5 replies to this topic

[bkufluk]

So I want to fit a tow bar to my 2000 mpi. I know that the car isn't allowed to tow anything as its after 98 and rover didn't get the testing done to qualify after 98 to be able to tow.
But - I don't actually plan on towing anything. I just want to use the tow bar flange as a bike rack. In fact I don't really even need to fit the ball!
Question is - will that cause me any trouble at MOT time - as the tow bar is part of the test?
(Any tips on where to get the best tow bars also gratefully received!)
Thanks

[minidaves]

If a tow bar it's a tow bar in eyes of the law, a bracket without the tow ball on then that is not a tow bar.

[Cooperman]

Can't see why it should be an MoT issue. You might have fitted it for a completely different reason, such as supporting a bike rack.

Any offence would be towing a trailer over a certain weight, not simply having a tow bar. It's not really different from having an illegal tyre on a spare wheel - not a problem UNTIL you actually fit it and drive on it, then it's an offence.

[tiger99]

I would like to know why Rover no longer allowed towing. I suspect that it was related to front/rear brake balance.

[bluemini1979]

It was to do with it not being type approved. Before that date it didn't matter. My towbar electrics failed on my focus the day before not so I unbolted the ball and put the socket in the boot. Because it can't be used it can't be tested and passed so not fitting the ball I can't see a problem but I'm not an not tester. Best thing would be to ask at a local garage

[tiger99]

That makes sense, thank you. But ordinarily Rover would have submitted it for type approval, like any other part of the car when it became necessary, so probably they were expecting it to fail for some reason, and that is why I suspected braking.

 

It is actually a virtually insurmountable problem on a Mini because the rear brake pressure limiter has to be set quite low, so that the rear wheels do not lock on a wet road with nothing in the boot or back seat. Therefore the rear brakes can't help much with the trailer braking, despite a correctly loaded trailer considerably increasing the rear wheel adhesion.

 

A load sensing pressure limiter valve is one possible answer to that problem, however it needs at least a thin rear anti-roll bar because the valve needs to take its control input from the average of the two wheel deflections, at the mid point of the ARB. The other way, extremely complex and difficult, is fitting a powered hydraulic system, Citroen style, so that true proportioning valves can be used, which are impossible in a hydrostatic system. Again, the rear proportioning valve needs to take its control input from the mid point of the ARB.

 

ABS and electronic brake force distribution, which could theoretically solve the problem, are of no use here because there is absolutely no way that such systems can be safely implemented without a large and highly competent design, test and verification team and expensive facilities.

 

I have been thinking about how to improve the rear brakes on a Mini for a long time, which is why I am particularly interested in the towing problem. The Mini, with its short rear overhang, is otherwise quite stable when towing, and it would be nice, especially with a seriously uprated engine, to be able to use that capability safely and legally.

 

But you can still legally tow a light trailer with an older Mini, albeit with poor braking performance.