C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

C-Class towing

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Old May 13, 2005 | 01:30 PM
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From: Edmonds... good bye SD
C-Class towing

Several months ago I traded in the ML320 for the C320 sports coupe, what sounded like a great idea in the middle of a WET SoCal winter, but now its warm and sunny and time to hit the "great outdoors"

So the question is...... Can the c320 coupe tow? I have no doubt the hp/tourqe is good, as I used to tow a 19' Bayliner no problem with the ml320.

Obviously, towing anything too heavy is completely out of the question, but… a skidoo/jet ski OR possibly a pop-up-tent-trailer?

The owners’ manual states nothing of max tow weight; I did do a search of threads, but came up unsuccessful. I called asked the MBSD, well I have had no luck with them either, as the service rep I was assigned to is clueless (well I have a not so pleasant opinion of his knowledge)

Any suggestions or comments on max tow ability, or where one can get a class II receiver.

thanks
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Old May 13, 2005 | 01:39 PM
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You'd have to ask your dealership. It's a grey area, but a seadoo or small <500 lbs should be fine.

The one install I did see on a MB, butchered the spare compartment and looked really "unsafe".

You can pick up a used SUV, for recreation only, for dirt cheap. I've found 7.4L diesel Excursions for 20K, and crewcab F150s/250s for between 8k -11k, and V6 Explorers for 5k.


Tom
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Old May 13, 2005 | 01:48 PM
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From: Montreal, Quebec
2001 C240 Tectite
Bought an old Bronco for this purpose, 500$. cheaper than installing the tow kit on the benz
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Old May 15, 2005 | 08:54 PM
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I'll bet that Europeans tow with our cars, but I've yet to find a source. If you get one fabricated that is decent I'll go for a second. The rear fuse box is labeled for wiring. Maybe Steve can find one, I tried Harris last year. Boat and trailer <1000lbs. There was an old thread that had a photo from SoCal with a fabed hitch that used the slot reciever (opposed to square).
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Old May 15, 2005 | 09:21 PM
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In Germany there was an option for a frame mounted receiver hitch at one time on the W203; Its referred to as AHK in Germany. Requirement was that the sedan couldn't have the AMG/Sport body kit. Not sure if one is/was available aftermarket. Maybe some of our European members can look in their FM and see if and what not is stated therein in regards to capability and limitation.
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Old May 15, 2005 | 10:08 PM
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From: nJ/pHiLLy/nY
Audi 225 TT.w203 sedan.Bmw 318tiCali.Ed.VW Jetta vr6
i am currently trying to get one fabricated for my 203 sedan with amg bumpers,just for small things (waverunner/quad/streetbike) i am trying to make it hidden, safe, reliable and chrome anywhere that can be seen, ill keep you poseted on my results
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Old May 16, 2005 | 11:34 AM
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From: Edmonds... good bye SD
Let me know how much it cost for your fabrication. Looks like I may have to go that route, can you take pics also for reference?

I'll keep searching and see if anything else comes up as well.
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Old May 16, 2005 | 12:54 PM
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
I know that MBWerks in San Diego custom-fabricated a tow system for an S55 AMG sedan... don't ask me why !!
below are some pics.
You might want to contact them, and see if they can do a custom job for your C-Class. www.mbwerks.com


Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
Attached Thumbnails C-Class towing-s55-tow-1.jpg   C-Class towing-s55-tow-2.jpg   C-Class towing-s55-tow-3.jpg  
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Old May 16, 2005 | 02:14 PM
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'02 C230K
found a manufacturer:

www.gdwtowbars.com

in Belgium. I emailed them and a dealer in the UK for more info. let you know

Last edited by hobie; May 16, 2005 at 02:17 PM.
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Old May 16, 2005 | 05:59 PM
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From: Edmonds... good bye SD
If i was only bi-lingual...

Also thanks for that MBWerks of San Diego, fortunatly its only 10 mins from work, so i intend on stopping in on a lunch break some time this week, will let you know.
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Old May 16, 2005 | 10:46 PM
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LowCaliTi,

There is no need for a custom fabricated one. I've had a Delan hitch installed on my 2005 230 sedan with no problem. They say its only made for the 01-04 model year but some guy managed to fit one on my 05.

