How to tow a C300 4Matic
08-19-2015, 11:28 AM
#1
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2015 MB Sprinter RV
How to tow a C300 4Matic
Little did I realize before putting my order in, as how I would be:
a) Towing a C300 behind a vehicle, realizing it is a 4-wheel, and that would be a problem? (unless all 4 wheels are off-ground - which is cumbersome/heavy plus pricey solution)
b) to tow something behind a C300, normally its quite simple ... U-haul sells tow hitch and receivers for almost every vehicle, they are very nice, hidden and quite economically priced. However, I dont see that they yet offer one for a 2015/16 C300.
Any ideas?
a) Towing a C300 behind a vehicle, realizing it is a 4-wheel, and that would be a problem? (unless all 4 wheels are off-ground - which is cumbersome/heavy plus pricey solution)
b) to tow something behind a C300, normally its quite simple ... U-haul sells tow hitch and receivers for almost every vehicle, they are very nice, hidden and quite economically priced. However, I dont see that they yet offer one for a 2015/16 C300.
Any ideas?
08-20-2015, 04:42 AM
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2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Basically, you don't tow C-Class 4Matic:
The vehicle can be towed a maximum of 30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded. If the vehicle has to be towed more than 30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be raised and transported.
....
It is better to have the vehicle transported than to have it towed away.
....
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed away with both axles on the ground or be loaded up and transported.Do not rely on these intructions. See the Owner's Manual, p. 351 ff., for full instructions.
The vehicle can be towed a maximum of 30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded. If the vehicle has to be towed more than 30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be raised and transported.....
It is better to have the vehicle transported than to have it towed away.
....
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed away with both axles on the ground or be loaded up and transported.
08-20-2015, 12:47 PM
#4
Flatbed. Or whatever to get all wheels off the ground.
Same for most 4WD systems.
As for illegal parking, most tow operators should know what they are dealing with. A the minimum, they will lift the front and put the rear on some sort of carriage.
Same for most 4WD systems.
As for illegal parking, most tow operators should know what they are dealing with. A the minimum, they will lift the front and put the rear on some sort of carriage.
Last edited by Xtrema; 08-20-2015 at 12:49 PM.
08-20-2015, 01:28 PM
#5
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Basically, you don't tow C-Class 4Matic:The vehicle can be towed a maximum of 30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded. If the vehicle has to be towed more than 30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be raised and transported.
....
It is better to have the vehicle transported than to have it towed away.
....
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed away with both axles on the ground or be loaded up and transported.
Do not rely on these intructions. See the Owner's Manual, p. 351 ff., for full instructions.
The vehicle can be towed a maximum of 30 miles (50km). The towing speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded. If the vehicle has to be towed more than 30 miles (50km), the entire vehicle must be raised and transported.....
It is better to have the vehicle transported than to have it towed away.
....
Vehicles with 4MATIC must not be towed with either the front or the rear axle raised, as doing so will damage the transmission.
Vehicles with 4MATIC may either be towed away with both axles on the ground or be loaded up and transported.
It does "tow" other vehicles beautifully though. Though towing is not recommended, the C400 does quick painless work of pulling anyone out of the ditch in winter. Just attach the towing hook and go. With AWD and snow tires it can put some wreckers to shame.
08-20-2015, 02:56 PM
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Thanks all for the information tips.
Are you saying the C400 has towing hooks in the rear? If so that is really nice. Does the C300 also come equipped with towing hooks?
Are you saying the C400 has towing hooks in the rear? If so that is really nice. Does the C300 also come equipped with towing hooks?
08-20-2015, 06:04 PM
#7
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In fact, it doesn't have tow hooks anywhere, you have to use the bumper installed tow screw/hook. Its hanging from some hooks in the top left area of your trunk.
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08-21-2015, 10:11 AM
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2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Liability questions
As Xtrema suggests, I don't recall seeing a car towed on its own wheels for years. They are usually on flat-bed trucks. If not, they are on dollies. Liability for damage may be the reason.
Last edited by gfmohn; 08-22-2015 at 10:00 AM.
08-21-2015, 06:19 PM
#9
It's just easier. It's tougher to get in to disengage parking brake. Especially most are electronic now. So just easier to put it on dollies.
08-21-2015, 06:39 PM
#10
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Lets get one thing straight. In reality you can tow a C class behind a camper, you simply put it in neutral and go. That however comes with big caveats given that the car uses an electronic transmission. First you cant open the door without the car going into park! BIG PROBLEM. If you can get around that small issue (climb out the window?) you have to find how out how to keep the car in neutral with the ignition in the off position!
The fact is that even if you were smart enough they have made it essentially impossible to do so.
The fact is that even if you were smart enough they have made it essentially impossible to do so.
