I'm looking for a trailer hitch for my MCS with stock exhaust. I've searched some of the older threads but I can't find any with pics or good links.

My husband thinks it is impossible and I am trying to prove him wrong. Please help!

I want to get some R compound tires for autocross - and I don't want to put them in the boot!

 

I have seen at least three different hithces that mount on an MCS. The first was custom made by one of our own. It was very trick - the external parts was removable leaving almost no evidence of a hitch. Similar to one of the other the MINI FINI design that I think is out now/ The third I saw used a flat steel loop to go around the exhaust for the hitch. I t looked like he had his done at a local hitch shop. So, yes it can be done. Did you make a bet with your husband?

_________________
IB/W some mods

 

I've been checking the MINI FINI site for a hitch. It doesn't appear to be out yet. Does anyone know if it will work off of their sport link system or will it be a different system?

 

I'm really looking forward to a hitch for the S model as well.

Is there any reason we couldn't make our own adaptation on the MINI FINI Sport link? I'm thinking a U bracked that includes a hitch assembly?

I'm guessing the specific weights would be:

Trailer - 130 LBS
Wheels & Tires - 120 LBS (30 LBS a Wheel/Tire)
Tools - 100 - 200 LBS

So 300-500 LBS? That shouldn't be tough or beyond the capacity of the Sport Link.

Thoughts?

_________________
"Mjolnir" | DS/B MCS | Madison, WI

Madness Intake | Madness Swaybar | Helix Pulley | 17" Kosei K-1 Racers | GY Eagle F1 GS-D3| HSport Springs | RDR Control Arms

<IMG SRC="http://mcs.maximus-consulting.com/grillsmall.jpg"

 

the mini fini hitch is part of the sport link system..

I am waiting for the tire rack that is supposed to be added to the system.. basically a shelf as wide as the car and 24" deep.. will attach right to the sport link, and should hold 4 tires side by side..

i am keeping my fingers crossed that this product will make it to market..


a

ps. I have the sport link already installed for my bike rack.. it works very nicely..

 

There are several hitches for the MC (DaLan hitch for $219) but few for the MCS.
Get some ideas or do a custom mod to one of the standard hitches
http://www.bageco.com/hitchlistssp/hitchlistsp_bmw.htm


Class I (R) Style Style for MC
with Removable Drawbar 2,000 lbs.

MINI is rated to carry 948 pounds of people and cargo, and to tow 1,102-pound trailer without brakes, 1,430-pound trailer with brakes.

 

SOLD

 

SOLD

 

Hitch for Cooper with an S hitch on the way????
There is a guy near Albany, New York who builds roll cages
who has a hitch designed for the S. He sold them on Ebay
for a time but demand was low so he stopped. If I think of
his name I'll post it.....so yes there are hitches for the S.
He used it to tow tire etc. to the tarck in Lime Rock, CT.

 

talk to Terry @ http://www.TerrySaytherAuto.com He dualed out his alta exhaust, that way you have a nice clean, safe installation. If you talk to him ,have him post some pics.

 

>>I have seen at least three different hithces that mount on an MCS. The first was custom made by one of our own. It was very trick - the external parts was removable leaving almost no evidence of a hitch. Similar to one of the other the MINI FINI design that I think is out now/ The third I saw used a flat steel loop to go around the exhaust for the hitch. I t looked like he had his done at a local hitch shop. So, yes it can be done. Did you make a bet with your husband?
>>
>>_________________
>>IB/W some mods
>>

 

MSFITOY..

Sorry I sold the hitch this weekend...

 

>>I have a hitch that was designed for the MCS. It was orig. sold by
>>Mini Mania for $399. I however paid $500 for one with an all
>>stainless receiver. I will sell it for $350. plus shipping. It was never
>>installed and is "NEW" email me if you want more info..
>>
>>bad4fun@yahoo.com

Hi there!

How does it hook up to the S? Where does the hitch go in relation to the exhaust exit?

-J

 

Mjolnir,

Sorry, sold the hitch this weekend..

 

Hey everybody,

We actually were waiting for the FINI hitch to be done a year ago, so we decided to take action last fall. Terry bought a Rogue Engineering dual tip exhaust and had Spillar custom hitches install a setup similar to the mock-up that someone posted earlier for the MC. We now tow our reproduction '59 teardrop trailer full of ALTA parts to MINI meets here and there.





