diesel options

I have an 82 240D (white with BT blue and a 4sp) that is in close to cherry condition. Iam the second owner and it has only 148K and no rust etc. I need something to tow behind my motorhome, but I can't seem to get anyone to tell me if I can make this work with the 240 nor does any "search" tell me how to tow this. REMCO has said I can't, but not how to. Thinking seriously of trading for a Volkswagen TDI (diesel) manual so I can tow four down. Anyone have any ideas on this or want to do an interesting trade?

[R Leo]

Is it a 4sp manual? If so, put it neutral and tow; I don't know if you can tow very far if it's an auto.

[TonyFromWestOz]

Originally Posted by Van Helden

I have an 82 240D (white with BT blue and a 4sp) that is in close to cherry condition. Iam the second owner and it has only 148K and no rust etc. I need something to tow behind my motorhome, but I can't seem to get anyone to tell me if I can make this work with the 240 nor does any "search" tell me how to tow this. REMCO has said I can't, but not how to. Thinking seriously of trading for a Volkswagen TDI (diesel) manual so I can tow four down. Anyone have any ideas on this or want to do an interesting trade?

I assume that by 4sp, you mean a 4sp stick shift.
Put it on a car trailer so that it is off the road while towing. This will prevent excessive mileage on chassis due to being towed. This would also apply if you actually have a 4sp Automatic transmission in the 240D..
It would be wise to have a stone deflector on the front of the trailer to protect your "cherry condition car"
If necessary, a 240D, 4 speed manual, should be fine if the transmission is left in neutral while being towed.

[SD Blue]

It will tow much better on the full trailer also, rather than a "drag" trailer. A trailer axle and hubs is much less expensive to repair with mileage wear and tear. Of course, it all depends on how often and how many miles you are looking at towing.

Iam trying to get away from messing around with a dolly or trailer. Pullthrough camping space is limited as is. I prefer to go with four wheels on the road. My info. I have so far is that if I pull the 240D four down, I would be, at best, limited to speed and distance hauling. Most likely there might be transmission damage if I didn't start it up every couple hundred miles and limited to 55 mph. If anyone knows of a way to transfer lubrication or a "quick unhook" on the shaft, I'd like to hear from you.
I wouldn't be so apposed to thinking seriously about a "New Beetle TDI" (98-newer) although it would hurt to have to give up the 240D.

[Hatterasguy]

I assume it is an auto? My Uncle towed a Jetta behind his motor home all over North America. You will need a manual trans no matter what kind of car you get. Also I would trailer a nice car if you plan on doing any distance. He bought the Jetta just for this purpose because his A6 is awd and cannot be towed.

He never had a problem, he is going up to Alaska this year with it. He said you really don't feel it back their, but I would imagin a 500hp CAT diesel wouldn't be botherd by a Jetta.

Has anybody ever towed a 240D 4 sd stick with all wheels on the road long distances? If so, did you make any modifications?

[CSchmidt]

Van,

I'm not sure of the brand, but a guy I used to work with found a driveshaft disconnect that fit his 84 300D automatic. He planned to tow it behind a huge diesel pusher motorhome. He found it in some RV magazine.

Basically you cut the driveshaft and splice in this gizmo ( kind of like one of the old add on overdrive units). It can disconnect the driveshaft and it free-wheels like a manual tranny in neutral.

I left the company before he installed it, but it might be worth looking into.

Chuck

There were no towing options except to trailer the 240D. Not even the factory rep. at Mercedes had any suggestions. So, she's listed FOR SALE in this forum. See car section. I went with an 03 "New Beetle" diesel 5 sp manual. Thanks guys!