD TOO UNHOOK AND TURN AROUND SEPERATLY MANY TIMES looking for that boondocking spot at the end of a road, it takes 20 min and some effort to do. CHEERS Steve h.
Great choice! More practical than a MC on the road!
Sweet car, Eric. I was literally just telling my wife in your last episode that you should get something small to tow instead of the motorcycle. Congrats on the purchase
Great find! It is adorable and now I want one! I could tow it with my class B...lol A fun accessory and the perfect name! (...gotta go buy TP...)
Those cars are a blast to drive! Have fun.
Cool tow-along solution for Jax & you! Now let’s see if it’ll fit inside a Toy Hauler? An off-road config (with more clearance) would be ideal. BTW, Ignition key slots should be on vertical surfaces (never horizontal) to prevent fluid & crum intrusion resulting from spills. I hope there are plenty of safety features, like air bags all around. I’d install a Mack Truck horn.
It’s adorable and best for Rv tow
Meep Meep! That thing is CUTE!
Really cool I had one as a daily for 2 years.
I got my Smart Fortwo Pulse in 2006 - last year of the MB Diesel- 3 cyl turbo. After ‘08 they insert the Gas Mitsubishi. Still 3 cyl 40ish HP. I still have it and still smile every time I see my reflection in a store window.
You can stop FAST - be aware of people rear-ending you. You can pack a LOT of stuff in it. I can go on & on but i’ll just let you discover more stuff. Enjoy