Looks like we'll be doing just the one bike. We can find trailers that would haul two bikes that the MINI could pull, but the trailer hitches are just not out there for the S. The two bikes would have been under 1000 lbs, but once you add the weight of the trailer it puts it over 1000. I like the MINI Fini hitch but don't want to pay that much for the hitch plus pay to put it on, gas to get to the dealer, food out, time... Besides the two bike thing is a one time deal and don't want to go through all the trouble for one time. We thought about taking the truck, but then would have had to buy or rent a trailer to fit two bikes. We need one for the MINI anyway and it's not profitable to purchase two trailers because of a one time deal. So we are going to caravan to the AMA Superbike race. Smartest thing to do anyway. I realize reading these and other posts that it might've worked, but with some possible trouble along the way.

 

Despite the cost, the Sport Link is by far the most elegant solution for towing (or attaching anything for that matter). The SportLink system is rated up to 75lb tongue and 1400 lb hauling. Works well for my 480 lb Triumph, 580lb Harley and 350 lb folding Kendon trailer (whoops, guess I'm a little over). Can't say how well a regular S will pull that kind of load, but the JCW doesn't strain and the JCW brakes don't seem to fade.

 

I don't know about "elegant" for the MiniFini hitch. I can't get past drilling two holes in the car, and having those little peeshooters sticking out all the time. Miniaturetrailer.com's hitch is nice in that it is completely hidden when not in use. Not to mention all the accessories that would normally fit the reciever will work with it, so a bike rack is like $70. It has 100lb tounge weight, but only 1000lb towing. But that works better for me.

Its good to hear about a JCW used for towing. If you are ok over 1000lbs, my JCW will be quite alright at less.

Maybe MINI should be marketing JCW as a "towing" package.

 

Just remember the Minidomore hitch requires a somewhat extended drawbar (6.5" or so from pin hole to bumper cap). That's a little long for some aftrmarket bike racks and such, but should work on most.

Mine went on easily, no drilling, about a 90 minute job (it'd be an hour now that I've done it once).

 

[quote=Redcoat;1373499]I don't know about "elegant" for the MiniFini hitch. I can't get past drilling two holes in the car, and having those little peeshooters sticking out all the time. Miniaturetrailer.com's hitch is nice in that it is completely hidden when not in use. Not to mention all the accessories that would normally fit the reciever will work with it, so a bike rack is like $70. It has 100lb tounge weight, but only 1000lb towing. But that works better for me.

That was our thoughts

 

So, I have moved forward on my quest to tow and have installed the Minidomore.com hitch. I must say it was a fine piece of kit. Good quality finish and good looking welds. The stock piece you take off the car weighs about 6 pounds, and you replace it with the hitch that weighs about 15. So net weight gain is a mear 9 pounds, in case anybody really cares.

My question is now is where do you get one of those draw bars with the loops for the safety chains to hook into? Minidomore has them, but I thought $80 for a draw bar was a bit much. Is there something I'm missed here? Is that a custom solution for the MINI?

 

I have a Kendon trailer http://www.kendonusa.com/ I bought mine used for $1k, but you should be able to find a used one cheaper now if you look around (a couple singles have sold recently on ebay for 1200 and 1300). Ours is the dual, we haul our Ducs and Harleys-it doesn't wimper at all. And it tows great-hardly know it's back there. It's very light, safe, and folds/stands up in your garage. They have single and dual, built in tie downs, chock, ramp. The single weighs 300lb with the chocks, ramps, and everything. Absolutely the best trailer I can recommend.

 

If I find I'm going to tow the bike a lot, I'd look into one. For now I'm going the utility trailer route.

How do you hook your safety chains into the hitch? I'm having a hard time locating a drawbar that has the little loops for it.

 

http://www.miniaturetrailer.com/ mentioned in this thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=60569 has loops

 

Ahhh... so it's your fault my order was backordered!!! The day after I placed my order I received a message saying there was a run on their hitches and I would need to wait a few weeks... No problem though; I'm not in a big rush. Glad to hear the install went well and you are happy with the product. I'm always a little concerned when I buy a part sight-unseen...

Regarding the drawbars, here is a website you can go to for options:
http://accessory-center.com/Class-I-...vers.3839.stml.

I didn't see any with the loops. I suggest looking for the manufacturers' website and see what they offer. That might be a lot of work to save $40...

I did find a bunch more websites selling draw bars when I was doing my research a month ago. Let me know if you need more URLs (I don't have them saved on my work computer)...

