Hey guys! I flat tow a 2006 Mini behind our Leisure Travel Van and one thing I don't know if you mentioned or not, to unlock the steering wheel, turn the key to the ON position then all the way to OFF position BUT DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY! This turns off the car (no counting of miles on the digital odometer) and the steering wheel is unlocked allowing the front wheels to turn as you turn the towing vehicle. I also bought the magnetic turn signal lights from Norther Tool. See you on the road!
+Jerry Karlovich The 2009 must be different then.. we've never left the key in the ignition while towing. We don't have a 'key to turn' really - it's just a round disk type thing that goes into a slot. No On/Off positions on ours.
We just got our motorhome and bought a 2003 mini cooper base that had the blue ox tow brackets installed and was used as a toad by previous owner. He showed how to disconnect the battery to tow it, and he used magnetic lights mounted on the back of the mini; (a real 'Ma & Pa Kettle' type set-up). I'm having the wiring harness installed on our mini and I discovered returning the key to off position keeps the steering free to turn today. No more battery disconnect. Thanks for your comment as it validates what I thought I had discovered! Yippee!
2006-2014 Honda CRV actually has a section in the owners manual for flat towing behind an RV. Seat 5 comfortably and a ton of room for luggage or groceries (at the same time). Extremely reliable engine, it's around 3500lbs , MPG 21 in city 28 hwy. Worth the consideration if you ever trade in the mini.
What a great location! Looks beautiful up there... and so do you, Cherie! :) Great overview of the Mini. Hope this helps more people realize that flat towing is such a great way to go that it's worth it even if it means having to drive a stick (of course some of us prefer them over a slush-box anyway). ;-)
+RVgeeks Awww... blush guys! You know, I had never driven a stick before the MINI, and figured it out on my own when I had to drive it across country to pick it up. Fun fun!
Awesome Vid! Very encouraging because i have the same model year Manual Mini Cooper S and was wondering if we could flat tow it. Cool! Excited about taking our first trip with our Fleetwood Discovery now. Just need to get the adaptor and tow system. Thanks and happy travels!😁
The research that went into buying a TOAD was amazing. I am sure my needs list was different then yours or anyone else, but I decided on a 2011 Subaru Outback. I can haul, carry four and luggage, pull a small trailer and while it doesn't go where a Jeep would it nearly. With the 6 speed it is fun to drive and I can see out of it (I'm 6'3"). For me (and only me) I didn't feel I was getting into the Mini as much as putting it on. Thanks for the video.
I have always assumed that the Mini was at least partly chosen for it's overall color scheme and how it fit with the Technomadia "brand". It's fun to hear that it was serendipity.
We flat towed a Ford C-Max for 5 years behind a Tiffin Phaeton. It worked well. Now the Phaeton is gone, the C-Max is gone and we are looking for a toad for a new C- Class that we just purchased.
Hey you mentioned not being able to see stop lights.....they make a small plastic thing that sticks at the top of your windshield that reflects upward so you can see the lights. I’m 6’1 and it works great for me....no slouching over. If it’s ok to say where, I’m not sore if I got it off Amazon or from Mini Mania....I think the latter.
I bet it would not be technically difficult to set up the charging system on a hybrid toad to take advantage of the bus' surplus voltage. Arrive fully charged. As for the low roof of the MC, I wonder if a fiberglass cap could be fabricated to give you ten more inches of headroom and a couple of windows.
Nice setup you have. Do you keep track of the miles towed so you know when to get an oil change? Can you back up at all when its attached? When I was a full time RVer for over 2 years, I towed a VW baja bug. It was light & cheap, but a death trap. Don't know if I'd drive one today. I miss the sound of an air cooled engine, though.
+Bryant Ford Yes, we do track the mileage of the bus, and add that to the mileage of the MINI for maintenance items (especially important for tires). And no, we can't back up more than maybe a foot or two with the toad attached.
i know just what you mean about the stop lights, but to be honest over here in the uk the ''mini' is a medium lol, they used to e small when ''original mini' so you dont want a uk 'small' size vehicle if your over 5'6 etc
A Paint matched Cj5 or CJ7 would be far more fun i would think. I do think its worth a chuckle that you both drove a prius and now drive a smoke belching, none EPA reg'd diesel.
+Keith But we don't drive the bus nearly the miles we did our respective Prii, and the choice was not primarily about being environmental. Just geeky. And the bus is plenty geeky.
+Keith And nor did we LIVE in our Prius. Our prior stationary environmental impact was likely far higher than driving a bus a few thousand miles a year, conserving water and living off solar frequently.
+Technomadia I wasnt trying to rustle any jimmys. I prefer the old, reliable tech we have all but abandoned in our culture. but you should consider a vintage jeep to keep with the geeky-ness
+Syncro Van We haven't looked into them specifically, but if we were so inclined to actually switch it up - we'd be looking all possible options that might be suitable for us.
I mostly see cars/small trucks being towed flat or on a dolly. What about small car trailers? I don't recall seeing anything like that. Is there a reason for this?
How do u know that a car can be flat towed? Can I assume all standard tran cars can be? The C Max appears to be an automatic - is there a website that lists what will work or do you have to contact each manufacturer?
