We are moving from Missouri to Maine in three weeks and just found out this morning that UHAUL will not let you tow a MINI on either their dolly or on their 4-wheel trailer. We have an 03 Cooper and had planned to tow it behind our Suburban (we could probably just drive it up into the SUB and take it that way, but our dogs wouldn't like that) - Any suggestions on how to transport MINI behind our car or are we up a creek? Time is running out for us!

 

What? That seems awfully strange they won't allow you to tow a MINI on either. What was their reasoning for this? I think I'd try either another U-Haul dealer or someone like Penske who also rents trailers and dollies.

 

Well, they told me at UHAUL that the MINI wheel base is too narrow for either of their trailers. And furthermore, that even if it could accommodate the MINI on the dolly type trailer, you would probably scrape the tailpipe and back end on the ground because the car is too short to be towed on two front wheels. The 4-wheel trailer is too wide to secure the MINI. That's the story, anyway. But I will try Penske. Thanks for the tip.

 

That is totally untrue. I have rented several dollies and car transporters from U-Haul to tow a few of my old Volkswagens. The wheelbase on an old VW is the same or less than a MINI and it fit just fine (they told me the same thing at first but I went home and measured just to be sure). I would also recommend using the car transporter instead of the dolly.

Cheers,
-Justyn

PS. VW Wheelbase: 95.3 inches
MINI Wheelbase: 97.1 inches

 

Hrrrmph. I could see their reasoning if your car was a "non - S" classic Mini with the non-spacered drums (the wheelbase IS pretty narrow on those cars - but with spacered drums and S discs, I was able to tow my 1960 Mini on a UHaul flatbed trailer - it JUST fit widthwise), but the width on the new MINIs isn't overly narrow - in fact it's very similar to say a VW Golf. There shouldn't be a problem.

I would avoid the tow dolly - but that's just personal preference.

 

I have to disagree with mbabischkin. But please hear me out first. I have a 03 MCS and a 01 Chevy Tahoe 4X4.

Problem: What is the cheapest and most convienent way to get both vehicles from San Diego, California to Washington D.C.

I bought a used "Tow Dolly". The only thing that scraped was the winddam underneath the car. No damage, just scraped as the car was being loaded. I towed the MCS in this fashion for 2700 miles cross-country and I will also do so next month on my return to California. No problems whatsoever with scraping the bumpers or the exhaust system. Hit some rough pot holes and still no problems.

Of course each person has his preferance and limits of anxiety, but it is very possible and easy to use a dolly.

I understand not wanting to take the chance of scraping anything, and would not have a Tow Truck tow my MCS but a tow dolly is a different tool and does not elevate the Mini to critical angles. Once again that is my experience. 2700 miles with no damage.

jgc936, please PM me if you want any info.

 

In case you're wondering - Penske will not rent a trailer alone without renting the truck, too. Although they say their equipment will safely haul a MINI - D'oh!

 

Actually, I just ran out and checked the manual, and I stand corrected, I deleted my orignal post to avoid causing any confusion. If you have a 2003, check page 127 of your manual for all the details on towing your MINI, as well as special considerations if you have a CVT.

 

We appreciate all the input. We are going to drive the MINI over to the big UHAUL place in St. Louis on Sat. Morning and try to see if there is a problem getting it to stay on a car carrier. I appreciate the comments about the tow dolly, too. My husband will be around later today and I can't wait to show him all the great responses from everyone. THANK YOU fellow MINI owners :smile:

 

What U-Haul told you is totally BS about the 4 wheel trailor. They are the ONLY ones that DO rent those things and without having to rent a truck also. We went through this entire frustrating scenario just recently when we relocated from VA to So. Cal.

You just need to make sure that when you load the MINI on the trailor, that the trailor is parked on a small incline - that way you won't scrape the front or the back end. :smile:

If you want more specifics, feel free to PM me..

Chow!

Donna :smile:

 

Hope the trailer works out. Too bad you are leaving St. Louis however but Maine is so beautiful. I do have a question though. Why not just drive the MINI to Maine?

Lois

 

Its BS & they must be thinking classic Mini (which DOES fit on their ******* trailer) I've had this rental problem with classic Minis. They don't know what they're talkin about. For heaven's sake a MINI is almost as wide as a freak'n Ford Exploder! The worst you could experience is the airdam scraping, but you could load off of a curb to eliminate that.

Do what I did. Go to another UHaul store, tell them you're hauling a Chevy. Take the trailer home, load the MINI & be on your way!

 

Better yet.......put the MINI in the back of the SUV and tie the dogs to the trailer.......


Kidding....just kidding.....