Need to tow with the SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ashedd · #1 07-30-2010, 08:46 PM

I just bought a 400E that I need to tow about 15 miles. I will not pay a tow truck $100 to do it! I have a tow strap and two om617 powered cars. I figure I will use the SD cause it has very good brakes and the TD has the exact opposite. I would prefer to use the TD cause the SD flares pretty good.

Anyway...

Will that "tow" hook on the back of a w126 pull a w124 ok? I have done this tow method a few time but never with a MB... should look real classy

Skid Row Joe · #2 07-30-2010, 08:55 PM

If you have an accident in the car being towed, I'd be sure my insurance covered any accidents before venturing out on a 15 mile tow. Might make the $100.00 look rather cheap in case of an incident.

That said, the hooks on these cars will tow it fine.

layback40 · #3 07-30-2010, 08:56 PM

The car doing the towing doesnt need good brakes. The towed car will have poor brakes (no boost). You will need to go very slowly. The flaring trans is a concern with the extra load. I am not convinced that its ok to tow that distance. You need to check the owners book for towing restrictions, particularly concerning the trans or it would be best to disconnect the tail shaft from the diff.

vstech · #4 07-30-2010, 08:59 PM

I assume you will have someone riding and braking in the E? a tow strap is useless without someone to brake and steer.
it's best to use the brakes of the vehicle being towed when using a strap.
the TD and the SD both have equal brakes. actually the rear brakes on the TD are slightly stronger than the SD's brakes.
the SD does have an advantage for sustained braking due to the vented rotors being able to offload heat better. still, if using a tow strap, you will not be using the brakes of the towing vehicle, or you will have a wreck.
whoever is riding in the towed vehicle, needs to understand how to brake the two vehicles from your hand signals.
it's Illegal to tow this way in most cities though, so be careful. also most insurance companies will not cover accidents involved with a vehicle towed with a strap...
and of course if the vehicle is moving on it's own tires, you would have to have it insured and at least titled in your name. check with your state and your insurance before attempting this.
a waaaay safer way to move this car would be to rent a tow dolly and pull the driveshaft or drive very slowly if the owner's manual approves towing for any distance.

ashedd · #5 07-30-2010, 09:00 PM

I appreciate the concern...

I will check the insurance. The 400e runs but gushes transmission fluid when in gear... So I think we will tow with the 400e running for brake pressure and power steering.

I might put something on CL and see if I can snag a tow truck.

400E should be interesting... my first gas MB

ashedd · #6 07-30-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I assume you will have someone riding and braking in the E? a tow strap is useless without someone to brake and steer.
it's best to use the brakes of the vehicle being towed when using a strap.
the TD and the SD both have equal brakes. actually the rear brakes on the TD are slightly stronger than the SD's brakes.
the SD does have an advantage for sustained braking due to the vented rotors being able to offload heat better. still, if using a tow strap, you will not be using the brakes of the towing vehicle, or you will have a wreck.
whoever is riding in the towed vehicle, needs to understand how to brake the two vehicles from your hand signals.
it's Illegal to tow this way in most cities though, so be careful. also most insurance companies will not cover accidents involved with a vehicle towed with a strap...
and of course if the vehicle is moving on it's own tires, you would have to have it insured and at least titled in your name. check with your state and your insurance before attempting this.

ya I will have a 400e driver lol.. I know my insurance company covers me for the first 30 days of a new vehicle without me calling them to add it to the policy.

And ya I am sure it's illegal but everyone does it

... we will be careful I promise. I have done this before just not 15 miles. My TD brakes are horrible.. But the flaring in the SD is a concern of mine. I am guessing the 400e is close to 4000 lbs.

If we wreck I will lose the tow strap very very quickly.

vstech · #7 07-30-2010, 09:07 PM

what's wrong with the 124D? it's got more power, and more modern brakes...
I'd tackle the brakes in the TD and use it. what's wrong with the brakes in the TD? bad booster? stuck pistons? dirty fluid? air?
what's wrong with the E? where does the fluid gush from? maybe take a line with you and fix the gushing before you go?

ashedd · #8 07-30-2010, 09:13 PM

My TD brakes:

3 calipers seem to be stuck. Rotors are shot. Rubber lines shot. Brake pedal has gone to the floor a few times but not since I unplugged all the vac lines except climate and shut off.

400E:

I am only going by what the guy said. He claims it pours fluid when in gear from the tranny pan gasket and that the car has sat since 2004. He bought to fix and is now between a rock and a hard place. I got it for cheap cheap cheap.

Perfect black interior, no rust, 185k, new harness from previous owner. Needs batt. I will either fix it and sell it or get addicted to it and keep it.

If I had a slightly lower rear diff in my '87 I would tow with it.

vstech · #9 07-30-2010, 09:23 PM

how bad does it slip? is it really a flare? if so, you could disconnect the vacuum to the transmission for the tow. you would get hard shifts, but it would protect the transmission better. the 3.07 will accelerate better than the 2.88 in the TD or the 2.65 in the D good point.

ashedd · #10 07-30-2010, 09:29 PM

Ya I was going to pull that line just to see if the shifts got better. Doesn't flare too bad unless your in the "sweet" spot. Just accelerate either slower or faster than that spot and your good.

I am really getting the feeling that the 400e leaks from a transmission cooling hose. Anyway time will tell.

Hope I dont fall in love and try to sell the 5 spd '87