Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > ML, GL, G-Wagen, R-Class, Unimog, Sprinter

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-17-2001, 11:37 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 117
I was clicking around that site again (www.mercedes-benz.com/e/default.htm), and by comparing the three engine options (500 and 320 gas, and 400 diesel) in two body sizes (Station/Long and Station/Short), it seems that the body size is one of two towing capacity factors:
All three engine options (even the small 320) are rated 7,700 lbs in the long wheel-base versions; and all three engine options (including the high torque 400-diesel and high powered 500) are rated only 6,283 lbs in the short wheelbase body.

I guess it's only a question of having enough mass (inertia) to properly control the trailer, rather than enough power to pull (which all the engines, even the little 320 gas) apparently have. Which doesn't say much for the M-class, which is rated (at least here in the USA) at only 5,000 lbs whether you have the 320 or the 430 gas engines.
But the second factor will surprise you even more (next message):


Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-17-2001, 11:54 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 117
The second factor -- the Country!

However, something else that I discovered relates to what I noted in the first messsage. Here in the USA, all the M-class brochures, for both the 320 and the 430, list 5,000 lbs as their towing limit. Yet at the corporate website, it lists 7,418 lbs for both engine models. [in all cases, trailer brakes are assumed]

Apparently, MB derates towing capacities for the USA, so far for the M-class, by as much as one-third!

[But why? Could it be this country's penchant for lawsuits? It has long been rumored that MB withheld ABS in USA cars for a decade because they waited until they were convinced that it presented no liability questions -- i.e., it was adequately trustworthy.]
In any case, this derating is disturbing. It can well be that the GWagen's towing capacity will be similarly derated (from fear of litigation?) from our coveted 7700 lbs to a mere 5,200 lbs. This would be bad, not only from the standpoint of warranty coverage, but also legal liability and insurance coverage in the event of an accident, if we violated this USA decree in favor of the international ratings.

Let's hope that they don't derate the G -- we'll have to wait and see the official USA brochures to find out!

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-21-2003, 01:24 PM
itb76's Avatar
2 Kings 9:20
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Whitehall, Michigan
Posts: 259
Looking at the hardware, I think what limits towing capacity is the hitch itself, which is only rated for 5,000 lbs. Also the rear springs sag quite a bit at the limit. Do Euro models use a different hitch, and/or stiffer rear springs?

__________________
Lenny

There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games. --Ernest Hemingway

'10 GL550/'04 BMW 545/'99 BMW 323/'98 ML320/'87 VW GTI (race)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Towing Experience with my E300 Ockman Diesel Discussion 3 09-17-2004 12:17 PM
Wal Mart lawsuit...nonsense or not? mikemover Off-Topic Discussion 11 07-02-2004 03:45 AM
Autocrossing a 400E and 300TE 400ERACER Mercedes-Benz Performance Paddock 9 06-05-2004 02:50 PM
C Class manual transmission definitely C class Trinity Tech Help 8 04-05-2001 08:56 PM
1995 C class wheels on a 1991 E class? CJ Mercedes-Benz Wheels & Tires 4 11-26-2000 09:36 PM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:26 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page