So I am looking at a 2009 Clubman JCW and one of the issues I have is towing a small open boat. I will be building a 15' long lightweight wooden daysailer. I think the boat and appropriate trailer probably won't weigh together much more than, say, 600 pounds or so.

My issue is I wonder if the Clubman wheelbase is long enough to take a boat trailer for something that size? I assume the weight is fine. What about wheel size or clearance issues on the car itself?

Anybody with any experience have any replies they can offer? Thanks.

 

I think you'll be fine. I regularly tow a lawn tractor in a small trailer. Not as long as your boat but it tows just fine.

 

There are a number of threads here where people show their clubman pulling a trailer. Dont remember seeing any towing a trailer quite that long but from a weight standpoint it would not be a problem. the length might become a problem when trying to back up but if you are good at backing a trailer then it should not really be a problem.

 

I have towed longer light boat trailers with a Fiat 124 Sedan and a VW Rabbit Diesel. The length actually makes it easier to back up and it will tow just fine on the highway.

I towed a Flying Dutchman sailboat across the country with the Fiat, and a Fireball sailboat up and down the east coast with the Rabbit.

The English MINIs are allowed to tow trailers and still have full warranty. It is just the US that can not.

Just watch the tongue weights, make sure it is approximately 10% of the total weight. Too light or too heavy is not good. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...gue-weight.htm

 

I have a 12' x 78" aluminum trailer (600lb) that I regularly tow a 1000lb steiner tractor on. The MINI does just fine as long as the weight is properly placed on the trailer. Got my hitch and wiring from Mini Do More. A DIY install with my two sons which took all of two hours.

 

My 2009 Clubman towing a Walker Bay 10' RID.