300td Wagon Payload Size?
 

I'm currently driving an '85 300dt and love the car... I've been contemplating replacing a second car with a 300t wagon (either turbo or non). I'm wondering how large the storage area is with the seats folded down. For example, does a 4x8 sheet of plywood fit inside the car?

-John

Funny you ask. I use mine for every conceivable thing.

I put a piece of plywood in the other day that was cut to 44x80.25 inches (to extend my table). Fit pretty easy side to side. Came up to the headrest but the tailgate closed fine.

The next night I'm hauling seven people around.

Don

I once moved around 1000 pounds of ceramic tiles in my wagon - TWICE! fortunately it was less than ten miles and I took it real slow, but the self-levelling system worked out fine. Braking was another story!
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 104041
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 289560
1983 300D 237490
1985 300TD 206150

Payload should be indicated by the vehicle data card. It is located on the driver's side exterior section of the B-pillar.

I believe the maximum payload is 1050 lbs unloaded for the wagons. At least that's the payload on an '87.

It must be some of that condensed 4X8 plywood
 

The length of the TD load area with the rear seat down and the rear seat folded forward is 70.2 inches and at max, an additional 6"- 8"if you remove the rear seat bases and scoot the front seats forward.

Width is 37.8 between the wheel wells. Above the wells is approximately 58.5 inches of width.

Last time I checked, a 4X8 piece of plywood was 48" by 96".

I'd carry it on the roof rack.

R Leo:

I gained a bit by having it rest on the rear of the headrest and run diagonally down to the tailgate. 80.25" fit that way. Wouldn't have wanted to stop real fast however as I value my head.

The good point here is that the wagons are quite flexible.

Don

It is posted on the fuel tank flap

I am currently in the business of adding on to our house. I have carried eight bags of pre-mix concrete and eight 12" block, many different loads of lumber on the thule gutter mounted roof rack and then cleaned it up for a night out. I think that they are amazing machines.

The wagon is also my daily driver. Approx. 80 miles a day and it hasn't missed a beat except for a failed water pump. I search the forum on a regular basis and that has helped me keep it running smooth.

This is my second wagon (first one totaled) and recommend them highly.

Boy, you guys REALLY use your wagons! Get a Chevy ext cab full ton dually 4x4 next time!

Geez, you guys know you are driving Benz's, right?:p

The design should incorporate maximum innovation while respecting the tradition of th
 

Is that why Benz designed an upside-down "Y" into the hood "star"

(where do you get those oneliners anyhow, out of a Stuttgart booklet on marketing to Amerikaners?)

Dieseldiehard
1971 220 4-spd manual 104646
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 290820
1983 300D 238890
1985 300TD 207980
:D

Re: The design should incorporate maximum innovation while respecting the tradition of th
 

Yes.:D

Well, actually that was Mercedes' claimed philosophy that Bruno Sacco developed for the design premise for the '80s and '90s.

I borrowed the quotes from mbusa.com!;)

Or, better yet, get a truck! ;)

I wanted a wagon, although my main reason was the ability to haul 2 extra people...it'd be nice if I could afford a Sprinter :)

*flame suit on* I know that at least 2 people (possibly 3) are gonna flame me for this one! :D

Both a friend and my brother have F-250 Powerstroke Diesels. Upon borrowing them from time to time, I still prefer to drive my wagon.

So, while its not quite as ultiltarian as a truck, it is overall better in my mind for these reasons:

25 mpg
seats 7
car feel with the added diesel vibration
flexible for hauling junk

Don

Right now I have a beater pickup (Mr. Toad) for carrying 'nasty stuff' but, since Marlene has a hitch, I'm planning on selling the truck and buying a two-wheeled trailer capable of carrying 4x8 sheets.

I have a full carpet set that is just itching to be installed in her too; I imagine that will curb my willingness to throw 'crap' in the back w/o thinking about it first.

Since I bought her, Marlene has become our 'throw-everything-plus-the-dogs-in-the-back-and-haul-ass-cross-country" vehicle.

Take a look:

300 TD service van?
 

I have a 83 300 TD and I use it for my heating, a/c and refrig service buisness.
I have it full of tool boxes and parts. 100% better then my old Chevy truck I had!
I get some strange looks sometimes, seeing a Mecedes with a ladder rack! :eek:

Now I haven't tried this but according to a MB sales brochure, you can fully recline the front passenger seatback, to where it's nearly lying flat. First you move the seat fully foward, then recline it back. This way you can flat area from the dash, all the way back to the tailgate. Of course this turns your 5-7 passenger car into a single seater, but the option/ability is there.

If you do it that way and keep two-thirds of the second row seat up, you can seat a passenger who helps you load amazingly-long stuff (inside the car with the tailgate closed). It's a funky little wagon that hauls kids around all week and bricks and boards on the weekend. The fun part is when you put 1,000 pounds in the back without issue.

I have a utility tub in the back cargo area of my TD that is very handy for putting anything in that might leak or is in any way nasty. Slides easily if needed. Great for groceries too. Home Depot or Lowes has these tubs for a good price.

I'm 6'4" and can lay diagonally across the cargo area with the back seat down and the tailgate closed. Next long trip solo, I'm going to put a sleeping bag and matress back there and just camp in the thing.

What a great utility car. Why would anyone buy an SUV?

That's exactly what Thing One did last September in "Passion Flower" (ex Horse With No Name) on his way to Virginia and Nuevo York!!

He just had to share the space with all his worldly posessions.

According to the 1985 Turbo Diesel Brochure
 

the wagon is advertised as having 109 cubic feet.

I got my '85 "Upside Down Y" wagon back from wheel alignment today, boy what a difference! the car tracks perfectly now.
I am planning a trip from the West coast to Texas this winter, I have a car carrier that I strap onto the horizontal cross members on the roof. These were not available on the pre- 1982 wagons. Of course one can always get a Thule storage unit for the car top, and "travel in style!" but mine is an old surplus item with folding handles on it (it probably cost Uncle Sam a few bucks!)

I just love these wagons! And a turbo engione just makes it a bunch more fun (up hills especially)
Hey ! Please don't expect me to stop along the way to check in here to read the thread, I plan to snooze at first rate motels, no roadside rest stops for me!
Reminds me of a good friend that used to sleep at roadside stops, with his 22 caliber along side him, he almost had to use it once on some crazy person!
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 4-spd manual 104646
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 290820
1983 300D 238890
1985 300TD 207980
1976 300D not delivered yet - a $100 car (what will it be like to buy a car with no keys and basically sight unseen?)

has anyone camped in the back of their wagon?
 

I would prefer to sleep in my wagon when the cross the country early next year. but my only concern is the fact that anyone can look in and see you there asleep. i was wondering if anyone has figured an easy way to rig a curtain system or something of that nature.

I take a black sheet cut to fit and a roll of electrical tape. I found if electrical tape is not left for more than a week it won't leave any resadue on the car's surfaces.

I sleep in the back if I'm bored over my lunch break at work, during bad storms, and long trips when I don't have much luggage that's not on the roof rack.