For those time's I need cargo room (camping trips with the kids, etc), I'm going to get a hitch and a little 4ft x 4ft trailer. The trailer will hold more than a trunk in a similar sized car and I don't have to worry about it when I don't need it...

This is more practical in Texas compared to some other states because I don't have to insure the trailer (it's covered by the car)...

 

Good Idea.

I'm curious if there is an assessment of how well the mini can handle towing something.

I.E. does it present too large of strain on the drive train/transmission compared to what the vehicle is really designed for?

I love the attached pic.!

 

Just because people buy MacMansions and oversized, expensive vehicles doesn't necessarily mean they have a lot of money. It means they spend a lot of money. The best way to keep money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket.

 

I seriously want one of those little trailers. But I'm not a camper (I have a shower/bed requirement). So I don't know what the heck I would use it for, other than to stand and admire how cute it is.

 

When I graduated in the 70's, one of my first cars was the Dodge Colt. It was tiny compared with my 02 MC.

 

Zyamfier, founder of the Nebraska MINI club, owns the MINI and trailer posted above. He towed his cute little teardrop (the Dragon Wagon) behind his MINI to MOTD (MINIs On The Dragon) last May and stayed in it! It's a fantastic little trailer!

 

If you're younger than 30, I just want to say...Wow! What an intelligent person! Good advise for everyone, young or older.

 

Towing with a MINI
The safe limit for towing with a MINI is not the amount of weight you can accelerate, but the speed / weight you can keep it all pointed in the right direction.
In the USA MINI's are not trailer rated. In the UK they are rated at 550 to 650 KG (x 2.2 for pounds) depending on the country.

In the USA 2004 and 2005 owners manuals MINI refers to trailers in the "cargo capacity" section and warn you to stay in the proper weight limit, but they do not specify a limit.

Up to 60 mph you can tow a lot with a MINI. As the speed rises above 60 you have to watch yourself.

I bought my (700 pound empty) Teardrop near Akron Ohio, and towed it to home near Chicago on the interstate at traffic speeds.

My usual trip is on a county road with a posted 55 mph limit, and I have absolutely no concerns towing the camper over hill and dale and around corners at that speed. I find that trailer brakes are not necesarry on dry roads at that speed.

On this web page:
http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/teardroptrailers/
you will find a collection of pictures I "stole" here on NAM as well as a few other photos.

John

 

Thanks John! Good info.

 

nice pics! will definitely have to get one in the future.
thanks