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Trailer Hitch advice
I have a 1983 300cd and a 1500lb sailboat.
With sailboat and trailer, I would estimate about a 2000lb load, and about a 75-100 lb toung weight. The car is no speed demon, and the turbo doesn't really seem to do anything anymore. Question #1 do you think I will be ok to tow this? Question #2 what brand / model hitch should I get, and were does it attach. P.S. my rear bumper is pushed in a little on one side, not overly noticable, but may be an issue in mounting a hitch, depending on how it mounts. Thanks, Mark
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1983 300CD 245K Running WVO blends |
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You're within the towing limits of the MB so you should be ok. However, I think brakes are recommended about 1500lbs. Does your trailer have brakes? Some people use bumper hitches but I believe there is a receiver hitch that bolts to the bumper and back under the trunk somewhere. They are not cheap. The prices I have seen are around $350. If you search on 'hitch' here you will see a number of threads on the topic.
All that being said, I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be towing that much weight with the Benz. I towed my Macregor back from Oregon with my 74 Olds Custom Cruiser which I think is quite a bit heavier than the Benz and I was glad I had a heavy car. The trailer didn't have brakes and is probably around 2500-2800lbs total. I'd probably tow the boat from the lake to the house but I don't think I'd head across country with that load behind the MB.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#3
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Somewhere here I have posted some pics of the hitch I made from an old bent hitch I found. It was cheap and easy to make. It's a reciever type as well.
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I nabbed one of those receiver hitches on ebay half a year ago for about $154, it was a major bidding war.
Pic: Towing 2000lbs or less I would think you'd be fine. Not sure on the braking issue....I would bet MB stock brakes can handle the 2000, they may just get a little warmer.
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
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I am not sure how the hitches mount for the US cars, but the Euro hitches mount into the holes in the frame that the US cars use to mount the bumper shock absorbers in. The Euro hitch has a capacity of 1900Kg. That is 4,180 Lbs. The max. tongue weight is 75Kg or 165 Lbs.
You can find these hitches used on eBay Germany or Dutch Marktplaats. From Holland you can get them shipped for about $60. PM me if you want more info. I will attach the install instructions for the hitch. It also has the specifications. Sorry, but it is in German. http://www.westfalia-automotive.de/pdf/mercedes-313/a313040-041%20=%20040A+B.pdf
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Doug 1987 300TD x 3 2005 E320CDI |
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Quote:
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Doug 1987 300TD x 3 2005 E320CDI |
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You may want to consider upgrading to SD brake rotors and calipers. Vented weill help with overheating.
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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg 1995 E420 Schwarz 1995 E300 Weiss #1987 300D Sturmmachine #1991 300D Nearly Perfect #1994 E320 Cabriolet #1995 E320 Touring #1985 300D Sedan OBK #42 |
#8
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Quote:
I have a receiver hitch I scored off an 87 300TD at the junkyard, just need to bolt it up on mine.
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-justin 1987 300TD, 1987 300TD 2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon |
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hitches
Thanks for the diagram on the european hitch, can I use my US bumper with it? It looks nice. Can you get me one?
On hitchweb.com I saw this. http://www.hitch-web.com/proDescrip.asp?ProductCode=1650&OID=8 looks like a bumper hitch. Mark
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1983 300CD 245K Running WVO blends |
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Ebay hitches
What do ya'll think of these:
Says there are 10 available of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&category=33653&sspagename=STORE%3APROMOBOX%3ANEWLIST&viewitem=&item=220052988552 I think there are others too. Mark
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1983 300CD 245K Running WVO blends |
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Quote:
I have a Euro hitch and Euro bumper coming from Holland and will go for the complete conversion. I think the Euro bumpers look so much better than the big bulky US bumpers. If you look at the install diagram there are two struts on each side that bolt through the frame member to stiffen it up, which is why the capacity on the Euro hitches is so high. However, for simplicity's sake, you are probably best off with the Class I hitch on eBay.
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Doug 1987 300TD x 3 2005 E320CDI |
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Mark I would go with the E-bay one you posted a link too. I have the type that mounts to the bottom of the bumper and then you drill through the spare tire compartment and add two bolts there. I nearly lost my bumper with the one I installed, The bumpers shock absorber seperated on one side while pulling a small trailer. I ended up bolting through the bumper to pull it back together and is ok now.
Mike |
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RE Question #1:
Yes! 1500lbs is borderline for needing trailer brakes (necessary >750kg) according to the MB trailer rating. I posted on this a while back and got two basic types of responses.
I never ended up doing any of that or taking the trip, so I can't offer you any firsthand advice. I think there were some especially good replies in there though (especially rwthomas!) that would be pretty helpful for you. I would "get your turbo working" since its probably just a cracked/clogged line going from your intake manifold to the ALDA on top of your injection pump. Certainly isn't going to hurt. Good luck!!
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John Robbins '05 E320 CDI - 240k '87 300TD - 318k |
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euro vs ebay
The ebay one seems easy to install, I'll have to go look under my "rear end" ha ha, and see if there are threadded holes there or, see what I will be bolting the ebay one to. I hope it is strong enough.
Just for curiosity, how much was the one form Holland costing? email or pm if you want mmarussich@yahoo dot com Mark
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1983 300CD 245K Running WVO blends |
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Does anybody have any idea if the hitch from a 123 Wagon will fit a sedan?
I saw one in the junk yard but it might take some digging to see the under side.
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Ron Schroeder '85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO '83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980: '83 Mercedes 240D '80 Audi 4000D '83 ISUZU Pup '70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel '76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel '86 Golf Several diesel generators All with 2 tank WVO conversion LI NY |
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