SD(L)? able to pull camper? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Junkman · #1 05-08-2020, 08:10 AM

Check out 2.50.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SnLSb5H6md4

Usaguy · #2 05-08-2020, 09:08 AM

In europe pulling a camper with a car is very common. I don't know why most people in the us think that to pull a trailer you need a truck.

martureo · #3 05-08-2020, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman

Check out 2.50.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SnLSb5H6md4

There's a pawn shop owner near where I work who uses his SDL to pull a trailer. He goes to auctions and estate sales where he really loads that trailer up.

He's told me that the SDL does fine and gets decent mileage, even when towing heavy loads. However, he's not too happy with the way the SDL rear suspension drags when the trailer is loaded down.

I don't know if he ever completed the project, but he was parting out a 560SEL and trying to put the four wheel SLS from the 560 in his SDL to help tow things.

shadetreemechan · #4 05-08-2020, 10:55 PM

We hauled our pop up across country east to west and north to south with our 85 TD. I have hauled a livestock trailer on longer trips with it as well, but never to get more than a few sheep or goats.
The heaviest thing I hauled with the wagon was a new holland 273 square baler. According to the internet it weighs 2700 pounds. I definitely knew it was back there and didn't go but 10 miles with it. I think the 617 pulls great.

g300d · #5 05-08-2020, 11:30 PM

I had a ton of old euro MB brochures and I remember that tow hitches were prominently displayed and featured on a few pages, and a few pictures of W126's and other models towing trailers too. So I would think they can.

MS Fowler · #6 05-09-2020, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

He's told me that the SDL does fine and gets decent mileage, even when towing heavy loads. However, he's not too happy with the way the SDL rear suspension drags when the trailer is loaded down.

I'd suggest an equalizing hitch---they use spring bars on the hitch to transfer trailer tongue weight to front wheel of tow vehicle. Some years ago, a salesman made the rounds of car dealers towing a trailer with the rear wheels of his Dodge Caravan removed--the Equalizer transferring the weight to the front wheels. Pretty effective demo.

dieselmania · #7 05-09-2020, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christuna

In europe pulling a camper with a car is very common. I don't know why most people in the us think that to pull a trailer you need a truck.

It's because they have to have trailers as big as houses and they want to be able to tow them at 75 MPH. It's the American Way.

tdoublenastywitit · #8 05-10-2020, 12:10 PM

I don't think the engine would have much a problem. It's just the weight on the brakes and the suspension

dieselmania · #9 05-10-2020, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdoublenastywitit

I don't think the engine would have much a problem. It's just the weight on the brakes and the suspension

The way they get around this in other countries is to lighten the tongue weight. In the US we go with 10-15% tongue weight whereas in Europe it is more like 3-7%. However when you lighten the tongue weight you have to pay the price by lowering the speed. I think Americans would have a hard time understanding that and we would see more flipped trailers, thus the US recommends the heavier tongue weight to reduce sway at higher speeds, at the cost of a heavier duty tow vehicle. As far as brakes, the trailer has it's own brakes.

Usaguy · #10 05-11-2020, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselmania

It's because they have to have trailers as big as houses and they want to be able to tow them at 75 MPH. It's the American Way.

true

most euro campers are way smaller and don't go over 55 mph

pawoSD · #11 05-11-2020, 01:34 AM

Thats a huge trailer to pull with an SDL, probably easily 3,500+ lbs

Looks like they did something to the rear suspension to keep it up, or have an equalizer hitch on there.

With 147hp they're probably not going to break any speed records anyways with that behind it....I bet reaching 50mph would be quite a struggle, and 3rd gear is probably the end of the line.

I pulled ~1,150lbs behind a 300SD before and it was quite noticeable.

If I pull 1,000+ behind my Metris I can barely even tell its there.

Rogviler · #12 05-11-2020, 05:27 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6HOXghLG94

SD Blue · #13 05-11-2020, 04:43 PM

There are a whole host of factors that come into play when towing a trailer safely. Enough power is very low on the list. Any 4 cylinder vehicle has "enough" power. However, safety is the main concern. A former friend of mine towed a boat trailer with a vehicle not rated for it and she was taken to the cleaners by lawyers, following an accident. IIRC, someone on this forum suffered major damage to a vehicle when he lost control of a trailer he was towing.

You might get away with a one-time, short-distance tow but the risk magnifies greatly each time. I've done a lot of trailer towing in my life, from small utility trailers, boats, and up to large fifth wheels and goosenecks. All you need is a tread separation, or road obstacle, and things can get dangerous in an instant.

pawoSD · #14 05-11-2020, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogviler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6HOXghLG94

That better be one light trailer or getting much over 40mph would be quite a struggle in that vehicle.

t walgamuth · #15 05-12-2020, 08:00 AM

The biggest limitation is getting a proper hitch that attaches to frame members. Brakes on the trailer are mandatory too over 1500 pounds. 3000 limit recommended by the factory with the braked trailer.