R57 Flat Towing a 2010 R57 Cabrio
Thread Starter
|
Neutral
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Boston Massachusetts U.S.A.
Flat Towing a 2010 R57 Cabrio
Hello,
I have been researching any information about flat towing my 2010 R57 Cabrio behind my F350 + Lance Camper. Not much info out there on flat towing, and certainly none about behind a truck camper. So I'll start this thread to share my experience so far and hope others join in. This is what I know so far:
1. Mini does not support flat towing under its warranty program.
2. RoadMaster does make a tow bar which I installed. It was a bit of work pulling the front end off and replacing the front frame cross member with the RoadMaster part. I used red lock tight on the cross member bolts because I never want to take the front end apart again.
It was also a bit scary cutting away small openings in the lower plastic grill. Cutting a little bit at a time and fitting it perfectly was well worth the time it took. It looks like a stock application.
3. I learned it is impossible to wire in the Mini's tail lights to act as your toad lights. There is an option to cut in a separate bulb assembly into the taillight assembly to make it work. I chose to build a tow light bar and strap it to the bonnet and set it on my rear bumper. Works fine but needs improvement to keep it from scratching the paint.
4. I towed my Mini once for about 20 miles. On the highway and through windy back roads. Everything worked fine. It was raining, and the Mini got really dirty. I'm worried about rocks etc. so I'm working on getting some protection. I'm considering the RoadMaster Rock Guard for about $500 and the rock guard's I've seen behind motor homes that look like a wide set of bristles across the back (don't know the name yet).
5. I read somewhere you should stop every x miles and start the Mini to get the oil circulating. Not sure about this.
6. It was nice not having to have a key in the ignition as the Mini does not have a steering wheel lock.
7. I'm planning a trip into the mountains and I feel that I'm going to need a brake assist unit. Research is ongoing, not sure which is best. I read that someone had a problem with the brake assist killing the battery. But I'm not sure, There is no way to just turn the ignition to on without starting the engine and the cigarette lighter does not operate without the engine on. So a brake assist unit will need to be powered by a separate circuit.
As I learn more, I will try to keep this threat updated.
If anyone has any experience with a Mini Toad, I'd certainly appreciate hearing about it.
Digger Dan
I have been researching any information about flat towing my 2010 R57 Cabrio behind my F350 + Lance Camper. Not much info out there on flat towing, and certainly none about behind a truck camper. So I'll start this thread to share my experience so far and hope others join in. This is what I know so far:
1. Mini does not support flat towing under its warranty program.
2. RoadMaster does make a tow bar which I installed. It was a bit of work pulling the front end off and replacing the front frame cross member with the RoadMaster part. I used red lock tight on the cross member bolts because I never want to take the front end apart again.
It was also a bit scary cutting away small openings in the lower plastic grill. Cutting a little bit at a time and fitting it perfectly was well worth the time it took. It looks like a stock application.
3. I learned it is impossible to wire in the Mini's tail lights to act as your toad lights. There is an option to cut in a separate bulb assembly into the taillight assembly to make it work. I chose to build a tow light bar and strap it to the bonnet and set it on my rear bumper. Works fine but needs improvement to keep it from scratching the paint.
4. I towed my Mini once for about 20 miles. On the highway and through windy back roads. Everything worked fine. It was raining, and the Mini got really dirty. I'm worried about rocks etc. so I'm working on getting some protection. I'm considering the RoadMaster Rock Guard for about $500 and the rock guard's I've seen behind motor homes that look like a wide set of bristles across the back (don't know the name yet).
5. I read somewhere you should stop every x miles and start the Mini to get the oil circulating. Not sure about this.
6. It was nice not having to have a key in the ignition as the Mini does not have a steering wheel lock.
7. I'm planning a trip into the mountains and I feel that I'm going to need a brake assist unit. Research is ongoing, not sure which is best. I read that someone had a problem with the brake assist killing the battery. But I'm not sure, There is no way to just turn the ignition to on without starting the engine and the cigarette lighter does not operate without the engine on. So a brake assist unit will need to be powered by a separate circuit.
As I learn more, I will try to keep this threat updated.
If anyone has any experience with a Mini Toad, I'd certainly appreciate hearing about it.
Digger Dan
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Camden90240
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
12
Sep 28, 2020 12:09 PM
ECSTuning
Vendor Classifieds
0
Sep 4, 2015 12:51 PM
