Please see my gallery for photos of an R60 Countryman S ALL 4 with the MINIdomore hitch system, towing trailers, ball-mounted bicycle carrier, Yakima Rocketbox 15s, and some other accessories...

 

Which Yak rack is that?

Looks great!

 

very nice. wondering how much space is there between the box on top and the sun roof when open? my older yakbox is a little lower between the bars.

 

The space between the sunroof and the Yakima Rocketbox 15s "claws" depends on where you attach the OEM crossbars. Need more clearance? Move the bars slightly forward. In my gallery, there is a photo with the claws hanging in the loose/open position and they still clear the sunroof.
The beauty of the R60 roof-rail/crossbar design is that they allow the crosssbars to be located where you need them (unlike my R55 was - HATED that feature!)

Hope your box fits - if not, I'm sure we'll see it for sale online somewhere

 

super. and thank you for posting all the rack and hitch photos in your gallery

 

Did you just install the Clubman version of the MINIdomore hitch? They still don't list a Countryman edition. And I sincerely dread the idea of stripping off my bumper cover and drilling a hole in it! They should have added a sliding track for the license plate -- unscrewing and screwing it just seems so lame. Excellent pics, BTW!

 

Krazy - You should get paid to advertise for the companies.

Are your trailers no more than the rated 200# tonque weight and 1,400# gross weight?

 

Thx for the props!

Mine is the prototype Countryman MINIDOMORE hitch.
Brent is producing it; send him an email.
He is having difficulty getting the website updated, but once it is, you may recognize the MINI Countryman in the installation photos
Its just a hole - many others were drilled while building your car
My 2cents about the plate: if you cant bear removing and reinstalling two screws, you prolly arent the type of person to neccessitate use of a trailer hitch (what with having to install a ball, hitch, and hitch pin, THEN hook up a trailer, connect the lights...)
That is "tongue-in-cheek" people, relax

 

[QUOTE=MCS Fever;3260429]Krazy - You should get paid to advertise for the companies.[QUOTE]

Amen! BTW - you will notice when I post I am vague about using specific company names (I'll send most people a PM so as not to provide free advertising) but I am happy to promote MINIdomore as I have had excellent experiences with Brent and my previous MINIs and especially with the Countryman hitch install

Correct - I tow wisely.

That said - the MDM Countryman hitch when getting certified pulled over 3000#s but started to fail around 3500#s and I loaded up the tongue weight to over 500#s for demonstration and took photos (posted in gallery).

 

About your 2cents:

I've personally installed the aftermarket hitches on my previous three vehicles and although a bike rack is the only thing I'll likely hook up to it, it still seems odd to me to have to physically dismount and remount the license plate every time I want to access the receiver. And all the more chance of losing its retaining screws/bolts and possibly even the plate itself in the transition or drive.

MINIFINI looks like they're planning on pushing their receiver out the diffuser below the main bumper, which seems more reasonable to me.

All I know is that exiting below the rear bumper skirt is probably too low since it's already so close to the ground. Guess I'll wait it out and see what the rest of the aftermarket companies come up with.

 

You think instead of the towing adapter, a 1 1/2 to 2" adapter would fit in there?

From this:


To this:

 

The issue with the 1 1/4" to 2" adapter is that the 1 1/4" bar is not long enough to clear the bumper before the larger 2" receiver prevents insertion deep enough for the pin to line up ON MY MINIDOMORE WHICH WAS THE PROTOTYPE. From pin hole to where the 2" recetarts'adapter starts there needs to be a distance of 4 1/2" and no manufacturer makes one (I have checked quite extensively). I have discussed this and other issues/suggestions with Brent and MDM has addressed them by relocating the pin hole 1/8" closer to the bumper (for using accessories with a bend in the receiver bar) and, to my understanding, by adding a second pin hole which may allow for the 1 1/4" to 2" adapter. We need someone to do the install with the final MDM version and let is all know.

BTW - if it does fit, I will have one for sale

 

[QUOTE=Rev. MINIstry;3260568][QUOTE=MCS Fever;3260429]Krazy - You should get paid to advertise for the companies.IMHO, you should post specifics. If a vendor provides good products, fair prices and good customer service, they deserve to get word of mouth advertising. We always hear complaints from people who have had bad experiences with vendors, so we need to hear the good. It's not advertising when it comes from the heart. The vendor themselves are not allowed to advertise without being a sponsor, that's different. But if you're happy, shout it from the rooftops!

 

Can I ask which driving lights you have on the front?

 

OEM black on black.

 

how much lower does the plate hang?

 

Rev MINIstry's gallery shows several pics of the relocated license plate. Basically, the top of the plate attaches to the lower screw posts.

 

Look like the car serve it's purpose

 

Here's mine:

MINI Base Rack System
Yakima Megawarrior Cargo Basket
Yakima Copperhead Bike Carrier
SportRack Sherpa 13 Roof Bag
... and a carload full of stuff.

 

minikari

There's is no good way to answer your question, other than to advise you to install your plate using the two upper holes in the plate and screw then into the two lower holes on the bracket to see for yourself.

There are some decent pics in my gallery but it's all about the angle of the photo...

The bottom of the plate does not hang lower than the lowest point of the inner part of the fender.

Hope that helps - you really have to physically see it.

 

Has anyone tried the other mini hitch, by mini mania? i like the "removable" idea, but it seems it wouldn't be as sturdy.....and def doesn't have the same tow rating.

 

I have a lightweight Kayak trailer , less than 1000 lbs, and tongue weight less than 150lbs, so I opted for the external tow bar made by this company:

http://www.countrymanconnection.com/...ler_Hitch.html

Installation was simple. It is a rather unique design, and the fabrication is real good. The corner braces have a series of holes which add some styling. We opt to leave it on all the time.

 

Yeah that's the same one!