Towing your MINI
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock TX
thanks for the response. my wife really likes the Mini as her drive around town vehicle when we aren't using the RV. It is the unique wow factor that she likes because here in west TX there are very few Minis. Looks like we may be getting one. I am willing to take a chance on the warranty issue if it ever comes up.
Neutral
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, TX
Currently Towing Mini
I currently tow a 2003 manual Mini and it works beautifully... I use a Roadmaster tow set-up and had separate wiring for my brakes/turn signals done that plugs into my Class A rig. (Placed diodes into the rear lights so original wiring isn't compromised in any way)
Just towed it 4K miles this summer on vacation with not a single issue.
Just towed it 4K miles this summer on vacation with not a single issue.
Neutral
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, TX
Towing Mini
Forgot to mention one important point...
When using a car trailer or tow dolly there is one important thing to remember if you are towing behind an RV:
When you pull into that campground, in most cases, you will have to store your trailer or dolly in a different location because most RV sites won't accommodate your RV, trailer and car. Just aren't that long... It would be a concern of mine that makes my trailer/dolly available for theft...
In reviewing all the CG's we stayed in this Summer, (abt 25+ of them) almost all of them required remote storing of trailer or renting 2nd camp site for trailer...
When using a car trailer or tow dolly there is one important thing to remember if you are towing behind an RV:
When you pull into that campground, in most cases, you will have to store your trailer or dolly in a different location because most RV sites won't accommodate your RV, trailer and car. Just aren't that long... It would be a concern of mine that makes my trailer/dolly available for theft...
In reviewing all the CG's we stayed in this Summer, (abt 25+ of them) almost all of them required remote storing of trailer or renting 2nd camp site for trailer...
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock TX
we did it
Well we bought a 2013 CPO Countryman this weekend. It had 10500 miles on it but with the extra two years of warranty, we thought it was worth buying. It is a manual so we can tow behind our pusher. My question is about using a separate break unit for the Mini. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I will be getting a blue ox tow plate for the mini also.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: VT - USA
Well we bought a 2013 CPO Countryman this weekend. It had 10500 miles on it but with the extra two years of warranty, we thought it was worth buying. It is a manual so we can tow behind our pusher. My question is about using a separate break unit for the Mini. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I will be getting a blue ox tow plate for the mini also.
Neutral
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Tyler, TX
I flat tow my 2003 Mini using Roadmaster base plate and tow bar .... I added two steel cables 6,000 lb break strength each to the tow bar and don't use an auxiliary brake.... It's a joy to tow and even more fun when we get there .....
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
Well we bought a 2013 CPO Countryman this weekend. It had 10500 miles on it but with the extra two years of warranty, we thought it was worth buying. It is a manual so we can tow behind our pusher. My question is about using a separate break unit for the Mini. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I will be getting a blue ox tow plate for the mini also.
Ron
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Iowa City, Ia
We tow our 2007S 6 speed behind our Class B Winnebago ERA. We use a Blue Ox tow plate, bar, and braking system. We have been towing cars 4 wheels down with 3 Class A's and now our Class B for over 20 years. The Mini makes a great toad and is the most fun car, we've ever owned, to drive once we reach our destination!
Neutral
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon
Unfortunately your automatic MINI is NOT towable four down. Were it a manual it would be although most MINI dealers will not tell you that. I towed a 2005 S for a number of years and now tow my 2013 MINI but both have manual transmissions. Automatic MINIs and ALL4 MINIs, either transmission, are not towable. Check with your local MINI dealer.
We tow are 04 behind motorhome and it works great. Love Mini's and would hate to switch brands but need 4wd since moving to Oregon.
Any input on towing all4 would be appreciated.
Dealer told me steering wheel locks on standard trans all4 but all posts I have seen say no. What's the truth.
Neutral
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
We have a '07 Cooper S which we installed a tow bar system. The only problem is the electronic steering lock that when we put in the "key" runs the battery down so we have no auxiliary braking. Leaving the key out would scrub tires. Any solutions would be appreciated!
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Sun City West, AZ
Alanwerner:
I am no help as my 2013 MINI with electric power steering does not have a steering lock.
You can run a wire from the hot pin on your motor home electrical plug at the hitch to your MINI's positive battery terminal which should keep the MINI's battery charged while under way. I think there is a kit available from Blue Ox which will make this work for you.
Good luck and happy towing your MINI. Be safe.
DeanLinAZ
I am no help as my 2013 MINI with electric power steering does not have a steering lock.
You can run a wire from the hot pin on your motor home electrical plug at the hitch to your MINI's positive battery terminal which should keep the MINI's battery charged while under way. I think there is a kit available from Blue Ox which will make this work for you.
Good luck and happy towing your MINI. Be safe.
DeanLinAZ
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Northwest
Wondering if a solution has been found for towing the mini with the steering lock besides unhooking the battery or running a power charger from the RV? (maybe it is easiest to remove the steering lock?)
I plug the key in to unlock the steering wheel and turn everything off then as soon as the car starts rolling with the RV the interior lights nav/radio and running lights come on if dark out.
I would like to just pull the fuse if possible. I have pulled the radio fuse and that worked but im afraid there may be other systems running. Any ideas on other fuses to pull?
I plug the key in to unlock the steering wheel and turn everything off then as soon as the car starts rolling with the RV the interior lights nav/radio and running lights come on if dark out.
I would like to just pull the fuse if possible. I have pulled the radio fuse and that worked but im afraid there may be other systems running. Any ideas on other fuses to pull?
The best way to tow is to put it on a small trailer and pull it behind , cover its so rocks ad debris dont fly up and high the front, on a small trailer flat with all four wheels on the trailer and strap it down. I would be to worried about putting pressure on the transmission / drive-train when engine is not running and also burning up the tires if the steering wheel is not straight.