-Bryan Eagle
Terry Sayther Minimotive
Austin, TX
www.minimotive.com

 

Like many people I wanted a Hitch for my MCS to pull a small trailer.
After studying the Mini Fini Sport Link (which has since REMOVED the trailer hitch from the web page), and the custom engineered one that was sold on Ebay and by Mini Mania (currently out of stock at $500), I made one.

To put on my hitch I did NOT remove the rear facia. It sticks through the grills like the Mini Fini.

I have under $20 in parts, (but several hours of hand tool and welding fabrication time) in it.

EDIT. HITCH IS INSIDE THE BOX BEAMS AND IS BOLTED TO THE BOTTOM SURFACE USING THE EXISTING HOLES.


If you can handle a hack saw you can cut all the parts yourself, then have some one spend 10 minutes welding the parts for you.

An electric drill and hand tap and 9/16 wrench are all that is required for installation.

Pop out the two fake grills on the back bumper and you are looking at the two frame rails that most of the hitches for the MC or MCS attatch to.

I AM NOT SELLING THESE, but if it sounds like something you are interested in designing and installing on your car, I will share some Photos with you. Send me a Private email. I will post some photos on a web page with in a week.

John

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2minis

There is a guy near Albany, New York who builds roll cages

I have that hitch, and have had it installed for about a year on my 2003 MCS. I have to say, it's the bee's knees. It looks like Paul Hacker (ebay identity hackchopper) is selling a stainless steel version on ebay right now, but they are bit more than the powder coated version I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2446861178&category=67 63


You might want to contact him and see if he's still got any of the non-stainless versions available, if you can't stomach the price...

Installation involves removing the rear bumper and drilling some holes in the frame rails. Not a big deal really, and a lot cleaner that drilling in the trunk floor if you ask me. When the outer portion is removed, leaving only the vertical pipes that accept the hitch portion completely concealed between the bumper cover and the heat shield (I didn't need to cut my heat shield), you really can't tell it's there unless you crawl around on the ground and figure out what you're looking at. Highly recommended at whatever price you're willing to pay.

 

I have seen the Paul Hacker hitch on an MCS, and I agree it is a very nice unit. (It is now $600.)

I called one of the Retailers that supplies that hitch and was prepared to pay the $500 that they get for it. It was out of stock, so I decided to make my own device.

I don't claim this method is for everyone, It just worked for me.

In my case, I felt that 4 holes in the floor of the trunk were better than dropping the mufflers and heat shields, althought if I made another one I would probably do that and attatch through the bottom of the box beam.
NOTE, SEE FURTHER DOWN THIS POST. REVISED HITCH DOES NOT REQUIRE DRILLING TRUNK FLOOR, AND IS STRONGER.

Photos of what I did are at

http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/Trailer_hitch/

John

 

where did you get that kick **** trailer?! I've been thinking about gettign an old mini converted one... but I like that better, especially if it can be used to asa small sleeper...

 

That kick **** trailer came from our friend in Indianapolis who made it from a pattern he had from a 1959 teardrop trailer. It was the second repro he did and it sleeps two six foot tall persons comfortably, has a kitchenette in the back and cabinetry inside as well. A person can move it around very easily by themselves. We drove it to vegas last Feb. and then again to the Fla. MINI get-together.

Thanks,
Bryan Eagle
Terry Sayther Minimotive
Austin, TX
www.terrysaytherauto.com

 

I looked allover teh internet for themand foudn a coulpe sites.. I think this is deffintly goign on to my list of must haves.... I miss camoping, adn this is soo much better than pop up. I've alwasy beena fan of the roadtrip america era, I stop at all kinds of goofy roadside attractions.. I must haev one!

 

Here's a link to my thread showing my MCS and trailer:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ighlight=hitch

The hitch is the CrashKarl setup, stainless around the exhaust pipes.

Mike.

 

Does CrashKarl still have a website? How do we see the product and order? Thanks.

 

See this ebay add (expired) for the contact of the brother of the guy who made my hitch:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6763

 

My ALPHA hitch was too light and bent.

I revised it. I still did not have to dissasemble the bumper or exhaust. I did lower the exhaust a few inches by undoing the bracket around the muffler.

I used the EXISTING holes in the box beam.

I made the brackets out of 1 x 1/2 steel.

Information is posted at

http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/Trailer_hitch/


John