I have a 2005 mini cooper s and i'm trying to get some info on towing. I am looking to move to CA from NC and I am wondering if I should just rent a small Uhaul and town the car behind or if I could tow a small trailer (4x8) behind. I am only looking to bring my bedroom and bathroom things..... travel as light as possible. Any suggestions? I havent been able to find a trailer hitch online.

 

I used my 2004 S to tow trailers many thousands of miles over the course of the 8 years I owned it.
I made my own hitch, but now you can buy them.
John Dewey




http://www.mnidomore.com/home.php?cat=244

 

How much weight did you tow? i know my queen size mattress will come, so i atleast have a soft surface to sleep on although i'm not sure about the frame (ikea built in drawers), and other belongings like clothes, dog stuff, small tv etc. its so much cheaper to pull a trailer than to rent a truck and pull the mini behind but i dont want to destroy my mini trying to pull 2400 miles.

 

Check some of the forums here on NAM, and look at my Gallery photos. The camper shown in my gallery was about 700 pounds empty. The 4x4 box trailer, loaded with 500 pounds towed so smooth I could forget it was there.


As I recall the MINI (not S ) is rated in various European countries for 1100 pounds gross and a tongue weight of around 75 Kilos, (2.2 x 75 = 165).


When using any turbo or super charged car to tow in the mountains you must be very careful, as the car has enough power to pull but the cooling will drop off due to the altitude, and extended time at high output can overheat the valves. It is possible to cook the valves with out the engine temperature showing anything wrong. Chrysler said I was not to tow with my turbocharged LeBaron for this reason. So don't stick your foot in it when going up hill. Keep the engine speed reasonable, not to high, or too low.


Take the southern route to avoid the big mountains.




Your basic Harbor Freight 4 x 8 trailer with bedroom furniture on it is not likely to exceed 1,100 pounds.

 

Thanks for the info!! I've been all over the internet looking up stuff. I am looking to go south and avoid the mountains as much as possible. thinking i may be able to look up weight of furniture on ikeas website since most of my furniture that will come is from there. so glad i found this forum!