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Old 11-18-2022, 07:53 PM   #1
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Towing 2019 Mini on Tow Dolly

New to this forum, Is it safe to tow a 2019 Mini Countryman front wheel drive on a Master Tow dolly? Car manual says not to tow over 30 MPH and the dealer advises against towing except with all 4 wheels off the ground. Does anyone have any experience?
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Old 11-18-2022, 10:58 PM   #2
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I do not have any experience, but our dealer told us on our 2012 that the angle of having the front wheels on a dolly would stress the rear aluminum control arms and cause them to crack. I have no idea if that is true or not, but that is what they told us.
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Old 11-19-2022, 12:24 AM   #3
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Welocme to the forum.

That's interesting what Daveinet had to say or what the dealer he talked to said. I have no idea as to the validity of that assertion as I personally haven't heard that before.

However, I have observed quite a few MINIs on tow dollies through the years. I have no idea of the year or the model but I have seen them on the road and at rest stops, RV parks, etc.

I did a online search and found quite a few pictures of MINIs on dollies but again, I have no idea of the year or model. Below are just a few:

HERE

HERE

HERE

HERE

HERE

I'm thinking you already know this but if your MINI has a manual transmission with a clutch pedal (not a DSG) and it's front-wheel-drive, there is a possibility that you can flat-tow it depending on the model (there was a recent thread where a member here was having a difficult time finding baseplates for one with a sports suspension but certain model years with sport suspensions have no problem with fitment issues).

MINI does not and as far as I know, has never approved any type of towing behind a motorhome. Therefore, I'm thinking the reason for what your dealer told you. However, many flat tow MINIs with manual transmissions and front-wheel-drive as well as use dollies with the front wheels off the ground.

I believe there are threads here on this forum that featured members towing MINIs on dollies. I'll do a search and post again if I find them.



Here's also a video of a tutorial where somebody is loading a MINI on a dolly:





The search of the forum I did came up with threads about dolly towing older MINIs but didn't appear to be one as new as you have: go HERE for the search results
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Old 11-19-2022, 10:40 AM   #4
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Few car manufacturers test unusual usages like 4-down or dolly towing. They don't know what sort of issues might arise so won't issue any approvals or even imply it might be ok. Doing so would almost surely be interpreted as accepting liability for any resulting problems, e.g. warranty repairs or even accidents. They have to allow for towing in the event of a breakdown on the highway, but that's it.


It's very likely you could dolly-tow for a moderate distance at 55 or 60 mph on a nice day and smooth roads. But the manufacturer has no way of knowing whether you drive at 45 or 75, or if weather will be extra hot, or if you will drive10 hours a day. Anything can happen once they open up the Pandora's box of towing. So they make you assume the risk.
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Old 11-22-2022, 06:54 AM   #5
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I've seen many mini's being towed 4 down even though the manufacturer says you can't. I have no info regarding specific years or transmissions involved but do see it a lot.

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Old 11-22-2022, 02:14 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hohenwald48 View Post
I've seen many mini's being towed 4 down even though the manufacturer says you can't. I have no info regarding specific years or transmissions involved but do see it a lot.

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Sure, many are flat towing front-wheel-drive (no AWD) MINIs that have a manual transmission with a clutch pedal (no DSG). They are the only MINIs that can be flat towed or towed 4-down. Some model years, as is being discussed in another recent thread, may run into fitment problems pertaining to baseplates because of the sports suspension, though.

However, the OP is asking about a tow dolly so I'm assuming that he has a DSG or "automatic" transmission. I see no reason why a front-wheel-drive MINI can't be towed on a dolly as I pointed out examples previously ...but I'm no expert.
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