I use it to hitch my bikes on a bike rack. I'll post pics. The only thing is that its all black- looks great against my black car.
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Old May 16, 2005 | 11:40 PM
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From: nJ/pHiLLy/nY
Audi 225 TT.w203 sedan.Bmw 318tiCali.Ed.VW Jetta vr6
thanks man. ill deffinitly look into it
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Old May 17, 2005 | 01:03 AM
  #13  
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
abnehmbare Anhängerkupplung für C Klasse Sportcoupe

When / if you go to MBWerks, talk to Randall.
Let him know I sent you.

In the meantime, I found this on the German eBay site:
abnehmbare Anhängerkupplung für C Klasse Sportcoupe
Pics below:



Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
Attached Thumbnails C-Class towing-tow-hitch.jpg   C-Class towing-tow-a203-310-00-37.jpg  
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Old May 17, 2005 | 08:37 AM
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Nice surfing saprissa, the holy grail of coupe hicthes exists.
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Old May 19, 2005 | 12:43 PM
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I e-mailed GDW Towbars and they e-mailed me some pictures. It looks pretty good, but they DID have to cut a knotch in the bottom of the bumper. And of course, it's for the european-standard hitch ball. Some modification would be required.

The pics don't show how it was structurally built, so I don't know what they did underneath. I may buy one just to see if it can be made to work. Since I will have to modify it anyway, I might be able to tweek it so no cutting is required.

jlm

Last edited by jlm; May 19, 2005 at 12:47 PM. Reason: clarify
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Old May 19, 2005 | 02:14 PM
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From: Edmonds... good bye SD
the one on ebay looks like a fair deal, anyone seen any pics of one installed, If we have to cut our bumpers, does this mean the rest of the setup is hiddin?

Also, not sure if my schedule is going to allow me to get to MBWorks this week, as i originally hoped for, but i will tell ya what they say (or randal says)
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Old May 19, 2005 | 02:20 PM
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From: OR
On a hunch I Googled ORIS (from Saprissa's posted e-bay picture) and came up with http://www.oris-gmbh.de/english/.

As we suspected, NO hatch could survive in the euro market without SOME way to tow.

ORS claims to make OEM stuff for all the german makes. Could they be the company that makes the roof rack? I sent a request for more info, we'll see what the response is. Interestingly enough, ORIS has just opened a new manufacturing site in (where else?) Alabama. Maybe we'll have a full NAFTA hitch for the Coupe soon...

jlm
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Old May 20, 2005 | 08:03 AM
  #18  
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'02 C230K
http://www.prolineracks.com/mont-bla...crossbars.html
Mont Blanc is the brand name for the source of the roof racks in the aftermarket, although the feet may be proprietary. It is a great setup.

MB's UK site lists "towbars" (the King's English for trailer hitch) in general and suggests contacting a dealer for details.
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Old May 20, 2005 | 10:24 AM
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http://www.oris-gmbh.de/english/oris...produkte.html#

Go down to the bottom there is a video and lists what they make.
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Old May 20, 2005 | 11:58 AM
  #20  
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From: Edmonds... good bye SD
I scrolled to the bottom, states they make the "ORIS-Matic" (which in theory seems pretty cool)

Although it says its for the:
Mercedes - Benz CL (S-class Coupé)

This is a completely different car? Or related to the C?
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Old May 20, 2005 | 04:27 PM
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No its not related... But they dont list any C class, but that doesnt mean its not available. I posted that to show what it looks like and that it is infact really hidden!!!
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Old May 20, 2005 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by hobie
Nice surfing saprissa, the holy grail of coupe hicthes exists.
if it was made for the COUPE, I'll find it !!!!

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old May 23, 2005 | 04:36 PM
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Coupe tow hitch

I'm based in the UK and have just stumbled across this thread.

I happen to have the MB Accessory brochure at my desk. The part no's for the 203 Coupe tow bar (detachable trailer coupling) is: B6 685 0034 and costs GBP 558.

They also list Electircal harness for trailer coupling B6 685 0035 GBP 208.

Hope this helps...
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Old May 23, 2005 | 06:09 PM
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
awesome information !
Thank you C320 UK !

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old May 23, 2005 | 06:20 PM
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From: Edmonds... good bye SD
AWESOME!!

by chance does it state anything about max tow rating? kg or lbs?
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