Convert a 123 300TD trailer hitch to a 123 300D? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #16 08-28-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenTBK

Wanted to bump this for clarification. If the exhaust is not a factor (what exhaust?), is there anything else that would prevent the curt 11805 from being installed on a 123 300D sedan? From all I've read it should match up to the shock bolts, and holes would need to be drilled for the supports into the frame rails.... Correct?

I really want something I can plug into instead of the permanent shin buster. Tired of not being able to drag my jet ski around with me.

This is not a TD specific hitch receiver, but it was on My CD and worked great. I am planning on copying this and making them for sale.

It seems to work great pulling my trailer with an 800 pound grand piano on it (about 1200 pounds gross weight).

RavenTBK · #17 11-13-2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

This is not a TD specific hitch receiver, but it was on My CD and worked great. I am planning on copying this and making them for sale.

Looks like a standard drawbar bent slightly with a Harbor Freight receiver box welded to it.

Doesn't really solve the problem of using a piece of trunk floor sheet metal to tow with. If all else fails with the TD hitch, that looks like a viable solution.

Mark DiSilvestro · #18 11-13-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

This is not a TD specific hitch receiver, but it was on My CD and worked great. I am planning on copying this and making them for sale.

It seems to work great pulling my trailer with an 800 pound grand piano on it (about 1200 pounds gross weight).

Before you begin mass-production, I see a couple problems.
While some have had good luck using the aluminum bumper to support a hitch, it's been well documented how unreliable the bumper attachment is on many of these cars. Also, even if the bumper was up to the job, that design wouldn't work on the TD, as they have the fuel-tank in place of the 'trunk-floor'.
The Curt hitch that fastens to the bumper-shock body-studs, with reinforcements that go forward to the two frame-rails, is probably the best option for the US-market cars. If needed, modifying the exhaust to fit should be a relatively simple solution.

Happy Motoring, Mark

RavenTBK · #19 11-13-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

Before you begin mass-production, I see a couple problems.
While some have had good luck using the aluminum bumper to support a hitch, it's been well documented how unreliable the bumper attachment is on many of these cars. Also, even if the bumper was up to the job, that design wouldn't work on the TD, as they have the fuel-tank in place of the 'trunk-floor'.
The Curt hitch that fastens to the bumper-shock body-studs, with reinforcements that go forward to the two frame-rails, is probably the best option for the US-market cars. If needed, modifying the exhaust to fit should be a relatively simple solution.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Mark,
So you're confirming the question I asked a few posts above? All thats needed to get the TD hitch to fit is simply reroute the exhaust tip? Thats great. What sucks is the price for the hitch has been jacked up another $25 since I last checked in August.

ROLLGUY · #20 11-13-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

Before you begin mass-production, I see a couple problems.
While some have had good luck using the aluminum bumper to support a hitch, it's been well documented how unreliable the bumper attachment is on many of these cars. Also, even if the bumper was up to the job, that design wouldn't work on the TD, as they have the fuel-tank in place of the 'trunk-floor'.
The Curt hitch that fastens to the bumper-shock body-studs, with reinforcements that go forward to the two frame-rails, is probably the best option for the US-market cars. If needed, modifying the exhaust to fit should be a relatively simple solution.

Happy Motoring, Mark

The bumper is not the only support. As you can see in the photo, the trunk floor is helping hold the weight (vertical mounting), and also helps with fore and aft (for pulling). The mounting on the bumper is only supplemental. The hitch I design will be a combination of both this hitch and the Curt TD hitch. I will design it so it will work on both variants, but with no trunk floor mounting.

Mark DiSilvestro · #21 11-13-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

The bumper is not the only support. As you can see in the photo, the trunk floor is helping hold the weight (vertical mounting), and also helps with fore and aft (for pulling). The mounting on the bumper is only supplemental. The hitch I design will be a combination of both this hitch and the Curt TD hitch. I will design it so it will work on both variants, but with no trunk floor mounting.

From your photo, it appears that much of the vertical load will be carried at the bumper and at the center of the trunk-floor (actually the tire-well). The hitch mounting at the rear of the trunk-floor does add some extra support.
I couldn't tell from your photo if your hitch has a cross-bar or beam that attaches to the bumper-shocks at some point.
The Curt C11805 receiver-hitch (see the first post here) has a beam that bolts only to the studs that attach the bumper-shocks to the body, with two additional forward members that bolt to the frame-rails.
It doesn't depend on the bumper or it's shocks for any support, and won't interfere with those shocks doing their intended job of telescoping and absorbing collision impact. What's going to happen if someone rear-ends your hitch design and the force is transmitted directly from the bumper into the 'trunk-floor'?
And as I said, even if the bumper design was suitable, unlike the sedans and coupes, the TD doesn't have a 'trunk-floor' that your hitch can be attached to.

