Interior/Exterior Hitch options 08 MCS
#26
#27
MiniDoMore and MiniFini are pretty much the only options. It is a little pricey in comparison to other car hitches, but I like my MiniDoMore hitch a LOT because it accepts any standard 1.25-inch rack or device.
Only modification: I didn't care for the plastic plug covering the square hole on my R56 MCS bumper skirt, so I designed a bracket for an OutMotoring badge-holder to cover the hole -- much nicer looking, and anything magnetic works there (see the sig pic below and the gallery)
Only modification: I didn't care for the plastic plug covering the square hole on my R56 MCS bumper skirt, so I designed a bracket for an OutMotoring badge-holder to cover the hole -- much nicer looking, and anything magnetic works there (see the sig pic below and the gallery)
Last edited by basil49; 11-14-2008 at 01:24 PM.
#28
Curt Manufacturing Mini Cooper Hitch is a DEAD RIP OFF of the Mini Do More unit
After seeing the hitch on Curt's website today and looking at the photos and installation instructions, the hitch is a DEAD RIP OFF!! It is so bad that their installation instructions are basically a copy of ours. They actually stole a photo from our instructions with my hand in the photo and put it into their instructions. Total copyright infringement!
So, it got me wondering if they actually purchased a Mini Do More hitch to copy or if they at least did the engineering themselves.
Looked today at where Curt is located. They are in Eu Claire Wisconsin. Did a search on past orders from Eu Claire Wisconsin.
Phil Seidl, the Senior Buyer of Manufacturing Materials at Curt Manufacturing, over the period of 8 months (March 2009 - August 2009) has purchased all 5 models we sell. And, to make it worse, they had the damn hitches shipped to the Curt Manufacturing facility. Obviously, when they ordered, they didn't put Curt Manufacturing on the order, just Phil's name. And, they were somewhat sneaky, they purchased each one separately spread out by about 5 weeks each.
So, I guess it makes sense why they look SO MUCH like our hitches.
Very disappointing, now we will have to get our attorneys involved. Not going to go down without a fight.
REMEMBER WHO HAS BEEN A PAYING ADVERTISER ON THIS SITE, ON MC2, ON MOTORINGFILE.COM FOR MORE THAN 4 YEARS AND HAS GIVEN AWAY DOZENS OF HITCHES FOR CHARITY AT MOTD, MOT, MITM, AMVIV, etc. WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR NEXT PURCHASE.
So, it got me wondering if they actually purchased a Mini Do More hitch to copy or if they at least did the engineering themselves.
Looked today at where Curt is located. They are in Eu Claire Wisconsin. Did a search on past orders from Eu Claire Wisconsin.
Phil Seidl, the Senior Buyer of Manufacturing Materials at Curt Manufacturing, over the period of 8 months (March 2009 - August 2009) has purchased all 5 models we sell. And, to make it worse, they had the damn hitches shipped to the Curt Manufacturing facility. Obviously, when they ordered, they didn't put Curt Manufacturing on the order, just Phil's name. And, they were somewhat sneaky, they purchased each one separately spread out by about 5 weeks each.
So, I guess it makes sense why they look SO MUCH like our hitches.
Very disappointing, now we will have to get our attorneys involved. Not going to go down without a fight.
REMEMBER WHO HAS BEEN A PAYING ADVERTISER ON THIS SITE, ON MC2, ON MOTORINGFILE.COM FOR MORE THAN 4 YEARS AND HAS GIVEN AWAY DOZENS OF HITCHES FOR CHARITY AT MOTD, MOT, MITM, AMVIV, etc. WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR NEXT PURCHASE.
Last edited by Brent@minidomore.com; 09-22-2009 at 07:48 PM.
#29
After seeing the hitch on Curt's website today and looking at the photos and installation instructions, the hitch is a DEAD RIP OFF!! It is so bad that their installation instructions are basically a copy of ours. They actually stole a photo from our instructions with my hand in the photo and put it into their instructions. Total copyright infringement!
So, it got me wondering if they actually purchased a Mini Do More hitch to copy or if they at least did the engineering themselves.
Looked today at where Curt is located. They are in Eu Claire Wisconsin. Did a search on past orders from Eu Claire Wisconsin.
Phil Seidl, the Senior Buyer of Manufacturing Materials at Curt Manufacturing, over the period of 8 months (March 2009 - August 2009) has purchased all 5 models we sell. And, to make it worse, they had the damn hitches shipped to the Curt Manufacturing facility. Obviously, when they ordered, they didn't put Curt Manufacturing on the order, just Phil's name. And, they were somewhat sneaky, they purchased each one separately spread out by about 5 weeks each.
