Gang -

I would like to add a trailer hitch to my '85 300TD wagon. I know the factory offered one on the earlier wagons (and perhaps other W123s).

Can any of you suggest a junk yard that might have a older wagon with the hitch? And, what was the towing rating on the wagons.

Thanks.

WAGONPILOT

Paul suggested this site once before....

http://www.hitch-web.com/

but you should do a search for ' bumper hitch' ... lots more threads about that stuff...

Well I made one last year for my 83 240d , I do have a welding background, Class I is good for this pulling a small 5 x 8 trailer etc. I will take a picture of this in the future and post when I buy a digital camera. Get the most out the vehicle , I have a hitch on all of our vehicles. Very handy when needed for hauling , dirtbike riding etc. A trailer is cheap to have around.

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A couple of Ford pickups F 150,250, 350 missed.
1983 240 D 256,000 miles ,auto, ac.

ran across this in my files.... listed as 240d tow package...

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and this...

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I had a custom hitch put on my 83 TD wagon by a shop in Minneapolis that only does hitches. I have used it even to tow 2 snowmobiles on a 12 foot trailer weighing 2000+ pounds and it tows great!
I think the factory hitch is a weight distributing hitch. I have a copy of Trailer Boats magazine from about 1984 that did a tow test on an 84 wagon and they listed the tow limit as 2700#. The 85 might be less if you have the newer emissions.

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83 300TD wagon
87 300TD wagon
89 BMW 325IX

i have a beautiful hitch on my wagon. if i were id definitely get a late model hitch, it won't be weak or rusty. it will also have this square attachment fitting, which gives you great versatility in what you tow. and the one i got is very subtle and recessed. the only problem was that it touched my exhaust pipe. all we did to deal with that was put a rubber ring around the exhaust so there would be no vibration noise.

ill take some pictures and get you the info.

eric

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1995 E320 Sportline Wagon "Bernard"
black on black leather

http://i.imgur.com/BdZ7jM3.png

That square deal is called a ' Reciever Hitch '...very handy... for switching balls, or taking them off when not in use.... but they make a good battering ram for the car in back of you when parking...

typical sizes are 2 inch and 4 inch...
EDIT .. I had ' fisherman's eyes' when I said that... just naturally grew in my mind....
Warden is correct in later posts...

Do you mean 2" and 1 1/4"? I would imagine that a 4" receiver could handle quite a bit of weight but also that with that kinda weight, you'd probably be happier wiht a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch.

Actually, I'm not so sure that that would make a difference. Engine power isn't used to rate towing capacity as much as braking capability and frame/unibody strength is.

I'd like to get a hitch on my 300D someday...it'd be nice to be able to haul stuff around while my truck's broken.

Warden, How did you know that is what I meant ? It is a four inch square HOLE... so it gets that way by being 2 inches on a side...for a standard class 4 reciever hitch....
I was handling a solid one the other day... and it FELT like it was four inches.... the part with the ball on it...

Wagonpilot:

I recently had U-haul install a hitch on my 82 300D. Took them about an hour to put it on. No, it wasn't free, but it does work great. One thing I have to watch, however, is that it isn't wise to have the AC on when you're towing, at least on my car. The temp just goes up and up, especially at a higher speed. If I leave off the AC and keep my speed to about 55-60 mph, the car stays nice and cool. Also, I managed a little over 25mpg while towing a loaded 5x8 U-haul trailer.

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Dave

1982 300D
352,000 miles

What are the towing capacities for the 1981 to 1983 300's?