Happy Motoring, Mark

ROLLGUY · #22 11-13-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

From your photo, it appears that much of the vertical load will be carried at the bumper and at the center of the trunk-floor (actually the tire-well). The hitch mounting at the rear of the trunk-floor does add some extra support.
I couldn't tell from your photo if your hitch has a cross-bar or beam that attaches to the bumper-shocks at some point.
The Curt C11805 receiver-hitch (see the first post here) has a beam that bolts only to the studs that attach the bumper-shocks to the body, with two additional forward members that bolt to the frame-rails.
It doesn't depend on the bumper or it's shocks for any support, and won't interfere with those shocks doing their intended job of telescoping and absorbing collision impact. What's going to happen if someone rear-ends your hitch design and the force is transmitted directly from the bumper into the 'trunk-floor'?
And as I said, even if the bumper design was suitable, unlike the sedans and coupes, the TD doesn't have a 'trunk-floor' that your hitch can be attached to.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I am not saying it is the perfect hitch, so that is why I am motivated to make the next closest thing to a perfect hitch. The hitch I installed was bought at the wrecking yard, and worked well for the purpose it was designed for. Yes it has design deficiencies, but it is plenty strong for the light trailer/load that is is being used for, despite being mounted to the bumper.

panZZer · #23 11-13-2013, 07:24 PM

Who the heck is curt??

stick with genuine Mercedes parts.

Whacking your shinn a coulpe times helps keep you alert!

ROLLGUY · #24 11-13-2013, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Who the heck is curt??

Trailer Hitch by Curt for 1983 300TD - C11805

Mark DiSilvestro · #25 11-14-2013, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Who the heck is curt??

stick with genuine Mercedes parts.

Whacking your shinn a coulpe times helps keep you alert!

My Euro TD came with a factory hitch. Unfortunately it only works with the Euro bumpers, as the additional chassis hitch-braces occupy the space used by the 5 mph bumper-shocks on the US versions. One reason why Mercedes never offered a trailer hitch for these cars in the US.
So the C11805 Curt hitch is the only design I've seen (so far) that ads a hitch, without depending on the 5 mph bumper for support or interfering with it's function. And the removeable drawbar on the Curt not only saves shins, but reduces the chance of body damage in a rear-ender.
I noticed on the Curt page that they sell versions with both the US and Euro style drawbars.

Happy Motoring, Mark

daw_two · #26 11-14-2013, 11:59 AM

I guess I should chime in here. The 1978 300D NA parts car I took in on trade toward the 1981 300D NA ceased engine..........

has a trailer hitch on it. I will post it up for sale in the appropriate forum.

JB3 · #27 11-14-2013, 12:22 PM

im another guy jumping on the "preserve my ankles" bandwagon.

I had a proper receiver hitch on an old 240, basically just a flat piece of 1/4 inch steel sandwiched between the bumper and the body, and a receiver from I believe a nissan truck cut up and welded to it. Similar to smiffy6flour's setup

Sold it with the car, but was sufficient to pull a tow dolly with a rabbit on it behind my 240 with no ill effects.

I intend to make up another one at one point, class 2 should be plenty for my needs from a sedan. I definitely am not a fan of the euro hitch of the class 1 options for the sedan, I have drawn blood on those before, always when carrying something.

panZZer · #28 11-16-2013, 06:48 PM

You gotta be tough,, anybody that cant take a shinn bash is a nancy boy!

1977 1985 Mercedes Benz Factory Euro Trailer Hitch and Harness 300TD 280TE | eBay

Mark DiSilvestro · #29 11-16-2013, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

You gotta be tough,, anybody that cant take a shinn bash is a nancy boy!

1977 1985 Mercedes Benz Factory Euro Trailer Hitch and Harness 300TD 280TE | eBay

Shins notwithstanding, that eBay Euro-hitch only works with the Euro bumper.
OTOH, at the bottom of the same eBay auction-page, the Curt hitch for the US cars is being advertised at $247, including free shipping.

Happy Motoring, Mark

panZZer · #30 11-17-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

Shins notwithstanding, that eBay Euro-hitch only works with the Euro bumper.
OTOH, at the bottom of the same eBay auction-page, the Curt hitch for the US cars is being advertised at $247, including free shipping.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I dont think he's including a factory harness though or the opportunity for the buyer to feel the excelent tigle of pride knowing he paid his hard earned money to a respected seller for a genuine german-servicable piece and also for a respectable shipping rate--and didn't try to cheap skate on anything!
The seller of the el cheapo chinese bar zapped together by little 13 yr old slave girls-is just playing the old "let em think they're getting a deal" , those bars go for $200 anyhow-- free shipping my arse

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