I received a brand new frame mount hitch yesterday from TheGears from here on the forum. It is beautifully designed and fabricated. It is designed to bolt up to the rear frame between the bumper shocks and the unibody and has an arm that extends forward to be attached to the spare tire well.

It is designed to mount up exactly how I would do it if left to my own devices. It provides a small square tube to slide the actual hitch into.

I am looking forward to getting it installed so I will have an alternative tow vehicle to my big Dodge.

I paid $250 for it including shipping from BC to Indiana.

I recently missed out on a similar hitch which was offered by another member second hand so when he offered it I jumped.

I invite him to post pictures of the hitch on this thread because I don't know when I will get it mounted and am not the most skilled at taking and posting pictures.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'm curious as to how the vehicle will be able to properly support the hitch, simply because the W-126 has no frame. It's simply a sheet metal shell with a second sheet metal shell that is titled "subframe".

The strength available from sheet metal is quite limited...............

Europeans tow some pretty big caravans using that sheet metal.

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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

It's as least as good as this:

Attached Thumbnails

 

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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

.............marginally better.............

The book says the mercedes of this era will tow 1500 without brakes and 3000 with brakes. My intended use is to tow my Formula ford which with the trailer should be well under the 1500 and offers not much wind resistance. The tongue weight is probably only about 50#.

The sheet metal subframe is not real heavy but is designed to take an impact. In any case there have been various hitches offered by comanies in the US and Europe which attach in a very similar manner to the hitch in question.

I am going to use it myself but of course will not take any responsibility for anybody else who chooses to use one like it.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My 71 108 had a tow bar on the back. I once towed a trailer a short distance around town with it. Seemed to work fine but it was a smallish wooden one. As long as you stay within the weight parameters provided by Mercedes and drive sensibly there should be no problem. Bear in mind though that there is a difference between many of the lighter type trailers you find overseas and the behemoths that are pulled behind full size pickups in the US.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I kinda think this should be in my forum...

I'm thinking about installing SLS, and building a steel plate to line the "subframe" and attach under the diff mount plate on my SD... I know it will lower the Rear subframe some, but I think the solidity from that point is worth it.

I think a plate 1/4" there would be a substantial strength improvement over the "two bolt holes through the spare well"

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Good point...I think I will add a plate inside to distribute the load more.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.