Would I void the MINI warranty by towing a trailer?

 

When I wanted a trailer, I went to the dealer (where I saw their trailers, hitch bike racks, and other accessories) and asked for pricing.

The parts guy said they don't do them anymore cus all the mini's with the hitches couldn't handle the extra weight and it destroyed the rear suspension within a year.

So I don't know if they void the warranty. but it sounds like a risk. Call your SA and ask.

 

Yikes!

I was looking at something small, like the Little Guy Joey, which seems purpose-built for smaller cars. Thought it might help sell my S/O on the Roadster as a road trip car. Hate to hear that it could damage things.

 

I have a first gen, maybe the new mini's are built better. And I'd say ask a mini dealer about having them install it. That way if it does mess up anything you can ensure that the warranty is still intact.

 

I pulled a Bushtec trailer with my Gold Wing...as have many, many bikers...and never had a problem. I can't imagine a MINI not being able to pull a small trailer. And how could it hurt the rear suspension. If you balance the load you wouldn't have more than 25-30 lbs. tongue weight.

Now the warranty is another question.

 

Okay, did a little more reading. Can't answer the warranty question definitively -- though it doesn't look promising -- but I don't see anything that supports the claim that it would quickly and irreparably damage the car.

 

I didn't say "irreparable"
I just quoted the parts guy at BMW/Mini that said they stopped hitches on minis cus they "destroyed the back end components of the car within a year" and the service manager agreed.

 

Fair enough. I suppose even a "destroyed" rear suspension could be repaired. I'm sure your guy had his reasons for making such a claim, but I was unable to find any reports of such problems, nor rationale for why it *might* happen.

 

Only 400 lbs. and there are dozens of others on line -- many much larger shown being towed by a MINI, including a collaborative project between MINI and Airstream.

 

Make sure that collaborative project isn't the very well done, but very fake, April Fools Day joke. That took in a lot of people, and still does... it looks credible. :-)

 

http://www.gizmag.com/surfs-up-the-m...concept/11534/

Have seen it in numerous places on he web. Not what I'd call a great idea, but when you look at the trailers that are being pulled by 1000cc motorcycles, I can't believe a MINI couldn't pull a small utility trailer.

 

As I said earlier, I pulled a Bushtec trailer with my Gold Wing. Here is a Gold Wing Trike with a pop-up. This couple has pulled this Aliner for years including a trip from Virginia to Alaska and back with no problems. Their Gold Wing has the added 3-400lbs. of the trike plus their 450lbs. The Aliner trailer weighs 800-1000lbs.

 

Yeah, all the models I've been looking at have come in under 500 lbs.