paige320

Hello, all. I know there are previous posts on this, but I just want direct answers all in one place.

I have a '98 E320 4matic wagon with 125k miles. I have always wanted a small camper and was hoping this would be possible to tow with my car. By small, I mean 1,000 to 2,000 lbs. I've seen a few threads with people saying that this car can handle it, especially the wagons. But with what set up? What kind of hitch? I am a novice when it comes to towing, so idk.

I also live in the U.S. and is this legal? Or just not "recommended" in the US by Mercedes? I have seen that people in Europe tow with these all the time.

Thank you for any response!

kajtek1

W210 wagon used to be #1 choice for TV (tow vehicle) for caravaning in Europe.
Not so in USA where only legal hitches do have 2500lb rating.
Not much of US-made travel trailers are below 2500 lb and you have to calculate supplies in it as well.
To top it, lot of states require trailer brakes at 1500lb.
If you can fit with those limits, by all means go for it.

kajtek1

BTW few years ago, on California gas station I run into this combo.
How cool is that?

paige320

I LOVE that!! I really like those little boler campers too, but they are surprisingly expensive. If I get a camper, it would be so cool to have it match my car.

Do you recommend getting any kind of cooling mechanism for the transmission?

kajtek1

I believe that MB cooling systems are design to handle small towing you are planning to do.
Still good idea to get one of those $12 Bluetooth adapter and with Torque app read the temperature at the extremes.

paige320

So I have been looking at a used Little Guy 5 Wide tear drop camper, which weighs around 900 pounds. Do I just need a Class 1 towing hitch? Is there a certain one that works best for a '98 e320 wagon?

kajtek1

Never had hitch on W210 wagon, but in USA you are not going to have hitch choices.
With 900 lb you don't have to worry much, but than Travel Trailers have nasty tendency to gain weight.
Have fun

George993

I have a 4650 lb hitch on my 2000 E320 Wagon. As mentioned, those are some of the best tow vehicles, people tow horse trailers, caravans etc with them in Europe.

The frame rails under the rear of the car have pre-drilled, threaded mount points for the hitch, so the installation is a DIY trivial.

I bought mine in Europe years ago and simply brought over as airplane luggage (yes, it did look funny but went through :-).

Of course the car is not rated for towing 4600 lb in US like in Europe and the European ball is within the 2" ball spec, but a 1mm or so smaller than a brand new 2". So you should swap the ball with the US 2" and conform to other US laws regarding weight limits, lights, brakes etc etc. Check with your local DMV office for details etc

By now you may also be able to find them in US as well - bottom line: make sure to get one specially made for the wagon which bolts right into the existing holes in the subframe (even if you don't use it's full capacity).

LDS

I have used the Kurt hitch to tow a 2k lb. flatbed trailer in the mountains of Colorado with no issues Passing. Kurt advises that their hitches not be used with cars with a sport package. Come to learn this is because of the exhaust clearance on the quad exhaust. My car is an e55 sedan which would be considered a sport package... once clearance was made for the exhaust it works great. Car has transmission cooler standard and the transmission is made to take 750ld-ft of torque from a diesel so I can understand why they are great tow vehicles. Power and brakes are up to the task as well. The only reason I would use my wife’s ml550 over the e55 is when toung weight gets heavy )boat)or road conditions are not dry. The e55 being a sedan has terrible rearward visibility compared with a taller vehicle. On the highway the sedan rules over an suv or truck in terms of comfort

LDS

kajtek1

What tires you have on ML550?
I had ML320 and after that bought ML55 with low-profile tires.
When ML320 was comfortable to ride, ML55 was very bumpy and my wife had constant headaches in it. Had to sell it pretty cheap becouse of that.
Still no SUV will beat MB sedan in ride comfort.

Strigoi

I've got a hitch hauler similar to this one pictured. I need a 2" receiver for it but haven't had any luck finding one that will work with my E320 wagon. I want to use it for camping since putting bins full of wood on one is super handy.

kajtek1

The cargo platform I have come with reinforced vertical hole at the end of 2" holder, so I put big bolt there to attach it to 1.25 holder. It works, but don't expect to use 500lb platform capacity on E for several reasons.
I used it for taking lawn-mower to my rental property (in Martinez) and it work for the purpose very well.

Strigoi

Firewood is the only thing I want to use it for. I doubt I bring more than 70lbs of wood when camping so it wouldn't be that much weight on the rear.

burgurboy

is towing capacity different between different models? e300TD vs e320 for example...

kajtek1

Not in US. They all say max 2000lb trailer.
Bare in mind some states require brakes on trailer rated 1500lb or higher.