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Subject Topic: Mini Countryman towing a caravan
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PersonTraveldreamer
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Can a Mini Countryman tow a 1207 kg unladen 2 berth caravan safely Thankyou


PersonRob and Tina
via mobile 02/6/2023 at 4:14pm
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Possibly but there is no easy answer to this without more information about the car and caravan weights.
You need to get the kerb weight from the V5 or handbook along with the max tow weight.
The basic guide is that the MTPLM of the caravan should not exceed 85% of the kerb weight of the car so you also need to know the MTPLM of the caravan.

Depending on the engine, transmission and year of the car you may find that the car is not Type Approved for towing in which case you can't tow anything legally.

Rob


PersonTraveldreamer
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Thankyou for your advice 👍


Personiank01
03/6/2023 at 10:01am
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Quote: Originally posted by Traveldreamer on 02/6/2023
Can a Mini Countryman tow a 1207 kg unladen 2 berth caravan safely Thankyou


Too many variables on a Mini Countryman. A lot depends on the year of manufacture, manual or auto gearbox, the size of engine etc before anyone can give you a more definite answer.

Some of the post 2017 Mini Countrymans can handle a caravan with maximum MTPLM of up to 1500kg.

If stopped the police will not be looking at the unladen weight of the caravan, they will be looking at the MTPLM of the caravan and the maximum gross train weight of the toing vehicle.


Persondk168
03/6/2023 at 12:36pm
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I bought a MINI Countryman All4 2L Diesel Automatic in 2017 with the aim to tow a van, until I decided I did not fancy towing afterall.

As far as I could remember, the numbers checked out for towing a caravan for a decent size/weight.

DK

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PersonTraveldreamer
via mobile 03/6/2023 at 12:43pm
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Hi Thankyou for you advice
My Mini Countryman is a 1600 2013 6 gears diesel I don’t really want to change my at as all good condition full service history 👍


PersonRob and Tina
via mobile 03/6/2023 at 2:11pm
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So what are the weights for your particular car and proposed caravan?

We can only make an educated guess as to the suitability of a vehicle, the actual vehicle needs to be able to tow. If you can't find the car weights check the weight plate inside the car door and tell us what the 4 weights are or post a picture on here.

Rob


Personmarg6
03/6/2023 at 6:49pm
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as a member of the mini owners club, i think your going to be very dissapointed, you need to double check the info on your vin plate, but the max weight you can tow is going to be around 800kgs, which rules out a lot one of our members did have a freedom caravan but he said it made for "interesting" towing in windy weather


Personiank01
03/6/2023 at 10:05pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Traveldreamer on 03/6/2023
Hi Thankyou for you advice
My Mini Countryman is a 1600 2013 6 gears diesel I don’t really want to change my at as all good condition full service history 👍


Bad news I am afraid.

Kerb Weight      1310 kg
Gross Weight      1820 kg
Fuel tank capacity      47 L
Maximum towing weight      800 kg

It does seem that the 2016 D Mini cannot be used for towing anything above 800kg.


Personstarcraft
04/6/2023 at 11:48am
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Check with https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/towmatch/

BTW I used to tow a Freedom Sunseeker 4 berth with a 1988 Fiat Panda 1000cc no problem.

-------------
Knowledge is recognising that a tomato is a fruit: experience is not putting it in a fruit salad.


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PersonTraveldreamer
via mobile 04/6/2023 at 1:30pm
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Hi Thankyou for your advice but my car is 2013 diesel Countryman 6 gears
But I think realistically I should reconsider not getting a caravan Thankyou so much anyway 👍


Personmarg6
04/6/2023 at 3:27pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Traveldreamer on 04/6/2023
Hi Thankyou for your advice but my car is 2013 diesel Countryman 6 gears
But I think realistically I should reconsider not getting a caravan Thankyou so much anyway 👍


yes a wise move considering your car was never designed to tow in the first place, in fact the early models where never type approved even for a camping trailer. my car uses the same engine as your car would i put a caravan on the back even tho i have a tow ball? no chance of that, the most i would consider is a camping trailer with gear for 2 people


Personbirdman101
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Probably better to get a trailer tent or a folding caravan for stability when towing, as long as you keep to specified tow weight limit.

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Now 52 years Caravanning completed.


PersonSamandRose
06/6/2023 at 2:07pm
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Quote: Originally posted by starcraft on 04/6/2023
Check with https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/towmatch/



Sorry but I've looked at that site and it's absolutely terrible.

You need to make the decision for yourself based on the following:
- Your car's towing capacity. Get this from the VIN plate (usually inside the pillar behind the driver or front passenger door but it might be in the engine bay). This will display four weights, of which only the first two are relevant here. The first weight is the maximum that your car can weigh when fully loaded, the second is the maximum that a car and trailer can weigh combined. Towing capacity is therefore the second figure minus the first.
- Its kerb weight. This should be given on the V5 (where it's listed as 'mass in service'). As a check, this is likely to be about 400-500kg less than the first figure on the VIN plate for your car.

To reiterate: it is your responsibility to ensure that you are within the limits for your own car. Websites are NOT a reliable substitute.

-------------
"Don't wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect."


Personimogensdad
04/9/2023 at 10:56am
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I have a 2103 Countryman SD which is a 2.0d engine with Auto box.

It's rated at 1200kg.

I am just in the process of getting a towbar fitted so havent yet towed with it. It's not as easy as I thought to get a towbar.

I will be towing a Compass Venture 302 which is MTPLM 950kg. So I am hoping all will be good!




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A journey of a thousand miles, starts with a single step.....


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I saw a Mini Cooper estate type towing a Swift Basecamp on a CMC site. We have a Cooper convertible but its not a towcar. 1.5 turbo good fun.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!



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