So, I guess it makes sense why they look SO MUCH like our hitches.
Very disappointing, now we will have to get our Attorneys involved. Not going to go down without a fight.
REMEMBER WHO HAS BEEN A PAYING ADVERTISER ON THIS SITE, ON MC2, ON MOTORINGFILE.COM FOR MORE THAN 4 YEARS AND HAS GIVEN AWAY DOZENS OF HITCHES FOR CHARITY AT MOTD, MOT, MITM, AMVIV, etc. WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR NEXT PURCHASE.
So, it got me wondering if they actually purchased a Mini Do More hitch to copy or if they at least did the engineering themselves.
Looked today at where Curt is located. They are in Eu Claire Wisconsin. Did a search on past orders from Eu Claire Wisconsin.
Phil Seidl, the Senior Buyer of Manufacturing Materials at Curt Manufacturing, over the period of 8 months (March 2009 - August 2009) has purchased all 5 models we sell. And, to make it worse, they had the damn hitches shipped to the Curt Manufacturing facility. Obviously, when they ordered, they didn't put Curt Manufacturing on the order, just Phil's name. And, they were somewhat sneaky, they purchased each one separately spread out by about 5 weeks each.
So, I guess it makes sense why they look SO MUCH like our hitches.
Very disappointing, now we will have to get our Attorneys involved. Not going to go down without a fight.
REMEMBER WHO HAS BEEN A PAYING ADVERTISER ON THIS SITE, ON MC2, ON MOTORINGFILE.COM FOR MORE THAN 4 YEARS AND HAS GIVEN AWAY DOZENS OF HITCHES FOR CHARITY AT MOTD, MOT, MITM, AMVIV, etc. WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR NEXT PURCHASE.
I have bought 2 of your hitches and I REFUSE to go anywhere if for nothing else but loyalty for a vendor that has supported mini owners and this website time and time again.
I urge anyone considering buying a hitch to support the vendors that support us. Competition is a good thing for consumers except when they have stolen ideas, intellectual property of copyrighted ideas.
I assure you that Curt manufacturing will not have many supporters after hearing about this.
I would hope that AutoXcoopers would also do the right thing and not sell any of Curt Manufacturing's products if they are copying Minidomore's ideas.
Mark
#30
Brent: I have bought 2 of your hitches and I REFUSE to go anywhere if for nothing else but loyalty for a vendor that has supported mini owners and this website time and time again.
I urge anyone considering buying a hitch to support the vendors that support us. Competition is a good thing for consumers except when they have stolen ideas, intellectual property of copyrighted ideas.
I assure you that Curt manufacturing will not have many supporters after hearing about this.
I would hope that AutoXcoopers would also do the right thing and not sell any of Curt Manufacturing's products if they are copying Minidomore's ideas.
Mark
I urge anyone considering buying a hitch to support the vendors that support us. Competition is a good thing for consumers except when they have stolen ideas, intellectual property of copyrighted ideas.
I assure you that Curt manufacturing will not have many supporters after hearing about this.
I would hope that AutoXcoopers would also do the right thing and not sell any of Curt Manufacturing's products if they are copying Minidomore's ideas.
Mark
If Brent's allegations are true, I would also have to think twice about doing business with vendors selling Curt products.
#31
I agree, they're not cheap (price). Having said that, I'm in total agreement, even if Curt was selling the same exact quality, just the fact they ripped off one of our supporting members would be enough for me to say no.
Mark
#33
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Brent as another Vendor I support you and encourage the support of your original product. Down with posers copying a good idea just to make a buck. I'll be installing one of your hitches Monday.
#34
#35
as somebody who also owns an engineering business, I can't sympathize with Brent enough on the Curt Manufacturing hoax. After all the efforts and money you invest in developing and prototyping a new product somebody just sneaks in and steals it - can't think of anything worse than that in our line of business. And there is a good chance that they and/or their unfortunate customers will have quality issues down the line - which for this safety-critical product could mean putting people's life in danger.
Absolutely, Brent, hit them with a lawsuit, hopefully your lawyers will be kind on you with the upfront fees.
Absolutely, Brent, hit them with a lawsuit, hopefully your lawyers will be kind on you with the upfront fees.
#36
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unfortunately for the hitch biz the patent laws do not work the same as with other products. Had Curt not done it one of the other big companies would have done it and they will do it to MDM or Curt once they wake up to the market.
Curt's hitch are above all standards in safety and quality.
