Homemade trailer hitch w126 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

badgator · #1 12-25-2008, 02:46 PM

Welds took like crap, but still good.

Used a hitch from my old 89 Caravan 2.5 turbo, I welded using Harbor Freight welding rod-

then again I haven't used a stick welder since high school.

Bought some Lincoln rods from HD, they work much better.

$50 Wards 295 amp ac/dc welder from craigslist

Bought a 40a Plasma Cutter from ebay $195 -10% off coupon burned up the 2 included tips real fast - learning, ordered more - cheap. My Xmas present for me, cut 1/2" steel nicely with new tips!

Mostly cut with 7" metal wheel in circular saw $1.95 HF

I did have to trim plastic on bottom of the bumper.

2 bolts through bumper, 4 bolts through trunk next to seam.

Good clearance on tow hook. exhaust tip and hanger. would have moved receiver in farther though.

TheDon · #2 12-25-2008, 03:46 PM

I wouldn't want to be behind you when you're towing something.

KarTek · #3 12-25-2008, 04:06 PM

Good effort but there's not nearly enough vertical support. IIRC, the professionally made units have plates that bolt up behind the bumper mounts. If you're planning on bolting up through the bumper to help carry the load, you'll lose it's shock absorbing action.

I believe that over the course of time towing with it, the natural up and down motion of the trailer will fatigue and snap either the hitch or the parts it's bolted onto.

badgator · #4 12-25-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

Good effort but there's not nearly enough vertical support. IIRC, the professionally made units have plates that bolt up behind the bumper mounts. If you're planning on bolting up through the bumper to help carry the load, you'll lose it's shock absorbing action.

I believe that over the course of time towing with it, the natural up and down motion of the trailer will fatigue and snap either the hitch or the parts it's bolted onto.

Really,

And this is the heavy duty, factory built hitch.

oldsinner111 · #5 12-25-2008, 04:42 PM

Why in danger others.

mobetta · #6 12-26-2008, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgator

Really,

And this is the heavy duty, factory built hitch.

built in what factory? not OE, thats for sure.

but I've towed with scarier- most truck bumpers in the rust belt are prolly worse than that.

it may be fine for a small boat or something.

did you use plate steel inside the trunk?

I really think that the style which shares the bumper mount location is sturdiest on these cars. on the curt unit (123) you replace 4 of the 6 bumper mount bolts with longer hardened bolts and a piece of 1/4 plate steel reinforcment.

then it has forward bracing made of 1/2 steel with 3/8 plate reinforcing.

this is the wagon hitch, but a buddy mounted one on his 240, you need to modify the exhaust, either way.

I scrapped a 300D with mine. 8K, gross. I dont think I'd do that with a homemade jobber. definitely not one bolted to the bumper.

pawoSD · #7 12-26-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgator

Really,

And this is the heavy duty, factory built hitch.

I've got that exact unit on my car and have towed many times with it with no issues....its quite strong......

KarTek · #8 12-26-2008, 07:15 PM

I'm just saying that without some support out front, (the receiver end) It'll flex. With support, (bolting it through the bumper) you lose the protective shock action of the bumper and even a minor impact will transmit damage through the hitch to the chassis of the car.

Otherwise, yours and the other one pictured should tow safely.

pawoSD · #9 12-26-2008, 09:36 PM

I do agree the one at the begining of the thread needs more receiver end support....

TheDon · #10 12-26-2008, 09:45 PM

where can get one of those curt units? I'd love to be able to tow my 2400lb delorean and a car trailer with the w123

badgator · #11 12-27-2008, 01:49 PM

2000# max 200# tongue weight The only other new hitches I've found online were cheap universal hitches, 1500# No thanks. I will not tow a lot but I still don't want a wimpy hitch.

$220 - 300 online, I saw one of these earlier this year at a junkyard went back a month later car was gone - crushed.

Install guide-

http://fileresource.sitepro.com/filemanager/66/filecollections/251/903AD1C6-7348-5B09-E7D8-AD0F788DD764.pdf

The hitch on my 300d is the bolt through trunk / bumper type 1500#, just looks weak.

Most of the good hitches for any older car are only in junkyards, maybe ebay.

The Gears · #12 12-27-2008, 06:15 PM

If it bolts to the bumper forget it. Why ruin a good impact feature.
Bolting to the bumper mounts with flat plates and a torque tube only, will have a short life. There needs to be a plate running forward under the trunk to control twisting motion where the receiver meets the torque tube. The forward running plate will take most of the for and aft (towing) motion.

TheDon · #13 12-27-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gears

If it bolts to the bumper forget it. Why ruin a good impact feature.
Bolting to the bumper mounts with flat plates and a torque tube only, will have a short life. There needs to be a plate running forward under the trunk to control twisting motion where the receiver meets the torque tube. The forward running plate will take most of the for and aft (towing) motion.

it bolts behind the bumper shocks so the shocks still do their thing and do offer some extra crash protection.

#14 12-27-2008, 10:51 PM

If you have to drill holes in the body or spare tire well, it shouldn't be used.