Trailer Hitch advice - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mark in NJ · #1 12-19-2006, 11:38 AM

I have a 1983 300cd and a 1500lb sailboat.
With sailboat and trailer, I would estimate about a 2000lb load, and about a 75-100 lb toung weight.

The car is no speed demon, and the turbo doesn't really seem to do anything anymore.

Question #1 do you think I will be ok to tow this?
Question #2 what brand / model hitch should I get, and were does it attach.

P.S. my rear bumper is pushed in a little on one side, not overly noticable, but may be an issue in mounting a hitch, depending on how it mounts.

Thanks, Mark

kerry · #2 12-19-2006, 12:11 PM

You're within the towing limits of the MB so you should be ok. However, I think brakes are recommended about 1500lbs. Does your trailer have brakes? Some people use bumper hitches but I believe there is a receiver hitch that bolts to the bumper and back under the trunk somewhere. They are not cheap. The prices I have seen are around $350. If you search on 'hitch' here you will see a number of threads on the topic.
All that being said, I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be towing that much weight with the Benz. I towed my Macregor back from Oregon with my 74 Olds Custom Cruiser which I think is quite a bit heavier than the Benz and I was glad I had a heavy car. The trailer didn't have brakes and is probably around 2500-2800lbs total. I'd probably tow the boat from the lake to the house but I don't think I'd head across country with that load behind the MB.

OMEGAMAN · #3 12-19-2006, 12:31 PM

Somewhere here I have posted some pics of the hitch I made from an old bent hitch I found. It was cheap and easy to make. It's a reciever type as well.

pawoSD · #4 12-19-2006, 12:55 PM

I nabbed one of those receiver hitches on ebay half a year ago for about $154, it was a major bidding war.

Pic:

Towing 2000lbs or less I would think you'd be fine. Not sure on the braking issue....I would bet MB stock brakes can handle the 2000, they may just get a little warmer.

riethoven · #5 12-19-2006, 01:02 PM

I am not sure how the hitches mount for the US cars, but the Euro hitches mount into the holes in the frame that the US cars use to mount the bumper shock absorbers in. The Euro hitch has a capacity of 1900Kg. That is 4,180 Lbs. The max. tongue weight is 75Kg or 165 Lbs.

You can find these hitches used on eBay Germany or Dutch Marktplaats. From Holland you can get them shipped for about $60. PM me if you want more info.

I will attach the install instructions for the hitch. It also has the specifications. Sorry, but it is in German.

http://www.westfalia-automotive.de/pdf/mercedes-313/a313040-041%20=%20040A+B.pdf

riethoven · #6 12-19-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I nabbed one of those receiver hitches on ebay half a year ago for about $154, it was a major bidding war.

Pic:

Towing 2000lbs or less I would think you'd be fine. Not sure on the braking issue....I would bet MB stock brakes can handle the 2000, they may just get a little warmer.

You were very lucky to find that. They are as rare as hen's teeth.

winmutt · #7 12-19-2006, 01:33 PM

You may want to consider upgrading to SD brake rotors and calipers. Vented weill help with overheating.

justinperkins · #8 12-19-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I nabbed one of those receiver hitches on ebay half a year ago for about $154, it was a major bidding war.

Towing 2000lbs or less I would think you'd be fine. Not sure on the braking issue....I would bet MB stock brakes can handle the 2000, they may just get a little warmer.

How does that bolt up underneath? Is it just a crossbar with 4 bolts on each side and the hitch in the center or did you bolt up some additional support bars that go towards the center of the vehicle?

I have a receiver hitch I scored off an 87 300TD at the junkyard, just need to bolt it up on mine.

Mark in NJ · #9 12-19-2006, 03:20 PM

Thanks for the diagram on the european hitch, can I use my US bumper with it? It looks nice. Can you get me one?

On hitchweb.com I saw this.
http://www.hitch-web.com/proDescrip.asp?ProductCode=1650&OID=8
looks like a bumper hitch.

Mark

Mark in NJ · #10 12-19-2006, 03:32 PM

What do ya'll think of these:

Says there are 10 available of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&category=33653&sspagename=STORE%3APROMOBOX%3ANEWLIST&viewitem=&item=220052988552

I think there are others too.

Mark

riethoven · #11 12-19-2006, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in NJ

What do ya'll think of these:

Says there are 10 available of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=012&category=33653&sspagename=STORE%3APROMOBOX%3ANEWLIST&viewitem=&item=220052988552

I think there are others too.

Mark

That D'alan one is really light duty, and the other one is medium duty, but it will bolt right up to your car. You just have to buy the shank and ball. The Euro hitches require the removal of the bumper shocks. and the fabrication of brackets to hold the US bumper.

I have a Euro hitch and Euro bumper coming from Holland and will go for the complete conversion. I think the Euro bumpers look so much better than the big bulky US bumpers. If you look at the install diagram there are two struts on each side that bolt through the frame member to stiffen it up, which is why the capacity on the Euro hitches is so high. However, for simplicity's sake, you are probably best off with the Class I hitch on eBay.

mike0000 · #12 12-19-2006, 03:40 PM

Mark I would go with the E-bay one you posted a link too. I have the type that mounts to the bottom of the bumper and then you drill through the spare tire compartment and add two bolts there. I nearly lost my bumper with the one I installed, The bumpers shock absorber seperated on one side while pulling a small trailer. I ended up bolting through the bumper to pull it back together and is ok now.

Mike

Tymbrymi · #13 12-19-2006, 04:09 PM

RE Question #1:

Yes! 1500lbs is borderline for needing trailer brakes (necessary >750kg) according to the MB trailer rating.

I posted on this a while back and got two basic types of responses.

You are an idiot, there is no way a mercedes can tow that much. Buy a truck.
Be smart about it and it is probably possible. Here are things to look out for...

I never ended up doing any of that or taking the trip, so I can't offer you any firsthand advice. I think there were some especially good replies in there though (especially rwthomas!) that would be pretty helpful for you.

I would "get your turbo working" since its probably just a cracked/clogged line going from your intake manifold to the ALDA on top of your injection pump. Certainly isn't going to hurt.

Good luck!!

Mark in NJ · #14 12-19-2006, 04:12 PM

The ebay one seems easy to install, I'll have to go look under my "rear end" ha ha, and see if there are threadded holes there or, see what I will be bolting the ebay one to. I hope it is strong enough.

Just for curiosity, how much was the one form Holland costing?

email or pm if you want

mmarussich@yahoo dot com

Mark

WD8CDH · #15 12-19-2006, 04:37 PM

Does anybody have any idea if the hitch from a 123 Wagon will fit a sedan?

I saw one in the junk yard but it might take some digging to see the under side.