Towing an 87 300e - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Rcktsled · #1 07-01-2010, 04:33 PM

Is it safe to tow a 1987 300e with a front wheel dolly (front wheels off the ground, rear wheels on the road, auto trans in neutral)? Will I damage the trans or do I need to disconnect the driveshaft? Thanks

babymog · #2 07-01-2010, 06:26 PM

You can tow it a short distance at a limited speed, check your owner's manual.

Beyond that, remove the driveshaft.

tbomachines · #3 07-01-2010, 08:53 PM

I wouldn't tow it more than a mile or two with the driveshaft attached.

mbzman · #4 07-01-2010, 10:17 PM

I wouldn't take the risk of towing with the drive wheels on the ground. Use dollies or flatbed tow.

babymog · #5 07-01-2010, 10:22 PM

The car IS designed to tow in neutral, has a rear pump, and recommendations are in the owner's manual. IIRC it is something like a max. of 30 miles / 30mph or something like that.

mbzman · #6 07-01-2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

The car IS designed to tow in neutral, has a rear pump, and recommendations are in the owner's manual. IIRC it is something like a max. of 30 miles / 30mph or something like that.

Unfortunately many people fail to head to these guidelines and end up destroying a perfectly good transmission instead of spending a bit more time and effort in doing it properly. It might be okay but I personally wouldn't take the chance.

ps2cho · #7 07-01-2010, 11:51 PM

What about leaving the engine running? Just curious...

Rahulio1989300E · #8 07-01-2010, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

What about leaving the engine running? Just curious...

Could work... I think the point here is that the engine fan is now cooling the trans fluid as it passes through that portion of the radiator, thus stopping the trans from overheating?

Rcktsled · #9 07-02-2010, 08:16 AM

Thanks for the help. I don't own the car yet so I can't check the manual. It would be my first benz.

babymog · #10 07-02-2010, 09:13 AM

Leaving the engine idling in neutral will circulate fluid/lubricant through the transmission, and in theory it will be okay to tow at any safe/legal speed and distance. My brother used to tow his vehicle behind his motorcoach that way for short distances to save disconnecting the driveshaft each time.

pawoSD · #11 07-02-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

The car IS designed to tow in neutral, has a rear pump, and recommendations are in the owner's manual. IIRC it is something like a max. of 30 miles / 30mph or something like that.

except that the pump is not engaged with the trans in neutral if I recall correctly.

pawoSD · #12 07-02-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Leaving the engine idling in neutral will circulate fluid/lubricant through the transmission, and in theory it will be okay to tow at any safe/legal speed and distance. My brother used to tow his vehicle behind his motorcoach that way for short distances to save disconnecting the driveshaft each time.

Does your whole family have a history of owning/driving motorcoaches?

babymog · #13 07-02-2010, 04:43 PM

It's a sickness.

The rear pump runs from the tail-shaft, eliminated somewhere in the mid-'90s cars though IIRC.

#14 07-02-2010, 05:30 PM

So many transmissions, both manual and automatic, by tow truck drivers, that the transmission shops should be giving them a kickback. That's what led to so many roll backs replacing the old tow trucks.

The ONLY vehicles I will tow without removing the driveshaft is a four wheel drive with an old fashioned part time transfer case. You can put the transfer case in neutral and tow them wherever you want.

Other than that I wouldn't personally tow a car more than a 1/4 mile.

pawoSD · #15 07-03-2010, 12:31 AM

I've towed my dad's SD when his alternator seized about 9 miles behind my SD with a tow strap before. Only went about 20mph or less though. It survived, but I would not go any farther/faster than that if I could help it.