-Ed

 

When I owned my Non S Cooper I towed my race bike using a Delan hitch and a Kendon single rail trailer. The MINI did a wonderful job. I didn't have a single issue. The Delan did have loops to attach chains. The hitch mounted very easily without any extra holes or problems.

 

Ya, I'm one of those people. I guess the promotion on the NAM calendar worked! They are selling loads of them aparently.

Ya, just tryi9nig to save half off. The hitch in the picture on Minidomore says hidden hitch right on it. I figured I could save a couple bucks since I didn't really want the cool MINI bag anyway, that stuff will stay with the trailer, why clutter up the boot with more stuff when I'm not towing.

I've looked at probably a dozen or so web sites that sell draw bars and none of them have those loops. I'm starting to think Minidomore welds those on there them selves. There goes the saving a couple bucks thing.

 

If you have a friend with a welder-look down on this page for "chain loop" http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/fabrication.htm http://www.reese-hitches.com/Towing_Acces.htm

If that's all they're doing, you could do the same thing.

 

OK, so after a couple months of messing around and I finnally got this all together. As you can see below I finnally got the trailer ready to rock. Its a little difficult getting the bike up there by myself, but once its up and strapped down it's pretty stable. The ceter of gravity is high though so I think I just need to be careful in the corners, I have nightmares of the whole thing tipping over :impatient. But really it hasn't shown that, I think it's just my irrational fear. Kind of weird having "all you eggs in one basket" so to speak.

So I'm ready to go to my first track day, and possibly more. The trailer is going to get cargo sides made too, so I can haul other stuff. But the first use is for hauling bikes.

 

Looks good . What a match

 

Redcoat, That's a great looking setup there. The Triumph 675 is a great track bike. You shouldn't experience any "tipping" issues and you'll become more comfortable with trailering the bike over time. Enjoy your first track day and wait till you see how much attention your setup gets you.

 

Very nice!

Did you take pictures step by step of your project? If so, please post!

I installed my Minidomore hitch a few weeks ago. I just have a boring cargo carrier right now, not the cool trailer! But I may put something together down the road (especially after seeing yours)...

-Ed

 

Hey!
That's my BIKE!
AND my CAR!
AND my STATE!

I'm still trying to figure out where to put the white stripes on the bike to match the car. I've got the Union Jack gas cap decal.

 

Thought you might get a kick out of that Jeff. I've thought of putting white stripes on the D675 too. Looks like your ready to rock with the stomp pads and frame sliders. I've been wanting the solo seat too, but just haven't justified it yet. Too many hobbies! Is that a Savage in the back? I tryed to get one of those off craigslist the other day. Weird.

 

Since I got the 675, my mod-focus has shifted from the MINI.

The Ducati and Savage are my wife's bikes. She's 4'10"; the Savage is a perfect bike for her but a little short for me.
She won't let me ride the Ducati since the suspension is adjusted for her weight- half of mine, so I had to get my own sport bike.

 

My wife is the same. I actually got her a Duc first. Gee, Honey, can I have one too?

Always get the wife the toy first. Helps if your interested jive...

 

I'm not married, but I have a good feeling that, "Get your own sport bike.", is a phrase not often received by a husbands ears.

You got to love those Ducks, I'm partial to a red SR4 with white stripes.

BTW, I'll have to get some pics and better explanation up of the trailer assembly, it was about as straight forward as can be. The only hassle was getting a kit trailer titled in PA. Yeash... they changed the rules this year. You have to have it weighed on official scales. It came to a whopping 190 lbs. You should have seen how tiny it looked sitting on a scale meant to weigh feed trucks.

 

Do you mean you only have to get the trailer weighed when you title it, or if you're travelling on the highway and the weigh stations are "open" then you have to sit in line in PA?
I have a 5x8 trailer and that would stink if I had to stop on the highway each time at a weigh station.

By the way, if you need a Union Jack gas tank cover decal, I just ordered one for my Triumph. It took them a while, but they finally shipped it yesterday. Talk to Chris.
http://www.planetsuperbike.com/Euro_GasCap_Decals.html

 

Ah yes. I know how lucky I am!

Of course, I complied when she wanted us to both have Harleys too. Life is tough!

 

So, Redcoat, I was wondering if you had used your set up and could give a report and any other advice. I am looking at getting exactly the set you have and am looking for a little advice.... The way you did it seems to be the most economical while being safe and worry free.
I just did my first trackday (on my SV650) and am now trying to put together the whole set up so I can save on renting a van every time I want to go the track.
Thanks in advance.