I'd like a recommendation on trailer pulling with an '85 300D. I'm looking at pulling an old tent trailer that I'm refitting to haul some tools and equipment. I expect it will weigh something over 1500# when loaded and am wondering if the Turbo diesel and the automatic transmission are up to pulling that kind of load.

It should be fine. You might consider adding an air tranny cooler inline with the water cooler just to be safe.

Be sure to get a proper hitch that bolts to the bumper mounts (the body's frame), not one that just bolts to the bumper and spare tire tub.

I've checked out the underside of the trunk (installed new shocks recently) and am looking into a receiver that will fit to the frame. Is the cooler you refer to similar to a radiator style that mounts in tandem with the engine's radiator? Anyone have recommendations on a particular unit?

I'm excited to get the old Benz back on the road. It will replace the tired and leaky '90 Suburban. The 6.2 still runs like a champ but it's got terminal cancer. We've battled it for years and I'm finally going the do not resuscitate route. I'm tired of the "driving a B-29 bomber" experience.

Any Auto parts carries tranny coolers(universal).

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

Jegs or Summit racing parts will have a selection, check in front of radiator to see how much room you have.

I've had one of those for years and have never had a problem....its pretty darn sturdy.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Depends on what you want to tow! I certainly wouldn't tow to the rated capacity of the vehicle without a frame mounted hitch. Also depends on how far you want to go... I would want to drive my utility trailer at least 12 hours one way to pick up engines, etc, and I'd also like to pull a pop-up, which will obviously be pulled for quite some distance.

__________________
John Robbins
'05 E320 CDI - 240k
'87 300TD - 318k

ForcedInduction, have you ever installed a air tranny cooler? Im looking for some advice on plumbing one into my 240D. Not trying to hijack the thread here.

__________________
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m...73378_30-1.jpg

I have an air tranny cooler- it is off a ford exploder. if you are keeping the stock cooler as well, plumb in the air unit from the drivers side of the radiator, as that is the flow back to the transmission.

I installed mine because of leaks, and it is the only cooler I run.

on the hitch- I have posted many times on this issue, so a search w/ my name may be helpful. I have towed heavy, (beyond rated capacity- Shhh...) and not had any issues. I routinely roll with close to 1K IN my car, and while it does slow it down, I make sure that my brakes and mechanicals are in top shape.

the curt TD hitch fits right on a sedan, but the muffler tailpipe needs to be modded.

Well, that's true I suppose, I don't use it for every-day heavy duty hauling....I never pull more than 1000-1400lbs or so (just an 8x6 utility trailer). We brought home a full 617 on that trailer with the hitch that clamps to the bumper shocks and underside of the bumper (on my dad's car).....worked fine.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

No problemo. It'll do it fine.

I towed a U-Haul enclosed single axle GW #1,500+ with my 300SD halfway across the country. I took it easy on accelleration, and stuck to 55 mph.

__________________
'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert