Is it OK for me to pull my '80 300SD automatic transmission with the 2 front wheels up on a dolly and the 2 rear wheels on the road? I've heard yes and no. Even a dealer wasn't sure. Someone said to tow it backwards with the 2 front wheels on the road and the 2 rear wheels up on my dolly. I'd like to hear some suggestions from the group. Ah yes, Arizona in the winter!

Bert - NH

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1979 300SD 83k miles Astro Silver Metallic/Black leather #3447
1990 350SDL 202k miles (3L engine from an 87 300D)Black/Grey leather
2006 Pleasure-Way Class B MoHo (Sprinter chassis) 134k miles
2005 E320CDI 270k (car is sooo fast - I can't believe it's a diesel!!!)

rear wheels on the dolly, steer tires on the ground.

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TXBill



Former owner of a few diesel MB cars
1998 Lexus ES 300 In Chicago We Trust

Same as Diesel4me
Rear wheels off the ground!!

that all depends on wether you want to replace the tranny or not...
I would keep the drive wheels off the ground...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Hey VSTECH - I know you're a slow learner, but I'd rather not replace the tranny!

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1979 300SD 83k miles Astro Silver Metallic/Black leather #3447
1990 350SDL 202k miles (3L engine from an 87 300D)Black/Grey leather
2006 Pleasure-Way Class B MoHo (Sprinter chassis) 134k miles
2005 E320CDI 270k (car is sooo fast - I can't believe it's a diesel!!!)

rear on the dolly, lock the steering wheel and tie the steering wheel with a rope. I've towed a half dozen cars this way. works great.

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Best off 4-up on/in a trailer. Towing is allowed 4-down for up to 120miles under 30mph according to my manual.

A friend of mine tows his 240D 4-down with a driveshaft disconnect, REMCO sells them www.remcotowing.com and a driveshaft shop can install it.

Personally, I've towed cars behind my BlueBirds through 39 states and Mexico, a dolly would be my last choice. If you want the convenience of no trailer, skip the complexity, risks, and weight of the dolly and get a driveshaft disconnect and decent towbar. Towing backwards doesn't work well with the alignment, will wear the front tires out faster. If you want the protection of wheels up, I like a nice enclosed trailer to keep other toys in, ... or you can go with an open trailer. I've towed both with an enclosed trailer and 4-down and they both have their advantages, depending on what you tow with and what you're towing.

- Jeff
190DT and projects

All wheels off the ground is best. Driveshaft disconnect is 2nd best. You'll wish you had the full trailer when you find yourself under the car disconnecting or reconnection the driveshaft during bad weather.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

The problem with the rear wheels down is you are not pumping transmission fluid while the rear wheels are turning the transmission gearing through the drive shaft. After a while you will burn up the gears. If you get stuck having to use the rear wheel down towing you might want to consider stopping every once in a while and starting up the towed vehicle to circulate some fluid.

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http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...aman/Fleet.jpg

Peach Parts W124.128 User Group.

80 280SL
85 300SD
87 300TD
92 300D 2.5 Turbo
92 300TE 4Matic

Or tow with the car idling.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Well here's the story. I did start on my trip to AZ towing my W116 backwards, with the rear wheels on the tow dolly and the front wheels down on the road. I got 40 miles and turned around. What a mess!. Its almost impossible to get the front wheels locked by the steering column in a straight alignment. Hit 60 MPH and the thing starts starts to wander all over. Very stressful and dangerous. I tried several times to unlock the steering column and readjust the wheel, but the locks on the steering column are only every 70 degrees or so - not small enough that you can try to correct it. I know someone will mention having the steering wheel tied so it would not spin if the column lock broke - I did. I used the seatbelt and it worked fine. Actually adjusting the position of the seat allowed me to tighten the belt nicely around the steering wheel.
Anyway, I think the moral of the story is only tow in this manner if for short distances and at non-highway speeds. Off to Yuma (I hope!).

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1979 300SD 83k miles Astro Silver Metallic/Black leather #3447
1990 350SDL 202k miles (3L engine from an 87 300D)Black/Grey leather
2006 Pleasure-Way Class B MoHo (Sprinter chassis) 134k miles
2005 E320CDI 270k (car is sooo fast - I can't believe it's a diesel!!!)

down the road here in Lee NH i own 3 16 foot dual axle trailers wanna buy one?

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

The driveshaft disconnects are splined assemblies that you operate from inside the car via a cable.

- Jeff
'87 190Dt
'87 300Dt

No keep the rear wheels off the ground or you will blow the trans. Towing with all four wheels off the ground is best.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200