I finished the trailer, finally!

BoCRon · #1 10-01-2006, 09:03 PM

It took awhile, but the end is here. I started this project on July 7th. I bought the trailer kit from Harbor Freight for $180.00, then I had to order the side kit from Harbor Freight, it cost $54.00. It was back ordered until September 16th, so I had to wait to put the bottom in until it got here. I paid $85.00 for the steel mesh bottom. The primer and black paint cost about $15.00 and the checkerboard graphics were $12.00. All in all not too bad cost wise, and the time it took wasn't bad either.
Here's a pic of how the trailer looks when you get it all put together, prior to the paint job.

Here it is in my garage.

Annette

**MINIclo** · #2 10-01-2006, 09:08 PM

Great job, Annette! Post pix of it attached to your MINI!

everytimeidie027 · #3 10-01-2006, 09:11 PM

looks awesome

**skitelluride531** · #4 10-01-2006, 09:41 PM

Sweet! I have been looking at getting one of these to tow behind my MINI for my detailing supplies...hmmm.

What type of towing setup do you have on your MINI?

trackster · #5 10-01-2006, 09:46 PM

Mini Fini makes a great dissapearing tow bar for the mini now . I was thinking of doing something similar but also installing one of those pickup bed diamond plate lock boxes for tools and a tire rack for the track. Nice work

BoCRon · #6 10-01-2006, 09:55 PM

I have the Miniature Trailer one. It is completely invisible unless you are using the hitch. I had someone else install the hitch kit while I was having the rear anti-sway put on.
Check out the NAM vendors, that's where I got mine.
I'll be using it to take stuff to Road Atlanta for DE, or to the Dragon, etc.

Annette

BoCRon · #7 10-01-2006, 10:02 PM

Here's the link to the hitch.

http://www.miniaturetrailers.com/

Annette

draggonmann · #8 10-01-2006, 10:33 PM

I have the same set up ( minituretrailer hitch and Harber Freight trailer ) I use to haul my tool box and race tires. Your trailer looks great, mine is still red but I hope to get it painted this winter to match my MINI.

**skitelluride531** · #9 10-01-2006, 10:40 PM

Hmm...invisible is very important to me, so it looks like the Miniature trailer would work best.

Do I loose my rear fog light though?

BoCRon · #10 10-02-2006, 06:19 AM

You lose the fog light while you are using the hitch, but you wouldn't need it then anyway since the trailer would block it. Then when you are finished with the hitch, you put the bar away and put the light back in.
Annette

ImagoX · #11 10-02-2006, 07:55 AM

VERY nice work... I've been looking for a trailer and had decided on the Harbor Freight one as well, but I didn't see the side kit. Where did you end up getting the mesh bottom material?

BoCRon · #12 10-02-2006, 08:24 AM

I actually had to do bit of searching to find the mesh bottom. I finally ended up at a welding shop, I got the guy's name from the local trailer hitch and trailer supply place. I asked the trailer place where they would go if they had to get replacement mesh for any of the landscaping trailers that they sell and service and voila! Anyway he was a great guy and told me he'd call when he had a leftover piece big enough to fit my little trailer. I just left the trailer with him for a couple of weeks and he found a piece and fit it in perfectly!
Annette

**skitelluride531** · #13 10-02-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoCRon

You lose the fog light while you are using the hitch, but you wouldn't need it then anyway since the trailer would block it. Then when you are finished with the hitch, you put the bar away and put the light back in.
Annette

Oh, ok...awesome! Thanks for the help.

davavd · #14 10-02-2006, 11:29 AM

That looks great! Let us know how it feels towing. I just got a little boat trailer from Academy Sports and have been wondering how it would tow behind d'Mini. Do you know what it weighs, empty?

**tdm156** · #15 10-02-2006, 11:31 AM

Very Nice!

kenchan · #16 10-02-2006, 11:46 AM

that's pretty cool.

**skitelluride531** · #17 10-02-2006, 11:55 AM

Oh...one more question

. Any idea how much weight the MINIature trailer option adds to your MINI?

chickencoop · #18 10-02-2006, 12:01 PM

MAN that looks nice, i bet it looks awesome attached!! You saved a lot compared to how much miniaturetrailers.com are charging.
Good job

ImagoX · #19 10-02-2006, 12:21 PM

Do you need to license a trailer that small in every state? I didn't realize that...

BoCRon · #20 10-02-2006, 12:24 PM

Technically I don't need one, but we had to go to the tag office to get a tag for my husband's trailer so I asked how much it would be. It was only $25.00 so I decided I'd get one to be on the safe side.
Trailer weighs about 200lbs with the bottom and sides.
I have no idea how much the hitch weighs, I'm sure Brent at Miniature Trailers would know.
Annette

Zyamfier · #21 10-02-2006, 12:30 PM

Yea!!!! More trailers. So when will you get your teardrop? Can you say drag racing with trailers at Fontana? Great trailer. See you at the Dragon.

BoCRon · #22 10-02-2006, 02:39 PM

Z!
We are still looking at teardrops and T@B trailers. I hope we can get one soon, but no big hurry.
I actually saw a race on the Speed channel that was trailer racing!!!
I laughed myself silly, by the end my entire family had come into the room to see what had mom in hysterics. The race was in a figure 8 pattern and there were many instances where one vehicle would land on the trailer of another and go around the track a few times like this. Of course it was all within the rules and very entertaining. I've searched for more to Tivo, but haven't found any yet. The entire point was to finish the race with some part of the trailer still attached. I was wondering if a little MINI with a tiny trailer might be a contender but decided it wouldn't be worth the risk.

Edit: I just found one on Speed Channel, it will air on October 16th at 6pm EST. I'm setting up the Tivo right now, I'm not kidding, it really is great for a good belly laugh.
Annette

jjtricket · #23 10-02-2006, 04:34 PM

BoCRon, Nice Job!

FreeFromDezire · #24 10-03-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoCRon

You lose the fog light while you are using the hitch, but you wouldn't need it then anyway since the trailer would block it. Then when you are finished with the hitch, you put the bar away and put the light back in.
Annette

Hey Annette, the trailer looks really awesome, didn't know one could do so much with the basic Harbor Freight Trailer, good job

I've almost decided to buy one to haul my motorcycle to the track, but still not sure of the reverse light situation. How does it pop out and pop back in? Are there quick release connectors or something? I'm not understanding the whole picture.

bzn by · #25 10-03-2006, 12:24 PM

Good job. We also have miniaturetrailers hitch and we pulled a sportbike to the dragon this year, it did great pulling the motor. Recommened weight for the hitch was not to exceed 1000 lbs.
I was impressed at how well the mini did with the trailer and motor in the mountains

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