Mini Cooper

[Windy City]

Originally Posted by Rubix cube

I've been trying to get thru to Remco this AM without much luck. We are buying a 2012 Mini clubman S - 6 speed for a toad, and while I've read all sorts of people have had earlier years, when making a 32k investment, I want to be certain.

Have you had any luck?

You can tow the manual flat no problem.
I have a 2011 Clubman S auto and tow via a dolly.
MINIS ROCK!

[Rubix cube]

Thanks, Windy City. I guess I'm just being too skeptical that such a fun vehicle to drive is now mine, and it can be towed too. Why do you use a dolly?

[Windy City]

Mine is an automatic, thus the dolly. It is also my everyday driver with tow duty few and far between.
I wouldn't want to modify it with flat tow equipment.
I have several other things I am planning on putting on the tow dolly.

I have many vehicles but the Mini is the favorite driver!

So much so we are planning on ordering second, a Countryman this time.

[ernest917]

Anyone have Roadmaster tow brackets on their Mini??? The ones that are "invisible" when you're not towing....

Just had them installed on mine and I HATE them - they are not invisible.... About 3 - 3.5 inches still stick out when now rigged for towing.... Called Roadmaster and they are "checking into it with their R & D department which means I'm about to get screwed...

Check out pics I've attached.... If yours don't look like this please attach pics so I can see....

[Rubix cube]

I'm still in the market for the mounting bracket. I won't have my Clubman for another 6 weeks at the earliest. It does seem like it sticks out there a ways. Is this the Roadmaster 521879-1? It is hard to tell from the Figure B on this diagram, how far it sticks out. http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdfinst/521879-1.pdf. It looks like the main receiver brace should be protruding thru a grill, but it doesn't on yours.

[rg neumann]

We looked at the tow bar system for Mini from Blue Ox & Roadmaster and neither of therm were invisible. For that matter none of the systems are invisible on ANY car. But the system on your Mini seems a bit much. For that reason and the fact we will be towing a Jeep we elected to go the tow dolly route.

[Windy City]

I have an 2011 Clubman S auto that is my DD. It will see double duty at a toad on weekends. I ordered a Landgrebe dolly to pull it as I didn't want and mods or weight added to the car.
I don't think you can tow the auto flat anyway without the risk of destroying the trans.
I have other vehicles I may opt to pull too.(Mazda Miata manual) This way the dolly can tote any vehicle at any time.
If I had a car that was going to be a dedicated toad, I would definitely tow it flat for the ease and lack of having to deal with extra equipment. But then I would order the car in a configuration to best allow flat towing.

[Vegasdan]

Originally Posted by rg neumann

We looked at the tow bar system for Mini from Blue Ox & Roadmaster and neither of therm were invisible. For that matter none of the systems are invisible on ANY car. But the system on your Mini seems a bit much. For that reason and the fact we will be towing a Jeep we elected to go the tow dolly route.

If you're planning on towing a FWD Compass or Patriot then you'll be ok with a dolly. Any other model has to be towed 4 down or on a trailer.

[1ciderdog]

Rubix Cube
This is the baseplate I use on my 2006 Cooper. I believe they sell the same device for new models. When installed it can be noticed but the black blends in well with the black grill. The aluminum colored twist connectors are easy to remove when not in use.
Base Plates by Blue Ox for 2006 Cooper - BX1303
Bob

[Rubix cube]

Thanks, 1ciderdog. I thought I had seen a base plate which looked a little more subdued than Ernest917 experienced. I was on the BlueOx web site earlier and didn't see this one, but I don't believe the vehicle front end has changed that much. I'll give them a call.

[BpK9Miami]

My 2010 MCS has the tow package and wanted to share the photos. Are they totally hidden? Of course not. But, they do a pretty low profile job in my opinion and if installed correctly do not distract from the overall appearance.

Make up your own mind obviously.

Good luck!

[ernest917]

Hey guys....

Got a call from the "head" lady over marketing and R&D at Roadmaster today.... She said they were checking to see if I received the correct brackets and if not would rescue them... In case I did, she has her engineering guys trying to come up with a solution..

So - it appears that they are going to do something - but as they say "The jury is still out..."

[Rubix cube]

BpK9 and Earnest, Would you please let me know your model numbers on the base plates. And, please keep me in the loop on your issue with Roadmaster, Ernest.

My Mini just got thru the assembly line and is awaiting shipment.

I really appreciate you folks taking the time and pics to help others out!

[BpK9Miami]

Originally Posted by Rubix cube

BpK9 and Earnest, Would you please let me know your model numbers on the base plates. And, please keep me in the loop on your issue with Roadmaster, Ernest.

My Mini just got thru the assembly line and is awaiting shipment.

I really appreciate you folks taking the time and pics to help others out!

Rubix Cube - here ya go. With the following caveat to Ernest:

Roadmaster told me the same thing back in 2010 when I was finding my TOAD solution, so be cautious and weary. It turns out they had it in market and "R & D" did not know it.

The numbers on my bracket fit the 2010 MC "S" Turbo model - not the convertible, nor the non-turbo. RM was very specific on that. The installation was done at one of the RM qualified shops in Austin Texas by a tech who does a lot of thier (RM) "test" fittings. Let me be clear, I'm very, very happy with the rig.

Keep in mind that the front brackets (the face plate and cross bar) can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, the mounting plates for the specific car are what changes. Mine has been on 3 different vehicles with only the mounting plates having changed.

So, on to the pictures for you. And all the best of luck!