What about the steering? Is it necessary to leave the key in the ignition or what exactly is procedure to make sure the steering wheel will track(turn)?
If you choose a up grade give some thought to Subaru Outback. Great SAFE cars last for very long time. Mostly oil change kind of things. NOT knowed for break downs. You will have both people and cargo room. My outback has a sunroof as well! My sister got me in to Subaru she has a 95 outback that just won't die! Check it out! Thanks for your blogs enjoy them Bill M
I burned up my clutch towing my PT cruiser. It took 2 years; but cost $2500. Dealer told me to tow with clutch pedal pushed to the floor...easily done with a bar between seat and pedal.
So...towing the Mini means tire wear, bearings wear, etc. What if you loaded it on the roof - no, too tall... But then you wouldn't wear out the tires - wait, no, that wouldn't work either, you would wear out the bus then because of the extra weight. I guess there's no way to get around the laws of physics :)
+Bob Woodcock Yup.. we replace our tires more often than the odometer reads. But not a big expense, few hundred bucks every few years, at most. Just a cost of life on the road. Cheaper than a mortgage payment.
Hey guys! I flat tow a 2006 Mini behind our Leisure Travel Van and one thing I don't know if you mentioned or not, to unlock the steering wheel, turn the key to the ON position then all the way to OFF position BUT DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY! This turns off the car (no counting of miles on the digital odometer) and the steering wheel is unlocked allowing the front wheels to turn as you turn the towing vehicle. I also bought the magnetic turn signal lights from Norther Tool. See you on the road!
+Jerry Karlovich The 2009 must be different then.. we've never left the key in the ignition while towing. We don't have a 'key to turn' really - it's just a round disk type thing that goes into a slot. No On/Off positions on ours.
Yep. Yours is different.
We just got our motorhome and bought a 2003 mini cooper base that had the blue ox tow brackets installed and was used as a toad by previous owner. He showed how to disconnect the battery to tow it, and he used magnetic lights mounted on the back of the mini; (a real 'Ma & Pa Kettle' type set-up). I'm having the wiring harness installed on our mini and I discovered returning the key to off position keeps the steering free to turn today. No more battery disconnect. Thanks for your comment as it validates what I thought I had discovered! Yippee!
We will try that. That is the answer regarding steering unlock I am looking for.
2006-2014 Honda CRV actually has a section in the owners manual for flat towing behind an RV. Seat 5 comfortably and a ton of room for luggage or groceries (at the same time). Extremely reliable engine, it's around 3500lbs , MPG 21 in city 28 hwy. Worth the consideration if you ever trade in the mini.
What a great location! Looks beautiful up there... and so do you, Cherie! :) Great overview of the Mini. Hope this helps more people realize that flat towing is such a great way to go that it's worth it even if it means having to drive a stick (of course some of us prefer them over a slush-box anyway). ;-)
+RVgeeks Awww... blush guys! You know, I had never driven a stick before the MINI, and figured it out on my own when I had to drive it across country to pick it up. Fun fun!
We have two mini coopers and we love them. We aren't RVers yet but probably will get a different toad for that. Love your videos, thanks for sharing.
Awesome Vid! Very encouraging because i have the same model year Manual Mini Cooper S and was wondering if we could flat tow it. Cool! Excited about taking our first trip with our Fleetwood Discovery now. Just need to get the adaptor and tow system. Thanks and happy travels!😁
The research that went into buying a TOAD was amazing. I am sure my needs list was different then yours or anyone else, but I decided on a 2011 Subaru Outback. I can haul, carry four and luggage, pull a small trailer and while it doesn't go where a Jeep would it nearly. With the 6 speed it is fun to drive and I can see out of it (I'm 6'3"). For me (and only me) I didn't feel I was getting into the Mini as much as putting it on. Thanks for the video.
I have always assumed that the Mini was at least partly chosen for it's overall color scheme and how it fit with the Technomadia "brand". It's fun to hear that it was serendipity.
We flat towed a Ford C-Max for 5 years behind a Tiffin Phaeton. It worked well. Now the Phaeton is gone, the C-Max is gone and we are looking for a toad for a new C- Class that we just purchased.
happy 10 years on the road you two!
Nice video. We bought an Xterra to flat tow, but haven't done so yet. It's 4600 pounds so I'm a little worried about that with our gas rv.
a sunroof and a cruise control can be easily installed , also 3 way adjustable seats that could be lowered down, with some luck form a recycle yard. .
+box truck Possibly... but not by our definition of 'easy'. :)
Hey you mentioned not being able to see stop lights.....they make a small plastic thing that sticks at the top of your windshield that reflects upward so you can see the lights. I’m 6’1 and it works great for me....no slouching over. If it’s ok to say where, I’m not sore if I got it off Amazon or from Mini Mania....I think the latter.
Yes... we got one after this video.
I bet it would not be technically difficult to set up the charging system on a hybrid toad to take advantage of the bus' surplus voltage. Arrive fully charged. As for the low roof of the MC, I wonder if a fiberglass cap could be fabricated to give you ten more inches of headroom and a couple of windows.
