Spent the weekend prepping the toad. Now just need to buy an RV :)

[00wabbit]

We are in the process of purchasing an RV. We bought this mini back in June to use as a toad. I spent the weekend installing a blue ox baseplate and wiring bulbs into the tail lights. I also added the roof rack to carry our bikes.

Tomorrow the inspectors goes to inspect the motorhome. If all goes well we will be on the road soon.



The blue ox baseplate install on a 2009 mini is not for the faint of heart. You have to cut holes in the bumper and drill from multiple sides into the bumper. Then you have to cut the plastic bumper to fit over it all. After all that it still doesn't go back together perfectly. We had to force the holes to line up on the bumper because the baseplate hit the back of the bumper. Now that it's all back together it looks just fine and I don't forsee any trouble with it.
About half way through the install though a tow-dolly was starting to look real good.

[AtecMike]

Mini's are nice thinking about one myself yours a 6 speed manual. Good luck with your Chile mini

[00wabbit]

Originally Posted by AtecMike

Mini's are nice thinking about one myself yours a 6 speed manual. Good luck with your Chile mini

Yep It's a 6 speed. It's like a giant go cart.

I'm still teaching my wife to drive it.

[Selah]

Wow, most people get the MH first and then go out and search for a vehicle to tow. Your the first person I know that bought the toad first and then went out a searched for a MH to tow it with.
I like that approach.
BTW: that is a nice looking Mini!

[00wabbit]

I literally put the cart before the horse.

We couldn't buy a motorhome until now, but knew we were going to do it.
We knew we would need a toad and decided on the mini. My wife needed to learn to drive it so we went ahead and bought it.

This has given me time to get it set up and get used to it and given the wife time to learn to drive it.

RV Inspection is tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Fortunately we found the previous owner of the RV here on the forums and were able to talk to him. Hopefully everything will turn out well.

Then we can start figuring out how we want to build our computer desks in.

[rick h]

Your going to love towing the mini we've been towing an 08 clubman with roadmaster base plt. for 2 summers now, can't even tell its back there.Good luck with your new toys.


Rick

[00wabbit]

Originally Posted by rick h

Your going to love towing the mini we've been towing an 08 clubman with roadmaster base plt. for 2 summers now, can't even tell its back there.Good luck with your new toys.


Rick

What did you do for brakes? We don't "have" to have brakes in Indiana, but we will be full timing with it and want to comply with every state.

I was thinking of the SMI system, except I don't know where I would put the back up air tank for the air version. I guess I could use the electric version instead.

[Davdeb1]

Originally Posted by 00wabbit

What did you do for brakes? We don't "have" to have brakes in Indiana, but we will be full timing with it and want to comply with every state.

I was thinking of the SMI system, except I don't know where I would put the back up air tank for the air version. I guess I could use the electric version instead.

I highly recommend the ready brute elite tow bar. The Ready Brake is integrated into the tow bar. The bar cost around $850 and you have your brake included. The installation of the cable is not anywhere near as hard as that base plate you put in.

We have a 2012 ford focus Se sport.

I love your mini, great looking and driving car.

[00wabbit]

Originally Posted by Davdeb1

I highly recommend the ready brute elite tow bar. The Ready Brake is integrated into the tow bar. The bar cost around $850 and you have your brake included. The installation of the cable is not anywhere near as hard as that base plate you put in.

We have a 2012 ford focus Se sport.

I love your mini, great looking and driving car.

Very interesting I haven't seen that one before. Seems pretty easy to install and simple to use. Does this do anything if the care "breaks away" I know it's near impossible to do, but some states require breaks for it.

[Davdeb1]

http://www.readybrake.com/SurgeBrakeRule.pdf

This PDF will reply to those concerns. The Ready Brake system is very simple. It connects when you hook up your toad. The safety cables should alleviate breakaway concerns, especially with such a light car.

[spritz]

Originally Posted by 00wabbit

We are in the process of purchasing an RV. We bought this mini back in June to use as a toad. I spent the weekend installing a blue ox baseplate and wiring bulbs into the tail lights. I also added the roof rack to carry our bikes.

Tomorrow the inspectors goes to inspect the motorhome. If all goes well we will be on the road soon.



The blue ox baseplate install on a 2009 mini is not for the faint of heart. You have to cut holes in the bumper and drill from multiple sides into the bumper. Then you have to cut the plastic bumper to fit over it all. After all that it still doesn't go back together perfectly. We had to force the holes to line up on the bumper because the baseplate hit the back of the bumper. Now that it's all back together it looks just fine and I don't forsee any trouble with it.
About half way through the install though a tow-dolly was starting to look real good.

Yes very nice Mini, you don't say what size MH you will be looking too buy, but if you get say like a 40 footer do you really need brakes for the mini?
Just curious

[00wabbit]

We are getting a 40ft DP.

I don't think I "need" brakes for the mini, but we will be full timing and it is required by law in some states. We will go with the smallest, simplest system we can find since we don't need much.

Originally Posted by spritz

Yes very nice Mini, you don't say what size MH you will be looking too buy, but if you get say like a 40 footer do you really need brakes for the mini?
Just curious

[TheLoveCoach]

We have been towing a 2006 Mini convertible for 3 years now. We had to install a 8" drop hitch to even out the Blue Ox to the height of the Mini. Sometimes scrape on the bar on a deep dip, but not often. We love having the convertible when we go to the Smokies, Colorado.....curvy roads! Really we love it anywhere. Enjoy!

[00wabbit]

Nice, We bought this in one in South Carolina and drove it back through the mountains and over Deals Gap. It was a ton of fun.