Hey all,

I've been lurking here for a while and have finally gotten my production date (4/11) yay! Quick question - can anyone tell me if the trailer hitch that is available for the Mini Cooper will also work on the S. You can see it at http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/Towbar.PDF


Thanks in advance.

Mahatma

 

>>Hey all,
>>
>>I've been lurking here for a while and have finally gotten my production date (4/11) yay! Quick question - can anyone tell me if the trailer hitch that is available for the Mini Cooper will also work on the S. You can see it at http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/Towbar.PDF
>>
>>
>>Thanks in advance.
>>
>>Mahatma
>>

My knee-jerk answer is no because of the placement of the pipes but I have nothing factual to base it on.

-Jim

 

mahatma,

Welcome to MCO! :smile:

Sure would be great to be able to tow a small track-day trailer or cargo trailer wouldn't it?

Since the MCS has twin, center-mounted exhaust tips, I doubt the factory tow bar in that instruction set would fit. Also, as you are in the US, I don't think you can officially get the tow set-up here. That set of instructions is for the European market I believe. MINI USA doesn't spec or recommend the MINI for any towing. It must be a liability thing, since the Euro car doesn't differ from the US in any way that would affect towing capability. You could always have someone in Europe order and ship you the kit, but you'd be on your own for making it work. I've seen some other options mentioned in these forums and on Ebay, but I've yet to see something I liked. I'm thinking of making my own when I get my car. It would be great to get the factory add-on harness though, so the wiring would be clean.

Best of luck,

James

 

>>Hey all,
>>
>>I've been lurking here for a while and have finally gotten my production date (4/11) yay! Quick question - can anyone tell me if the trailer hitch that is available for the Mini Cooper will also work on the S. You can see it at http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/Towbar.PDF
>>
>>
>>Thanks in advance.
>>
>>Mahatma
>>
No, that is a Cooper ONLY tow bar. However, I think I read on a thread somewhere that someone was modifing it for the S and to accept a US receiver type ball.
I also don't believe it is available for the Cooper in the US. It is a European design tow bar that is sold through British dealers but I don't think you can get it here.

 

I have a hitch in development that is equivalent of the factory Cooper. It will be a receiver style when done. I anticipate they will be available in 3-4 weeks. I will then work on adaptation for the S.

 

Seen this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2406505843

I've got mine on order with the stainless steel option.

Although it says the auction is ended, I think if you contact Paul Hacker, he'll have one for you.

 

what can you tow with a MINI?

 

The SUV you can no longer afford to put gas in......

 

Thanks Minae for pusting the e-bay hitch. I found that on e-bay a while back and let another user know about it. I also suggested to Paul Hacker that he get it in the "marketplace" section on MCO. I told him several people were looking for hitches for MCS. I don't remember what the load rating was. I also think he was looking into the options of putting a bick rack on the trailer hitch, ala the typical one's that go on larger receiver-type hitches. Don't know if he ever got anywhere though.

 

>>what can you tow with a MINI?

Probably not much.

Personally I think that it looks pretty ugly. I think that there are better things that you can put on a MCS. Hey, but thats only my opinion.

 

Thanks Everyone!

This is just what I expected from MCO!! I don't want to tow much, just my k1200rs motorcycle. I like to go camping and take the bike along for day trips. The "big K" only weighs about 650lbs and shouldn't overtax the MCS.

Thanks!

Mahatma.

(I'll do the sig when I have my MINI!)


>>Hey all,
>>
>>I've been lurking here for a while and have finally gotten my production date (4/11) yay! Quick question - can anyone tell me if the trailer hitch that is available for the Mini Cooper will also work on the S. You can see it at http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/Towbar.PDF
>>
>>
>>Thanks in advance.
>>
>>Mahatma
>>

 

>>>>what can you tow with a MINI?
>>
>>Probably not much.
>>
>>Personally I think that it looks pretty ugly. I think that there are better things that you can put on a MCS. Hey, but thats only my opinion.
>>

Not much, but my tire trailer with my racing tires and tools only weighs about 400 lbs. Yes, the hitch is ugly, but the external visible bit can be easily be remove when not in use.

 

I checked out the specs on the MINI UK site and the MINI Cooper is rated to tow about 1400lbs with standard transmission, and about 1100lbs with the CVT. And the tow bar is a dealer installed option over there.

The S is not rated for towing, but I'm sure that has more to do with the center mounted exhaust tips than its actual capabilities.

1100-1400lbs is more than enough for a track-day trailer, a camping cargo trailer, a motorcycle trailer with a couple small to mid-size bikes, etc., etc.

The MINI continues to surprise and amaze!

James

 

>>I checked out the specs on the MINI UK site and the MINI Cooper is rated to tow about 1400lbs with standard transmission, and about 1100lbs with the CVT. And the tow bar is a dealer installed option over there.<<

Thanks for checking that out, Mister_S - very welcome information, indeed!

 

Has anyone found alternative hitches other than what has already been mentioned for the S? I heard the dealer may have one for the S. I heard it has two receivers that exit through the rear air vents. Then, a easy to remove hitch assembly is added. I will check n this one further, but still want to see if I have any other alternatives.

thejunkman

 

Guess it's just me...but why would you even want a hitch on Mini?

 

Race day trailer to haul tires and tools

 

I have a hitch that fits both models. If anyone is still interested e mail me at thejunkman@thurston.com.

Abe
CR/CR MCS

 

I think mossmini, has a tow bar inther printed catalog... I couldn't find it online however.

 

Abe has his hitch for the 'S' available - you can see it here :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2414208760

... and go to ClubMINI at YahooGroups.com for even more pic's!

 

If you can wait a little while, this one looks pretty cool, and it's installed by MINI dealers:

Trailer Hitch/Bike Rack etc.

BTW, I found out the hard way that you need the latest version of Flash (6, I think) in order to view the site.