I started in construction, don't really want to buy a truck cause of gas prices, insurance for 2 cars, ect.

I read online that a 2003 mini cooper not the S, with no mods can pull a trailer that weighs 1200lbs. Was wondering if its true, and if anybody did it? Will the car reach 70mph on the highway with a trailer that weight?

Looking to pull a 5-6" tall trailer by 8-10ft. long.

 

I don't think Mini has approved any trailer pulling whatsoever. There are a couple of hitch options and the vendors generally have recommendations for max tow weights. I'd stick to them.

Assuming the trailer doesn't have a lot of aero drag, you should be able to go 70 on level ground, although you'll probably slow way down and have to downshift to pull any significant grade. Whether you'd want to go this fast is another question - you're potentially pulling half the weight of the basic vehicle on a unibody car that was never designed to tow anything. You're not limited by power, you're limited by weight, brakes, and chassis. If I did this at all, I'd drive extremely conservatively and that would probably include cruising at no more than 60.

It can be done, but if you have any other options, I'd look at them first. Personally speaking, if this were part of my business and livelihood where I was doing this sort of thing with any regularity, I'd get a small pickup or trade for a vehicle that can tow better

- Mark

 

Even if it's capable of doing it, you're probably going to destroy the engine and drivetrain, clutch, transmission, etc... if you tow something that heavy on a regular basis.

 

Ok, thanks. I just wanted to see what people would say about this. I saw mini made a few mods to a cooper S, and pulled an RV with it, and just got excited thinking I could make a few mods, and pull a nice sized trailer. Not sure what I would have to modify, but probably suspention, shocks, engine, tranny, ect. Wasn't thinking about a price, cause if I could work out of my cooper I would save a lot of money on gas, insurance, 1 car to fix up instead of 2, ect.

 

The weakest link in the early Coopers were the tranny's. I would never tow anything with a Cooper. Not enough power and a weak drivetrain.

 

I had a Ford f150 and towed 2000 lbs. It destroyed my tranny and radiator. It also had a SC. It was the worst thing ever to do so i sure as heck would not tow anything with the mini!