Towing a Mercedes
09-21-2009, 12:58 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Towing a Mercedes
I know that several members here own older (mid-80's vintage) diesel Mercedes. What I want to know if whether a Mercedes of that vintage could be towed 4-down behind a motorhome. Anyone have any ideas?
09-21-2009, 06:05 AM
#2
Adminstrator-ess
Not unless you disconnect the driveshaft. And it's not exactly easy on them, you have to remove 3 bolts from the rear flex coupling, then loosen the lock nut on the slip yoke and compress the driveshaft. I wouldn't choose a Benz for a toad. If you are looking for a diesel I think a VW on a dolly is going to be your simplest option, even though a dolly adds complexity.
09-21-2009, 07:53 AM
#3
Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center
Not unless you disconnect the driveshaft. And it's not exactly easy on them, you have to remove 3 bolts from the rear flex coupling, then loosen the lock nut on the slip yoke and compress the driveshaft. I wouldn't choose a Benz for a toad. If you are looking for a diesel I think a VW on a dolly is going to be your simplest option, even though a dolly adds complexity.
Think I will stick with my fiver. 
Bob
09-21-2009, 09:10 AM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
LOL. Gee, glad you could relive those good memories 5erBob. Sorry if I cost you some therapy sessions by bringing this up. 
Wanna, any other specific reasons that you would recommend against the 'Benz? Would the driveshaft have to be disconnected even on the 5-speed cars? I was considering buying one to replace my '97 Lumina daily driver and was hoping to get something that could double as a toad.
I guess I need to also look into whether a mid/late 80's Golf diesel is towable 4-down. I'm trying to avoid the complexity of the dolly if possible; of course, this is just the research phase since I don't own the motorhome yet.
5erBob, I do understand the scenario that you painted and I'd love to just stay with our current travel trailer but my wife doesn't like the ride of my Dodge and by moving to a class A, we can probably more than double the miles that we cover in a day. When it takes a week of travel time just to get to the east coast, on-site vacation time gets cut pretty thin.
Thanks for the input. Multiple opinions make research easier.
Wanna, any other specific reasons that you would recommend against the 'Benz? Would the driveshaft have to be disconnected even on the 5-speed cars? I was considering buying one to replace my '97 Lumina daily driver and was hoping to get something that could double as a toad.
I guess I need to also look into whether a mid/late 80's Golf diesel is towable 4-down. I'm trying to avoid the complexity of the dolly if possible; of course, this is just the research phase since I don't own the motorhome yet.
5erBob, I do understand the scenario that you painted and I'd love to just stay with our current travel trailer but my wife doesn't like the ride of my Dodge and by moving to a class A, we can probably more than double the miles that we cover in a day. When it takes a week of travel time just to get to the east coast, on-site vacation time gets cut pretty thin.
Thanks for the input. Multiple opinions make research easier.
09-21-2009, 03:16 PM
#5
Adminstrator-ess
Yeah, you would have to drop the shaft on a 5 speed car because you'd burn up the bearing between the input and output shaft.
I like the Benzes, the 617 engines are not that powerful or efficient but they are reliable and tough. Good German cast iron with an inline injection pump. The vacuum system and the automatic climate control can be a real pain, but the car will get you where you need to go every time.
The only stuff I know that likes flat towing is 4wd with a transfer case that lubes when rolling in neutral. I doubt a VW transaxle would be happy flat towing.
I like the Benzes, the 617 engines are not that powerful or efficient but they are reliable and tough. Good German cast iron with an inline injection pump. The vacuum system and the automatic climate control can be a real pain, but the car will get you where you need to go every time.
The only stuff I know that likes flat towing is 4wd with a transfer case that lubes when rolling in neutral. I doubt a VW transaxle would be happy flat towing.
09-21-2009, 05:18 PM
#6
Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center
If you REALLY think you want to do this, check out this website.
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyna...mcotowing.com/
Remco makes a driveshaft disconnect device that is quite easy to use. Only problem with it was getting it balanced.
Just be sure you consider all the negatives of MH ownership. They are nice to ride in, but a pain to own. If you don't use them regularly you can have all kinds of problems. Fuel fouls out, gennies freeze up, engine injectors gum up, oil changes on diesels cost about $300, you will get about 7 mpg on a decent size one, they are more costly to buy, costly to maintain, and depreciate horrible. I had to drive mine every three weeks for 25 to 50 miles and run everything to have any chance of reducing horrible repairs. You get it loaded, get 100 miles down the road and it decides to quit. At least you drive your truck periodically and know it is in good shape. If the trailer has good tires, good bearings and good brakes, you can be safe and head out without worrying how far you will go before something happens - - like have the overhead cabinet over the granite counter top which has glasses and dishes in it fall off the wall at 70 mph on the interstate with glass flying everywhere in the motorhome. You talk about testing your nerves - - WOW. I will never own another motorhome and I had four. They were nice while we had kids, but a pain you know were to keep up. We love our rig.
Maybe you need to reconsider what you have, how it is set up, why is she objecting to the ride? We can go 10 hour days if needed with no problem and be very comfortable. And, you need a 42' motorhome to obtain the same comfort and room we have in our 36' fiver. And, this rig is 1/4th the price my last motorhome cost me. And, having to pull a car behind it is not fun, believe me. Fine on the interstate. Make sure the wife will be happy learning how to unhook the car and drive it away in an emergency - - it will happen, I can guarantee it.