Curt's hitch are above all standards in safety and quality.
#37
Can you verify this with documentation, or is this a sales statement? What standards are you using? "Above all" would reference that Curt is the top quality hitch, correct? As you are a retailer and advertiser of the product(spokesperson), I want to make sure I can rely on your statement if there are any issues with safety and/or quality.
Just looking for evidence of the claim as an interested consumer.
Just looking for evidence of the claim as an interested consumer.
#38
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Thanks for the good question. Let's start with Curt's Lifetime Warranty on the parts. Then do a Google search of the company and you'll find little if anyone with an issue with the product.
The SAE J684 is the standard that applies to all of our hitches. This is often termed V-5, which was actually the standard prior to the J684.
As for safety it's our government at it's best, here is the/a "standard" while old it's what is used.
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...A54E7093F6.pdf
The Hitch biz is big biz and Curt is not just working in the MINI market they work in all markets and fully understand the power of the Internet and the very high cost of producing a product that doesn't meet customer needs or is unsafe.
While there is no one document Curt relies on each of it's ratings given each product during R&D.
None of the above is not meant to call into question any of MDM or MINIFini Product/s.
The SAE J684 is the standard that applies to all of our hitches. This is often termed V-5, which was actually the standard prior to the J684.
As for safety it's our government at it's best, here is the/a "standard" while old it's what is used.
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...A54E7093F6.pdf
The Hitch biz is big biz and Curt is not just working in the MINI market they work in all markets and fully understand the power of the Internet and the very high cost of producing a product that doesn't meet customer needs or is unsafe.
While there is no one document Curt relies on each of it's ratings given each product during R&D.
None of the above is not meant to call into question any of MDM or MINIFini Product/s.
Last edited by MLPearson79; 01-04-2010 at 01:42 PM. Reason: updated info
#39
Thanks for the good question. Let's start with Curt's Lifetime Warranty on the parts. Then do a Google search of the company and you'll find little if anyone with an issue with the product.
As for safety it's our government at it's best, here is the/a "standard" while old it's what is used.
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...A54E7093F6.pdf
The Hitch biz is big biz and Curt is not just working in the MINI market they work in all markets and fully understand the power of the Internet and the very high cost of producing a product that doesn't meet customer needs or is unsafe.
While there is no one document Curt relies on each of it's ratings given each product during R&D.
I also researched Curt before becoming a vendor. Since my name is all I have to stand on I don't add products or suppliers without counting the cost of doing so. I sleep very well at night with Curt hitches on my customers MINI's.
None of the above is not meant to call into question any of MDM or MINIFini Product/s.
As for safety it's our government at it's best, here is the/a "standard" while old it's what is used.
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...A54E7093F6.pdf
The Hitch biz is big biz and Curt is not just working in the MINI market they work in all markets and fully understand the power of the Internet and the very high cost of producing a product that doesn't meet customer needs or is unsafe.
While there is no one document Curt relies on each of it's ratings given each product during R&D.
I also researched Curt before becoming a vendor. Since my name is all I have to stand on I don't add products or suppliers without counting the cost of doing so. I sleep very well at night with Curt hitches on my customers MINI's.
None of the above is not meant to call into question any of MDM or MINIFini Product/s.
the R&D in this case being purchasing a competitors product, making an exact copy of it and sending it to market? I have installed MDM hitches on several MINIs and have one on mine-working very well as you can see--
BUY FROM THE INNOVATOR-NOT THE COPYCAT!
MDM and MINI FINI have been there for this commuinty for a long time-just say no to copycat wholesalers!!
#40
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Hello CARSSZ, as I have said before I don't like the way Curt or any of the big hitch guys get there product and it's an issue better taken with your Congress Rep. No Law was broken by Curt or AXC in bringing the Curt Hitch to market. If it had not been done by Curt it would have been done by another and had I not started marketing them someone would have.
Just taking my arrows.
PS., that's a really nice touch on the aero kit side panel too.
Just taking my arrows.
PS., that's a really nice touch on the aero kit side panel too.
#41
Thanks for the good question. Let's start with Curt's Lifetime Warranty on the parts. Then do a Google search of the company and you'll find little if anyone with an issue with the product.
As for safety it's our government at it's best, here is the/a "standard" while old it's what is used.
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...A54E7093F6.pdf
The Hitch biz is big biz and Curt is not just working in the MINI market they work in all markets and fully understand the power of the Internet and the very high cost of producing a product that doesn't meet customer needs or is unsafe.
While there is no one document Curt relies on each of it's ratings given each product during R&D.
