Class II Trailer Hitch Needed - 300E

[Phalcon51]

I'm looking for a bolt-on Class II receiver/hitch for my '86 300E and not having much luck. The only thing I've found so far is one from Hidden Hitch made for a 99-2001 E-Class. Does anyone know if this might fit my car? (I've asked them to send me the dimensions, but it won't arrive for a few days)

Otherwise it seems the only other alternative is to have a hitch permanently welded to the chassis, which I'm not real keen on.

I've already tried Putnam, Reese/Drawtite, Hidden Hitch and Da'Lan, with no luck.

Anyone have any knowledge of a Class II hitch that will fit my car?

Did Mercedes ever offer one? (My local dealer pleads complete ignorance on anything related to towing)

Any help would be greatly appreciated. We're trying to get ready for a vacation in early August.

Thanks,

Gary

[Ashman]

have you tried eckhart(SP?) or is it echart?

I have always had them install hitches on my trucks if they didn't have one, might be wortha shot.

Alon

[Jim Anderson]

I had a reciever type hitch mounted (welded) to my 190e. They cut a same size hole in the cladding below the bumper which doesn't look bad. Now if I can only find a Mercedes hitch cover

[Dan]

I mounted a DaLan 11/4" receiver type on my 89 300CE and have had good experience with it for 2 years towing a sailboat /trailer of ~ 2,000 lb.. While it is a Type 1 hitch, it is rated slightly beyond with a gross weight of 2500 lb and a tongue weight of 200 lb. It attaches with 6-7/16" bolts and backing plates to the unibody channels along the sides of the trunk. It strikes me as reasonably sturdy compared to some other passenger car hitches I've seen. For more info, see http://www.hitch-web.com.

As to a Class 2, there simply may not be enough strength and rigidity in the body structure there to take a 3500 lb load. That's probably why you cannot find one. I think it's pretty rare to get a Class 3 for a passenger car, unless it's a Crown Vic or something that size and construction.

Good luck...Dan