Hi All,

My Mini comes in 2 weeks. I'm really excited.

I have a family of 4 (including me) and I would like to be able to take my mini on trips and not worry (as much) about cargo capacity. So I'm trying to decide if I should:
1. Buy a roof rack and a roof cargo holder (Yakima or Thule)
or
2. buy the Mini Hitch from miniaturetrailer.com and buy this Thule "Transporter" that fits in the 1.25" hitch socket, like this:


I also would put use a ski/snowboard rack (we live near the slopes) and a bike rack, both of which are available with either option. What do you think?

Your experience, advice and opinion is highly valued. Thanks in advance!

b.

 

Now that MINIFINI is back I would go with their system as it would not require the removal of my rear fog light. There are a number of people who can build you a platform that will go right into the MINIFINI reciever hitch.

What I would ultimately like to do would be to get a 1/3 scale MINI replica made in to a trailer.

 

I just sold my Avalanche and don't have a vehicle with any tow capacity...so I'm buying the miniaturetrailer and hitch from Brent. I plan to buy the large stowage bins and a motorcycle rail so that I can configure the trailer for whatever I'm doing.

 

MINIFINI? Who/what/where?
I don't have a rear fog light (forgot to mention that).

 

OOPS my bad. I had to to to www.minifini.com and refresh my memmory. It is a hitch not a reciever.

Can't go that route for a platform. But can go that way for a trailer.

 

I personally like this solution best... But I would have used some Mini wheels instead somehow

 

There is one advantage to the factory rack and that is capacity. The factory rack is rated for 165lbs, more than any other rack system.

I use mine to haul two bicycles, two 15' sea kayaks, a cargo box. OK, ok not all at the same time.

See photos here; http://www.mini2.com/galleries/showp...o/9984/cat/704

Different size cargo boxes are available from various different sources. Many accessories from the various manufacturers will fit the MINI roof rack cross bars.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=67650

 

What about drag on a roof rack? The potential for me or my better (but accident-prone) half to scratch the roof? I'm leaning towards the rear hitch since i can hide it, easy access, less drag, etc. But I am concerned about performance and weight capacity since it is a class I hitch.

 

And the OEM roof rack requires drilling holes in your roof.

 

Exactly. OEM Roof rack is not even an option, I want to be able to remove it and pay less with aftermarket rack.

So the question still stands: roof rack/cargo bin/etc. OR hitch and cargo bin/etc. ? Drag? Weight issues?

The Miniature trailer guy told me that in order to pass this testing to be certified for Class I at 100 lb tongue weight, his hitch needed to be able to deflect less than 5 degrees under 900 lbs of tongue weight. Seems like that ought to be enough, even with the G's I'll put on that cargo box the way I take some turns

Thoughts? Suggestions? Advice?

 

If I was doing something like this, I'd be installing one of the trailer hitches and going with either a Miniature trailer or the totally cool teardrop trailer that was posted above. A trailer always has more capacity than a cargo box, and is usually much simpler to remove/add for the times when you do or don't need it.

 

A trailer is a nice option to have down the road, but I don't need that much capacity and trailers add drag, reduce mileage and handling (kills the joy), so I'm looking for a bit simpler/less expensive/better handling solution so I can still enjoy motoring

 

I figured out that a roof rack is probably the way to go since I won't be hauling bikes with my mini and because I can buy one cargo box and it will fit cargo and skis and snowboards, etc. whereas with a hitch I could only haul cargo OR skis, not both at the same time.

However, Looks like a cargo box would fit strangely since the distance recommended by thule (PDF) shows only 24" - I was going to buy the Atlantis 1600 in black since I have a DS with a black roof, it is 74" long, 36" wide and 16.3" tall and holds 16c.f.

Any further recommendations? I really appreciate all the feedback so far! Thanks all!!

 

As a counterpoint, if you're driving a MINI with four people, a full boot and 100+ pounds of gear perched above the roof, the handling will be seriously compromised... The wind resistance from the box also adds drag and reduces mileage - don't know if it would be more or less than a trailer.

