Parts Needed for Flat Towing a 2005 Mini Cooper 5 Speed Behind a Sprinter Class C Diesel Motorhome

Question:

I have been researching your web site to find the proper equipment for towing a mini copper 2005 5 speed behind a Siesta sprinter diesel class C+ made by Thor. It has a seven way trailer hookup and class two hitch. The following items are my best choice guess: Roadmaster invisibrake #8700 Roadmaster base plate with cable #521876-1 Roadmaster tow bar Falcon 2 RM-520 Release tool RM-066 Roadmaster 7way to 6 flex coil RM-146-7 Roadmaster coiled safety cable RM-643 Roadmaster dual hitch RM-077-4 Roadmaster tail light diodes #48955 If these parts are acceptable then my question is why do I have to wire the brake lights on the mini? When the key is turned to position 1 and the brake pedal is pushed the brake lights come on. The invisibrake would provide the same thing. The mini is a three wire system and the RV is a two wire system. The mini also has its own tow package with a protected tail light converter. Do I need to get your vehicle to vehicle converter #118158 or just wire the tail lights and turn signals with the diodes making sure its up stream of the other converter.

asked by: Don

Expert Reply:

Thanks for all of the information and research on parts for flat towing your 2005 Mini Cooper behind your Siesta Sprinter diesel Class C motor home. You have most of the parts correct, but there are some specific items you will need for your Mini.

First, you need to wire the dinghy so that the combined brake and turn signals on the motor home will activate both the brake and turn signals on your Mini. The brake pedal would activate the brake lights with the key in the position you describe, but you would not have turn signals on the Mini without additional wiring.

The diode wiring that you mentioned, Hopkins Tail Light Isolating Diodes, # 48955, is not recommended for your vehicle because of the sensitive wiring and computers on the Mini.

The recommended wiring for your Mini is the bulb and socket style wiring, like part # RM-155. Since the Mini has small taillight housings. This type of wiring keeps the motor home and towed vehicle wiring completely separate so there will be no problems with the wiring on either vehicle.

With the bulb and socket wiring you will not need to install a vehicle to vehicle converter, # 118158.

All the other parts you referenced are correct and will work well together. The Release Tool, # RM-066 will most likely only be needed when it is necessary to unhook the towbar, # RM-520, on uneven terrain when the tow bar is in a bit of a bind. The Roadmaster 7way to 6 way flex coil RM-146-7 will work well because there is an extra connection that is needed for the motor home monitor that is included with the Invisibrake, # RM-8700. Instead of having a separate connection you can use an extra circuit in the 7-way to 6-way jumper and the 7-way on the motor home. If all the circuits in the motor home 7-way are active, you may need to deactivate one that is not used when flat towing or splice in an additional 6-Wire Trailer Connector, # RM-910030-7, and install it with a bracket, # RM-910030-5 at the back of the motor home.

I added some additional links to information and videos that you may find helpful for determining what you need and for installation of these parts on your Mini.