I had a 1978 300SD and a hitch was put on it. Based on my experiences I would not tow with the 300SD again. The car was not engineered to tow, didn't have a "towing package" and I feel it was too hard on the engine more than the transmission. The transmission didn't seem to have any problem but the engine ran too hot and began to leak oil. Had the car been set up to tow from the factory I would have excepted its towing capabilities.

Jim W.

if your engine ran hot from towing a small trailer, then your cooling system was not up to snuff, and the oil leak was due either to bad gaskets, or the cooling system failing to reject heat, and blowing a headgasket.
these motors are fine to tow medium loads provided the systems present from the factory are maintained.
2 year cooling system flushes, 3-5K oil changes, fuel filters and valve clearances at 15K etc. don't blame the vehicle if the maintenance was not taken care of.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!