Best Trailer Hitch For 2017 Mini Cooper 4 Door Hardtop With Dual Center Exhaust

Updated 06/26/2026 | Published 06/13/2026

Question:

Looking for Receiver for 2017 Mini 4 dr Hardtop. Has dual exhaust in center of bumper.

asked by: Jody J

Expert Reply:

Hey Jody, thanks for reaching out. We do have a trailer hitch for the 2017 Mini Cooper4 door hardtop with the dual exhaust. For that you'll need the following:

- EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 1-1/4" # EH87FR

The EcoHitch is a great choice because it keeps the receiver tucked up nicely behind the bumper for a clean, factory-like appearance while still giving you a solid mounting point for accessories.

The one thing to keep in mind is the location of the center exhaust. Any accessory mounted in the receiver, whether it's a bike rack, cargo carrier, or ball mount, will be exposed to heat from the exhaust outlets. It's generally not a problem for most bike racks and hitch accessories, but you'll want to avoid carrying anything directly behind the exhaust that could be damaged by prolonged heat exposure.

I've included a picture showing where the receiver sits in relation to the exhaust.

What will you be using the hitch for?

expert reply by: Jesse M

EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 1-1/4" EH87FR
(click to enlarge)

Jody J.

6/16/2026

Bikes only.

Jesse M.

6/16/2026

@JodyJ Ok cool that shouldn't be a problem, but I'd recommend just keeping an eye on the bikes and the rack and making sure they don't get too hot after a long drive. Those center exhausts weren't exactly designed with a trailer hitch in mind.

S. R.

6/26/2026

I have used the hitch for about a year for my mini hardtop S 2017 with the two exhausts like yours. We use a Küat NV2 rack for our two bikes, one of them being an eBike on the light side weight-wise. The Mini dealer wouldn't take on the task of installing the hitch, so I had our local mechanic install, for about 200$. I had found a detailed installation steps on YouTube, which included instructions that also addressed measures to alleviate the heat concerns, but our mechanic largely ignored them and did a job on his own, somewhat shoddy in my opinion. (I tried to get the link to the YouTube video to share here, but I can't find it.) Anyway, I suggest looking for one or two videos to see what's involved and to be careful about if the Mechanic you use is not familiar with the Mini model. And if you're gonna buy the rack, make sure you get one with the right size compatible with the hitch, which I believe was 1.25". Having said that, I didn't have any issue at all—either mechanical or heat. Although I should add that we drive only about 30 min. max to reach our destination, and we ride only during moderate weather. Good luck!

Jesse M.

6/26/2026

@SR Thanks for taking the time to share your experience! I really appreciate the extra details about the install, especially the note about finding a mechanic who's familiar with Minis and taking the time to watch a few installation videos first. It's great to hear the hitch has been working well with your Kuat NV2 and that you haven't run into any heat or mechanical issues over the past year. Hopefully your review helps the next Mini owner feel a little more confident about the install.