I also researched Curt before becoming a vendor. Since my name is all I have to stand on I don't add products or suppliers without counting the cost of doing so. I sleep very well at night with Curt hitches on my customers MINI's.
None of the above is not meant to call into question any of MDM or MINIFini Product/s.
As for safety it's our government at it's best, here is the/a "standard" while old it's what is used.
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...A54E7093F6.pdf
The Hitch biz is big biz and Curt is not just working in the MINI market they work in all markets and fully understand the power of the Internet and the very high cost of producing a product that doesn't meet customer needs or is unsafe.
While there is no one document Curt relies on each of it's ratings given each product during R&D.
I also researched Curt before becoming a vendor. Since my name is all I have to stand on I don't add products or suppliers without counting the cost of doing so. I sleep very well at night with Curt hitches on my customers MINI's.
None of the above is not meant to call into question any of MDM or MINIFini Product/s.
Curt's limited lifetime warranty, while normal, does nothing to identify them as the top in safety and quality.
Carzz made a good point, if Curt did not R&D (except for R&D on someone else's intellectual property) it appears to be unethical. May not be against the law as you say, (I would think it is based on some of the posts here, but I'm no judge) but I have to take that into consideration before purchasing.
I would even have to take your statement basically aknowledging you don't agree with Curt's methods into consideration. With all due respect, you are basically saying you know what they did sucks, but to make a buck you are ok with dealing with them (and being the one to defend them) anyway. Ethics and morals...
I would hate to end up with a hitch that is a cheap knock-off that is merely a copy of someone else's work.
Like the DVD bought off the street. You may see the movie, but the picture and sound sucks. Definitely something to think about. Wish i didn't need a hitch.... (roof rack?)
#42
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If I follow the logic of a few posts in this page there should only be one company making and selling one part for our cars. Whomever was the 1st to market with a part for the MINI should be the only company and or vendor offering that same basic part? There's only a limited, some times just one way, to make a part fit a car. So much for our Free Market in the good Ole USA.
To question my ethics in this manner is not going to help anything or anyone.
The Curt Product is what it is and those installing them weekly on MINI's don't seem to share the above concerns. I have asked many of them to share on NAM but they don't want to get flamed for not buying a MDM. Is that really the NAM family we want?
For those of you installing MDM hitches I'm happy you are. Not every MINI owners can afford the Org Price nor the "just lowered to deal with Curt" price. By the way, if the MDM is such a superior product over the Curt why didn't MDM just hold his price, stand with his product and let the lower priced Curt fall off the map?
MDM and AXC both support NAM and countless MINI Clubs/Events around the world. To say that those that have been on NAM longer get a free pass is not a good way to get new vendors with new products here supporting NAM.
To question my ethics in this manner is not going to help anything or anyone.
The Curt Product is what it is and those installing them weekly on MINI's don't seem to share the above concerns. I have asked many of them to share on NAM but they don't want to get flamed for not buying a MDM. Is that really the NAM family we want?
For those of you installing MDM hitches I'm happy you are. Not every MINI owners can afford the Org Price nor the "just lowered to deal with Curt" price. By the way, if the MDM is such a superior product over the Curt why didn't MDM just hold his price, stand with his product and let the lower priced Curt fall off the map?
MDM and AXC both support NAM and countless MINI Clubs/Events around the world. To say that those that have been on NAM longer get a free pass is not a good way to get new vendors with new products here supporting NAM.
#43
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On a tech issue of the Curt Hitch please note for safety the chain loops are welded to the hitch which is bolted to the MINI. They are probably harder to access than the ones mounted to the ball mount but if the ball mount pin falls out of the hitch the chains and trailer go with it on other systems. On a Curt the trailer will still be chained to the MINI.
#46
If I follow the logic of a few posts in this page there should only be one company making and selling one part for our cars. Whomever was the 1st to market with a part for the MINI should be the only company and or vendor offering that same basic part?
WELL, SEE- that is where YOU DO NOT follow any reasonable logic. IF it was somehow different, improved, made worse, changed in some signifigant way-then it is actually a different part. Since MDM has the proof the really good old folks at curt ordered every hitch he makes, then copied them, there still is only ONE company designing parts here-and-if 200 years of copyright laws mean anything, you are welcome to create and sell the same product-as long as you acknowledge the designer with a LICENSE FEE. I have not yet seen where the good old folks at curt, OR YOU, are paying that license fee for the copy.
There's only a limited, some times just one way, to make a part fit a car. So much for our Free Market in the good Ole USA.