 

Well, I'll throw my opinion in and say go with the factory rack. yes, holes must be drilled in the roof, but that is the only way to get the high capacity 165 pound load that you will need for family luggage as well as skis/snowboards.

Or. . . rent a car/minivan/SUV for the family trips. Everyone will be more comfortable and you won't have to worry about molesting your MINI. Might even save money that way.

 

Yeah, I am thinking the same thing. Mileage, wear and tear on the roof. <sigh> I'm going back and forth.

What about a cargo box off the hitch? That will obviously effect handling (strange enertia) and I can't carry skis and cargo at the same time (would have to switch out racks) but it's easier access... I wonder if it would get better mileage since it is behind the car? I wonder if I could open the boot with it on since it is supposed to tip forward for boot access...

Whatever I decide, I need to do it soon, I have a friend who can get me a 25-30% discount and free shipping (big deal here in the boonies) but I have to do it soon.

Yucca Patrol: I don't want to sacrifice gas mileage if I don't have to, and I think the dealer is going to charge me a lot for the rack and mounting and how do you take it off? Wouldn't there be holes in the roof?
I have an AWD supercharged Toyota Previa mini van. I want to take my mini on vacation, seems like more fun and I want to burn some miles to get to the 25k service before my service contract runs out

 

I do like my factory rack and even though I rarely use it, I like knowing that I have that extra capacity. I do have a 16 foot sea kayak and a cargo box that I have not used on my MINI but on other vehicles. If I ever need it, I know I can carry lots of gear up top and don't really worry about decreased mileage since the MINI is not the most aerodynamic vehicle out there. . . .

It does seem to me that the factory rack would give you maximum capacity and would meet all of your needs if you can get over the fact that holes must be drilled in the roof.

I leave my rack on all of the time because I like the look and I have not noticed any difference in my mileage whatsoever. If you do have the factory rack installed, have the dealer do it since that will leave them responsible for drilling the holes. I remember describing the extra expense of dealer installation as "hole insurance"

 

I went the roof rack way. I too wanted the box to match the car. I had looked at both Thule and Yakima. After talking with Mark (NAM) he recommended Yakima over Thule because of their locks and latches. I purchased the Yakima 16s from REI because if you join they give you a nice discount on your first purchase and they ship free to the nearest REI store which was only a 2 hour drive for me. here is a picture of the box on TWISTER.

 

 

I would definitely need an enclosed/secure one. I think I am leaning towards the hitch option so I can (hopefully) get better mileage, void the $600+ fromt he dealer for an OEM roof rack and avoid messing up my roof altogether. Plus the access is easier from the back. I just wish I could have one thing that would haul skis and gear like a roof box can.

 

I have a complete hitch for sale
NIB

 

NOW we are TALKIN!

 

I'm a skier with a family of 4 and although my wife has an SUV, I wanted the option of taking the Mini skiing. All my car carrying accessories are roof rack based and interchangeable between cars and as we switch cars so it was a no brainer for me to go roof rack on the Mini.

Dealer install stuff is the worst rip-off about Mini, no doubt, but I got discounts on both the rack install and car price that took the pain way. As mentioned above, the problem with aftermarket racks is the load capacity. Thule for example, is 110 lbs. Rack 15, cargo box 35, 4 skis/poles - say 50, so that leaves 20 lbs for the rest of your gear? I've also seen the Thule/Mini stand (actual car) and their rack was starting to distorting the plastic rain gutters, which they hold onto.

I've had over 100lbs on my roof and was surprised at how decent the handling of the car still is, the Mini still feels less tippy than with the box on than my sport suspended sedan. I believe it's because the Mini's suspension is so stiff to start with.

Was never crazy about how unstable loads look on the single point hitches. I'm sure two point hitches, like Mini-Fini are better in corners, but bumps look like they'd bounce a load in the same way. However, I'm not sure what's worse for handling - weight low and way back, or weight centered and way high .

This box hold 4 pairs of skies, poles and 2 duffle bags:


Good luck with your decision.

 

Hi Snapper, Im in the market for a roof box this winter and i was wonder which model are you using in that picture? Are you still able to open the hatch completely as well as use the radio antenna as well?