Towing a Mini Cooper

[ernest917]

Anyone out there towing a Mini Cooper?? If so, tell me you experience with it....I'm considering getting one to tow...

[OneRVer]

The only thing I know is the automatics need a tow dolly and the 5 or 6 speed tow all four down. Shoot you would not even know it is back there. Might need a drop hitch though.

[RSchleder]

I own a 2007 mini S and I can tell you two things for sure:
1) The owners manual, even for the 6 speed, does not condone all wheel down towing.
2) Many folks ARE TOWING the 6 speeds all wheels down without any reported issues.

We plan on towing our mini on a dolly. Now this will be a major change for us as we've been towing cars with 4 wheels down behind our motorhomes since 1995. We have, however, never towed a car behind us that the manufacturer stated not to tow 4 wheels down.
We are going with a dolly for several reasons. They are:
A) I really don't want to "carve holes " in the mini grill to accommodate the base plate attachment points.
B) I'll be towing the mini with my new, downsized, Class B Sprinter based Winnebago ERA. Because I'm towing with something smaller than the 40' Class A's we're used to, I feel I need brakes on the towed vehicle (dolly). I do know, I was taking a chance on my previous towing situation and was planning on going the brake install on my Allegro Bus if we had not downsized. I really don't like any of the current toad brake systems and the dolly we're buying has surge brakes so that's taken care of for us.
C) Yes, the owners manual is also a factor. Clutches and transmissions for these cars costs a "ton".

So, that's what we're doing, I will say I've gone back and forth several times! I really have no strong feelings /recommendations on which method is the best.

[1ciderdog]

I've towed my Mini many miles four wheels after checking the Remco website. Application Charts | Remco Towing
Safe Travels
Bob

[ernest917]

1ciderdog.....

Do you have issues with running battery down while towing?? Is there a fuse you pull?? Do you put the key in accessory or just leave it in ignition?? How difficult was it to mount the tow bar base plates?? Sorry Bob for all the questions... Just want to get it right...

[1ciderdog]

I have not had a battery problem with the Mini (Can't say that about the CRV). I just turn everything off and leave the key in the aux position. I did install the base plate and had no problem but have installed base plates on other cars a few years ago. I had to remove the plastic around or under the bumper. The base plate is designed to use existing bolts. And I may have had to trim the plastic a bit but nothing major. If you are accustomed to turning a wrench &b minor mechanic work it is not a challenge. I used red loctite and added a safety cable that goes around the baseplate to the frame. I think the cable was an option available when I purchased the kit.
Safe Travels
Bob

[Spikester]

I have towed our 2003 Cooper with CVT (Auto) transmissiion on a Demco Kar Kaddy SS with surge brakes for many, many miles. Cooper has Aero package front and side air dams. Have had no problem with tow dolly coming in contact with front or lower air dam panels. The Cooper tracks along just great, hardly know that it is there. Have had no problems with this combinations and would do it all over again. Like the folding dolly, makes it easier to deal with when parked. When loading I drive the front tires up to the front chocks, set the emergency, install the straps, snug them up, release parking park, tighten the straps then put the transmission in park.

Spike

[lms1943]

We tow a 2004 Mini Cooper S 4 wheels down. I went to Advance Auto and purchased a cheap battery disconnect. My battery is in the back, and I put it on the negative side of the battery. After I get hooked up I disconnect the battery and turn on the key (my steering locks, I understand newer MIni's do not), put the car in neutral and away we go.

[ernest917]

Ims1943....

Question: do you use a toad auxiliary braking system with your mini??? If so, what kind... Mini only weighs abt 3200 lbs and my MH is close to 30,000 lbs... Shouldn't even know its back there....

[OneRVer]

Here is a list of the states and what is required for braking systems on towed cars.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by OneRVer

Here is a list of the states and what is required for braking systems on towed cars.

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

And don't believe what you read there. I know for a fact that it's wrong for OR and WA, they did get it right for CA though and that's what OR and WA should be.
Even so it's the most accurate one I've found.

[kstrails]

We tow a 2004 Mini Copper 5 speed 4 down with no problems.
On this model we just turn the IGN key off after running but do not remove key,the steering wheel will remain unlocked until key is removed.Never had a problem.
Also on this model of Mini, It has rear fog lights (red) that I disconected and used for tow lights. Just changed the lamps to a dual type lamp.
I used a Blue Ox base plate .
Did some mods to the base plate after installation to raise the height. I did this to prevent using a 10-12' drop hitch. Now have about a 22" height from Mini to MH which keeps tow bar close to level. (Sorry I do not have any photos)
The Mini tows great 4 down with the standard trans. Tracks well, light weight, and much more fun to drive than other small cars. Just dont like the cost of 97 octane required to run it.

[kstrails]

Here are some pics of the Blue Ox base plate w/ a Roadmaster cross bar

[lms1943]

Although I do not believe that brakes are needed while towing the Mini, we do use the Ready Brake Surge system tow bar

I have to use a 6" drop, but so far that's not a problem

As was said in an earlier post the Mini is a fun car