Back to basics.
First I plan on using my trailer mostly for events (Dragon), MitM, Car shows and the like. However, when my parents brought it back from CA this week they managed to sleep one night in 22 degree temps with the electric blanket and a small ceramic heater running. That was with the vent open on the top of the camper You just have to have air circulation or you run out of air in there. The camper is sealed up pretty well. That being said my trailer is not insulated at all. If you touch the walls on the inside you can tell it is cold outside. Just touch your side window going down the road on a cold night you get the idea.
Normally you can find a campground that has electrical hook up while traveling most anywhere. I do have 12v capability as well.
Cooking is an option on larger teardrops. Most have a galley kitchen in the back that opens up like a hatchback on a MINI. Mine does not because after all I am single and normally don't cook. So, that said one side on my trailer has a slide out drawer (can you say cocktails).
I don't worry to much about someone breaking in. In fact the tear is a lot like a MINI in that people just want to know what it is. Imagine pulling into a gas station with a MINI and a teardrop. Every gas stop is a 30 minute conversation. If you have more questions about teardrops check out the following forum not real active this time of year but some great information.

 

I have slept in one a few years back and they beat a tent hands down! Reasonably good sleeping bag & air matress and you are set. VERY good point about the vent/ air supply issue!

I guess common sense would have to prevail on where you pulled in to sleep. Guess you could inadvertantly set yourself up for a major problems,
Then there are those of us who are the ones the perps hate....Thank the founding fathers for the 2nd amendment.

Tim

 

I mentioned in a previous post that I had trouble with my light module. It was one that I bought from Brent.
I never asked him for a refund...electrical accessories typically aren't covered as so much can go wrong.
Brent contacted me and offered a refund. I told him the sequence of events and let him decide.
He refunded the full price.
If this doesn't tell you need to know about him as a vendor I don't know what does!

Thanks Brent!

Peter

 

I have been hauling my "stuff" to weekends at the track, setting up the tent, etc. etc. What a nusiuance!

Having seen some of the photos on NAM, I succomed and joined the ranks of Teardrop owners.


http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/tear...ear_side_1.jpg

I got the 4 foot wide so it sits well with in the MINI's sides.

http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/tear...ar_front_1.jpg

It does trash the mileage though. I pulled it on 425 miles of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois tollroads last week, and at those speeds I got 19 mpg!

John

Crystal Lake Illinois

 

Is that a Li'l Guy and how much does that weigh when empty? I looked at those but wanted something custom. I have not had mine on the road as it has been snowing from the time I got the hitch on and the wires run. Mine is 450 Lbs empty. I guess we will see what the milage is this weekend when I go on I-80

 

Looks Good!

 

It is a Pleasent Valley, which is an alternate line sold by Lil Guy. They say it is made by an Amish worker in Ohio. I forget what town. It claims to be 660 empty, I have not wieghed it, but I think it may be less, as the gavw sticker says 660. It has most of the same specs as the Lil guy, but the walls are plywood, and the roof and hatch are flat, not curved. The tongue wieght is about 80 pounds.

The fuel consumption is probably an areodynamics issue. At 60 mph, the car thinks it is getting 30 mpg, but at 70 it says 20!.

My box trailer cuts the car mileage by 5 mpg at 60 mph empty, or heavily loaded makes no difference.

John

 

I got my trailer hitch last week and installed it. I am very happy with it.
The install directions were very easy to read,and thorough. I use for

transporting my bikes, and it works great.
Thanks again, Christian

 

I too am looking for a teardrop to tow with my MCS. I'd like to keep it under 500lbs. The Lassen View at 450 lbs. The Quicksilver at 475 lbs. and the Retroteardrop at 350lbs all look good. Does anyone know of any other lightweights? Has anyone had any experience with the Retroteardrops brand? They claim a tongue wt. of 28lbs. which seems too good to be true.
I must admit Zyamfier's Lassen View is a great looking unit. Is he the same guy that plays the pan flute?

 

That is where the name came from.... just added my own twist. There are some new pictures added recently to my gallery. Have you had any luck getting hold of quicksilver? I heard they were out of business. However, that was last year.

 

Looks great! I'm considering one, too. Where'd you find yours?
Thanks much!

 

http://lassenviewcustoms.teardrops.net/ Enjoy, If you call Mike tell him you have a MINI and thats all he needs to know. Also, If you have questions please PM me and I will get you answers.
In addition, I just got back from MitM in Colorado. Trailer pulled great not one complaint. After almost 4,400 miles on the trailer in the last six months I am quite pleased.

 

Has anyone used a Miniature Trailer to tow a classic Mini? I know the trailer is rated for 1000lbs maximum and a Mini is usually around ~1200lbs so I'm thinking probably no. I much prefer the stealthy-ness of the Minitrailer over the Mini-Fini but the latter is rated for up to 1400lbs.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

Towing a Mini with a MINI (s) is not difficult. Niether is stopping at NORMAL rates. If you have to switch lanes suddenly it gets exciting.

This is a home made hitch, not as well attached as the Minifini or the Miniature.

John

http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/Trai...82_hitch_3.jpg

 

John,

Thanks for the info. I poked around some on your .Mac site and it certainly looks like you know your MINI towing facts.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Hey do any of you all know how to go about wiring the trailer lights once you have this kit or the Fini? Thanks

 

For 2002 through 2005 this works. It MAY be correct for other years.

http://user.mc.net/~jdewey/MINI/Trai...olor_codes.htm

 

I just remembered this thread and thought I'd show you my trailer set up using the MINIFINI hitch. I converted a rear clip of an 03 MC using only steel sheeting and have now pulled it a totoal of about 2K miles with no issues. It is very stable in curves...hardly know it's there. The interior was line-X'ed so no issues with hauling just about anything you can get in there and you can get a lot of stuff in there.

Don't have my graphics on yet but maybe in about another month. I did recently add air shocks to the trailer so I can raise and lower as needed based on what I'm hauling; converted the 03 lights to 05 which really helped the electrical conversion to work totally in sync. I call it KaBooSe.



Call

 

That is SOOOOOO badazz.... I wish I had the cash / space / subservient wife necessary to build one of those.

But I'm gonna have to go a cheaper and less cool route, I'm afraid...

 

Love it!!!!! That would be my second choice if I did not have the Dragon Wagon. I remember seeing you drive out of Fontana this year. Yes the shocks are a big improvement. I thought it looked a little high. of course you were probably empty.
Need some propane flames out those pipes in the back for roasting marshmallows
Next year's Dragon Tears of the Dragon 2008 be there.

 

Wow Call.. whoever built that has some mad skilz!!
I've always wanted to build something like that. I had a Miata and had spec'd out a rear clip from a matching car. I just couldn't figure out how I was going to do the metal work and make it look right. Yours looks fantastic!

 

Thanks, the guy I had do it for me is a master metalergist and rebuilds cars. He usually sells one a year at Barrett-Jackson. It took him two weeks just to figure out the double angles to make on the front to match the Cooper's angles and a total of 2 1/2 months to rebuild and paint. I am very satisfied with the end product.

No issues whatsoever on pulling it, either. Hope new graphics goes on in about three weeks.

Call

 

Our wiring kits come complete and ready to install with all necessary connections and fuses. They also come complete with 13 page color installation instructions. Also, BMW has changed the 2007+ Hardtop tail light wiring requiring some additional work to figure it out.

 

Yes, very cool trailer indeed!!

I am close to finishing a trailer very similar to yours.. I can only hope to achieve the same amount of attention to detail!

www.tinytrailers.net

 

Awesome. I want one. Or at least something that tows without affecting the MINI's handling / performance. Sounds like you hit on something.