Hope that URL works for you - - sure is a long one. If it messes up, start here and look for driveshaft disconnects on the home page.
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/
Bob
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/gi/dyna...mcotowing.com/
Remco makes a driveshaft disconnect device that is quite easy to use. Only problem with it was getting it balanced.
Just be sure you consider all the negatives of MH ownership. They are nice to ride in, but a pain to own. If you don't use them regularly you can have all kinds of problems. Fuel fouls out, gennies freeze up, engine injectors gum up, oil changes on diesels cost about $300, you will get about 7 mpg on a decent size one, they are more costly to buy, costly to maintain, and depreciate horrible. I had to drive mine every three weeks for 25 to 50 miles and run everything to have any chance of reducing horrible repairs. You get it loaded, get 100 miles down the road and it decides to quit. At least you drive your truck periodically and know it is in good shape. If the trailer has good tires, good bearings and good brakes, you can be safe and head out without worrying how far you will go before something happens - - like have the overhead cabinet over the granite counter top which has glasses and dishes in it fall off the wall at 70 mph on the interstate with glass flying everywhere in the motorhome. You talk about testing your nerves - - WOW. I will never own another motorhome and I had four. They were nice while we had kids, but a pain you know were to keep up. We love our rig.
Maybe you need to reconsider what you have, how it is set up, why is she objecting to the ride? We can go 10 hour days if needed with no problem and be very comfortable. And, you need a 42' motorhome to obtain the same comfort and room we have in our 36' fiver. And, this rig is 1/4th the price my last motorhome cost me. And, having to pull a car behind it is not fun, believe me. Fine on the interstate. Make sure the wife will be happy learning how to unhook the car and drive it away in an emergency - - it will happen, I can guarantee it.
Hope that URL works for you - - sure is a long one. If it messes up, start here and look for driveshaft disconnects on the home page.
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/
Bob
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09-21-2009, 08:56 PM
#8
Proprietor of Fiver's Inn and Hospitality Center
There are quite a few 2wd cars that can be towed 4 on the ground. Most of the Saturns are good to go, many Hondas and several other foreign cars - - can't keep up with all the newer ones that are supposed to be OK. Plus, they are light which is a BIG plus when pulling a toad.
10-19-2009, 10:57 PM
#11
Registered User
Thread Starter
Just be sure you consider all the negatives of MH ownership. They are nice to ride in, but a pain to own. If you don't use them regularly you can have all kinds of problems. Fuel fouls out, gennies freeze up, engine injectors gum up, oil changes on diesels cost about $300, you will get about 7 mpg on a decent size one, they are more costly to buy, costly to maintain, and depreciate horrible. I had to drive mine every three weeks for 25 to 50 miles and run everything to have any chance of reducing horrible repairs. You get it loaded, get 100 miles down the road and it decides to quit. At least you drive your truck periodically and know it is in good shape. If the trailer has good tires, good bearings and good brakes, you can be safe and head out without worrying how far you will go before something happens - - like have the overhead cabinet over the granite counter top which has glasses and dishes in it fall off the wall at 70 mph on the interstate with glass flying everywhere in the motorhome. You talk about testing your nerves - - WOW. I will never own another motorhome and I had four. They were nice while we had kids, but a pain you know were to keep up. We love our rig.
Maybe you need to reconsider what you have, how it is set up, why is she objecting to the ride? We can go 10 hour days if needed with no problem and be very comfortable. And, you need a 42' motorhome to obtain the same comfort and room we have in our 36' fiver. And, this rig is 1/4th the price my last motorhome cost me. And, having to pull a car behind it is not fun, believe me. Fine on the interstate. Make sure the wife will be happy learning how to unhook the car and drive it away in an emergency - - it will happen, I can guarantee it.
Bob
Maybe you need to reconsider what you have, how it is set up, why is she objecting to the ride? We can go 10 hour days if needed with no problem and be very comfortable. And, you need a 42' motorhome to obtain the same comfort and room we have in our 36' fiver. And, this rig is 1/4th the price my last motorhome cost me. And, having to pull a car behind it is not fun, believe me. Fine on the interstate. Make sure the wife will be happy learning how to unhook the car and drive it away in an emergency - - it will happen, I can guarantee it.
Bob
Bob,
You do have the ability to paint a bleak picture of motorhome ownership.
I've given it some serious thought and, while I'm still considering a motorhome, I'm currently trying to determine what other options I have for a tow vehicle. We aren't unhappy with our current travel trailer; my wife just doesn't like the ride of our 1st gen (which admittedly aren't the best riding trucks). The goal would be to be able to double the amount of time that we can drive each day. One option might be a Suburban or an Excursion. One of those would allow her room to lay down if she wanted to but hauling the generator and tools would be harder. A 2nd gen Dodge might ride better than our 1st gen but wouldn't have the interior room. I'd prefer to stay with a 12 valve if I stay with a Dodge.
Thanks for your input.
10-19-2009, 11:13 PM
#12
Registered User
I hate saying it, but a newer Duramax Crew Cab is hard to beat for comfort and towing. I mean they ride like Caddies.
What I want to do is take an Excursion and drop a twinned 12 valve in it.
What I want to do is take an Excursion and drop a twinned 12 valve in it.
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