R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Trailer Hitch, Moss Motors

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Old Jun 2, 2008 | 05:50 PM
  #1  
putttn's Avatar
putttn
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Trailer Hitch, Moss Motors

Anyone have any experience with the Moss Motors trailer hitch? Seems reasonably priced at $149.95 and claims to be simple to install. Has 200 lb tongue weight and 2000 lb towing capacity.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 05:41 PM
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Chris Kueny
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You can't put a trailer hitch on a Mini. It would be wrong in so many ways.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 06:11 PM
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Yes you can, and many do...

how else to you get two adults and two kids with car seats and luggage for all to AMVIV?

Not everyone who owns a Mini is single or "unencumbered". Please try to remember that next time you decice to make a rule of ownership.

Matt

ps, I have the "MiniDoMore" trailer hitch, and it's a pretty easy install, but I don't like how the hitch mounts. It's a real PITA.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 06:15 PM
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I was on the Moss site...

and it says 100 lbs tonge 1000 lbs towing.

Matt
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 06:18 PM
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I just never got the Harley-towing-a-trailer look. How's the motoring with a trailer?
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 06:48 PM
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Hmmm, I'm looking in the catalog and it has 2000 lb towing and 200 lb tongue weight printed in the description.
Any ever installed this hitch? Says under car trimming required, no fascia trimming needed. Also, no drilling required.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 07:09 PM
  #7  
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Trailer hitches are ok for a car, but in just my experience I have owned a car thats been equipped with a trailer hitch and it pulled seriously to the right. (the previous owner probably towed too much weight and screwed everything up) Not saying the hitch is bad, but if you stay within the limits of towing i'm sure everything will turn out fine just my .02
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 07:46 PM
  #8  
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"hitches are just wrong in so many ways", How else can you get your dot legal racing tires to solo?
 
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Old Jun 3, 2008 | 08:49 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by Chris Kueny
You can't put a trailer hitch on a Mini. It would be wrong in so many ways.
Not at $4+ gas prices!
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 06:03 AM
  #10  
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I put a hitch on my 97 jetta years back, worked fine to tow a little sailboat i have, but the only problem i had was when the back of the car would go down out of a driveway or something that hitch that sticks a little lower than the car would nail the pavement, bad noise, but no big deal.
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 10:46 AM
  #11  
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The hitch may be rated at 200 + 2000 but the MINI is set for 100 + 1000
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 02:38 PM
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We used a Sport trailer from U-haul..

it's the one that looks like a plastic bubble. We did fine, and hit extra-legal speeds with no issue. The only thing that sucks is that the trailer itself is about 500lbs. But since it's smooth and pretty much tucks behind the Minis profile, I don't think it really effected drag too much.

The only pain is to install the wiring. You need a 3-2 wiring converter, and that takes a little work to put in.

Matt
 
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Old Jun 4, 2008 | 04:20 PM
  #13  
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See if you can get Moss to send you a mounting diagram, and compare it to the Minidomore hitch. I just ordered a 08 S and I'm putting a hitch on mine so I can tow my racing dinghy around the country. I think it's obvious that one wouldn't want to max out the tounge or tow limits. Hitches work well for bycyle racks too.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2008 | 09:23 AM
  #14  
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You can download

the installation instruction from the Moss page. It's a PDF...

Matt
 
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Old Jun 5, 2008 | 09:30 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Chris Kueny
I just never got the Harley-towing-a-trailer look. How's the motoring with a trailer?
I towed my trailer to AMVIV IV with my MCSc. I went with a group of MINIs and was able to keep up or even lead the group. I did not feel the trailer behind me and it never affected the performance.

Also, speed was not an issue.

I too have the MINI-DO-MORE Trailer Hitch, much better product.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2008 | 09:38 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Dr Obnxs
and it says 100 lbs tonge 1000 lbs towing.

Matt
Don't confuse the Moss Hitch and the Mini-Do-More Hitch...2 different animals.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2008 | 09:50 AM
  #17  
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Hitches

After looking at the two hitches again, the Moss Rating is now at 100/1000, I remember seeing it at 200/2000 previously when I was looking at hitches to tow a teardrop trailer. To add to the confusion, at Mini Do More they have this:
 

Last edited by lawmann; Jan 5, 2010 at 06:13 PM.
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Old Jun 5, 2008 | 09:10 PM
  #18  
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I know...

Originally Posted by lawmann
Don't confuse the Moss Hitch and the Mini-Do-More Hitch...2 different animals.
I have the Mini Do More....

If I were to buy new, I'd do the sport link from Mini Fini.... But I got a deal on the Mini Do More, don't tow that often, so it's kind of a done deal.

Matt
 
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Old Jun 6, 2008 | 04:25 AM
  #19  
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From: Grand Junction, Colorado
Originally Posted by Dr Obnxs
I have the Mini Do More....

If I were to buy new, I'd do the sport link from Mini Fini.... But I got a deal on the Mini Do More, don't tow that often, so it's kind of a done deal.

Matt
Dr., Would you buy the Mini Fini Sport Link because it is easier to install than the Mini Do More? It looks like it is, but you have the experience.
Thanks, Peter
 
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Old Jun 6, 2008 | 06:47 AM
  #20  
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Dr., Would you buy the Mini Fini Sport Link because it is easier to install than the Mini Do More?
NOT at all. MiniDoMore is a DIY install, whereas I would not have been able to do the Sportlink myself.
What is easier is the attachment/removal of accesories (i.e. hooking your trailer, bike carrier, etc)

For a great comparison on MiniDoMore vs. Mini Fini, see DixonL2's post at:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=104718
 

Last edited by eager2own; Jun 6, 2008 at 06:57 AM.
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Old Jun 6, 2008 | 07:09 AM
  #21  
sequence's Avatar
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From: Your Worst Nightmare :)
Originally Posted by Chris Kueny
You can't put a trailer hitch on a Mini. It would be wrong in so many ways.
 
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Old Jun 6, 2008 | 08:20 AM
  #22  
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Puttn.....you do have a Cooper (not an S) right?
 
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Old Jun 6, 2008 | 10:51 PM
  #23  
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The basic trade between the two

is that with the Fini, you have to drill something. For the S, it's the plastic inserts. For the cooper, it's the bumper skin. For the MiniDoMore, the hitch is stuck back behind the reverse light (for the 02), or whatever goes behind the thing in the center for your year.

The problems I have with the MiniDoMore isn't really the install (you take the bumper cover and extruded Al piece). It's with putting the hitch on and off. For each time I do it, I have to get under the car, bend the heat shield, undo a bolt for the bumper cover so I can get my hand up to put the lock pin in, unbend the heat shield and put the bolt back in. It's just tucked too far up and in there. Can't stand it. Wiht the Sport Link system, you have to drill something, but then the parts lock on from the outside of the car, no more under stuff and bending stuff...

None of them are perfect. With the S, drilling the black plastic inserts is easy. For the Cooper, you have to be much more careful.

6 of one, meet a half dozen of the other.... Choose your poisen.

Matt
 

Last edited by Dr Obnxs; Jun 6, 2008 at 10:54 PM.
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Old Jun 6, 2008 | 11:13 PM
  #24  
COR BLMY's Avatar
COR BLMY
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Originally Posted by Chris Kueny
You can't put a trailer hitch on a Mini. It would be wrong in so many ways.
nope

Originally Posted by mimini1
"hitches are just wrong in so many ways", How else can you get your dot legal racing tires to solo?


And one heck of a frame stiffiner
 

Last edited by COR BLMY; Jun 6, 2008 at 11:15 PM.
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