I am entertaining the idea of using a 4x8 enclosed trailer with my mini to haul light loads to art fairs that I participate in. I know that there is some controversy about towing anything at all but given that I have a question about how to set up a mini for towing. I purchased a mini do more hitch for the car a few months ago but have not installed it yet. Now that I am researching trailers, I realize that another necessary component is the trailer brakes. How should the car be rigged for electric brakes?

 

small trailers don't typically have brakes

you need to check the law for your particular state

for example in Florida

In Florida, all vehicles, trailers and combinations must have appropriate braking systems unless they meet specific exceptions. Florida Statutes 316.261 states that all trailers must have brakes on each wheel unless the total weight of the trailer and the load does not exceed 3,000 pounds.

since it wouldn't be wise to use a MINI to tow such a heavy load - not an issue.


see: http://www.boatwheels.biz/brakelaws.pdf for a state by state table

 

I appreciate the information but I am not as interested in satisfying the legal requirement as having a safe setup for the vehicle. It seems to me that brakes might help to avoid a jack-knife situation but maybe with the limited loads that I would be hauling brakes might not be necessary. What I was looking for was somebody who had previous experience with different brake and brake controller systems on the Mini (it is a 2004 R50).

 

You might be better off with a surge brake type system, given the BCM, which in the past has seemed vulnerable to even small changes in load (i.e. brake/rear fog jumpers)

I understand your cautious approach, but I doubt many, if any people tow with enough weight to warrant trailer brakes.

 

Mini brakes are very good, and oversized to allow sporty driving...
added brakes to a trailer of 500-600 lbs is just crazy.

You would need to add a controler....many auto stores have them...wiredd up front with a controler and added power for the electric brakes...
Iqf you are truely worried, just get better pads, or a big brake kit...so better braking all the time....

 

Towing with the cvt?! Or the 5 speed....
Not much extra tq to tow with a r50...careful with a clutch...

 

The combined weight of trailer and load would be more like 1200 pounds not 500-600. I wanted to see what you folks thought about trailer brakes for this use and whether it would be crazy or not. As to the other question, my mini is a manual. When I purchased it I was aware of problems with the cvt.

Thanks,

 

Where are you Terry? Surge brakes are fine, as long as you don't live in mountainous country. If you do, then the surge brakes will be "on" a lot of the time you are going downhill, resulting in accelerated wear. If that's the case, then electric brakes would be better. Otherwise, surge brakes are fine.

 

Basic rule of thumb with a Mini is if the traler needs brakes it's to heavy for the car, don't forget when it comes to weight it's not only starting, stopping & pulling power it's also the stress on the frame, too much weight/stress and it will twist.

 

Thanks everybody for the information. What I am taking away from this is that I probably don't need brakes on this trailer.