I go camping a lot and came across this concept:



From what I can tell, the Clubman with a hitch receiver has a 1400lb tow capacity/200lb tongue weight limit. Does anybody tow a small camp trailer or tow dolly? How has your experience been driving it?

 

Here's a American version, albeit expensive as hell.
http://minitears.com

I love the airstream clubman idea too. Pretty sure I'd buy one today if it was available. I think it's too heavy to be realistic.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/22/m...tream-trailer/

 

I made my own teardrop on a Harbor Freight trailer. I named it my Hobo-Cave. Use cabinet grade 3/4 inch wood and it is very strong.


I towed it 5+ times round trip From NJ to Texas.


My Clubman drove fine with 75+ mph easily achievable. I built mine so the trailer roof line is about 5 inches higher than the car.


You can get the nice, vented and screened side doors for $300 a piece. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RV-Teardrop-Driver-Side-Trailer-Door-NEW-26-x-32-/261434137709?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cdeb05c6d&vxp=mtr

I added led strip lights (amazon.com)

on a 12 volt system with a marine switch panel.

Build it yourself and customize it.

 

Her smooth move,

You got any pics you'd like to share?

 

My Cave in in NJ at my parents house, currently I am in Texas.


Here are pics of Mini's trailer that I got the inspiration from


I bought 4x8 sheets of 3/4 inch cabinet grade plywood (heavy) to build flat sides and top.


I lined the cave with a soft felt like bed sheet and spray glued it to the inside. Bought a 8 inch thick "Full" futon mattress.


I'll get pics next time I drive up there.

 

We've got a Livin'Lite Quicksilver pop-up trailer that we use with our Jeep. It is light enough to use with the Mini too. http://www.livinlite.com/qs-tentcampers.php

 

We cannot tow with the mcs clubman over in the uk, it doesn't have a tow weight on the chassis plate. I had to buy an old saab 9-5 so I could use a towbar, still it stops the mini getting damaged.

 

I've towed 1200lbs with my clubman using this hitch
http://www.waymotorworks.com/clubman...ler-hitch.html

I've also seen a few people tow a classic Mini on a tow dolly with a Clubman, I have a tow dolly for mine, but haven't pulled it yet.

 

Smoothmove~ great photos of your inside teardrop. Where did you find those pillows, they are perfect.
Here's a photo of my outside,one of the inside, and one of galley.

 

That was the trailer that I got the ideas from, not mine. I made a box, not a tear drop trailer. I'll post pics as I am going to pick it up from my parents garage this week.

 

Were you saying you got the idea from Minitears.com? That was the site and builder that got me interested and falling in love with the Teardrop camper. Mine is made by a guy in NY, and I had the graphics added. Inspired by Minitears.

 

IMO front wheel drive and towing is not a good idea, and no way I would add the stress of towing to the transmission of a MINI.

 

I have to say that towing with my clubman has not been an issue. If you have a manual transmission, I would totally agree with not towing. But, with a manual it is a breeze.

 

I guarantee if MINI sees a towbar and you have a tranny issue your warranty is toast.

 

We tow an Aluma 1277 utility trailer all the time. Grass clippings, grasshopper 720K zero turn, Toro Titan MX6000, Steiner 430Max summer or winter. I doesn't matter, we have a 6sp standard shift. Not that slushbox automatic.

 

We tow a 5 foot by 8 foot Teardrop trailer with our Clubman. It does fine. I would estimate the loaded weight somewhere around 1200 pounds. I'll try to post a pic when I can get to my Ipad.....

 

Pic of our Teardrop

 

Towed my bike with my '08 S model automatic on a 2500 mile round trip last summer. Total towed weight was only 600 lbs probably. Maybe 650.

Plenty of power & it towed great. 6th gear cruise, down to 5th for some bigger hills. Depending on what you're towing, I would definitely recommend an anti-rattle stinger for the hitch. Very, *VERY* annoying after 20 hrs...

It was probaby 80% - 90% freeway, doing about 75. Overall mileage was just under 31 mpg (from the computer).





--Dan

 

what you are looking for is the "Little Guy."

http://www.golittleguy.com/#