I was looking at the Moss Mini website and they now say that the Curt trailer hitch will fit the cabrio (non-S 04-08). It is significantly cheaper than the minidomore ($185 versus $325 including shipping) and doesn't require removing the bumper. I will give it a go and report back here.

 

Unlike the claims on the Moss mine site, after five hours, still no install. Looks like you have to remove the muffler, heat shield and may be the bumper cover. I have asked my local mini dealer for an estimate. Hopefully, they will come in with something less than five hours. I hope that moss mini will look at their posted instructions. Will keep you posted...

 

So, how did this install turn out? Are you happy with the Curt hitch?

 

I too am looking at the Curt Hitch and my local installer estimates 1.5 hours for install on a base model. Hope you post pictures and pros/cons.
thanks

 

Bump!

I'm thinking of buying the Moss Mini (Curt) trailer hitch for the 02-06 Cooper too. (NON-S)

Anyone have this? Feedback? Pics of the finished install would be great!

It will be primarily used for a bike rack that I already own. I'm not super-crazy about the MINIDoMore design. The MINI-FINI rack is great for the S but the Moss piece would be much, much cheaper for the Cooper...

 

It cost me $170 for the install, it looks good and has faithfully toted my bikes for the last six months. With the bike rack on, the back up sensor always senses an obstacle but I guess that would be the issues with any trailer based hitch. I assume that I could have that feature turned off but then when I don't have the hitch on, I would not have it benefits. I am happy !

 

sunolmike, could I possibly persuade you to post a picture of the finished install?

 

X2

 

Moss is offering free shipping on this item for just a couple more days - if you could possibly post a pic of the installed hitch, I would be eternally grateful! It would really be helpful to see what this looks like before shelling out for it...

 

Here they are:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...=82149&cat=500
Sorry it took so long but I was computer challenged to upload them.

 

Thanks for posting the pics! I think I'm going to go for it now - too bad the free shipping deal is over, but I'm going to check with my local trailer dealer to see if they can get it to me for Moss' price or less...

 

If you do a google search you will find it cheaper and free shipping at most sites.

 

That Curt hitch looks terrible. The Minidomore hitch is out of sight when you don't need it.

The tongue weight capacity on the Minidomore hitch is double as well, that would make a big difference for you guys that aren't using it as a trailer hitch and as a rack for things.

 

I have to agree - it's not the nicest-looking thing I've ever seen. I will probably go with the Mini Do More hitch so I don't have to look at it when not in use...

 

I have the MINIDoMore. I like it alot and you would never know I have it. I have the rear foglight also. Installing is a little bit of a pain but the hidden aspect it is great. But you get what you pay for.

 

why not use the sport link... and the cargo platform? Has carried spare, Beer and 2 duffel bags to the dragon and MOT. no problem. Could carr 4 tires if I needed too. Just don't see tha advantage of a trailer.

 

I've tossed the idea around of taking both the bike and car out west for some "canyon blasting". That would be one reason for the trailer... I don't think I could haul my motorcycle on the sport link.

 

choosing a hitch for the mini is a lot more complicated than i thought. here is what i've figured out so far:

the mini fini seems expensive, seems to rust pretty easily, requires drilling big holes in the car, tows up to 1400. costs about 600 for a hitch option.

the minidomore is still pretty expensive and can disappear when not in use, but if you have a back up light as i do, you would have to pop the light out whenever it is needed. rated for 1400. costs about 500 for a hitch option, get confused about the options in there.

the crashcarl hitch is about $600. looks cool, but is probably made more for an S.

the mossmini (curt) hitch is relatively cheap at under 200, depending on what you read will tow from 1000 to 2000 pounds. i kinda like that its pretty easy to hook a hitch up. the looks don't bother me.

i'm thinking about getting a hitch to tow a 700 pound teardrop trailer around the mountains and for camping. would also use the trailer only for hauling misc stuff.

anyone have the curt and love it?

 

I have the Curt/moss mini trailer hitch for not quite a year and I do love it (as much as one can love a trailer hitch ). I have only used it with a yakima four bike rack so far and it works great (extends my "range" ). Easy on and off and rock solid. I have had experience with trunk racks, roof racks, and hitch racks and I like the hitch rack best for easy on/off .

 

I've had the minidomore for about a year and love it. It really was pretty easy to install. The rear facia had to come off, but the directions were great and it even came with replacement clips for the back fenders (which break when you pop them off).

You don't have to buy your light kit and drawbar from minidomore....get it on your own WAY cheaper. I think my drawbar is from Walmart or somewhere similar. Works great. I did alter it a bit to allow the safety chains to connect, but it was pretty easy.

Very pleased with the minidomore......definitely worth the money.

 

You're only drilling holes in the plastic rear bumper cover. Not really a big deal. I have this for my S, but I got it mainly for the bike rack, not for towing.

I am not familiar with this one - can you post a link?

I still need to put a hitch on the wife's MC - again, mainly for bike rack use.

We do have a small utility trailer, but we've got a larger car to tow that with for now. It's possible I could tow with one of the MINIs in the future, but for now I'm just using them for the bike racks.

 

got his info out of one of the forums here.
seems like a nice guy, think he's been making them for 5 years:

Crashkarl@aol.com