hey Y'all

I'm really wanting to get a kayak this spring. Probably something in the 11' range. Maybe around 75# or so fully rigged.

Big question looming large is how to move it with the '92 (w124)
anyone with experience can give me some advice?


Those big foam block for caring boats right on the roof with straps?
aftermarket roof racks? which ones?
tow hitch and Little Kayak trailer?

Thanks

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Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

Sounds like a great reason to add a wagon to your fleet...

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

I would go with a Yakima or Thule rack specific for your car. You do not want the liability of losing a boat on the highway from a less that secure strapping system.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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1985 Euro 300TD Turbo

I used to haul my 15 foot coleman canoe with my gold car everywhere.

If you'll excuse the 10+ year old cell phone quality picture, this is it on the car when I lived in NY. I moved the canoe from NY to PA and then to TN using this foam blocks and strap method.

Never had any issues, even at 80+ on the interstate. It does make the car taller and thus the wind catches it worse, but that's to be expected.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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1982 300D (w123, "Grey Car")
1982 300D (w123, "Blue Car")
2001 Ford F150 "Clifford" (The Big Red Truck)
1997 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
1996 Dodge Ram 2500 12V Cummins
Previous Vehicles:
1995 E300D, 1980 300SD, 1992 Buick Century, 2005 Saturn Ion

My 84 & 85 have roof gutters, so I could probably use the old racks I used to haul my 16' canoe on my 69 Dart. But, since then, I have hauled the canoe on my 96 minivan (smooth roof) using 4 foam blocks on the gunwales so it sits direct on the roof, w/ V-ropes front and rear (just like post 4). If really worried, you could add a cross rope thru the front windows, but would then have to squeeze in the door.

I suspect some young guys drive around w/ a kayak on their Jeep just to look adventurous to attract babes, and never put it in the water. Jeep might sell those as accessories. But, a kayak on a M-B diesel means keeping it real.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

Thanks for the replies. I'm still weighing the options.
At this point I'm leaning towards a trailer hitch set up. More versatile and easier to handle the boats on and off and more secure.

__________________
Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

Once you have a hitch, you will wonder how you lived without one

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Any advice on which one/where to get one??

__________________
Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

Been hauling kayaks and canoes for years on 123's using Yakima or Thule gutter mount racks.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13