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#1
12-12-2005, 01:32 PM
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Towing an 85 300D
I am heading for retirement in a couple of years and trying to think my way through things. I have decided on a class A Diesel pusher RV and I want to tow my "old friend" behind for a day trip vehicle. Anybody been there done that ? Tow on two wheels or all four on a trailer ? Any advice would be helpful. I know nothing about towing a 300.
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#2
12-12-2005, 01:55 PM
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All four wheels off the road on a dual axel trailer is preffered . most dual axel trailers would have some sort of brakes be they electrical or surge. Makes for safer towing.
__________________
Proud owner of .... 1971 280SE W108 1979 300SD W116 1983 300D W123 1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper 1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel 1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified) --------------------- Section 609 MVAC Certified --------------------- "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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#3
12-12-2005, 02:00 PM
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If it were me, I'd opt for the trailer. No modifications to the car and no extra wear, electric brakes and lights on the trailer, more peace of mind, drive off and go. Yes a trailer will cost a bit more, but do you really want to be fiddling with tow stuff and worrying about what's happening to the old friend back there. Retirement is supposed to be relaxing, right?
__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue" "Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." listen, look, .........and duck.
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#4
12-12-2005, 02:03 PM
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Quote:
__________________
'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue" "Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." listen, look, .........and duck.
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#5
12-12-2005, 02:08 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Proud owner of .... 1971 280SE W108 1979 300SD W116 1983 300D W123 1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper 1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel 1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified) --------------------- Section 609 MVAC Certified --------------------- "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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#6
12-12-2005, 03:01 PM
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I agree that the trailer with elec brakes is the best way to go. I have towed 240Ds quite a few miles on my dolly but they are manual tranny cars. I've towed 300s "stern first" and wouldnt recomend that
 Get a trailer I use the dolly because I dont have to keep the tabs up, its small and can be kept under cover.
__________________
 1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K 1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild 1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K 1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor 2014 Kubota L3800 tractor 1964 VW bug "Lifes too short to drive a boring car"
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#7
12-12-2005, 04:12 PM
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Without being too technical, can somebody explain the difference between surge and electrical braking systems? Also why cant you tow an automatic trans car with the drive wheels on the ground if its in nutral? I'd google it, but I have a driving time in a few minits... Hope for no more snowballs
 ...Anyways sorry for the hijack, and thanks in advance ~Nate
__________________
95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100. 1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle! 2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)
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#8
12-12-2005, 04:20 PM
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Flat towing a car has the drive shaft spinning, and parts of the transmission...many vehicles do not have a rear mounted pump and you can toast a transmission from lack of lubrication, the bense autos have front and rear moutn pumps (some anyway) but you still have wear and tear of rotating assemblies. Plus having a rather substantial towed load with ZERO braking capacity trying to push the tow vehicle every time you try to slow down or stop, Real dangerous on slick roads or on turns.
__________________
Proud owner of .... 1971 280SE W108 1979 300SD W116 1983 300D W123 1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper 1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel 1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified) --------------------- Section 609 MVAC Certified --------------------- "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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#9
12-12-2005, 04:52 PM
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Right in the manual of my W126 it says to flatbed the car if a tow is needed. I can't imagin the W123 would be much different.
Personaly in matters like these that involve the health of $1,500-$2k trans, I do what MB says.
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200
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#10
12-12-2005, 05:41 PM
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Couple of points, not really MB related.
1. When you get to your destination, you need to have room for the flatbed, and the vehicle that was on it, should you go that route. When you start talking a 30'-40' MH + 16'-18' trailer, real estate is needed. I'm not sure, but would not be a bit surprised if many parks have rules against a flatbed trailer being 'stored' on site. 2. There are systems placed on board towed vehicles to activate the brake system at the same time (and proportion) as the motorhome. 95% of the full time Class A/B motorhomes that I see here in Snowbirdland, have towed vehicles with all four on the ground. The other 4% are FWD up on dollies. 1% are flat-bedded or fully enclosed.
__________________
But what do I know... 1984 300SD 256k
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