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1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Bump.
I Need to know the procedure to tow my Coupe S with a tow dolly. Dealer said front wheels on, strps, release parking brake AND put it in neutral. Neutral??? Why? Front wheel drive and I would have thought I want as much resistance on the front wheels as possibly so it doesn't wiggle around.
Please help, and do you think and boy parts might scrape front and bacl. Standard coupe S package, no add ons.
I Need to know the procedure to tow my Coupe S with a tow dolly. Dealer said front wheels on, strps, release parking brake AND put it in neutral. Neutral??? Why? Front wheel drive and I would have thought I want as much resistance on the front wheels as possibly so it doesn't wiggle around.
Please help, and do you think and boy parts might scrape front and bacl. Standard coupe S package, no add ons.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: appleton, wi
to add to this question ... I will be towing my 2002 hatchback on a trailer (4 wheels up). I am used to going straight to the frame for tie down points, but do not see much on the Mini that is practical for that. I really dont like anchoring to the suspension, especially for a long ride. What are the recommended tie points?
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 162
Likes: 3
From: NM
I found this thread and several other mentions of mileage not being registered when towed. I just set my Clubman up as a toad and took a 150 mi. trip as a shakedown cruise. Guess what? I got 66mpg because the odo showed an extra 150 miles. Key was not on.
How do I solve this?
How do I solve this?
Sorry, I'm a little late on board this. . . I had a 2005, S, 6 speed, that was a toad for over 60,000 miles. It showed 27,700 on the odometer when I sold it in August 2012 to get my 2013 Justa. The only difference I recognized as a result of flat towing was premature tire wear. MINIs do not register toad mileage. My MINI service people (to remain nameless for their protection) assured me that flat towing a manual MINI did NO harm what-so-ever and would not change service requirements. With both the old and the new MINI I have installed an always HOT accessory (cig lighter) plug for a Brake Buddy. I rarely used the Brake Buddy with the old MINI but I will start out using it with the new MINI. I changed no wiring, other than a new accessory plug connected directly to the battery, in either MINI. I use good quality magnetic LED lights stuck to the roof of the MINI, with a cable to the motor-home, for all lights. I call them Mickey Mouse ears. I run the cable into the MINI from the hatchback, through the MINI and out the forward, right, side of the front door. From there the cord goes through the engine compartment and out the front to the motor-home hitch electrical plug.
I always left a key in the ignition with the old MINI to prevent steering wheel lock. I have not tested it but I see no reason to leave the pod (disk) key in the 2013 MINI because the steering wheel does not lock and I do not need it in for power to the accessory plug.
Does anyone know something about the newer MINIs (2013) that I might be missing here?
I always left a key in the ignition with the old MINI to prevent steering wheel lock. I have not tested it but I see no reason to leave the pod (disk) key in the 2013 MINI because the steering wheel does not lock and I do not need it in for power to the accessory plug.
Does anyone know something about the newer MINIs (2013) that I might be missing here?
Neutral
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
battery went dead after towing
We have a 2009 mini cooper s convertible and are flat towing it behind or class c motorhome.. We just returned from a trip. As long as we drove the
mini every day it was fine. We went 2 days without driving it.When we got home, however, the mini's battery was dead. We just put it in neutral and take the break off in order to tow it.The fob is not even in the ignition. We put a trickle charger on it when we got home for about a day and it did not charge. Crazy thing is somehow the doors locked and our fobs quit working. We had to open the door with the key. Also, while it was plugged in to the trickle charger, we came home at night and the tail lights were blinking off and on as it sat in the driveway!! I think it is possessed! Any ideas?
mini every day it was fine. We went 2 days without driving it.When we got home, however, the mini's battery was dead. We just put it in neutral and take the break off in order to tow it.The fob is not even in the ignition. We put a trickle charger on it when we got home for about a day and it did not charge. Crazy thing is somehow the doors locked and our fobs quit working. We had to open the door with the key. Also, while it was plugged in to the trickle charger, we came home at night and the tail lights were blinking off and on as it sat in the driveway!! I think it is possessed! Any ideas?
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 162
Likes: 3
From: NM
Definitely some weird stuff going on with your electrical. If I had to guess, all will be OK again once you get the battery & fob charged and together again. Try charging the battery with the cables removed. My battery died once when I left the parking lights on and strange thing happened that corrected themselves the next day after a good charge and a drive.
My problem above resolved itself when I removed the fob completely.
My problem above resolved itself when I removed the fob completely.
We have a 2009 mini cooper s convertible and are flat towing it behind or class c motorhome.. We just returned from a trip. As long as we drove the
mini every day it was fine. We went 2 days without driving it.When we got home, however, the mini's battery was dead. We just put it in neutral and take the break off in order to tow it.The fob is not even in the ignition. We put a trickle charger on it when we got home for about a day and it did not charge. Crazy thing is somehow the doors locked and our fobs quit working. We had to open the door with the key. Also, while it was plugged in to the trickle charger, we came home at night and the tail lights were blinking off and on as it sat in the driveway!! I think it is possessed! Any ideas?
mini every day it was fine. We went 2 days without driving it.When we got home, however, the mini's battery was dead. We just put it in neutral and take the break off in order to tow it.The fob is not even in the ignition. We put a trickle charger on it when we got home for about a day and it did not charge. Crazy thing is somehow the doors locked and our fobs quit working. We had to open the door with the key. Also, while it was plugged in to the trickle charger, we came home at night and the tail lights were blinking off and on as it sat in the driveway!! I think it is possessed! Any ideas?
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