To question my ethics in this manner is not going to help anything or anyone.
YOU -and the good old folks at curt-and a lot of other people appear to have the same ethics as the great people who brought us the Enron mess, the current banking crap, and you are making a really good case for everyone to behave like Bernard Madoff, BECAUSE YOU CAN-doesn't have anything to do with right or wrong, ethics be damned. It is the "I want mine and I want it now-and-I don't care who gets screwed along the way" practice of doing business nowadays and it sucks.
The Curt Product is what it is and those installing them weekly on MINI's don't seem to share the above concerns. I have asked many of them to share on NAM but they don't want to get flamed for not buying a MDM. Is that really the NAM family we want?
well, the NAM family I want believes in good old american know how, not good old chinese rip off the other guys design.
For those of you installing MDM hitches I'm happy you are. Not every MINI owners can afford the Org Price nor the "just lowered to deal with Curt" price. By the way, if the MDM is such a superior product over the Curt why didn't MDM just hold his price, stand with his product and let the lower priced Curt fall off the map?
I Never said anything about superiority, MDM stated he has the proof they ripped him off-period. No one seems to dispute that, I don't see how it could be inferior, as it is a copy.
MDM and AXC both support NAM and countless MINI Clubs/Events around the world. To say that those that have been on NAM longer get a free pass is not a good way to get new vendors with new products here supporting NAM.
WELL, SEE- that is where YOU DO NOT follow any reasonable logic. IF it was somehow different, improved, made worse, changed in some signifigant way-then it is actually a different part. Since MDM has the proof the really good old folks at curt ordered every hitch he makes, then copied them, there still is only ONE company designing parts here-and-if 200 years of copyright laws mean anything, you are welcome to create and sell the same product-as long as you acknowledge the designer with a LICENSE FEE. I have not yet seen where the good old folks at curt, OR YOU, are paying that license fee for the copy.
There's only a limited, some times just one way, to make a part fit a car. So much for our Free Market in the good Ole USA.
To question my ethics in this manner is not going to help anything or anyone.
YOU -and the good old folks at curt-and a lot of other people appear to have the same ethics as the great people who brought us the Enron mess, the current banking crap, and you are making a really good case for everyone to behave like Bernard Madoff, BECAUSE YOU CAN-doesn't have anything to do with right or wrong, ethics be damned. It is the "I want mine and I want it now-and-I don't care who gets screwed along the way" practice of doing business nowadays and it sucks.
The Curt Product is what it is and those installing them weekly on MINI's don't seem to share the above concerns. I have asked many of them to share on NAM but they don't want to get flamed for not buying a MDM. Is that really the NAM family we want?
well, the NAM family I want believes in good old american know how, not good old chinese rip off the other guys design.
For those of you installing MDM hitches I'm happy you are. Not every MINI owners can afford the Org Price nor the "just lowered to deal with Curt" price. By the way, if the MDM is such a superior product over the Curt why didn't MDM just hold his price, stand with his product and let the lower priced Curt fall off the map?
I Never said anything about superiority, MDM stated he has the proof they ripped him off-period. No one seems to dispute that, I don't see how it could be inferior, as it is a copy.
MDM and AXC both support NAM and countless MINI Clubs/Events around the world. To say that those that have been on NAM longer get a free pass is not a good way to get new vendors with new products here supporting NAM.
Last edited by CARSSZ; 12-23-2009 at 05:38 PM.
#47
On a tech issue of the Curt Hitch please note for safety the chain loops are welded to the hitch which is bolted to the MINI. They are probably harder to access than the ones mounted to the ball mount but if the ball mount pin falls out of the hitch the chains and trailer go with it on other systems. On a Curt the trailer will still be chained to the MINI.
Oh, and how long do the chains need to be to reach those loops. I have never seen a trailer with chains THAT long. And then just how do you keep them from damaging the bumper as the car turns left and right. Hmmm. And, just how do you keep them from dragging on the ground in the other direction. Hmmm.
#48
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If I reply it will never end because the few only have one thing you really want and that won't happen. I'm off this thread forever. Say what you will but my customers and MINI Friends know who I am and keep coming back to AXC parts and service. Best Wishes and if anyone needs info about Curt Hitches please PM me so it doesn't get lost in the mess of this thread.
#50
If I reply it will never end because the few only have one thing you really want and that won't happen. I'm off this thread forever. Say what you will but my customers and MINI Friends know who I am and keep coming back to AXC parts and service. Best Wishes and if anyone needs info about Curt Hitches please PM me so it doesn't get lost in the mess of this thread.