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  #1  
Old 09-07-2010, 09:48 PM
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Wagon hitch on W123 sedan?

I stumbled across this old ad for a wagon hitch Curt model# 11805 that this guy says will bolt to a sedan FS: curt w123 receiver hitch

What i'm wondering is if anyone has any idea if the #11805 wagon hitches that are still widely available can be safely connected to a sedan with minor modification to either the hitch or the car itself.

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  #2  
Old 09-07-2010, 11:03 PM
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Looking at the pictures, I would say no. Near as I can tell, the hitch is just bolted to the bumper shock mounts. The pieces that extend inside the tubes on the wagon and are bolted up from below have not been used on the sedan. That seriously compromises the mounting system in my view.
Why not get a hitch designed for the sedan?
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Old 09-08-2010, 12:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
Looking at the pictures, I would say no. Near as I can tell, the hitch is just bolted to the bumper shock mounts. The pieces that extend inside the tubes on the wagon and are bolted up from below have not been used on the sedan. That seriously compromises the mounting system in my view.
Why not get a hitch designed for the sedan?
The only sedan hitches I've been able to locate are of a design that attaches to the bumper and the spare tire well. It just doesn't seem like the sheet-metal in those two areas is sturdy enough to really tow much beyond a very small trailer. I'd be very hesitant to pull over even 1000lbs with a hitch like that.

Also, it seems that attaching the bumper to the frame with a rigid piece of metal will completely render the 5-mph rear bumper unable to withstand any type of shock without damage.

http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-1981_Mercedes-Benz_240.htm
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Old 09-12-2010, 01:49 PM
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Anyone have any other input? It's going to be a real letdown if the US spec cars can only tow 1000 lbs due to the lack of a properly mounting hitch.
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Old 09-12-2010, 07:17 PM
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The wagon attachments I spoke of also only bolt through sheet metal. Since there is no frame on these cars, nothing a hitch would mount to is very strong. I'm not sure why you think the normal hitch can't pull more than 1000 lbs. MB rates these vehicles for pulling up to 2500 lbs and lots of people here have pulled a lot more than 1000 lbs with the normal hitch. There's a picture on here somewhere of someone pulling a tandem trailer with a vehicle on it with a 126.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
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1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
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1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13
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  #6  
Old 09-12-2010, 09:06 PM
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It looks almost like it bolts to the bumper mounts. I think there was someone who welded up a hitch similar to that one for their sedan because the bumper mounts made for a better mounting point than the spare tire well did...
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Old 09-13-2010, 11:18 AM
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Ive Seen those that bolt by using screws thru the sheet metal of the spare tire well ,a big rust area is eventually the outcome.The removing the bolts to the bumper and using longer bolts is the way to go ,mucho stronger.
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Old 09-23-2010, 11:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
The wagon attachments I spoke of also only bolt through sheet metal. Since there is no frame on these cars, nothing a hitch would mount to is very strong. I'm not sure why you think the normal hitch can't pull more than 1000 lbs. MB rates these vehicles for pulling up to 2500 lbs and lots of people here have pulled a lot more than 1000 lbs with the normal hitch. There's a picture on here somewhere of someone pulling a tandem trailer with a vehicle on it with a 126.
My fear is that the american style hitch attaches to the bumper as a critical structural element. The bumper wasn't really designed to support weight, and i'd just be concerned about pulling with it.
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  #9  
Old 09-24-2010, 09:00 PM
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This is what I did on my '83 300D...

W123 hitch project

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