We are thinking of ordering a Clubman SA, but one of our uses for the MINI would be flat towing behind a motoerhome. Our MA said that flat towing was not allowed for manual or automatic transmissions. Most auto's that are not recomended for flat towing can be modified with an electric trans. oil pump to cool the auto trans. Have never heard of a manual trans that couldn't be towed. Does anyone know what the issue is here?

 

I have the Roadmaster base plate kit in my garage now, waiting for my Clubman manual to arrive at the dealer. I have previously posted against towing a MINI, but I am now better informed.

MINI USA just generally advises against towing your MINI. CYA on their part. Their statement has nothing to do with whether it can be done, or if it is safe or legal to do so. If you have a transmission failure with the car rigged for towing, they can refuse to cover it under warranty. I can live with that, I am a adult and can take responsibility for my own actions. Lots of MINI owners tow the manual for tens of thousands of miles, and I have never heard of any one having a trans failure.

All front wheel drive manual transmission cars can be flat towed. I am installing the Roadmaster base plate, because no holes have to be drilled in the car frame during install, and the base plate replaces the stock bumper. Bumper, not bumper cover. Remove bumper cover, remove bumper, install base plate, cut two holes in the grill, install bumper cover. The tow arms remove when not towing and all you see are the two black metal sockets behind the grill. I have the roof rack on order, and will mount towing lights on the rear cross bar.

Automatic transmission MINIs are just too complicated to rig for towing for me to attempt, and I attempt a lot of wierd stuff. The trans pump is the only way to rig one, and I have no faith in that system. Lots of people use it, and like it, and it works well for them. I am planning on towing to Alaska, and do not want to have to deal with a failed electric pump en route.

Let us know what you decide. If you see a Itasca Navion on the road dragging a Mellow Yellow Clubman with Daisy wheels, be sure and wave.

 

There are sometimes issues with oiling a transmission that's being flat towed, which is why they recommend against it. In almost every transmission there is at least one shaft full of gears offset from the input/output shaft that power is transferred to and from in order to change gears. As a general rule this shaft of gears is always fully engaged at the input end to the main input/output shaft and each of your forward speeds uses a different gear set between it and the output shaft for each of your gear ratios. This means that as long as the input shaft is spinning, ie. the engine is running, the layshaft is also spinning, but that in neutral power not being transferred back to the output side of the main shaft so it does not spin.

The problem for flat towing comes in because some transmissions get oil to the output side of the main shaft via the layshaft spinning through oil in the bottom of the transmission and carrying it up to the splash all over the main shaft and it's gears and syncros. If the layshaft doesn't spin, because the input end of it is locked to a non-running motor, then no oil is moved up to the output end of the main shaft and it loses lubrication and will fail the transmission. This is why a lot of manual trans cars have the "stop and run engine for 15 minutes every 200 miles of flat tow" type of warnings in the tow-bar instructions. You're basically counting on residual oil to keep things lubed while you are towing it, and need to stop every so often and splash some oil around in there to make sure it's all got a good coat.

Sadly, without taking the trans apart or trying it to the point of failure, you can't tell from one transmission to the next if it was designed to get adequate oiling if spun from either end or not. If the manufacturer advises against it, but the tow-bar company says it's OK, you need to check with the tow-bar company why they think it's OK and educate yourself to satisfaction. You may even be able to get ahold of the transmission manufacturer these days and get what you need straight from the horse's mouth, the Internet is a wonderful thing.

 

Jim Ray Thank you for the roadmaster info, I have saved that site. Will you be installing the tow-bar yourself? Please post or send photos of the process and finished product. MAybe even a "towd test review".

Oldopelguy Thank you for your explanation on automatic's lubrication. You demystified this issue. I had no idea that they might be using a slinger to lubricate the transmission. What Opel's were in your life?

 

No problem. Yes, I will install the base plate myself. I did look into the matter prior to posting that the MINI can be flat towed. I am doing a FAQ for MINI2.com when I do the install. If you want any more info, or direct questions answered, feel free to PM me.

Happy Trails.