Questions About Trailer Hitch For 2014 Mini Countryman

Updated 03/03/2025 | Published 02/22/2025

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class I - 1-1/4"

(20)

$241.14

M7 Speed MINI Ultimate Utility Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"

(56)

$434.72

etrailer Ball Mount w/ Pre-Torqued 2" Ball - 1-1/4" Hitch - 3-7/8" Rise - 3,500 lbs

(372)

$48.54

etrailer Adjustable 2-Ball Mount - 2" Hitch - 6" Rise, 6" Drop - 10K

(157)

$113.05

Question:

Hello, Ive been reading through your website today and have learned a lot, but still have a lot of questions. I drive a mini countryman and dont have a ball hitch. There are two squares that pop out and a modification to get one, that I have looked into before. Do all of your trailers require the standard hitch? Are there restrictions on what you put in your trailer?

asked by: Robin

Expert Reply:

Hey Robin, thanks for reaching out. I can definitely help with any questions you may have.

First, we have two trailer hitch option for your 2014 Mini Countryman, the M7 Speed MINI Ultimate Utility Hitch Receiver # 327-60-160200, and the Curt # C11333. The main difference being the M7 will use the "pop out squares" you mentioned to mount the hitch, while the Curt installs completely behind the bumper. The Curt hitch does have a higher towing capacity than the M7, but the M7 will be much easier to install. I have included pictures showing examples of both below.

All of our hitches use standard sizes. The M7 hitch has a 2" receiver, and the Curt has a smaller 1-1/4" receiver. Both are common standard sizes, with the 2" being the most common. Whichever one you go with, you will have no problem finding a compatible ball mount and ball. We carry all of that stuff here if you need one. Like the # e47DR ball mount for a 1-1/4" hitch, or the # e66PR for a 2" hitch.

As far as restrictions, the only real restriction is the towing capacity of the hitch. For example the Curt # C11333 has a 200 lb tongue weight rating and 2,000 lb towing capacity. You will want to make sure whatever you are hauling does not exceed this rating. Your vehicle also has a towing capacity that should be stated in your owners manual, and you will want to make sure to adhere to that capacity as well. The vehicle capacity may be lower than the hitch itself, so whichever capacity is lowest will be you limit.

I hope this helps clear things up. Reply below and let me know if you have any other questions. I am happy to help :)

expert reply by: Jesse M

M7 Hitch Example
(click to enlarge)

Curt C11333 Hitch Example
(click to enlarge)

Robin

2/25/2025

Hi Jesse, Thank you for your help. This is very clear and the pictures are extremely helpful. Would it be possible to attach the curt bracket to the enclosed cargo carrier on your site (the sturdier looking one with the opening barn doors)? Thanks, Robin

Jesse M.

2/26/2025

@Robin So technically the 24x60 etrailer Enclosed Cargo Carrier for 2" Hitches # e54VV would be compatible with the M7 Speed MINI Ultimate Utility Hitch Receiver # 327-60-160200 since it has a 2" receiver. Here is the thing though. The enclosed carrier weighs about 106 lbs. The M7 hitch has a 150 lb tongue weight capacity. This would mean you could only store like 40 lbs of gear in the carrier. To be honest, these Minis are not meant for hauling any weight. Personally, I would not recommend using the enclosed carrier on a Mini. It is just too bulky and too much weight. A more practical option would be a carrier like the Curt # C18110. This weighs only 30 lbs so you would have a lot more capacity for carrying your gear. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of gear are you intending to carry?

Robin

2/26/2025

@JesseM Hi Jesse, I think I'm starting to understand what "tongue weight" is. appropriately named, haha! I've looked into ball hitch options before while dreaming of camper trailers (small fiberglass ones) but was thinking of also using it to transport a very small breed of sheep. I wondered if the cargo carriers would save having to get another license plate, lights, etc. All of the trailers with wheels I have seen are much too big.

Jesse M.

2/26/2025

@Robin Sheep! That is super interesting. So we do have a rule around here that you can't (or shouldn't) put anything with a heartbeat inside that enclosed cargo carrier. This was mostly in response to people asking if they could put their obnoxious children in the cargo carrier during road trips and we had to shut it down lol. I'm only kidding (a little). We did at one point put a few coworkers inside the cargo cage, but only to prove why you should never do it :) I guess this would apply to sheep too though. Please do not put anything alive in this carrier. It really would be much better for you, your Mini, and your sheep to do a small trailer. I know it isn't the easiest method but it is the safest. That said, I am not really aware of anything that could be towed by a mini though, short of something homemade.

Jesse M.

2/27/2025

@Robin That is really neat! Are they Ouessant sheep? Building a homemade trailer is something people do, but you would want to check your local/state regulations regarding the legality. Neither of the trailer hitches we offer for your Mini are intended to be removed. The M7 hitch uses only two bolts to attach to the car, so it wouldn't be terribly difficult to remove. The thing is it uses lock washers so you would have to get new hardware each time you removed it. It really should not be removed once installed. I also looked at those happier campers. it looks like their smallest campers are like 1,200-1,500 lbs. The M7 hitch has a max towing capacity of 1,000 lbs, so this would not work for those trailers. If you intend to tow a trailer, a much better hitch option will be the Curt # C11333. This bolts directly to the frame, so it is much more sturdy. It has a 2,000 lb towing capacity, so you could safely pull a small trailer. Yes, this hitch is harder to install, but it will be a much more robust towing setup. In reality, towing with a mini is not ideal, since they are so small and light. If you must tow something, the Curt # C11333 will be the way to go.

Jesse M.

3/3/2025

@Robin Not super familiar with them. But you said small sheep and it caught my interest so I did a bit of reading on them. You are the first person I have talked to that has needed a trailer hitch for moving sheep lol. Its just neat. I agree with your assessment of the M7 hitch. The Curt will be a much better option for you. I would expect it to take an experienced installer about 2 hours to install the hitch. There is no drilling required, but the bumper must be fully removed, and part of it must be trimmed before it goes back on. Removing the bumper can be touchy, but once that is done putting the hitch on is easy. This video will show you the process in more detail. Not much that can be done about the ground clearance though. Just be careful on steep inclines.

Helpful Links

tv-install-trailer-hitch-2013-mini-countryman-c11333.aspx

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