I've heard that the use of 'tow-bars,' can be hard on wheel bearings & alignment. Might be worth 'discrediting' if false. 

Thanks, this is a great site. Seems like this is a popular option. Still would like to hear ideas or recommendations on a small trailer that might work. I know in England these are easy to purchase and readily available as there are a lot more smaller cars there.

I think Dan at restorationmini.com has some picturs on his site.

For ground clearance getting a car onto a trailer, I drove my van (tow vehicle)'s back wheels onto wheel ramps. this tilted the trailer down enough so that there wasn't as much hump between the trailer's ramps and the trailer itself. Then, we put a separate pair of wheel ramps under the trailer's ramps to extend those further. You need to be careful to attach those ramps to the trailer, so that they don't let the trailer's ramps drop.

I bought a flat towbar setup from Uhaul. Once you see the parts it is pretty much self explanatory how to install. Use longer bolts than what is supplied, add spacers (I used suitable steel tube, drilled out ID to a little over bolt OD) Once installed I have not removed the hook ups attached to the car. Just remove the tow bar piece from car to tow vehicle. I also use an adjustable hitch so I can lower as much as  possible. I have towed from FL to NW MS no prob. Also towed from Memphis TN to Southern MD no prob.

And as masal pointed out, the harbor freight tow bar method will be a good option for the future (and it's on sale right now!).  I remember years ago there was a thread with pictures on how to customize it.  I know I'll have to drill out the front subbie holes and use a spacer, but does anyone have any pictures of a modified setup?

Thanks for all the replies guys.  As for the tow dolly, I guess it's an option, just didn't want to deal with potentially banged up sills.  I do have a lot of scrap 2x6" wood that I could take with me, just in case.  I'd try driving it, but it hasn't been driven for a few years, and has a hydrolastic system that's sitting on bump stops.  If I can't get it pumped up, a tow dolly is completely out of the question since the tires will rub.  

I'll be towing it with a Nissan Titan, and I'll probably turn the hitch upside down to gain a few more inches.  I'd hate to spend too much on this little "project," since I'm basically picking up my brother's mini, getting it back into running condition (like when I gave it back to him years ago!), and then giving it back to him as a daily driver.  Love my little bro, but if I start dropping up to $2000 into it (like I did last time), my wife will kill me.

While we are on this subject does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for a trailer one could purchase specifically for a mini instead of renting from Uhaul. Sorry to hijack the thread

No one mentions the problems with the ramps!  Either park on a hill and load from the high side.  Or have two jacks, to lift the ramps into a more horizontal position, after putting the mini on the ramps.   However, more than lightly you will be replacing the underside panels, so scrapping them on the trailer as you load it will help, not hinder the process.  i think i rented a uhaul on a local rental and drove it from Kansas City to Chicago to pick up the MINI clubman estate I bought!  I believe they have an MG in their data base.  Do they really know the difference?  It was close, in terms of there being enough room but a good story to tell just the same.

I will say that with the uhaul trailer I rented, it was well maintained, and handled very nicely. No off-balance wheels/trailer bouncing down the highway when empty. I did a 600 mile round trip with the trailer, and it worked well. The trailer had a fancy hydraulic trailer brake system that didn't depend on a trailer brake controller from the tow vehicle, which was handy. The uhaul maintenance, I've found, is very dependent on the local branch. If you find a good branch, most of their vehicles are good. Also, the corporate owned vehicles (like you'd get if you do a 1-way trip) are going to be better maintained than the locally owned vehicles (that you'll get if you go "local" where you pickup and return to the same branch).

Some guy rear-ended the trailer within 2 blocks of my picking it up; the trailer was fine, his truck wasn't so much.

Also, the u-haul tire tie-down straps were a lot more straightforward than you'll end up with if you get a flatbed trailer or stick the car inside a uhaul van.  They have a wire mesh that wraps around the tires, and positively locks. On other trailers, you're going to be reaching under the car to find a decent tie-down location for a strap.

That said, the trailer is very big and heavy. I think it weighed more than the car that I put on it (an engine-less corvair). My tow vehicle is a 4x4 E350 cargo van with a 6.8 liter v-10 motor, so I didn't notice the trailer at all. If you're planning to tow with a sedan that has a hitch, then even an empty trailer will be quite noticeable.

A Harbor Freight tow bar for a little more than the cost of renting a trailer and drilling out the front sub frame holes would work and be there to use again if needed. The best solution if you are stuck on using a heavy U Haul trailer is to measure it and the Mini, i am sure it will fit with whatever wheel brakes and tire combo it has, just don't tell them it is a Mini you are towing and use a full size truck or suv with a 2 inch receiver if possible.

Malsal, Al stopped at Niagra for you? when I was there he gave me the tour at about 35 miles an hour nice place (I think) 

now about the trailer. if you buy a utility trailer make SURE it has at least 2 thousand lb axles under it. as far as I could find out you should be fine without brakes on the trailer in just about every state. you could double check with the DMV if you are worried.

Oh and watch the height of the sides makes it hard on the drivers door when you get out.

Good point!!  I was stuck on the no spacers on the wheels and drum brakes portion of his description in my head.

Somethingnew71:  Your photos show a mini with mags and tires that fill 20th anniversary arches.  Please use a stock mini with 3.5" wheels and 145-10 tires to make your point.

Sorry about the cost issues.  Maybe it is time to look farther afield for a solution.

I wouldn't lend my own trailer, however as a kid, my dad was always lending our lousy single axle all steel no suspension car trailer.  All the old guys in the sports car club have their own story about getting some car from somewhere with it.  Maybe find the local autocross crowd, etc. and see if someone has a trailer or will come out and get the car with you with their tow rig.

Or, just go get the car and drive it.

Or, hit craigslist, buy a trailer, then sell it when you are done.  A trailer that needs lights, eetc. might be reasonably priced and you might even make money on it by sorting it out.

With my tow dolly i use a 5 inch drop hitch upside down to give extra ramp clearance and it puts the hitch point way up. This set up works fine with 12's and 13's but just to be safe with 10's i carry two small 2" thick pavers and put them in the wheel bellies to get extra clearance.

NJ you are slipping, remind Al that he lost a trailer and a Mini out West i believe.

Al i definately seen Niagara Falls but not for long between you not wanting to park the car @ $14 and taking pictures for Japanese tourists it was a quick look.

9 minutes between posts. You bastards are slipping!

Worked for mine with stock wheel fitment.

N.J.-

Was that the trip you lost a wheel off the mini and never found it ? (LOL)

Scargo made me post this

BIG AL-

RE: Truck,

Look at my avatar. Atlanta to Miami, no problems.

RE: Dolly,

It works, BUT, I had to put some 5/4's deck planking in the wheel pan to keep the fixed ramps from slamming the bejeezuz out of my rocker panels on anything but smooth tarmac. Getting the car on and off involved some technique as well, viz, run up onto the flat area before the pan, retract the ramps, then move into the pan. To get off the dolly "reverse the procedure." Bristol, TN to Rockford, IL and then to Atlanta. No issues.

If you do rent from U-Haul, check the trailer over very carefully. If they maintain their trailers as poorly as their trucks, you might want to investigate other options.
Also, after a short distance, check your tie downs and feel the wheels to make sure a bearing isn't overheating.