@dman

After searching my normal Internet resources for a receiver hitch, it's unclear how one might source a Class 1 receiver hitch for bike rack use on a W212 E550 4Matic sedan. I'd really like to reuse my Thule/Sportworks receiver hitch rack this cycling season. It's so much better than a roof mount carrier.

I heard back from a Uhaul website inquiry - Uhaul can fabricate a custom receiver hitch for $1000, OR, if I bring my car to Tempe, AZ for a couple of days they'll create it at no cost other than an eventual hitch purchase. My next stop is a few welding/hitch installation places I've used in years past to see if they can come up with something that will fit.

Are there any other options for this car? Any E550 4M cyclist owners in the Tempe area who'd like to volunteer their car for the advancement of cycling?

-Adam

Diamond White W212

https://www.hitchweb.com/product/88/...edes-Benz-E550

Will this work? Closest I could find.

@dman

Thanks for posting - That's the Curt model I found on the curtmfg website, but their application finder lists that as compatible with the Coupe (no sedan option is shown). It may take a call to Curt to find if they're either missing the sedan option as an oversight or there's some incompatibility due to the sedan/4M rear design.

armysoldier1073

In Europe most cars have hitches since trucks are not common. They use diesel estate versions to pull travel trailers all the time. Try eBay Germany.

armysoldier1073

Look on www.etrailer.com they have them for 4M,i wasn't sure of your year. Look for the European model.

@dman

Thanks for the pointer, armysoldier. I found some Westfalia and Thule tow bars that fit the car, but the European hitch standards seem to differ from NA. The detachable ***** connect to the tow bar at a 90 degree angle (perpendicular) to the ground vs. parallel to the ground (the way our receiver hitch attachments connect). It might be worth exploring a EU based tow bar with a re-welded receiver portion.
The $1k UHaul custom solution might be 'easier' but I'm not interested in paying NRE costs for a product they can then sell to others. Anyone interested in pooling in here to spread the custom hitch development around? Biking season is upon us...

-Adam

jonUF02

The euro ones are more invisible when removed, but I'm not sure if they are legal standards issues on towing. I once had a hitch receiver on a Honda with an odd slim slot. I just had a custom adapter made up to convert it to a standard square so I could fit my bike rack.

Abrown3mtg

I would start with one of those. It will likely be easily removed from the car during the off-season to avoid an unsightly rust. Cutting off the hitch and attaching a piece of square stock steel tubing/drilling a hole through it for the pin should take any competent welder under an hour. Basically take on 100.00 on the high side to have it done. (This is the route I would go). I personally will be popping on a roof rack (Thule Aeroblade 7603 look clean). But my bike is light enough that the roof rack isn't a hassle.

If you aren't afraid of something more permanent, I'd look for an offroad/jeep fabrication shop in your area. I bet they could make you something for a couple hundred bucks. I am not sure what the subframe of the w212 is made out of though. If it is aluminum, it will need to be tig welded or mig'd with a spool gun.

Where are you located?

fosterelli

Did you see this thread? https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...h-install.html

@dman

No, but I just replied to the OP - it's been a while, but I'd love to see the finished re-welded product before installation.
I love the 2" hitch idea as well. We have the 4 bike 2" Sportworks/Thule hitch rack for my wife's car as well as the 2 bike 1 1/4" version with adapter. I wonder how fast 4 DH bikes can do the 1/4 mile in...
Good to see the memory here. Thanks for posting this.
-Adam

Felizla

If you find any others I'd be willing to go in on getting the hitch created for the $1000. That's the same response I got from U-Haul.

Foozini

I have brought my 2010 E550 in to multiple trailer shops to have them take a look at perhaps fabricating a hitch. They take one look under the rear of the car and immediately say "Nope. No chance" and quite frankly I can't blame them. There is NOTHING under there to attach anything even remotely solid. The car is simply not built for a hitch. You would be better off getting a roof rack and attaching a fifth wheel hitch to that, then getting one of those camper trailers like the one from the 60's for the VW bug....

I figure if I ever have a real need for a hitch again (It was handy, but not essential) I will go and buy myself a cheap pickup or SUV for a couple grand and use that.

armysoldier1073

The European ones i suggested are what is used im Europe to tow campers by car, not suv/truck. They will more than surfice a bike rack and are made for European vehicles so there will be no issues of fitment.

StevilKnievel

OP did you ever find a solution? I'm looking into an E550 sedan and being able to tow small loads of sheet goods is pretty important for me. What's the difference in the E350 and E550 underneath that they can have one installed? Also, Uhaul's website still has the same thing about coming to Tempe, AZ. I'm in PA lol

kajtek1

https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2014_...yle=E350+Sedan
I had trailer hitches on my W210s and W211s as well and they worked just fine, even E sedans don't take heavy hitch load too well.