Class C - Towing Mini Cooper

Hold me, I'm scared...

We're planning a trip (from MN) to the Black Hills of South Dakota for 8 days. I have never pulled a "toad" before. The RV is a '01 32' Class C, and my car is a '11 R57.

I have some options, based upon my assumptions:

1. Tow Dolly
Advantages:
• Lighter
• Less expensive to rent.
• Shorter overall length
• Easier to stash at campsites.

Disadvantages:
• My poor MINI may be at greater risk of potholes and road debris.
• Pretty much impossible to back up. (If I care)

2. Car Trailer
Advantages:
• Car is "safer" (especially on mountain roads)
• No messing with aux lights.
• I could back up if needed.

Disadvantages:
• Longer overall length
• More expensive to rent
• A challenge to park at campsites.

I'm about to head to the Badlands this summer and I'm going to (try to) to my '11 R57 for the first time. Leaning towards renting a good dolly.

I'm nervous as hell about hurting her.

Some people say its cheaper to rent a car instead?
Drive to where you want and then rent?
But then there is a question of the convenience?

How I would love to tow a Mini behind my Itasca Spirit - but all this worry makes me almost think it would be easier to have the significant other drive it behind me. :) Perhaps one day I will understand it all. Good thing I usually go relatively short trips. Although - I do have time to figure it all out as still saving up for the Mini. Dreams..... :C

We tow 2008 clubman 6 speed 4down,behind 2007 34'hurricane with ford f53 chasis towed aprox 2500 miles this past summer, every thing went great.use roadmaster quick release tow system,use magnetic lights on roof.just put car in neutral & go,no need for ignition to be on,don't use brakebuddy,cant tell car is there,

stevekk wrote:
What is a good price to look for, for a basic/ no frills NEW Mini?
When I see them advertised on the internet or newspaper?
With manual trans.

Steve, Minis and BMWs are generally not discounted. To get an idea of price, go to MINI USA and do the "build" option for the model you want. That lets you figure out what options you have to have and which ones you can do without with prices for each one. If you have time, I highly recommend ordering one configured exactly the way you want.

The plus side of buying is the very high resale value of Minis. Check NADA or KBB and compare trade in value for a 5 year old Mini vs other makes.

What is a good price to look for, for a basic/ no frills NEW Mini?
When I see them advertised on the internet or newspaper?
With manual trans.

OFDPOS wrote:
I know this is about towing a mini , and don't mean to hi-jack the post. We have been looking at mini's and I've been lurking on about 3 Mini talk forums, and alot of what I have read ,it all but scares me away from getting one.
I sure as heck can't afford a new one, read horror stories about the older ones 2003-06's . Stopped by a Mini dealership and test drove an 09 then 12 and of coarse both my Fiancee and myself thought the 12 was awesome , till we looked at the price 29K Holy %$#@ talking with the salesman he said there are 1000's of ways to build one ,base $22k to $50K.
So to get this back on track if we did get one we would tow with the MH .
What are your thoughts on the mini's ?

I am currently a moderator on total MINI and before that I was a moderator on Mini2. I bought a 2002 MC-CVT when the brand was re-introduced to the US in March 2002. I have owned that one, a 2005 MCSCa, a 2005 MCSa, a 2006 MCS JCW GP (No 0019 of 2000), a 2008 Clubman and a 2006 MCSa. The hubby and I wrote the FAQ on flat towing a Mini for both Mini 2 and total MINI. So I think for RV net purposes, I am the Mini subject matter expert. ;)

Yes, they can be a bit pricey if you add options. Remember, Mini is made by BMW and they do not make a cheap car. But by the same standards, a Mini is a pure pleasure to drive, economical, and reliable. I love mine! It's the first car I've ever owned that I went back for another one.

Mini/BMW says you can not flat tow a Mini, but in the owner's manual there are directions for towing it with a rope. Can't really see how what you tow it with makes much difference. European owner's manuals say you can flat tow it. We have a Roadmaster baseplate on the Clubman and have towed it for over 20,000 miles with no problems. A nice little plus is that it doesn't have a locking steering column, so no need to leave a key in the ignition.

The FWD manual transmission models can be flat towed. The automatic FWD can be towed on a dolly or trailer. The AWD Countryman can only be towed on a trailer.

A Mini is not for everyone but if you want one, it is very easy to tow.

Bumpyroad wrote:

OFDPOS wrote:
.
What are your thoughts on the mini's ?

the other day we stopped at a Mickey D's and a MC pulled in beside us. Out got a man and wife, and three kids. reminded me of the clown car at the circus when about 40 clowns pop out. :)
I would not want to be in one in an accident. don't bore me with safety ratings. when a bowling ball hits a grape, the grape loses.
bumpy

Kinda like the commercial of the smart car where they show how strong the bare body chasis is with a suburban sitting on top of it ?
Not to many suburbans will be hitting you from the top, more like being sandwiched between two vehicles...

AprilWhine wrote:
Oh, and there was no damage from towing either Mini on the dolly. The blue on both bonnets is blue painter's tape. I made a masque to protect the paint from rocks.

Looking at your pictures, it looks like the model of dolly makes a big difference. I think ours is a KarKaddy GT300SB and the front wheels go on a swiveling platform and it makes the whole thing much higher (our tires are 205/55R16s so probably not much different that your mini but the center hub on ours ends up a bit below the top of the dolly fender - it looks like your wheels sit much lower). Also the short wheelbase of the Mini might actually help - when you drive on the ramp, because of the shorter wheelbase, the front bumber / airdam ends up much higher over the dolly because of the angle which gives more clearance.