Uh-oh - looks like you should've gotten the white roof on your Cooper..

 

I've installed a MiniFini trailer hitch and related wiring to pull this for long trips:


Thinking seriously about having dark silver Viper stripes put on it...whatdoyathink??

I've pulled my '07 Tailwind (www.tailwindtrailers.com) about 8000 miles behind my '06 Goldwing with absolutely no problems whatsoever and will post pictures of it behind Bo when I get thing's squared away with the new AC molded parts.

Here's a shot of my Wing and Tailwind:



I was asked to post specifications here by another NAM member. This information is directly from the Tailwind site:

The Tailwind Trailer is the smoothest, safest motorcycle trailer you can own.
No shock from potholes and road hazards
The exclusive Duo-Flex Drawbar design, with a coil-over shock absorber dampening system, eliminates vertical shock.
An incredibly smooth pull
Independent wheel suspension, using the proprietary elevated pivot-trailing arm and 4-inch travel shocks.
Durable body with minimal drag
The body is hand-laid aircraft-quality E-glass, similar to what is used on the undercarriage of new aircrafts and components used by NASA, with a true aerodynamic design that eliminates drag.
Large capacity storage with large lid
The fully opening lid provides complete access to the large 24-cubic foot storage compartment. The latch system allows one-handed opening and closing. The latch is outside of storage area, ensuring a totally water-free, dust-free compartment.
Color may be matched to any motorcycle color
No additional loading of motorcycle switches and relays
The entire lighting system is internally relay-operated; trailer isolator is built in. An umbilical cord with 6-pin round plug is standard equipment.

More Features:

• Powder-coated frame resists stone impact and natural elements
• On-board gel-cell battery and auto-charge circuit
• Deluxe Features: Marker lights, carpeted interior, Tri-Flex Suspension with chrome drawbar, stainless coupler, chrome wheels, single-color paint (non-illusion colors), stone guard bra and self-powered interior light.
• Optional on-board 50 psi air compressor and tire servicing system operates from the Tailwind's on-board battery.
• *Edit* NO power is drawn from the towing vehicle's battery when the ignition is OFF. Trailer battery charges while being towed.

Safety
The XTc Tailwind has been pull tested in excess of all legal speed limits with positive results due to its aerodynamic design and stable suspension platform. Extreme road conditions have proven the XTc Tailwind to be highly stable with true tracking characteristics due to the high extension to compression ratio in the 3 suspension areas.
Use of the unique proprietary Duo-Flex draw bar controls and regulates tongue loading during compression and reduces the peak loads found in standard draw bar systems by as much of 80%. The Duo-Flex system was designed specifically to eliminate the chance of fatigue failure of the motorcycle rear frame and hitch assembly.
The XTc Tailwind’s very low center of gravity, together with the road-hugging characteristics of its unique suspension, provides maximum resistance to roll over.
Largest volume located between the wheels invites loading with minimum rotational inertia for increased stability.
Low overall weight has a positive effect on the braking characteristics of the towing motorcycle.
The unique aerodynamic designed low profile body has a minimum impact in crosswinds, bike tire wear, and fuel consumption.
The XTc’s aerodynamic design maintains attached airflow in adverse wind conditions reducing side buffeting resulting in true tracking without sway or jerk.
The XTc TAILWIND is highly visible with its large tail lamps and side markers.

You can place a FULL SIZE cooler inside in an area specifically molded for the cooler. There are also molds for luggage.
The Tailwind XTc weighs 150 pounds empty and will handle 250 pound load equaling 400 pounds total weight loaded.
I have loaded a full size cooler, 2 folding chairs, 2 full size suitcases, 2 raingear/warm-cold weather clothing bags, hang-up bag, and many smaller bags in my Tailwind with room enough for helmet and jacket storage when we stop for food or gas.

I can attest to the fact that you DO NOT KNOW THE TRAILER IS BACK THERE when towing it with a motorcycle. There is no bounce or pull if you hit a pothole or 30 pound possum as I found out during out trip through the mountains to Branson, Mo recently.

So, it should be absolutely no problem to tow it with a Mini.

Tom Finch (designer), a retired aeronautical engineer with many patents in the airline industry along with patents on the Tailwind, has more than 1 million miles on motorcycles, over 100,000 towing the same Tailwind.

See the Tailwind site and call Tom, a true southern gentleman, for more information.

YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!

 

That's a VERY nice potential MINI trailer... what's the price range?

 

Hi Paul,

My Tailwind is 2 years old. I'm not sure what he's asking for them now. I'll call him, find out, and let you know shortly.

B

 

When i

 

when i first bought my mini cooper, it was farting out on me quite a bit. I got in in 2008 and it was a 2002, so of course, buying any used vehicle is going to cause me problems. The gas pump wasn't working so I had to get it towed to a mini shop, some 30 miles away from my home. my boyfriends dad actually had a car carrier which he bought from Uhaul a while back (i didn't know uhaul sold out their old uhaul equipment), so I was able to use that from time to time. its was really a life saver!

 

So I have a 2003 Cooper CVT...do you think the auto would tow this teardrop ok? The trailer weighs 820lbs with a tongue weight of 60lbs?
Philip

 

You should be fine with that weight, just don't overload it.

 

That's a great pic of a Go Kart pulling Go Karts

 

Loooove the carts on the trailer.

 

Awesome!!

 

...............

 

So here's my home built Teardrop weighing in at 820Lbs
Philip

 

Minilla, that's great - have any build pics? Hard to build?

Mad Dane, that's cool too...

 

I just uploaded some pics to my gallery......It really wasn't too difficult to build...I resolved to take my time building and to coplete each piece to the best of my ability before moving on to the next piece. I hope to have a build manual available in book form put together through this winter....I'm up to page 33 right now.
Philip

 

If anybody else is interested in teardrop trailers, there is a whole forum of people who will give ideas and help. http://www.mikenchell.com/ is the top and the very bottom paragraph points to the forum itself. Great people, and great ideas. Also, there is a FOR SALE part, in case you want one that somebody ELSE did the work on. :D

 

.............

 

Yep...I'm also on there...it's great resource.
Philip

 

.....

 

That looks AWESOME, Dane!!! Good job!

I've been so tempted to get my little trailer painted...the red of the metal base has faded, and the wood has weathered, so it doesn't look quite so much like the Radio Flyer wagon it used to....

 

Dane - that IS awesome. Nice work.

 

ee

 

i towed my friends 3000 GT VR-4 but only for about 10 feet

 

 

I am looking at Teardrops and small campers. The tow options seem to offer about 150# tongue weight and 1400# tow weight. If the trailer starts out at 900#, that leaves a max of 500# for cargo. Has anyone approached the 1400# limit, and how did that go? Has anyone taken such a load over some mountainous terrain?