I've had my eye on this solution to give my family more storage for our trip to the Dragon next May - we'll have 4 people and will likely need more luggage space:





I've read Aaron's (of Outmotoring fame) write-up of the trailer hitch install and his impressions of the wheeled trailer (super nice, but at over $800 a bit out of my price range, I'm afraid), but has anyone tried out the CARGO BUDDY and PRO TUFF BOX soultion pictured above? At a total cost of around $500 for everything (hitch, platform and box), that's much more of a possibility, IF the solution really works well.

Thanks!

PS- Wouldn't this configuration make the back-up sensors go banannas?

 

I have this hitch on my MINI and it works very well. The quality of the hitch itself seems to be top notch. Installation went smoothly, no major issues. I tow a 40x48 trailer from harbor freight http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90153
looks like it maybe the same trailer that Miniature Trailers starts with, before they trick it out with paint/aluminum plate, and hooks. If you just need a bare bones trailer, you can pick one up for about $180.

I do have a small interference issue with my rear fog, but other than that, this hitch works great!

Jason

 

Interesting... How hard was it to install the wiring harness required to run the trailer lights?

 

I used a "short proof" tail light converter from my local West Marine store (about $40). This is the same as a powered, or active converter...it takes the electrical load straight from the battery, so it doesn't cause any issues with the sensitive electronics of the car. I found a wiring diagram somewhere on the internet that had the colors of the MINI wiring harness, so the install was fairly easy, although if you are not comfortable playing with wires, I'd be careful with this one. Not sure, but I think the harness that Miniature Trailers sells might be completely plug-n-play.....

Jason

 

http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/Trai...MINI_wires.jpg

http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/Trai...on_adapter.jpg

http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/Trai...olor_codes.htm

 

Only In reverse... but then, plug your ears

 

So, wait, I'm not sure what you did w/ the adapter... Did that come as a unit, and all you had to do was hook up the positive and ground wires? Or did you have to splice into the tail lamp wiring? I'd assume you had to splice, so that the trailer's tail lights and running lights go on with your OEM tail lamps, correct?

I'm cool with wiring - I was just under the hood yesterday running wires to relay-driven interior lighting, so I can't imagine this would be more complex than that... I just like doing ALL my homework before spending money or (God forbid) cutting ito anything.

Thanks!

 

With the adapter I had to hook up a fused positive feed directly to the battery, a ground, and then had to pick up a signal from each of the tail light functions (brake, L-turn, R-turn, and running lights). For splicing into the factory tailight harness, I used the tap splice connectors that simply tap thru the insulation of the existing wire, so I didn't actually have to cut any factory wires. I am very happy with the way it all turned out, even though all is hidden, I took my time and everything looks really neat and tidy back there.

I'd say that this job is no harder than hooking up a relay for lighting.......in all actuality thats all it is, multiple relays in one little box.


Jason

 

Yep, sounds exactly like a relay. I had to put one on my new cathodes, triggered by the foot well lamp wiring, since the dimming cabin lighting would have FUBARed the cathode transformer. So, with the tap kit, the trailer will run both low (running) and high (brake) lighting, or are the trailer lamps dark until you brake?

 

I still get both low and high (running and braking). No issues running at night with the lights on.

Jason

 

Awesome - that sounds like the perfect way to go, and I have a Marine store just down the street... Excellent tip - thanks! My next mission: Convince The Missus!

Pray for me...

 

Before using "squeeze taps" on your wires, look at the link I posted above with the word "wires" in the url..

John