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I have been looking into the F60 for my next car, but noticed no mention of the rear storage rack for the 2017 Countryman. In the marketing photos I see no sign of the two plastic covers for the mount locations. This seems a strange omission. Can anyone confirm? Thanks.
At worst you can still do the hidden hitch system. Its a 2017 vehicle though, not sure if the chassis is different from R60 but if it is, probably just need to be patient until the aftermarket kicks in.
The F60 chassis is significantly different from the R60 chassis. It is based on the same chassis platform as the current Clubman and BMW X1. Checked E-trailer and Curt Manufacturing (which e-trailer listed) and no trailer hitches exist yet for the F60. They do have hitches for both the Clubman and X1, however they are not interchangeable despite based on the same chassis. For cars where the USA distributor does not recommend towing, hitch rating for the Clubman is 1.25" 200lb hitch/2000lb tow rating while the X1 has a Class 3 2" 350lb hitch/3500lb tow rating - and there are reports in Europe of the BMW towing that level. Expect only a matter of time before a F60 hitch is offered.
I confirmed with MINI that there will not be a rear bike rack option for the F60 >:( While the guy I talked to didn't have an official reason, he seems to think it's because of the power tailgate option - they didn't want it hitting the rack if it was in place, even though the stop sensor on it is very sensitive.... Guess we'll never know for sure.
I confirmed with MINI that there will not be a rear bike rack option for the F60 >:( While the guy I talked to didn't have an official reason, he seems to think it's because of the power tailgate option - they didn't want it hitting the rack if it was in place, even though the stop sensor on it is very sensitive.... Guess we'll never know for sure.
Be interesting to see if works with a hitch rack on standard hitch. Depends on how far rack sticks out to allow rear opening. Of course, they don't have and aftermarket hitches yet, so moot. About the only way now are roof rack attached to the rails...which have their own issues. With the raising rear hatch, depending on how far it swings out while going up probably would interfere with my canoe "1 person load" attachment. It mounts where the ball does on the tongue and goes straight up where a bike rack extends at least a foot out before going up. The canoe/kayak mount is ingenious. "T" shape to roof height, load and strap one end to the "T" then walk the other end around (the T swivels) to front and secure to crossbar. Of course would not be opening the rear when canoe loaded, but unloaded, opening with "T" still inserted in hitch would be issue.
I just saw on the Curt Mfg site that a model 11451 receiver fits on a 2017 Countryman. Same model fits on 16-17 clubman. Has anyone tried it?
Yes, I saw that last week (and significantly reduced price on etrailer). Held off ordering as I will be traveling (air, not roadtrip) to visit grandkids May and July, so probably be August. Install doesn't look too hard. While it says no drilling, does require enlarging an existing hole, where drilling would be easiest.
Looks like they expect you to have Preparations for rear luggage carrier which is option S3ARA if you intend to install it. In German configurator you can't have the power tailgate if you order the towbar so I'm not sure if that option removes it or if it adds some additional electrical. They do have the retrofit kit for the electrical as well but it may require something that S3ARA adds.
Yes, I saw that last week (and significantly reduced price on etrailer). Held off ordering as I will be traveling (air, not roadtrip) to visit grandkids May and July, so probably be August. Install doesn't look too hard. While it says no drilling, does require enlarging an existing hole, where drilling would be easiest.
Nice find at eTrailer, I've bought from them before and have nothing but good things to say.
You're right, it really just looks like a fairly standard aftermarket four-bolt under-body hitch mount that rides below the bumper skirt. And that's a good thing for ease of installation because with the original Countryman, Curt's hitch was a lot more involved -- you had to completely remove the bumper cover and bumper and drop the exhaust to mount it but at least it was a whole lot less visible.
I wonder if its placement interferes with the power liftgate's kick sensor?
Nice find at eTrailer, I've bought from them before and have nothing but good things to say.
You're right, it really just looks like a fairly standard aftermarket four-bolt under-body hitch mount that rides below the bumper skirt. And that's a good thing for ease of installation because with the original Countryman, Curt's hitch was a lot more involved -- you had to completely remove the bumper cover and bumper and drop the exhaust to mount it but at least it was a whole lot less visible.
I wonder if its placement interferes with the power liftgate's kick sensor?
