I've been looking for options for a trailer hitch for the 2013 Mini Cooper Hardtop. There are no premade hitches from any retailer, so I consulted an automotive welder. He said he wouldn't feel comfortable doing one because it would have to be a U-Shaped hitch and the vehicle is a unibody, which means no where to (really) bolt a hitch to. Is there any alternative? The trailer is a small 4x4, anything towed would be under 500lbs. thanks.

 

minidomore.com

 

@parkerslade, did you find a hitch?

I am looking for a 2'' hitch receiver for my mini cooper hardtop 2013.

I only found 1 1/4" receivers. I thought about using an adapter, but it seems that would reduce the tongue weight too much.

Any help very appreciated.

 

Just an off the cuff response? Why would you want a Class III hitch on a Mini? REad the following contrast for each hitch Class:

Class I
Class I hitches are weight carrying (WC) hitches rated up to 2000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 200 lbs.
A Class I hitch usually has a 1-1/4" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch.
Class I hitches usually attach to the bumper, truck pan or vehicle frame.

Class II
Class II hitches are weight carrying (WC) hitches rated up to 3500 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 300 lbs.
A Class II hitch usually has a 1-1/4" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch.
Class II hitches usually attach to the bumper or vehicle frame.

Class III
Class III hitches are weight carrying (WC) and also are weight distributing (WD) depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.
Not all Class III hitches are rated to be both. See the specific hitch for that information.
Class III hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 6000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 600 lbs.
Class III hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs.
A Class III hitch usually has a 2" square receiver opening.
A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.
Class III hitches attach to the vehicle frame only.

 

Thanks for the specs. Having a class III would allow to use recreational rack system that require a 2' receiver. Also most hitch-mounted bike rack manufacturers recommend to only place 2 bikes on a class I hitch.

Anything higher than class I would be great.