85 300TD load carrying abilities - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WD8CDH · #16 06-28-2007, 09:55 AM

Has anybody ever seen an "official" towing rating for the W123?

GREASY_BEAST · #17 06-28-2007, 10:46 AM

I have not seen the document that gives the towing capacity, but I did find this thread where someone quotes the Mercedes-Benz technical data manual as listing towing capacity at 750kg (1650lbs) unbraked and 1500kg (3300lbs) braked... wow. The biggest load I have towed was 1500-1700lbs unbraked (ssh don't tell anyone) and it definitely slowed right down on the hills but never gave up and certainly didn't overheat (temp gauge hovered around 90 on the big pulls) I bet towing 3300lbs would be quite an experience.. defenitely slow-going.

kerry · #18 06-28-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREASY_BEAST

I have not seen the document that gives the towing capacity, but I did find this thread where someone quotes the Mercedes-Benz technical data manual as listing towing capacity at 750kg (1650lbs) unbraked and 1500kg (3300lbs) braked... wow. The biggest load I have towed was 1500-1700lbs unbraked (ssh don't tell anyone) and it definitely slowed right down on the hills but never gave up and certainly didn't overheat (temp gauge hovered around 90 on the big pulls) I bet towing 3300lbs would be quite an experience.. defenitely slow-going.

Those are the numbers I've seen somewhere in the past.

vstech · #19 06-28-2007, 02:20 PM

"slow going?"
"Look, I don't mean to be rude but this is not as easy as it looks..."
"I could throw you a rope, but since I am only waiting to kill you..."
"that does put a damper on our relationship"...
love that movie.

winmutt · #20 06-28-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry edwards

Those are the numbers I've seen somewhere in the past.

It depends on the car. My 200D says 75kg tongue weight and 1500kg I think. The most important part here is that my 200D has reinforced bumper mounts with the the reinforcement running all the way down the sheet metal floor in the trunk. I do not think ANY of these numbers apply to a federal with a bumper only hitch. Perhaps I should take some pictures?

GREASY_BEAST · #21 06-28-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

It depends on the car. My 200D says 75kg tongue weight and 1500kg I think. The most important part here is that my 200D has reinforced bumper mounts with the the reinforcement running all the way down the sheet metal floor in the trunk. I do not think ANY of these numbers apply to a federal with a bumper only hitch. Perhaps I should take some pictures?

The hitch I made for mine picks up the bumper attachment bolts and bolts onto the sheetmetal floor underneath the 3rd seat in my wagon's trunk. I reinforced the top side with 1/4" plate (bolts go through 1/4 plate on the hitch, through floor, through another 1/4 plate). I think my hitch is plenty strong, but I wouldn't tow ANYTHING with one of those bolt-to-the-bumper hitches because they rely on the bumper shock absorbers to hold together when subjected to forces pulling the WRONG WAY... seems too hokey for me.

kerry · #22 06-28-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

It depends on the car. My 200D says 75kg tongue weight and 1500kg I think. The most important part here is that my 200D has reinforced bumper mounts with the the reinforcement running all the way down the sheet metal floor in the trunk. I do not think ANY of these numbers apply to a federal with a bumper only hitch. Perhaps I should take some pictures?

I agree that the higher numbers shouldn't be applicable to a bumper hitch. It's why I had most of the load on and in the car with the lighter stuff in the trailer. The raft/frame weigh about 400lbs and I thought it was too much to put in the trailer and pull on the bumper.
I think that MB had in mind those European frame style hitches that look like erect penises.

#23 06-28-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry edwards

Despite the fact that this load seems to be within the limits of the TD, it seemed to me that it was overloaded. Coming home over Vail Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70, it was laboring. Climbing those passes it was 30mph or so, in second gear around 3k rpm's.

Anyone else have any numbers and experience to compare this too?

With a 2.88 diff ratio, I'm surprised it can even reach 30mph on Vail Pass with that much weight!

If it had a 3.07, I'd bet you could get it up to 45mph.

Brian Carlton · #24 06-28-2007, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

With a 2.88 diff ratio, I'm surprised it can even reach 30mph on Vail Pass with that much weight!

If it had a 3.07, I'd bet you could get it up to 45mph.

Do you know the grade of that pass?

#25 06-28-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Do you know the grade of that pass?

Vail Pass- 10,666ft 7% grade.

Brian Carlton · #26 06-28-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Vail Pass- 10,666ft 7% grade.

Yep, that's substantial. The most I've climbed was a 6% grade at about 1500 feet. No comparison.

kerry · #27 07-17-2008, 05:27 PM

Update; Went on another raft trip this past week, pulling the trailer. Probably had about 400lbs less load in it. Pulled 3000 rpm's in 3rd gear eastboad up to the Eisenhower tunnel. (little about 40mph) About 2500 rpm's eastbound up Rabbit Ears Pass. (little less than 40mph) Hit about 108 degrees engine temperature at the tunnel. Had the banjo bolt boost control line blow off going westbound from Denver and the change in power was obvious. About a third less power. Put a hose clamp on it to avoid that problem again.