Trailer hitch on S for motorcycle trailer

[fprintf]

How nuts is it that I want to add a trailer hitch onto my Cooper S for a motorcycle trailer?

Next year I want to start motorcycle racing and would like to take my bike to the track on a trailer instead of riding to the track. But my primary car is an '03 Cooper S. The bike weighs about 425 lbs wet and I am thinking a trailer is probably 200 lbs. or so. I think the towing limit for the car is 1000 lbs.

Am I nuts? Should I just tell the wifey I am going to take her Volvo XC70 Cross Country every few weekends?

[Electric Blue]

If you have a car like the XC70 I can't see any reason to bother the S. It would be easier to use the Volvo, and puts less stress on the MCS.....plus you can carry more stuff in the Volvo than the Mini, which means some spares etc could be carried jsut incase.

[SalemMINIDriver]

Have you come across this yet?

http://www.miniaturetrailer.com/

Good luck,
Chris

[AlexF2003]

ooo useful to know!

[fprintf]

I did find those hitches but did not click on the links... turns out they have a ready made solution:

http://www.miniaturetrailer.com/cycle.php

Bingo!

As for borrowing the XC70, well that just adds its share of complications including the possibility that I'll get the ole IXNAY on the whole thing. The less I disturb the peace the better!

[jdewey]

Several people have towed bikes behind their MINI.

Here is a 250 pound bike, on a 250 pound trailer behind my 2004 MCS

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

[fprintf]

Quote: Originally Posted by jdewey

Several people have towed bikes behind their MINI.

Here is a 250 pound bike, on a 250 pound trailer behind my 2004 MCS

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

Nice! Funny, that looks just like the McDonalds in Wallingford, CT... they all look alike sometimes! :-)

[ElPolloDiablo]

Your motorcycle shouldn't be any trouble. I've got a mini-fini trailer hitch (hooks up to my sportlink) and it did great hauling my SeaDoo GTX-SC (With trailer it weighs a bit over 1100 lbs) through the mountains and still had good power (for safety reasons, I had to keep it slow through the twisties even though the mini was willing.) As long as you mind the tongue weight you should be fine. I've also got a little 4x8' utility trailer and i've managed to haul a little over 1000lbs of concrete and lumber with it while building on my deck plus trailer but i think that's probably pushing it. I always get funny looks hauling a trailer around with the mini

http://www.minifini.com/shopdetail.aspx?id=11
It's rated to 1400 lbs.

I've got photos of me towing the jetski somewhere, I'll upload them when i track them down . . .the ski is actually bigger than the mini!

Cheers!
Beau

[Bilbo Baggins]

The only real problem with towing a trailer in the USA is that there is a warranty issue. The owners manual speciffically says that towing is not recommended or allowed.

Why the MINIs are any different that the MINIs in the UK is a good question, but thats the way it goes.

Just do not post any pictures or proof that you actually tow anything. If asked, Deny, deny, deny!!!

[Grae]

never thought about a trailer for a mini!

ANyone know of anything similar in the UK, I noticed the US one goes through the reverse/fog light space, can't imagine you can do that in the UK?

[jdewey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bilbo Baggins

The only real problem with towing a trailer in the USA is that there is a warranty issue. The owners manual speciffically says that towing is not recommended or allowed.

Why the MINIs are any different that the MINIs in the UK is a good question, but thats the way it goes.

Just do not post any pictures or proof that you actually tow anything. If asked, Deny, deny, deny!!!

What years manual objects?

I have a 2004 MINI Cooper S. On page 76 of the owner’s manual under
"Determining cargo limit" it says.

"6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult the manual for transporting a trailer
to determine how this may reduce the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle." (The 2005 owners manual says the same thing.)

[jdewey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Grae

never thought about a trailer for a mini!

ANyone know of anything similar in the UK, I noticed the US one goes through the reverse/fog light space, can't imagine you can do that in the UK?

The instructions and part number for the European BMW MINI trailer hitch are available at:

http://motoringfile.com/howto/


John

[ElPolloDiablo]

The mini-fini sportlink is a BMW dealer option. Last time i talked to my dealer, they were offering the hitch as a dealer option.

[fprintf]

It does not much matter on my '03. As far as I know I only have a 36k mile warranty and the car just turned 37k!

[mcleonard]

I think towing a small bike with a small trailer at fairly slow speeds would be doable. I wouldn't accelerate too hard and would be careful not to slip the clutch. From what I have heard clutch jobs are expensive and towing greatly increases wear. I have a 460lb motorcycle and a 350lb trailer and an SUV with a 4.3l V6 to pull it. I can hardly tell it is there with the SUV, but I dont think I will pull it with the Mini. I have been thinking of selling it all and getting a small bike and small trailer and using the Mini. I'd like to keep the total setup to about 500lbs. Although you might be able to go higher it will increase wear. For me maybe a TZ250 and one of those mini trailers.

By the way the 36,000 limit is for prepaid service. The warrenty is 50,000 miles.