Installing Tow Hitch 87 300D ? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

a2t · #1 09-18-2007, 09:52 PM

Id like to get a 2" hitch, mainly to allow installation of :

- a bike rack

- cargo carrier extender

- very light trailer for misc odd jobs

I was quoted $400 by a local place but they will only install 1.25". Has anyone installed a 2" on their 124, and if so, what brand? How hard is the install? I know the rear suspension on this car is pretty wild looking.

I guess I could go with 1.25" but most of the stuff Ive seen is for 2". Seems like Id have more options with 2". Maybe Im wrong...

Thanks!

myssrhl · #2 09-19-2007, 12:53 AM

Not related exactly yet this a good place to tell it.

My mechanic, German-factory trained (awesome), comes thru my place oneday with his 86 300sdl towing a 300sdl on a car hauler trailer. I asked if it towed good, "yes". When he left I swear my duramax chevy would not do much better as he pulled out on the 4 lane and "smartly pulled away".

Anyhow these buggers will tow, apparently.

Pete Geither · #3 09-19-2007, 05:39 AM

We will occasionally cut off the 1 1/4" receiver and weld on a 2" just for purposes like yours. Not a big deal really, and any weld/fab shop should be able to do it. I always look at the application though and try to determine if it will be safe if it does get overloaded a bit.

Wolfsburg · #4 09-19-2007, 09:21 AM

Adapters are available to go from a 1.25 inch to a 2 inch, that is the easiest. Try trailer places.
Good Luck

kerry · #5 09-19-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolfsburg

Adapters are available to go from a 1.25 inch to a 2 inch, that is the easiest. Try trailer places.
Good Luck

That's what I use on my Suzuki Sidekick for the bike rack since I couldn't find a 2" receiver. Adds about 8" in length to the hitch.

a2t · #6 09-19-2007, 04:12 PM

>Adds about 8" in length to the hitch.

Yeah that sucks man. Dont they make a 2" hitch for 87 300D?

Or, think they make bike carriers, cargo extenders, and small trailers for 1.25" hitch?

Hopefully some ppl with hitches on their 124's will chime in...

Pete Geither · #7 09-19-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

>Adds about 8" in length to the hitch.

Yeah that sucks man. Dont they make a 2" hitch for 87 300D?

Or, think they make bike carriers, cargo extenders, and small trailers for 1.25" hitch?

Hopefully some ppl with hitches on their 124's will chime in...

No one, to my knowledge, makes a 2" receiver hitch for that car. Custom job only. And the further out there you hang weight, as with an extender, the more chances you have of damaging something on the car.

a2t · #8 09-19-2007, 09:21 PM

I might have to turn on the weld torch in a minute. Why is everything difficult?

a2t · #9 09-21-2007, 06:19 PM

bump for someone with a hitch on 87 300d

pawoSD · #10 09-21-2007, 06:26 PM

Wouldn't a hitch from another W124 work? Or did they just not make one for that car period?

a2t · #11 09-21-2007, 09:16 PM

I found a site called etrailer.com, they have the 1 1/4 trailer receiver/hitch, plus bike carriers and cargo extenders all for 1.25". I guess I will go that route.

Would of preferred 2" but whatever.

Has anyone installed one on a 124? Should I expect it to be unreasonably difficult? Any particular brand (Curt, UHAUL, ect...) that I should be looking for?

Thanks.

a2t · #12 09-23-2007, 05:30 PM

Also, I just looked under rear of my 87 300D turbo.

There is no way any of the hitches pictured will fit. I wonder if the receiver is supposed to bolt directly to the rear cross member right behind the bumper, with no cross rails?

It doesnt seem there is any clearance across the back of the car due to muffler, and on the other side there is some front/back structure preventing a clear shot to the frame rail. There is also a huge spare tire well that extends almost to rear bumper so I really dont see how a receiver assy could be bolted up.

Advise from anyone who has done it on this car would be much appreciated!!

Im pretty sure this is why the person at the trailer store I went to could only find an 87 300 TD (wagon) for my year. Perhaps its just not possible...wouldnt surprise me one bit with the complexity of the whole rear end on this thing...

Adenauer · #13 09-23-2007, 06:45 PM

Geeze, I love this site...

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=124133%5F501&M=603%2E960&GA=722%2E357&CT=F&cat=501&SID=31&SGR=015&SGN=01

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.asp?TP=1&F=124133%5F501&M=603%2E960&GA=722%2E357&CT=F&cat=501&SID=31&SGR=540&SGN=02

a2t · #14 09-24-2007, 08:46 PM

Thanks. Looks pretty complicated but I will call my dealer and see how $$ it would be to buy the MB parts. I will be sitting down.

Has anyone ever installed that on an 87 300D?

Has anyone ever installed any hitch on an 87 300D??

t walgamuth · #15 09-24-2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a2t

I found a site called etrailer.com, they have the 1 1/4 trailer receiver/hitch, plus bike carriers and cargo extenders all for 1.25". I guess I will go that route.

Would of preferred 2" but whatever.

Has anyone installed one on a 124? Should I expect it to be unreasonably difficult? Any particular brand (Curt, UHAUL, ect...) that I should be looking for?

Thanks.

They are probably afraid that some knucklehead will hook on a car hauling trailer and haul around 5000 pounds of car and trailer!

Actually the car will probably haul such a load just fine, but the rear end is designed to crumple in an accident so getting strong enough attachment points may be problematic.

Tom W