Nice setup you have. Do you keep track of the miles towed so you know when to get an oil change? Can you back up at all when its attached?
When I was a full time RVer for over 2 years, I towed a VW baja bug. It was light & cheap, but a death trap. Don't know if I'd drive one today. I miss the sound of an air cooled engine, though.
+Bryant Ford Yes, we do track the mileage of the bus, and add that to the mileage of the MINI for maintenance items (especially important for tires). And no, we can't back up more than maybe a foot or two with the toad attached.
i know just what you mean about the stop lights, but to be honest over here in the uk the ''mini' is a medium lol, they used to e small when ''original mini' so you dont want a uk 'small' size vehicle if your over 5'6 etc
A Paint matched Cj5 or CJ7 would be far more fun i would think.
I do think its worth a chuckle that you both drove a prius and now drive a smoke belching, none EPA reg'd diesel.
+Keith But we don't drive the bus nearly the miles we did our respective Prii, and the choice was not primarily about being environmental. Just geeky. And the bus is plenty geeky.
+Keith And nor did we LIVE in our Prius. Our prior stationary environmental impact was likely far higher than driving a bus a few thousand miles a year, conserving water and living off solar frequently.
+Technomadia I wasnt trying to rustle any jimmys. I prefer the old, reliable tech we have all but abandoned in our culture. but you should consider a vintage jeep to keep with the geeky-ness
I like your mini coopers
I have a 1991 4 cyl Jeep wrangler its the ticket for me, light weight and can go anywhere you want.
Why doesn't the Mini require supplemental brakes in many States? Is it the low weight? If so what is the cutoff?
The weight requirements vary by state... most are around 3000lbs or higher, but a few are lower (our Mini is about 2500).
What about a Suzuki Jimmy or Samurai ? You could still do offroad and city also.
+Syncro Van We haven't looked into them specifically, but if we were so inclined to actually switch it up - we'd be looking all possible options that might be suitable for us.
I mostly see cars/small trucks being towed flat or on a dolly. What about small car trailers? I don't recall seeing anything like that. Is there a reason for this?
We know some folks who use them. Still a pain to manage and store at campgrounds.
How do u know that a car can be flat towed? Can I assume all standard tran cars can be? The C Max appears to be an automatic - is there a website that lists what will work or do you have to contact each manufacturer?
+MikeConnerPhoto Look up the Motorhome Magazine Dingy Guide. It's the best resource (link in the article associated with this video)
+Technomadia thanks I found that after I posted my question. Thx for the quick reply.
Legos?! This guy is my spirit animal. Lol
What about the steering? Is it necessary to leave the key in the ignition or what exactly is procedure to make sure the steering wheel will track(turn)?
Nothing special needed... we just put it in neutral, took off the parking brake nd took the key out.
Great news. Appreciate your help.
The steering wheel does not lock? We just bought a Mini Cooper Manuel transmission for our new toad.
I read a comment above about turning the key on then off and leaving it unlocks steering
Do miles (odometer) go up on the car you tow?
+Funk Daddy No, they do not. But you do need to make sure you factor in towed miles into your maintenance routines.
If you choose a up grade give some thought to Subaru Outback. Great SAFE cars last for very long time. Mostly oil change kind of things. NOT knowed for break downs. You will have both people and cargo room. My outback has a sunroof as well! My sister got me in to Subaru she has a 95 outback that just won't die! Check it out! Thanks for your blogs enjoy them Bill M
I just read an article stating that AWD vehicles can be flat towed.
Not all of them - every vehicle / transmission is different. There is no universal rule.
How many RV folks carry a Vespa scooter. Is there room in your RV for a Vespa.
+dphotos We know a few who use scooters. It wouldn't work for us, but it's certainly a way to go.
I am considering selling my jeep to get a mini cooper, it seems that they have more cargo room than the wranglers.
+falloutpictures i have a cargo rack on the jeep pretty much can Cary anything.
We have a mini and I can't believe how much stuff you can put in there when you have the seats down
can you flat tow a mini clubman 2008 automatic
I don’t believe any of the mini automatic transmissions can be flat towed, but do your own research to be sure.
@@Technomadia thanks for you information, I did some research and you are correct
I burned up my clutch towing my PT cruiser. It took 2 years; but cost $2500. Dealer told me to tow with clutch pedal pushed to the floor...easily done with a bar between seat and pedal.
Wow. Was your PT Cruiser in neutral? Clutch needs to be pushed in regardless?
3:47 Buy one with a sun roof
So...towing the Mini means tire wear, bearings wear, etc. What if you loaded it on the roof - no, too tall...
But then you wouldn't wear out the tires - wait, no, that wouldn't work either, you would wear out the bus then because of the extra weight. I guess there's no way to get around the laws of physics :)
+Bob Woodcock Yup.. we replace our tires more often than the odometer reads. But not a big expense, few hundred bucks every few years, at most. Just a cost of life on the road. Cheaper than a mortgage payment.
Keep your Mini. It's paid for and who wants a car payment if you upgrade.
+dphotos If we ever were to upgrade, we'd only purchase what we could afford without payments.
I don't think they were designed for Andre the Giant type dudes. :)
Should be a convertible.