Hi guys

It's official - I'm a tool.

I'm hoping somebody can help me. I ordered the trailer hitch from MiniDoMore for my Cooper S, but I forgot to order the draw bar

I desperately need the draw bar by Friday 17th August so that we can unveil our MINI trailer at Mini In The Park, one of the UK's biggest MINI shows.

I've ordered the draw bar, but Brent is on holiday for a week, so it looks like I may not get it in time

Is there any kind soul out there who could let me borrow theirs? In return I will send you some MINI UK goodies or a souvenir from the show. I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm desperate. I will pay for all shipping costs, and even leave a deposit with you to prove I am genuine and I'm not going to run away with it, and it will return to you on Monday 20th August.

Thank for reading anyway...maybe somone can help. Paul from 1320 Auto's (Paul Webster) can vouch for me if you're concerned, as he has helped with the building of the trailer.

Nicci
x

 

A local trailer shop should have a drawbar that will work. It will have to be long enough, so check for that.

It will need to have built in safety chain loops but that's easily solved with a drill or welder.

 

PMd you, agree with CleanSC but do NOT drill a drawbar. Your local trailer shop will be able to help faster and cheaper than we can do from the US, and check your MDM hitch as they all don't need a longer drawbar, only the 1003 ('02-'04 model with the reverse light in the hole, or the '05-'06 with a rear fog). Either way, a good trailer shop should be able to get you what you need, weld on some safety chain loops, and have you on your way faster than shipping from the US. Let us know how it goes, check my PM if you have any questions and good luck!

 

Oh - another idea for safety chain hooks - you can get a hardened steel loop, slip it over a stock drawbar, and use that for safety chains - it avoids welding but you need to find the right size loop... here's what I'm talking about:


Turn it sideways to what that picture is showing, slip it over the drawbar before installing, go from there! It may rattle but that's what black electrical tape is for. All you have to do is find the right size, an industrial tool shop should be able to help there... it's another option...

 

Thank for the help guys :D

 

Hope you get it to work out -- be sure to post pics from the show.

 

Well after a few days of calling tow bar suppliers we've drawn a blank. Most places don't stock anything for the MCS and nobody can get anything in in time.

So we're pinning all our hopes on Brent being able to get the drawbar shipped out before Saturday morning, other wise it's going to end in tears!

Either that or we'll have a Freelander, or a classic Mini pulling it!

(Still not giving up yet!)

 

No no don't mention anything about an MCS! You don't need a hitch kit since you already have that. So that's good news.

Ask them for a standard 1 1/4” Class I drawbar. It's a pretty generic thing and any trailer place should carry it. Even some marine stores, hardware stores, and tools/equipment stores should have it.

Good luck!

 

It's not so much "for the MCS" as it's a drawbar that fits a (US-standard) 1 1/4" hitch and is x" long... are there any trailer hitch shops that can help? I know the UK shops would be more likely to stock Euro sizes though, hmmm, sounds like a tough one! Brent's a good guy though, keep calling...

 

Might have it sorted

Will find out tomorrow... Thanks once again guys!

 

I can't help it, I'm an empathetic fool - how did it go? Success? Been rooting for you... hope it all worked.

 

Looks like it's going to be ok. I'll post some photo's after the weekend. The show is on Sunday, and the forecast is rain & thunder storms

 

Here's some photo's for you Thanks for all the advice!

 

I LUUUVVVVs the cabrio clip trailer!!!

 

LOL that's excellent!

Just need to finish it off with the same wheels and stripes as on the tow vehicle.

Top notch!

 

+1 on putting the stripes and wheels on the trailer. . . but it looks great -- even has the matching Aero kit!

by the way, where'd you get the GP wheels? are those aftermarket knock-offs or the real thing?

 

Thanks guys!

We had the viper stripes ready to put on before the show, but unfortunately ran out of time! We also need to get a set of chrome exhaust trims to fill the bumper hole, and we will look to get the wheels but we also ran out of money! But for now the S-spokes will do the job.

The GP wheels are replicas and came from a company in the UK. They are widely available on Ebay though, they're called Worx wheels They were laquered to start with, but they began corroding after just 2 months, so my other half sanded the laquer off and polished them up. They look much nicer now!

 

^ thanks for the wheel feedback. I have seen the Worx on eBay -- but corrosion after 2 months doesn't sound promising

 

Sweet trailer! Thanks for posting the pics... a consideration: When you put the chrome exhaust trims on, since they're non functional, consider putting small foglights inside each as "reverse lights"! That'd at least make 'em functional, without the hassle of putting a real smoke generator (or flamethrower) in there...

Oh - and it looks like the display area might've been a bit muddy...

 

Hey foxyMini- Ae those 17 x 7.5" wheels you have on?

The reason I'm asking is cause I found those on ebay. Herer is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-1...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Thanks for the suggestions

And muddy? I guess you could say that...





The ones we have are 18"s

 

Holy smokes! I'm glad Minis were bred as rally cars... looks like more than a few folks took a shot at "mudding" across the bog!

 

Here's my MiniDoMore hitch set up:



View from side:



View from behind:



Folds down for easy access to the hatch:



Holds two bikes (of any size/type):




I have to say that the MiniDoMore hitch is amazing. It was very easy to install and fits the MINI PERFECTLY! I'm very impressed by the quality and fit of the hitch. I'm absolutely loving being able to cary around my bikes on my MINI!

 

I want to get a Minidomore hitch for a bike rack on my 2006 MCS. How easy is it to attach and remove the hitch rack? Minidomore instructions say you must lay on the ground, use both hands and reach between the heat shield and plastic bumper cover. I'd like to take the rack off during the week when it is not in use. It sounds VERY difficult, as some racks have a treaded bolt!

Any help would be great.

 

It's not too difficult at all, just a bit of a blind reach. If you have young knees, you can do it squatted down, otherwise plan on sitting in the pavement & reaching up under the bumper cover (bring an old floormat or do it in the garage). You don't have to lay down. Takes me maybe 45 seconds to put on my bolt-through Rhode Gear rack, vs. 15-20 on the old Camry with an exposed hitch. I suppose I could do it faster, but why?

Oh - you also should let the exhaust cool a few minutes (not many - 5 should do it even after a longer hotter run).

If you can, get a rack with a pin, not a bolt (the Hollywood is nice, and has anti-sway and an extended tongue). Do check with Brent at MiniDoMore about how far recessed your hitch will be.

If you DON'T have a rear fog, you can use the MDM hitch that puts the receiver box close to the bumper cover (further aft relative to teh vehicle center) and use just about any 1 1/4" hitch rack. If you DO have a rear fog, you'll need the same hitch as the pre-2005 MCS models (with center reverse light). The hitch box is recessed 3" or so from the bumper cover - you'll need a bit of an extender to reach the hitch receiver.

Also, remember, with bikes on the back the folks following you can't see your lights as easily.