Towing with my wagon
 

My old 94-95 4Runners had Class II hitches and towed OK even with an anemic 150 hp and massive 180 ft·lb of torque.

My new 1994 E320 wagon has 217 hp and 229 ft-lb, so it should be an all around stronger towing vehicle, but all I can get is a Class 1 hitch limited to 2500 lbs.

I'm guessing it's the ladder frame vs. unibody why I can't find a class II for the Merc.

is there any way I can safely get a class II on the wagon?

Manufacturers base their towing ratings on more than the engine's power. Wheelbase is a huge thing to consider when towing, which might be why the Mercedes is only rated for a Class I.

4Runner: 103 inch wheelbase

E320: 110 inches.

Yep.

The old Ford Explorer had a minimum of a 5000 lb tow rating, while the new one only has a 3500lb tow rating. Why? They switched from body on frame to unibody.

I wouldn't tow with a Benz wagon. Knife at a gunfight, big time. (Although it is a very nice people hauler!)

-Z-man.

Thanks for confirming, Z. Will be towing parts (lots of parts) down to Hershey so I'm starting to think about hitches. I guess I can rent a truck if I need to tow a car.

My 94 is a long term car, can't get over how much I love it, and need to make it as versatile as possible. In other news, just got my 17" S500 wheels in, can't wait to get those on the car.

HP, weight, axle ratio, torque etc, etc figure into tow rating.

In Europe, they don't have pickups. They tow with cars even smaller than a W124. So in Europe, it was a Mercedes-Benz option for the Oris (o.e. brand name like Mahle or Bosch) receiver hitch with removeable swan-neck ball-hitch. They use 50mm ISO balls there which will work fine with 2" tongues here (a touch small, but works fine), or they can be machined down to 1 7/8". The Oris hitches were rated for 4200 pounds on a W124. Your wagon will handle a decent load if your smart with your tow style. Remember that anything over 3500 pounds is legally required to have brakes, and I'd personally recommend electric brakes (not surge) on anything over 1500 pounds.

I'd search ebay.de or some Euro sites. It ain't gonna be easy, but it will be pretty cool.

BTW, Brink (another o.e.) made a version too. Both were offered by Mercedes Benz.

Thanks Eric, I'll start looking. I've been towing since 18 so I feel confident in my abilities.

thought of you the other day: if only they made a C350 4matic wagon, I'd be a buyer. or E320 when they get rid of the goofy round headlights. I think my car looks much better than 1996+. Looking forward to painting lower moldings body color this spring.

German SPOB: TRAILER HITCH FIXED BRINK TYP 1882

Here's a used hitch for a 124 wagon. 1900kg capacity (4189 lbs)
95 euros, plus shipping.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297133391.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297133406.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297133423.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297133443.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297134899.jpg

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297134941.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297134954.jpg

Excellent, thank you Eric! I'm going to crawl under the car tomorrow and take a look. Was also considering fabricating my own system. Oddly enough, a 4Runner bar is a great starting point to build your own.

You'd rather make your own hitch than buy the best one made for your car for 95 euros?

One that was designed by German engineers for your car that pulls 2 tons??

Hokay...

Ralph Stosser (a former NNJR PCA president) towed his early 70's 911 to track events up and down the east coast with his Mercedes sedan, loaded to the gills with spares and family, don't remember what model.
This was in mid 80's he used a Trailex trailer. It was one of the earliest trailers they made. I know the trailer well I bought it from him ~1988.

Add a transmission oil temperature sensor.

They got back to me this morning asking for VIN to check fitment.

Built one for my dad's E300D. It looks very similar to the one on German eBay. That said, we knew this hitch was only for 400 or 500 lbs total. If I were towing anything serious, I'd go with the engineered verson.

No matter who you talk to or what equipment you use, beware of the tail wagging the dog.

1) Built ladder frame
2) Put Merc on ladder frame
3) Weld LIBERALLY
4) Tow to your hearts content :D

I'd love to see pics when you finish...towing with a unit body wagon is always adventurous. :)