Has anyone put a tow hitch on their 2011 r56 JCW hardtop? I'm looking to pull my trailer with my motorcycle on it to the track and was wondering if the ones on etrailer's site worked! I know that there are nicer ones by minifini, but man, those are seriously expensive!

 

Mini Do More

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51202347@N04/7549092024/

 

I installed the Mini Fini hitch on my 2009 JCW. It is great, quick and easy to remove and install. But it is expensive.

 

DAMN SON!!! is that a brutale you're towing?! How's the trailer tow with the Mini?

 

It is indeed a Brutale 1090RR.

Towing with the MINI is a mixed bag. The car has plenty of power and doesn't struggle with the load, roughly 800lbs total. Backing up is tricky with the short wheelbase trailer and short wheelbase car. Heavily bumpy/potholed roads make me very uncomfortable, the noises and jolts though the car are very undesirable. However, these types of roads make me cringe even without the trailer.

The towing I have done has been 100 mile trips each way, mostly highway, hills as well. No problem dicing it up in traffic and the car tracks straight as if there isn't a trailer at all.

 

awesome, thanks for your input! I may just have to go with the minidomore hitch.

Does anyone know how the Mini Do More compares to the etrailer Curt brand?

 

any pictures of the hitch? on how its installed?

 

Same here.

 

I have not towed anything with mine as I have the Cargo Platform and Cargo Box. There are installation instructions and photos on the MiniDoMore site. I believe they were just bought out by another MINI-related business...

Edit:

MiniDoMore was bought by OutMotoring...

 

As it is with many others around here, I'm looking for a suitable solution for my bike rack. Already have a Yakima hitch rack for two bikes with a 1 1/4" square shank and a 2" adapter. Contemplated a hatch rack, but too much is involved with easy-on and easy-off for me. No roof rack considered, so I need to look at trailer hitches...
Searched the forums for info, and MiniDoMore, MiniFini, and Curt keep popping up. What I need to know is whether I need to cut a hole in my bumper for the MiniDoMire? Do they include a cover/plug with their kit? Has anybody installed one of these on their JCW? I would love to see some close up pics of what it looks like when done, too. BTW -- its for a '13 JCW...
Thanks!

 

The cars are all similar. MiniDoMore doesn't make a distinction by sub-model (ie, JCW). Basically they lump Hardtops and Convertibles together with the Clubman and Countryman being separate. There are also some differences owning to year of manufacture.

On my 2009 JCW Clubman, the hole is behind the license plate. Rear panel configurations on various models are different, but you didn't say which body you had. The best and most direct way is to call MiniDoMore.

 

I'll be installing a MDM hitch on the 2008 soon, shortly followed by the 2010 JCW. From emailing MDM, they include a black plug if your back bumper requires it.

Unboxed the hitch for the 2008 last night. Solidly built.

 

My bad -- a HardTop... failed to mention that.
License plate is on the hatch, too. I emailed MDM for more info, but glad to know there's a cover/plug included. However, not totally thrilled about cutting a hole in a 3-week old car!

 

The MDM hitch looks like a nice piece and a bit cheaper but, I don't like the fact you have to move the license plate every time you want to use it. I went with the Minifini product and have been very happy with it's performance.

 

Can someone post a pic of what the hitch looks like installed. I have a 2009 JCW hardtop and I pulled up this thread through a search. I would love to use my mini to haul my racebikes to the track instead of using my Tahoe.

 

definitely in for a photo if anyone has it with the JCW bumper. Have a fishing kayak that i hate lifting to the roof and to difficult to do it my self.

 

I installed a Curt hitch behind the bumper on my 09 JCW. Needed to cut out a 1x1" piece of the bumper cover that the plug which comes with the Curt fits into. I sanded and painted the plug with touch-up paint to match. Carries my 1Up bike rack nicely. Can't find any pics but will take some and post.

 

Perfect. Thanks

 

Here you go.

 

Thanks for the pics!

 

Any picturers of the Mini Fini setup on a JCW? I'm not too fond of cutting into the bumper. What sticks out and does it create any issues with low mile per hour bump from the rear? Not sure how it's tied to the frame body?

 

I went with the Mini Fini and love it and the looks. Removed just two small nickel size holes with the threads that can be cover with black plastic inserts. I am also using Super Bumper when not towing. Some added protection for all those tailgaters out there.

The top piece of the Super Bumper has a small hitch connection not for towing but a bike rack. (Optional) I added it as it just looks better. Can take a hit at 5 MPH as it has lots of compression. Absorbs like a massive shock.

 

Any pics of the two small holes? With and without covers?

 

Sorry double post.

 

2012 MINI JCW hauling my shadow.. MNIDoMore/OutMotoring trailer hitch model 1003