Tow bar to a Mini Cooper?

plunkea · 20-08-2018 6:28pm #1

Hi does anyone know how much it costs to add a tow bar, and can one be added to a small car like a mini cooper?
Thanks

Eric Cartman · 20-08-2018 6:31pm

What would you even intend on towing with that.

mgbgt1978 · 20-08-2018 6:47pm

As long as it's not a Cooper S (with the centre exhaust) then yes, Towbars are available.
Try malcolms.ie and have a look at the Towbar section to see what's available for your particular Model, Year, etc.
The MINI's do have a fairly limited Towing Capacity though. The MK1 was rated for 650kg with a Braked Trailer.....which is pretty low.

Drifter50 · 20-08-2018 6:47pm

Really its not a suitable car to tow anything except a tiny trailer

Car is too light and you should be afraid of towing with it.

For professional advice ask someone in the trade like Malcolms Caravans in Rathmines who are the Witter agents. They will give you a price and offer some proper advice

plunkea · 20-08-2018 7:37pm

Thanks to all for the advice, must check what the towing capacity is!

Eric Cartman · 20-08-2018 7:41pm

Seems to be 650kg for most editions , so not even a normal 750kg car trailer.

CJhaughey · 20-08-2018 9:44pm

I'd say one of those tiny Erde trailers that Halfords sell.
Like this:
347242?w=637&h=403

Caravans and Ifor Williams I think not.

mr c · 20-08-2018 11:37pm

depending on what you want to do with it maybe renting a small van from Go Car for would be a better option than fitting a towbar to a mini
if been used once or twice it would not be cost effective
yes they can be added but I would guess there is a reason you dont see it much
the right car for your daily needs and rent every time you need something else i think is something that gocar and the likes of them can be handy for

plunkea · 21-08-2018 6:55pm

cheers, yea I think a rental may be the best option, it's for a boat!

Del2005 · 21-08-2018 8:08pm

plunkea wrote: »

cheers, yea I think a rental may be the best option, it's for a boat!

Not many rentals have a towbar. You either need a new car or hobby, sorry.

dr.fuzzenstein · 21-08-2018 9:10pm

plunkea wrote: »

cheers, yea I think a rental may be the best option, it's for a boat!

You want to tow a boat with a mini?
Surely you can't be serious!

CJhaughey · 22-08-2018 8:52am

I assume a boat will include launching and retrieval as well as moving the boat?
If it was a very small light boat like a 12ft aluminium dinghy or similar then it would be OK, but your towing weight is very low and launching and retrieval will tax a mini engine and clutch.
I would rethink the idea of using it as a towcar personally.

V8 Interceptor · 22-08-2018 8:57am

demanufactured · 22-08-2018 9:56am

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

Good luck on a steep ramp lol.

Del2005 · 22-08-2018 10:52am

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

Nicely taken to avoid the important bit. You can't see if it's connected.

Eric Cartman · 22-08-2018 5:48pm

CJhaughey wrote: »

I assume a boat will include launching and retrieval as well as moving the boat?
If it was a very small light boat like a 12ft aluminium dinghy or similar then it would be OK, but your towing weight is very low and launching and retrieval will tax a mini engine and clutch.
I would rethink the idea of using it as a towcar personally.

8ft inflatable rib and the outboard in the passenger seat morelike , even a trailer for a 12ft boat would be 250kg of the 650kg on its own.

Ubbquittious · 22-08-2018 10:36pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

8ft inflatable rib and the outboard in the passenger seat morelike , even a trailer for a 12ft boat would be 250kg of the 650kg on its own.

I have a trailer for a 4.5m rib and I doubt the thing even weighs a full 100

Outboard weighs about 100. I really doubt the hull weighs more than 200. Launched the thing a few times with a 68hp Fabia but that wasn't the best.

Tow bar to a Mini Cooper?

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