17 replies to this topic

[Mito]

We have booked on the Riviera run for next year and this will be our first camping trip in the mini. We also will have a 1 year old with us and all of their added extras. 

 

I have a roof rack for the mini that I'm intending to use for hotel stays but with the addition of a tent and everything else cabling related, I don't think it will cut it. 

 

I'll be taking a 1991 998 rover mini on the trip.

 

Are there any companies that still sell your bars for classic minis? 

 

Any insights on whether it's possible to fit camping gear and a 1 year old in mini with a roof rack?

[stuart bowes]

depends on the size of the tent, and how much stuff you take

 

I take my volvo with 3 kids, roof bag and a full boot (although, half of that is subwoofers..)  but our tent is quite big, stand-up-inside big, and inflatable 'poles' which makes it bulkier as well

 

I reckon with 1 kid, a pup tent and minimal stuff I could do it in a mini with a roof rack (and im sure many have done over the years) I'd be more concerned about the exact route, how steep the hills are, what's traffic like, if there are other ways around (could be said for any classic car though I guess)  but space wise I'm sure you'll get it all in, you have half a back seat and the boot before even looking at the roof rack

Edited by stuart bowes, Yesterday, 11:02 AM.

[Chris1275gt]

1980 1275GT early 90,s 1 roof rack 1 tent, 2 kids a push chair and all sundries on our 200 mile trip to Cornwall and back easily no problems. I was amazed how much stuff you could cram into the car. Don’t know if a smaller engine would make any difference?

[Ethel]

A roof rack defo hits performance more than the weight.

 

How the nipper travels could be key. If you can leave the back seat base behind you'd gain a fair bit of space and a tent that's more tent than frame would help too. Can you reach out to others on the run who might have some spare space? I know I'd have appreciated the extra sound deadening on a long run. Buying some bulky bits over there could work out not much more expensive than pushing them against the wind on a roof rack too.

[Spider]

If they are mostly overnight stops even if you can pack all the kit in the Mini, I think you'll quickly get fed up doing that every morning and every afternoon, but having been there and done that, granted out of the Moke (which has a LOT more room) I think you'll struggle with the Mini on it's own.

Perhaps to help you guys work it out, make a list of everything you need to take, add to the bottom of that the few extra things you like to take, and you may be able to gauge it from that, if you're still unsure, get all the gear out in the lounge room one evening and I think you'll soon see it as a yes or no to a trailer.

 

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[lordyoung1980]

Mpi minis are not type approved for tow bars.

[Mito]

depends on the size of the tent, and how much stuff you take

 

I take my volvo with 3 kids, roof bag and a full boot (although, half of that is subwoofers..)  but our tent is quite big, stand-up-inside big, and inflatable 'poles' which makes it bulkier as well

 

I reckon with 1 kid, a pup tent and minimal stuff I could do it in a mini with a roof rack (and im sure many have done over the years) I'd be more concerned about the exact route, how steep the hills are, what's traffic like, if there are other ways around (could be said for any classic car though I guess)  but space wise I'm sure you'll get it all in, you have half a back seat and the boot before even looking at the roof rack

 

When we've stayed in hotels we've used all available space on the back seat and in the boot. That said, I'm having to take 5 litres of oil with us for long trips at three moment but this won't be an issue next year, as the engine will have been rebuilt. 

 

 

1980 1275GT early 90,s 1 roof rack 1 tent, 2 kids a push chair and all sundries on our 200 mile trip to Cornwall and back easily no problems. I was amazed how much stuff you could cram into the car. Don’t know if a smaller engine would make any difference?

 

I think it should still be capable even with a smaller engine.

 

A roof rack defo hits performance more than the weight.

 

How the nipper travels could be key. If you can leave the back seat base behind you'd gain a fair bit of space and a tent that's more tent than frame would help too. Can you reach out to others on the run who might have some spare space? I know I'd have appreciated the extra sound deadening on a long run. Buying some bulky bits over there could work out not much more expensive than pushing them against the wind on a roof rack too.

 

I doubt there will be anyone else from the hull area going but you never know. He'll be in a car seat which is quite bulky but only takes up half the seat. We're going to look at getting a smaller travel stroller but may also need to take travel cot with us which is another bulky item.

 

If they are mostly overnight stops even if you can pack all the kit in the Mini, I think you'll quickly get fed up doing that every morning and every afternoon, but having been there and done that, granted out of the Moke (which has a LOT more room) I think you'll struggle with the Mini on it's own.

Perhaps to help you guys work it out, make a list of everything you need to take, add to the bottom of that the few extra things you like to take, and you may be able to gauge it from that, if you're still unsure, get all the gear out in the lounge room one evening and I think you'll soon see it as a yes or no to a trailer.

 

003.jpg

 

This will be the first time we've been camping in about 20 years so we don't have much camping equipment. We're probably looking at sleeping bags, tent, air mattress, pump, couple of chairs, travel cot, pram and clothes. 

[Mito]

Mpi minis are not type approved for tow bars.

Mines a carb model, not an mpi

[nicklouse]

Rover never had their Minis approved to have a tow bar fitted. 
 

any new tow bar needs to have an approval plate etc on it.

 

dont know of any UK company making tow bars for Minis.

 

in other parts of Europe the rules are different and you can still get approved tow bars.

 

i sugest the first thing you do is look at your V5 and any plates on the car to check what, if any, weight you can tow.

[panky]

We used to holiday in the Mini and it was FULL. Now we use a coach built classic camper and that is FULL. No matter how much space you have you (the wife) will fill it  

[whistler]

Photo is from about 1973. Scanned from a poor slide.

All that gear, 5 people and a dog went into 2 minis with roof racks.

Both tents were heavy with steel poles in the frame tent. The secret is learning how to pack.

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[stuart bowes]

(the wife) 

 

accurate 

[Ethel]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I doubt there will be anyone else from the hull area going but you never know. He'll be in a car seat which is quite bulky but only takes up half the seat. We're going to look at getting a smaller travel stroller but may also need to take travel cot with us which is another bulky item.

 

 

Can it still be secured if you put some your camping gear in place of the rear seat base? That could also help stow an item that's too big for elsewhere.

 

If you bought some of your gear en route you'd get round the to Hull 'n back hurdle if another Riv runner can carry stuff for you. An airbed can be had for under £20 & the French are big on camping.

[Ethel]

Photo is from about 1973. Scanned from a poor slide.
All that gear, 5 people and a dog went into 2 minis with roof racks.
Both tents were heavy with steel poles in the frame tent. The secret is learning how to pack.

We had the exact same tent!

Don't recall every putting it in a Mini, might have put a Mini in it though.

[Rubbershorts]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I doubt there will be anyone else from the hull area going but you never know. He'll be in a car seat which is quite bulky but only takes up half the seat. We're going to look at getting a smaller travel stroller but may also need to take travel cot with us which is another bulky item.

 

 

Can it still be secured if you put some your camping gear in place of the rear seat base? That could also help stow an item that's too big for elsewhere.

 

If you bought some of your gear en route you'd get round the to Hull 'n back hurdle if another Riv runner can carry stuff for you. An airbed can be had for under £20 & the French are big on camping.

 

Hey Ethel, I think it's the Riviera Run, not the French Riviera

 

Please shoot me if I have this completely wrong

Edited by Rubbershorts, Today, 12:35 PM.