Towing a 300SD.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vwbuge · #1 03-11-2004, 05:07 PM

Quick questions on towing. Planning on using a tow dolly.
1) Do I tow this with the rears on the ground?
2) Is it safe in nuetral with a bad tranny?

I talked to the guy and he said when the tranny went there was nothing there. He puts it in any gear and the car just wants to roll. BUT, should I take the chance pulling this thing at 60 mph down the highway and the thing jumping into gear?

I just went through a major operation so it would be tough for me to get under and disconnect the driveshaft.

Is it safe to take the chance?
Is it safe to tow with fronts on the ground? Just lock the steering if so?

Wasuchi · #2 03-11-2004, 05:25 PM

I would just tow with the fronts on the ground. Make sure they are straight and lock the wheel and you should be ok as long as the bearings are ok and the brakes are free. Otherwise I would disconnect the driveshaft to tow on the rears but it sounds like that's out of the question.

rwthomas1 · #3 03-11-2004, 10:39 PM

Depends on how far you are going.... If more than a 1/2hr or so I would be concerned about the tailshaft bushing in the tranny heating up with no lube pumping around in the slushbox. Then again if the tranny is cooked and you are going to swap it anyway, who cares? Tow away with it in neutral, its already broke. RT

vwbuge · #4 03-11-2004, 11:47 PM

I am just worried about some freak thing happening causing the tranny to lock up. I know, I know it is already broke but things happen. I think I just might tow it backward with the steering wheel locked.

PhilK · #5 03-12-2004, 08:09 AM

I don't know, I heard the owner of that car you are buying is a real nut-job

R Leo · #6 03-12-2004, 08:49 AM

I would be very concerned about towing it any distance backwards with the fronts on the ground. Doing this, it is possible that you may experience accelerated wear on the inside edges of the front wheels because the steering toe-in and caster angle is really designed for the car to be moving facing forward and level.

A blowout of one of the front tires would be well, scary.

I seriously doubt if the tranny would 'drop into gear' just because it was facing forwards and being pulled. But failure of an unlubed tailshaft bearing could be problematic too.

If you are unable to pull the driveshaft out, your best course of action would be to pull facing forwards, in neutral and keep your speed down.

vwbuge · #7 03-12-2004, 09:26 AM

Hi Phil, took me a minute there to figure it out. I see you have other Benz's in your stable.

jim16671836 · #8 03-12-2004, 09:48 AM

If you are only going a few hundred miles then tow it backwards..You will not hurt the tires...you might want to make sure your spare is good to go and your jack is also...I have towed hundreds of cars(30 MB's) and used all kinds of methods and for me I like a 4 wheel trailor with winch and all wheel brakes with an adjuster in my cab.....Adjust your speed to your methods and condition and quality of your ties...Both on the tow vehicle, the trailor, and towed vehicle....It sounds like you are going a short distance...Jim

vwbuge · #9 03-12-2004, 10:20 AM

<200 miles one way.

Fisherman · #10 03-12-2004, 12:24 PM

It takes a larger tow vehicle but then the costs for a uhaul are pretty cheap compared to all teh things that could happen.

if towing with the rears down there are a lot of folks pulling tow vehicles behind their motorhomes that just stop every few hundred miles adn run the car in neutral to lube everything. Since the tranny is gone though I have no idea if this would help or not.

For my money it's four up just to be safe...

TimFreeh · #11 03-12-2004, 01:05 PM

If you have to use a dolly I would not tow it with the rear wheels of the car on the dolly. You will not have enough tongue weight for since most of the load of the towed vehicle will be on the front wheels. Tire wear will be the least of your concerns...

I have around 50K miles of experience trailering cars with a car trailer and believe me you don't want most of the weight of the tow to be located at the extreme end of the load. This activity is not a good one for "trail and error" - things can get expensive and dangerous very quickly if you make a bad move with a sub-optimal trailering setup.

If you are going to use any vehicle that is smaller or lighter than the towed vehicle I would NOT use a car dolly.

Be careful - lots of things can happen in 200 miles.

Hatterasguy · #12 03-12-2004, 02:24 PM

How much would it be to rent a flat bed? For 200 miles I think it would be worth it.

Jetmugg · #13 03-12-2004, 02:41 PM

I vote for all 4 wheels on a car trailer. Borrow one or rent one. About $50 per day from Uhaul.

SteveM.

vwbuge · #14 03-12-2004, 03:24 PM

I'll be towing with a Ford Expedition. I have towed a car on a tow dolly before with good experience. It was a very light car (vw bug) and I towed it with the rear on the ground. I also towed it with my Subaru a few hundred miles. I had no major problems. I know this car weighs near the amount of the Expy. I have heard arguements both ways. Don't know what I'll do. I think all four off the ground plus the weight of the trailer will be too much.

TimFreeh · #15 03-12-2004, 06:27 PM

If you can rent a proper car trailer from u-haul for $50 you would be insane not to do it. You have plenty of truck, car + trailer would be maybe 5-6 thousand pounds. That should be well within the capabilities of a Ford Expedition.

If you use a car dolly what you won't have is plenty of brakes. I don't think there is ANY provisions for brakes on a dolly setup.

With the trailer you can load the car with the engine/trans forward to ensure proper tongue weight.

My .02

Tim