Kick sensor was my first concern, as well as hatch clearance. Just laid down under the back and don't see sensors underneath so can't tell where the trigger is. Ironically, my head and hand movement didn't trigger it. Would probably need to deactivate the clearance sensors as they would detect the object inches away from the car and alarming red all the time. Would really like to know more about the fit, while there is some space without impacting the muffler, I didn't see the flat mounting area to mount to. It all appears to be subfloor, not frame. My other concern was clearance when bike rack mounted. Dropping a line as I manually raised the rear hatch. Furthest out is about midchest for me (I'm 5'10") and the line was 14" out from the bumper. While I don't know where the mounted hitch receiver would end - at, before or after the bumper - I did paint an indicator line on my Thule bike rack at the end of the receiver to insert for the hole to line up. From that paint mark to the vertical rise of the rack is only 12", so may not be able to open the hatch - and place a rubberized guard on the rack vertical for accidental openings. Unintended openings have happened a couple of times - probably button on key pushed by something else in pocket when getting into car. I obviously wouldn't have the clearance for my one man canoe loader as it goes straight up from where the ball would be - it is on it's dedicated receiver and mounts in the hole intended for the ball.
My other concern was clearance when bike rack mounted.
Curt hitch will definitely kill the rear approach angle but at the same time it'll protect the area it's mounted under with solid steel!
If it's any consolation MniDoMore's F54 Clubman hitch is completely hidden by the bumper cover. Pricier, but they made a similar one for the R60, maybe F60 will get one too?
Invisihitch has one for the X1 already that comes up from under the bumper cover instead of having to go through it. They're usually pretty responsive to new vehicle inquiries, especially since you'd think being UKL it be pretty close to working already. They're all quick release as well, so when you're not using it, just pop it off and it doesn't kill your departure angle.
Invisihitch has one for the X1 already that comes up from under the bumper cover instead of having to go through it. They're usually pretty responsive to new vehicle inquiries, especially since you'd think being UKL it be pretty close to working already. They're all quick release as well, so when you're not using it, just pop it off and it doesn't kill your departure angle.
I think the X1 has a little more space between bumper and muffler with the few extra inches in length. Also, the Invisihitch appears to be 2" receiver rather than the 1 1/4 on the Mini. I looked at the corresponding Curt hitch for the X1 and it is totally different from the Mini hitch as well - 2" (4000lb) vs 1 1/4 (2000lb). The Curt installation instructions on the etrailer site have photos for both hitches and the BMW underside and connection points are totally different from the Mini. While no user photos exist for Clubman/Countryman hitch, user photos for the BMW show it fitting snug under the bumper ans slighly recessed - not protruding out like the photos of the Invisihitch.
Correction - that was a Draw-Tite on the BMW, not Curt. Draw-Tite has not designed one for the Mini (yet). One other thing I did notice over there...if adding electronic harness. The BMW is confirmed to fit, while the different one suggested for Mini is NOT confirmed to fit and all references are installing on an Audi.
The OEM euro hitches for the F60 and F48 appear to be almost identical, so I guess it depends on if they designed the US hitch to mimic the Euro ones like they have on other models.
A 2" receiver generally gives you more options for racks, you really just need to be concerned with the tongue weight and as long as you're not over it, you should be fine whether your using a 1.25" or 2" receiver.
Curt basically had to go Class 1 with a 1.25" receiver because of it's underside mount. The Drawtight on 2017 X1 is interesting, they reuse the lower bumper mounts and then bolt it from the underside as well. I'm guessing they did that for ease of install and you can probably get away with only removing the diffuser instead of the rear bumper cover to install it.
The OEM euro hitches for the F60 and F48 appear to be almost identical, so I guess it depends on if they designed the US hitch to mimic the Euro ones like they have on other models.
A 2" receiver generally gives you more options for racks, you really just need to be concerned with the tongue weight and as long as you're not over it, you should be fine whether your using a 1.25" or 2" receiver.
Curt basically had to go Class 1 with a 1.25" receiver because of it's underside mount. The Drawtight on 2017 X1 is interesting, they reuse the lower bumper mounts and then bolt it from the underside as well. I'm guessing they did that for ease of install and you can probably get away with only removing the diffuser instead of the rear bumper cover to install it.
There is another reason for that 2" receiver on the BMW. While both BMWUSA and MINIUSA discourage towing and don't list capabilities, I was wondering what they were so
I searched for European manuals. Couldn't find them, but did run across this blog where apparently BMW Germany rates the X1 at 2000kg (4400lb). http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/07/22/ne...-2000-kg-boat/ That photo is amazing! That was with a European hitch but would explain DrawTite design. Where the Curt attaches, couldn't even begin to think of that level. The problem with the European hitch is that every accessory designed in the States expects a receiver.
I'd be very surprised if the Countryman's Euro tow rating is much different than the X1's when equipped with comparable engines. Typically the hitch tongue weights are lower in Europe because of the trailer design. When you look at how the boat trailer is attached, there are no chains which are required in the US. Instead the trailer has surge brakes and is wired to apply them if the hitch mount fails. You're probably also limited to 100 km/h speeds when towing.
Having the European 50mm ball mount would make finding tow accessories in the US next to impossible, you'd most likely have to import them all. Too bad Mini doesn't have Euro Delivery and you could pick them up when you're taking delivery.
