On monday I plan on hooking the 300D up to a Penske truck using a tow dolly.
The trip will be from San Jose, CA to Bloomington IN, about 2000 miles. The only thing stipulated in the instructions for the dolly is to disconnect the driveshaft so the rear wheels can rotate freely(front wheels on the dolly). Im also gonna put a car cover on the car and secure it with bungee cords and twine. Can anyone think of somthing else I need to do?

On old American cars it is very easy to unhook the driveshaft....
but I would sure check and see if maybe it would be ok to put the rear wheels on the dolly for your trip. Does your dolly have the steerable wheels on it ? Do you have a Chassis Factory Shop manual for your car ? Where it tells the precautions to take when taking the driveshaft apart ?

Unless you can get the car cover to remain tight without fluttering or flapping, you would be better off to not use a cover at all. Any amount of flutter will damage the paint in that long a drive.

cheers,
Wes

I dont think i can put the rears up on the dolly, the dolly's wheels are fixed but the part the that holds the benz' wheels looks like it can swivel a little. If i did put the rears up, id have to tie the steering wheel securely in place and hope it dosnt budge. The only manuals i have are the Haynes manual and the skinnerbox.steaky.org one. I have yet to consult my haynes manual...as far as the cover goes, ill try it with it on and if its flapping too much ill just pull it off.

Have you ever undone the driveshaft on a 123 car ?

Not yet...
Hopefully it goes smoothly.

Have you considered using one of those lightweight car haulers like U-Haul rents.... gets all four wheels off the ground.....

What Greg said...if it's feasible to rent a full-size car hauler, it'd really be best...

Just my $.02 Good luck with the move, and sorry I couldn't get there to say 'bye...it's a long story...

__________________
2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

A few months ago I went to pick up a 300SD parts car. I used my wife's Ford Expedition and planned to use a tow dolly. At the last minute I opted for the trailer with the "tounge brakes". It worked great. Even though the car was for parts only I didn't want to chance a rear wheel lock up. Don't tow the car backward as there will be too much weight on the ground. If you must use the dolly, tow it with the fronts on the dolly and disconnect the drive shaft. I would take the simple routs and get all four off the ground.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Do yourself a favor, spend the extra $50 or so, and get a car hauling trailer with surge brakes. It is so much safer and better for the car. Don't screw around with some cheesy dolly. Get a trailer and do it right.

SteveM.

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'93 190E/D 2.5 Turbodiesel 5-speed (daily driver)
'87 190D 2.5 Turbo rustbucket - parts car
'84 Dodge Rampage diesel - Land Speed Record Holder
'13 Ram 2500 Diesel
'05 Toyota 4Runner

AS suggested above, don't use a cover. The slightest movement of the cloth cover will wear on the paint.

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

Ive decided to heed everyone's advice and forgo both the dolly and car cover. First thing in the morning we'll exchange the dolly for the trailer, then head east. After making some calls it seems its a $140 difference!! but in my mind it will be well worth it. Thanks for all your suggestions!!

If you calculate that per mile on a 2000 mile haul.... really a good investment.