So I need to put a hitch on my 81 300TD for pulling my sailboat (total about 1500lbs..no problem)
I'm going to build a hitch like the curt ones. it seems to be the only design for the wagon. (the ones that seem to cost $225 minimum)
All seems self explanatory except for how you attach the supports to the frame rails??
THe main attachemnt is behind the bumper mounts and then there's two arms that go further forward and attach to the frame rails.
Anyone have any experience with this installation...looks like a pain in the $@#^$#^$3..I liked the bumper and bottom of the spare well the 300D required. Easy! Wagon...harder to build and harder to install!

I don't remember how the wagon's rear pan is configured, but in this diagram it shows how the european hitch is installed on a sedan.




The long bars that are circled run along the side of the frame rails and at the end where the notch is located, gets bolted on where the sway bar mount bushing are. The shorter triangle shape bar gets installed inside the trunk wheelwell. It sandwiches the frame rail with the longer bar. They get bolted together with three bolts. But you'd have to drill holes in the frame rail sheet metal to get the bolts through. Then the triangle bar ends gets bolted to the hitch through the stock bumper mount holes. Hopefully this diagram helps in fabricating your hitch.


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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

Sorry I should've been clearer
Thanks for your response!
The sedan and the wagon have very different rear end configurations as well as hitch installation
Here's what the hitch I'll be making looks like. It seems to be the only one possible for the wagon, and I've looked a fair bit
Trailer Hitch for 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Curt C11805
I'll also include a little picture(I haven't a big one)

If any one has a different simpler design that'd be great

The simple design I had on my sedan would pull my boat fine but to use it on the wagon I'd be bolting onto the gas tank..hahahah

what I can't figure out is how to bolt to the frame rails..do they have an access port in the sides..it says something about body onpenings but the wagon seems pretty sealed over and beside the frame rails

Attached Thumbnails

 

Oh and here's a pdf of the installation instructions
It's step 3 I don't get

Attached Files

ct11805Old.pdf (134.1 KB, 178 views)

Yes, you have to drill holes in the frame rail and part number 3 goes inside the frame rail as a backing plate. Drilling those holes accurately is the only tricky part of the installation. My recollection of the installation on my TD is that part 3 slides into the rail from the back, and not the front, as shown in the diagram in that pdf. I might be wrong since it's been about 3 years since I installed mine. I'd bite the bullet and buy the Curt version --which is what I did after having a bumper hitch previously.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Thanks I'll have another look..It didn't seem like there was any way to get inside the frame rail, that's what's perplexing me

I'm going to bite the bullet and BUILD the curt version myself

My memory is vague but I think once you pull the bumper you can slide the backing plate in from the back. There's definitely a way of getting in there but I think the backing plate is long so you can slide it in from the back and hold it in position with your fingers while threading the bolt up from below. Don't take this for gospel, but it is doable.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I built the hitch for my 300D, it wasn't that bad. Just remember that the bumper shocks aren't on a flat plane-they both angle out a little bit. Clamping everything in place and then tack welding on the car makes a huge difference.

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

I'm thinking about installing a hitch on my 85 300td. Would it be possible to just weld the supports onto the frame rather than drilling and bolting them?

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'85 300td Frybrid WVO Kit

I'm sure it's possible but the Curt hitch is a pretty easy installation.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13