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Towning a braked trailer
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=66050		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Mister White Keys [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:49 am ]
Post subject:  Towning a braked trailer
Greeting all,

While I know that the maximum towing capacity of a mini is as follows;

Van - 6cwt = 302.4kg
Sedan - 8cwt = 406.4kg

I'm curious to know whether there is anywhere that specifies the capacity of towing a braked trailer?

I'm interested in building a trailer for my van and am trying to get the limits in my mind.

Cheers,
Steve
Author:  Morris 1100 [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
They are the only figures given for the Mini and Van. There is as far as I know no figure for a braked trailer.
Author:  Morris 1100 [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hmmm, just looking at various handbooks..

TP757a says "Mini 850 and Van = 8cwt, Deluxe = 8cwt."
TP757b says "Mini and Van = 8cwt, Deluxe = 8cwt, Moke = 6cwt, Cooper S =
TP828a says "Mini 1100 Saloon = 8cwt. Mini 1100 van = 6cwt, Mini Clubman = 8cwt, Mini Clubman GT = 8cwt"

So what model van do you have? :shock: :lol:
Author:  Mister White Keys [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 4:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks M1100

The car in question will be an 850 van for now with the possibility of a Mk1 Austin Countryman in the future. By those figures i can tow up to 8cwt (400 kg approx.) which will be more than enough for what I have in mind I imagine.

Cheers,
Author:  Mike_Byron [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 4:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
I am a little confused here - are you asking can you tow a mini van on a trailer with a mini being the tow vehicle.

As I understand it - technically speaking, its illegal to two anything (combined weight of trailer and van) heavier than the towing vehicle.

I know it gets done all the time but that is what I am led to believe is the law.

Mike
Author:  Mister White Keys [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 4:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Mike,

Not wanting to tow anything heavier than the mini, just wanting to know what the maximum towing capacity for a braked trailer is. Assuming that the figures quoted are for an unbraked trailer than theoretically a braked trailer could be up around the 500kg mark. For what I have in mind 400kg should be more than sufficient.

Now I've just gotta build a nice strong towbar!
Author:  slacko [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 5:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
check with your RTA , but as far as I know . In NSW any trailer with a GVM more than 750 kg has to have brakes , once the tare weight goes over the 250 kg you also pay extra for rego .(weight tax )
Author:  Morris 1100 [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 6:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Mister White Keys wrote:
Mike,

Not wanting to tow anything heavier than the mini, just wanting to know what the maximum towing capacity for a braked trailer is. Assuming that the figures quoted are for an unbraked trailer than theoretically a braked trailer could be up around the 500kg mark. For what I have in mind 400kg should be more than sufficient.

Now I've just gotta build a nice strong towbar!

The figures are the maximum. It does not matter if you add brakes to the trailer. That is the manufacturers quoted maximum.

You also need to be able to prove the maximum weight. Just telling a Policeman that a bloke on Ausmini said you can to 400kg means nothing unless you can show on paper the manufacturers figures.
Author:  niceboy1275 [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
correct me if Im wrong, and by no means am I an engineer or mechanic of any sort, but wouldn't the concern be more so on the structual integrity of the body/subframes and drivetrain components of any higher weight? braked trailer would help for stopping, but wouldn't something end up breaking on the engine/box or body? Like I said no offence to anyone, but I am interested to hear some responses from someone with more technical knowledge than me (which is most people on ausmini :D )
Author:  MiniDna [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hi,
I Have a tow bar on my mini. I did tow around 250 - 300 kg even when I had 998 auto engine from Tullamarine to Hampton Park with air con on in summer. No problem at all looks bit funny Mini towing a 6X4 trailer but....
Now I have 1275 do not even think twice.
Author:  awdmoke [ Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's not the ability to accelerate that's the problem.
A light FWD car like a mini can jacknife especially if trying to brake & corner at the same time. This is worse in a mini van as the weight bias is even more to the front due to the longer wheelbase.

400kg maximum = 400kg maximum braked or unbraked.
The 750kg limit is irrelevant for minis.
Author:  mickmini [ Sun Oct 03, 2010 1:05 am ]
Post subject: 
as per awdmoke answer

PLUS the drum brakes even when well maintained and adjusted on a Mini are barely sufficient for stopping the car with passengers going down something like kangaroo pass. Add an extra 400kg of trailer and you potentially have a GVM of 1400kg when you add up 4 people (normal size boys and girls), fuel, baggage, even stick a roof rack on it.

How many times do you reckon you can stop for the hairpins on single leading show brakes with that weight behind it?

Yes braked trailer would help with the above, but what the manufacturer states is the maximum is all you get to play with.

cheers
michael
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