Jim so if I just follow the instructions that Paul posted all works well? Also can you post a pitcure of where to placed the unit I cant quite figure it out from your description (or it could just be to early in the morning).

 

The wiring instructions that Paul included are correct. The only really difficult connection is the blue wire for the tail lights, you need to pull the access panel out and make that connection behind it, not thru the tail light opening.

If you open your barn doors and look at the bottom of the opening, you'll see the black plastic sill plate that runs side to side across the car just behind the weather strip. This panel extends down into the lower storage area. When you remove this panel, there is an opening to access and service the latch that holds the bottom of the left barn door shut. I put the Hopkins unit in that opening, beneath the latch. Fits perfectly.

Let me know if that doesn't make sense, and I'll take a pic tonight.

 

Subdude,

I am glad you got it all sussed out finally! I agree with the maroon label (wasn't Bugs Bunny the first to say, "What a maroon"?). I scanned the photo of the location of the "blue wire" from Mini-do-more's instructions and it is in my gallery for anyone who is looking for it.

Paul

p.s. I have removed the photo from my gallery, at Mini-do-more's request to not post their "trademarked" instructions.

 

anyone got it shipped to Canada? Or can I drive down somewhere near the border where they sell it?

 

Just go to http://www.minidomore.com/contact.php and send them a message asking.

 

I just contacted him, thanks

For all of you who installed this hitch (or any other), where do you "exit" the cable for the trailer? Inside the trunk and just close the door on the wire when using it?

 

did anyone buy and installed a licence plate holder to either slide or flip on their Clubby?

 

No one? Anyone?

 

Myro,

As I said in the earlier post, I have the cable in the "sub basement" (spare tire well) and just run it out the back and close the door on it.

I do not have a sliding / flip tag holder yet, but am in the process of designing one.

 

Designing one? Interesting.

Keep us posted on your progress

 

I got the one mentioned in this thread
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...be-in-may.html

It is no longer on the webpage (GC something), though. Not that it matters - what I got and what was pictured had to be 2 different things and there is absolutely no way it would work on any car - maybe an industrial-type truck, but not on a car.
I would love such a thing though.
I'm not sure why the flip-down type wouldn't work. What's the difference between having the bottom of the plate not flush with the car sod the license plate pointw up ~45 degrees and hanging the plate below the receiver? Neither are going to be all that visible.
I, too, want to know if anyone comes up with anything.

thnx.

 

I'm going with this Fold Down License Plate mount
best price I could find
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/S...&zmap=ZX472270

I intend to mount so that it flips up and then will rest on the draw bar (bike rack in my case) I'll post pics when I get it installed.

j

 

Flytime - did you get a chance to order and install this Licence Plate Mount yet?

 

Yes I ordered it and it was on Back order . Just got a email that it was shipped Friday (may 1) and should arrive this friday......

 

Flytime - any updates?

 

Up-date... Yes I got my spring loaded, flip down $15 plate holder, Painted it black..... But I have not installed it yet... perhaps this weekend. And I'll let you know how looks / works !!!

 

All in all this is not bad.
Perfectionists may grumble a bit….. but for now this will work out just fine.

First thing I did was to paint it black as it came with a silver colored plating. I used a primer and then a flat black paint.
It does not come with the plate mounting screws nor the plastic inserts required to fasten the plate. I got these from my local auto parts store.

Installation: The hinge spring force is quite high and there are 2 springs (one on each hinge). I mounted it with only one of the hinge springs functional. It just so happens that there is a nice threaded insert on the Mini’s plate mounting area. The spacing is too wide for US plates and too wide for the flip up plate mount; however it does work nicely to use the insert to fasten the spring loaded hinge. The other hinge mount hole will now line up with the standard plate mount screw hole (no insert, just into the plastic). This is fine for the non-spring loaded hinge. The only issue with this arrangement (and this is what will make the perfectionists grumble) is that plate is not centered.

The plate mounts so that on the top side (flip up mounting) of the plate it inserts into the lip and 2 screws are required on the bottom mounting holes only.

When a draw bar or bike rack is used the plate tilts up and is clearly visible from behind.

Pics attached, sorry for the small size I don’t know how to attach at full size.

 

Flytime:
"Finally installed my flip up plate holder"

That's the ticket! I'll be ordering real soon now. Thanks for guinea-pigging.

Just don't let your local gas-jockey insert his nozzle back there

 

Got mine, and I'm wondering about replacing the screws to install the flipup plate - my license plate is fastened to the bumper using metal screws, not nuts - my dealer oibviously just used these screws to drill new holes in the bumper. The threaded insert might accept a ? instead better? what size?
(I'm of the female persuation, I can do a lot of this stuff myself, but correct screw/nut/bolt/washer... terminology is linked to the y chromosome).

thanks.

 

TsPoet,

I'm not sure what size screw I used to work with the metal threaded inserts, but it was a metric thread for sure, prehaps an M6X1.5 but that's a guess.

If you are going to drill a new hole thru, then a stainless steel M6 bolt and nut should work just fine.

A good source for stainless steel fasteners are Boat supply stores.

Regarding that female persuation bit, that shouldn't matter. My daughter changes her own oil and does a lot of work on her car.

 

The guy who installed my hitch mangled the plastic insert on my rear bumper, apparently drilling a hole, as instructed was too difficult for him, so he cut out a huge square with a butter knife (or similar) instead.
this meant, when I mounted my spring-loaded plate holder there wasn't enough plastic left and the whole area warped out in a frightening way. So, we removed the plastic center of the bumper to which the license plate mounts and found it to be just a simple plastic sheet. It snaps on on either side, and has 4 self-locking screws surrounding the plate. After taking this off, it's apparent that the threaded insert is just in this cover and doesn't really attach anywhere else. So, we put a thin piece of aluminum about 1" wide along the back of the bumper insert. Drilled through it in such a way to center the plate, and mounted the plate to the now-reinforced piece.
The piece of metal we used, used to line the outside of a shelf on a cheap shelving unit - nothing fancy.
My plate is centered and looks quite nice.
thanks for you help.

 

TsPoet

Nice Job

 

I love the pic of the taco'ed bike wheel in the upper right hand conner.

great post I will do it my self...

 

Ok, then -- I'm next next! I'll do it myself (with maybe some muscle help in holding parts up while I put bolts in place). Any issue with the bolts which attach the aluminum bumper to the body -- and which the hitch mounts between? (aside from the hole alignment part - thanks for that tip)

I'm concerned that the bolts seem to be glued in place (I've been looking around underneath, before I start anything). Are they tough to get off? Are we violating a warranty by removing them? 4 of the 8 seem to have specially painted ends!

Will be pulling a mini teardrop, soon as I get the hitch & wiring installed. (p.s. yes, the MiniDoMore wiring package says to just route the wires out the back door. But I think I'll look for the location mentioned above, instead of just "the side of the bottom pan".)

Oh, and thanks for the hinged license plate find! I was planning to install my own hinges, but this looks better designed.

Deb
http://godskid.inGodsFamily.com/Teardrop

 

Whew! Got the hitch installed this past weekend (naturally, the hottest weekend yet, up here). Aside from having to dremel 6 of the 8 holes on the hitch, it went in smoothly! I got the jcwhitney flip up license place, installed in a sort of haphazard manner (ignored the springs, since they were too firm). Now I'm not sure if my trailer can get in there, since the flip up lic plate sits on top of my tow ball. I'll have to lift the lic plate even further, to attach to that tow ball. (I probably need a longer drawbar, but haven't found one).