Towing an SEC with and SDL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

GregMN · #1 04-10-2011, 08:58 PM

I towed my SEC from AZ to MN with my SDL.
I use the bumper from my parts car to make the attachment for the tow bar.
My receiver trailer hitch W126 Trailer hitch
I averaged 22.4 mpg on the 1800 mile trip home with the cruise set at 60. According to the GPS my moving average speed was 56.9.
On a 5 mile stretch of +6% grade I opened the sun roof and turned on the defroster to help dissipate heat. Second gear at 30mph.
I did the same thing coming up out of Appleturkey, NM, but in 3rd gear at 45.
Once rolling it did fine. I took my time getting up to speed. The tail would wage the dog a little on uneven surfaces. The 20 to 40 mph side winds in NM did not help. I kept both hands on the wheel so as not to get behind in my steering.

300SD81 · #2 04-10-2011, 09:42 PM

I've always wondered, how the steering works for the second car when you tow with 4 wheels on the ground.. Does it just get dragged sideways?

forcefed44 · #3 04-10-2011, 09:46 PM

That is really ideal and saves alot for renting a tow dolly.. I usually use my '04 lifted Durango SLT 4.7 but I towed my 280SE 5 blocks with a 92' "outbacked" Legacy auto wagon. She did just fine.

GregMN · #4 04-10-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 300SD81

I've always wondered, how the steering works for the second car when you tow with 4 wheels on the ground.. Does it just get dragged sideways?

You make sure the steering is unlocked and it just follows you. It works very well. Just make sure you are moving before attempting a turn. The front wheels of the towed vehicle can only turn when they are moving.

Junkman · #5 04-10-2011, 10:55 PM

So, bumper hitch, dropped drive shaft & drag a way?

snookwhaler · #6 04-10-2011, 11:47 PM

Ummmmm..... With that many miles...... Aint no way you had the cruise set a 60 MPH. You would have to go over 70 MPH (a bunch) to maintain an average speed of what you say. Your average speed is too close to "what you say" your top speed is (unless you were cheating and cutting the GPS off as you were approaching exits.).

Either way... Cool tow vehicle!! I like seeing a diesel towing a gasser.

BTW>> I drive for a living...

vstech · #7 04-10-2011, 11:50 PM

actually, the more miles you travel, the less 25mph stints affect the average... now if he'd only traveled 90 miles, I'd call foul...

Quote:

Originally Posted by snookwhaler

Ummmmm..... With that many miles...... Aint no way you had the cruise set a 60 MPH. You would have to go over 70 MPH (a bunch) to maintain an average speed of what you say. Your average speed is too close to "what you say" your top speed is (unless you were cheating and cutting the GPS off as you were approaching exits.).

Either way... Cool tow vehicle!! I like seeing a diesel towing a gasser.

BTW>> I drive for a living...

ashedd · #8 04-10-2011, 11:57 PM

I towed my 400e across town with my SD and a tow strap. I was a bit pressed for time, I REALLY wanted to make a sign on the computer that said "classy towing"... since I think towing a car with a strap is major trashy. lol

Little did I know, after I got the 400e running.. I could have towed about 7 SD's at once with that thing. How I miss the m119.

I would have been majorly concerned about cracking a head on the om603. But I certainly don't doubt the 603's ability to pull something.

GregMN · #9 04-10-2011, 11:59 PM

Drive shaft in the trunk. It comes out without removing the exhaust.

With only a 10% fuel mileage drop I couldn't have been putting too much extra stress on the drive train.

The SEC is really now an SDC. It has a 603 in it, but it does not run well enough to drive cross country. I bought it thinking that the engine was junk. I have another lying around that I will put in it when I get the chance.

snookwhaler · #10 04-11-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

actually, the more miles you travel, the less 25mph stints affect the average... now if he'd only traveled 90 miles, I'd call foul...

So, you are saying that he has traveled "around or over" 1800 miles and has "maintained" an average within 3.1 MPH of his actual cruise speed?

Just checking.... ROFL......

GregMN · #11 04-11-2011, 12:02 PM

Cruise set at 60, via the gps reading, when the speed limit was at least that. Sometimes it might have been set at 61. At that speed the motor was at 2500rpm and was at a place on it's power curve that would allow it to take most hills without losing speed. Starting from 55mph, it would have a harder time maintaining speed on the hills. Any faster and the handling on rough roads was more of an issue. At 60 the car was happy and it was comfortable to drive.

The maximum speed I got up to was 69.9 when I actually had to pass a truck on a 2 lane hwy. once.

sba121400 · #12 04-11-2011, 12:27 PM

how did you make that tow bumper, do you have any pictures of how it is towbar is attached to the bumper?
-Sba121400

Dieselkraut23 · #13 04-11-2011, 01:01 PM

How did you do your lights? Im going to do this with a 617 turbo or rebuild 617 euro NA.

I have almost the same setup but the car i will be towing it a w123 wagon with no motor or trans.

What do you think any tips LOL?

GregMN · #14 04-11-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sba121400

how did you make that tow bumper, do you have any pictures of how it is towbar is attached to the bumper?
-Sba121400

I used the fiberglass inner bumper from a parts car. I removed the cover and cut it down so it would be easier to carry all the way out to AZ in the car. The bumper mounts attach to the frame with 3 nuts on each side and attach to the bumper with 4 captured bolts on each side. The tow bar brackets attach to the bumper with one hardened bolt on each side with a type of nut that will not loosen on it's own. As I attached the bumper mounts I wondered if the shock absorber part of the mount would pull out or move at all. That did not seem to be an issue.

If you don't have an extra bumper lying around, you could just remove the cover from the car's bumper and mount the tow bar brackets to it. After the cover was replaced, there would be no evidence of the 2 small holes in the inner bumper. On a 20 to 30 year old bumper you may find that many of the cover's fasteners are rusted on pretty tight. But if you can get them off, it would work.

babymog · #15 04-11-2011, 01:18 PM

SDC, I like it.