Hi all,

I've been thinking of doing some road trips and camping as I approach retirement, and thought of buying a used campervan, or truck-camper. That would mean another vehicle to maintain and repair, plus the cost of buying one. I own a 1982 240D automatic (which I store in the winter) and a 92 Volvo wagon which I use mostly when the 240D is up for winter. Both run well and serve a good purpose, and I wouldn't want to get rid of either to accomodate a third vehicle, nor do I relish the thought of licencing, insuring, and maintaining 3 vehicles.

I thought of going the small (popup) trailer route. Since most of my traveling/camping would be in the warm months, I thought it might be good to use my 240D to pull it. I'd have to get a hitch installed, and have been reading threads about what type of hitch is preferred and why. I am not sure how suitable my 240D automatic would be to pulling a small trailer though, from a HP/torque perspective.

Alternatively, I suppose, I could hook up a hitch to my Volvo wagon and use it to do the pulling.

Any thoughts on which vehicle might be best for the task? Both have AC and run well, and both have over 200,000 miles. I suppose I'd have a bit more confidence in the 240D (have owned it longer and know it more), but wouldn't want to overstress it needlessly.

Thanks.

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

In the ' minimizing the load while providing some comfort' department....
check out my group on Teardrop style trailers....
The drawing on the home page is what I visualize as pop up but not canvas top...and you can make these very light if you plan ahead on design.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/teardroptrailers/

In the last three years, I have pulled a wide variety of things with my 300TD...parts cars on tow dollys, utility trailers loaded with 1700lbs of electric ranch cart, etc, etc...and honestly, I don't think a 240 (manual or automatic) would be suitable for towing anything except maybe a small utility trailer to and from your nearby Home Depot.

My turbo wagon does it fairly well but, it is noticeably slower to accelerate, generally adding 10-20 minutes to the 90 mile trip to our farm when pulling the trailer. I can't imagine pulling anything heavy with my manual 240. It is already so slow that I get flipped off by soccer moms in minivans; adding any weight or wind resistance would make it dangerous.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Go with the Volvo. You will be glad you did in the long run.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Hi Leathermang,

I have long thought of a teardrop behind a diesel but I would prefer something standup but still hard sided. How much does a typical teardrop weigh?

Any idea what the "oficial" tow ratings of a 240D, 300D (N/A) and 300 Turbo are?

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Ron Schroeder
'85 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
'83 300 Turbo Diesel 2 tank WVO
Some former WVO vehicles since ~1980:
'83 Mercedes 240D
'80 Audi 4000D
'83 ISUZU Pup
'70 SAAB 99 with Kubota diesel
'76 Honda Civic with Kubota diesel
'86 Golf
Several diesel generators
All with 2 tank WVO conversion
LI NY

Thanks for the input/thoughts.

Sounds like the 240D/auto is not the kind of vehicle to tow anything with. I sort of knew that, but figured I'd ask anyway :-)

Maybe my Volvo wagon could do the trick, pulling a small tent trailer. It's only a 4cyl too, but gasoline so probably a bit more HP than the 240D.

If the Volvo can't do it, I may end up biting the bullet next year and acquire a third vehicle, devoted to road trips and camping (camper van, truck camper). That may mean getting rid of one of my 2 cars, which may be the Benz (I need the Volvo for winter commuting, and refuse to sacrifice my rust-free 240D to the Salt Demons).

Yes, the teardrop trailers are very attractive and practical. More expensive than a standard used tent trailer, I would expect...

Cheers!

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

I have seen something small and light like that on the road. The interior of the trailer is just big enough for two people to sleep. The rear lifts up like the tailgate of a minivan and all your kitchen stuff is inside.

See this link:

http://www.tomswenson.com/teardrop/index.shtml

"Teardrop trailers are ultra-compact camping trailers light enough to be towed by just about any car. They are generally between 4 to 5 feet wide, 8 to 10 feet long and usually weigh between 600 and 1200 pounds. The sleeping area in front is accessed via doors on either side of the trailer. A rear hatch opens up an outdoor kitchen."

Google "small camping trailer" for lots more.

A tent trailer would also work and would have more room, a convenience in rainy weather. Compare weight and price. New tent trailers can be surprisingly expensive.

You might be able to pull something small like that with a 300D Turbo or a 240D/manual but I've heard (no personal experience) that the 240D auto can't get out of its own way. As an owner, rstl99, you are in a better position to judge.

You are correct in not wanting the expense of owning a third (camper) vehicle. Insurance and license fees, plus purchase and maintenance expenses, are far more for a motorized vehicle than for a trailer.

Another option might be a rental. You will have to do the numbers for the length of time you will be using the rig.

Jeremy

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

The european trailer hitch for a 300TD is rated to tow 3300 lbs. with a tongue weight of 165 lbs. The US owners manual doesn't really get into towing.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

You will probably want NA for towing. I'd imagine 600lb in a 240d would be fine, but you will burn the clutch pretty quick and most of the manuals i have seen already have issues....

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

" but I would prefer something standup but still hard sided."

I too prefer hard sided AND hard topped.... That is my sketch of a double telescoping top on the home page of my group.... which would be high enough to shower inside... and pull at not much higher than the level of the trunk lid on my 123....
The weight would depend on what you used to make it...an aluminum frame,tubing and skin could be very very light... conventional spruce/figerglassed plywood would be heavier... much depends on your metal working capabilities...
I would not worry about the ' burning clutch' unless one did not know how to shift or sat with their foot on the clutch pedal....