I just reread this entire thread, and it makes us look a little two faced. From not towing, to Dolly towing, to flat towing.
Beau, you can't tow the FJ without removing the rear driveshaft. Electronic tecno gobble.
The tow dolly weighs over 750 lbs. That with the car, puts us slightly above the recommended load recommendation by MB. The tow dolly is a PITA to deal with. It is long, wide and hard to store and push around when not using it. Not quick to unload, and then you have to store it when camped. With the tow bar, flat towing is quick to hook up, and when needed, the tow bar will lock in the upright position for manuvering the car in tight spaces. If confronted with a dead end street, the tow bar flipped up and locked, then the car can be driven, the tow dolly would have to be unloaded.
The tow bar mount for the MINI is pretty well force distributed, yes, lots of plastic. Hey, I never thought a plastic pistol would work either!
Anyone contemplating having a tow base plate installed on their MINI should choose the installer with care. The baseplate does mount to metal.
The Roadmaster web site now lists the kit as not fitting the Clubman. The base plate mounted without a problem to the Clubman frame, but the Grill required a lot more surgery with tin snips than indicated on the install instructions that came with the Kit. I had already bought the tow kit, and the car, so it was going to be installed. I made a few small changes for the stronger, will not publish them but will discuss in PM. When not towing, the entire external mount and tow bar remove without tools for storage. Only the 40MM rocket launchers remain visible on the car.
If the company who makes the baseplate will not recommend it for the Clubbie, I will not either. That said, I am quite satisfied with my install, and have confidence in it. The Roadmaster Base plate is quite strong. I have done installs in a previous life when I was an RV technician, so I have over the average knowlege of how to do it correctly.
Towing a MINI is not recommended by MINI USA for liability reasons. Towing a MINI will void your transmission warranty. MY car, my decision. Any front wheel drive MANUAL transmission car can be flat towed without damage. The gears are just turning without load, much less wear that driving it.
I will not debate if a MINI should be towed or not. I am not recommending that a MINI be towed. I am towing mine, and lots of other people are towing theirs. We are all adults, make you own decision.
Today, Fuzzy rigged our clubbie for flat towing.