R55 Mini Do More hitch install
#76
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).
You should email Minidomore, I had to do some SERIOUS dremel work to all 8 bolt holes to get it to fit, it took an extra hour and 3 more trial fits before it slipped on.
I then had to dremel out the hitch opening and the pin opening as both had so much powder coating that neither would fit.
When I emailed Minidomore about the hitch not fitting before I started dremeling, he replied that he had sold hundreds of these and never had a problem. He was going to ask the manufacturer to spread the holes by 1/8". Not Exaggerating I dremeled at LEAST 1/4" off the outside of each bolt hole.
When I emailed him back that I had finally gotten the hitch on but had to dremel all the holes and powder coating (And was concerned about the rust-proofness after this), he did not respond. Nor has he responded since.
Not what I would call customer service oriented. Seems to me the second he heard I had it installed, he could care less about me.
#77
Mr. Mini Do More lives 5 minutes from me. When I install my hitch I will measure the location of the bolts (studs) and get that info to him so he has it. Or, maybe I'll have him come over to measure them himself. I don't think you will have your MINI long enough to worry about that 1/4" mounting plate rusting through. I'll just throw on some rustoleum and move on.
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Ok, two days later. Mr. Mini Do More came by yesterday and took my hitch and the aluminum bumper sub-structure to his fabricator so the fit issue could be resolved. He is getting ready to produce another run of the hitches and my timing was right on, (he was trying to locate me to see how the hitch fit.).
As it turns out, in a couple weeks He'll have a correct-fit hitch for the clubman.
As it turns out, in a couple weeks He'll have a correct-fit hitch for the clubman.
#83
Ok, two days later. Mr. Mini Do More came by yesterday and took my hitch and the aluminum bumper sub-structure to his fabricator so the fit issue could be resolved. He is getting ready to produce another run of the hitches and my timing was right on, (he was trying to locate me to see how the hitch fit.).
As it turns out, in a couple weeks He'll have a correct-fit hitch for the clubman.
As it turns out, in a couple weeks He'll have a correct-fit hitch for the clubman.
As was confirmed on zsqure's hitch, during the welding process, it seems that some of the hitch mounting plates raised from the heat. See the attached photo. This spring causes the plates to not sit flat and draws the holes closer.
We confirmed that the holes have the correct spacing to each other. In an effort to correct the fitment issues, we have spread the plates 1/8" further a part. And, most importantly, have addressed the welding spring issue. On the test fit this evening, the hitch fits perfectly with no rubbing on the studs.
Godskid, TheMadDane, FlyMini, SubDude - contact me at Brent@minidomore.com and I'll get you each $100 for your hassle of massaging the holes.
Paulsminis - Please contact us first for approval before posting TradeMarked instructions from our wiring kits!! Shame on you!!
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#97
Still hidden, as in the picture on the MiniDoMore web site
http://www.minidomore.com/mini_coope...iler_hitch.php
and hidden by the flip license plate when not in use. I simply enlarged the hole where the draw-bar goes through the bumper, to fit the chains. I'll try to ****** a few pictures when I get home
http://www.minidomore.com/mini_coope...iler_hitch.php
and hidden by the flip license plate when not in use. I simply enlarged the hole where the draw-bar goes through the bumper, to fit the chains. I'll try to ****** a few pictures when I get home
#98
I put the same hitch on mine. A couple of comments. I ordered a flip up license plate holder like the ones on old GM cars so I don't have to move the plate. The only downside is you will need to get a longer receiver to clear the plate. Get one with 11" between the hole centers (pin to ball) and it works great. The really bad part is the trailer light wiring kit from Mini Do More. It blew a fuse on the rear power outlet that powers the module and I can't find the fuse to replace it. You might want to buy the kit and pay someone with small hands to install it for you. Believe me, it's worth it.