E320 cdi towing questions.
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
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E320 cdi towing questions.
Hi everyone, newbie here. I like your forum very much, good group. I have question regarding towing capacity for the e320 cdi. How much and what are your opinions on towing. Also, I have never seen one towing anything or with a hitch at all. I drive about 40k miles a year so I think this will be a great car for business travel. I also have a 850i bmw (weekend car) and bmw 1100s boxer cup motorcycle. I do my own wrenching, always have so I hope to have some imput in the furture here. I drive a s80 volvo now that I just have not warmed up to. I like the older volvo`s. I have a 1993 940 volvo with 549,000 miles, oringinal engine. I`m keeping that one, too many memories in that car and its a great airport and marina parking lot car.
Regards,
Lane
Regards,
Lane
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Welcome. 549,000 miles! That kind of mileage is more fitting to a Kenworth, Peterbilt, or Freightliner rather than a Volvo sedan. 
If memory serves, towing capacity should be about 4190 lbs.
You should also visit the Diesel Forum: https://mbworld.org/forums/diesel-forum-76/
If memory serves, towing capacity should be about 4190 lbs. You should also visit the Diesel Forum: https://mbworld.org/forums/diesel-forum-76/
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 16
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From: East Coast USA
'06 E320 CDI
As for towing. I just returned from living in Germany for the last few years and can tell you first hand that the Germans tow everything with their cars. I've seen Audi A8's towing pop-up campers, gliders, and all sorts of other things.
In Germany you can get a tow hitch installed in your car from the factory, it's completely invisible until you pull a lever inside the trunk - I would guess that you could have BenzNL do the install for you if you were interested. You can contact him and see what the price would be. I would again guess that it wouldnt cost any more than $1500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
As for towing. I just returned from living in Germany for the last few years and can tell you first hand that the Germans tow everything with their cars. I've seen Audi A8's towing pop-up campers, gliders, and all sorts of other things.
In Germany you can get a tow hitch installed in your car from the factory, it's completely invisible until you pull a lever inside the trunk - I would guess that you could have BenzNL do the install for you if you were interested. You can contact him and see what the price would be. I would again guess that it wouldnt cost any more than $1500
In Europe I believe an E220CDI is more common for towing a caravan, simply because E220CDI is more common than an E320CDI.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 522
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From: ct
All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
Trailer Hitch
I put one on my 05 CDI. It is nearly invisible, under the rear bumper. It is a square reciever, black and very unobtrusive. When I want to tow my trailer, which is about 8 feet long, I plug in the ball and hitch into the square receiver and secure with a quick disconnect. Towing is not a problem. I usually don't go above 65 to keep the load low on the tranny. I keep my towing load to usually under or around 1,000 lbs. Bought my trailer at a local very big lumber company.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 15
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I put one on my 05 CDI. It is nearly invisible, under the rear bumper. It is a square reciever, black and very unobtrusive. When I want to tow my trailer, which is about 8 feet long, I plug in the ball and hitch into the square receiver and secure with a quick disconnect. Towing is not a problem. I usually don't go above 65 to keep the load low on the tranny. I keep my towing load to usually under or around 1,000 lbs. Bought my trailer at a local very big lumber company.
Jimbo, which brand did you go with? And like you, I believe the trans. is the weak link with regard to towing.
Derek, same here, I have hauled more stuff behind my volvo than 90% of the suv or pickups out there. I have a featherlite aluminum trailer.
Lane
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Problem with the Euro hitch is that the ball is 50 mm --which is NOT the same as 2 inches.
Last edited by lkchris; Jun 25, 2007 at 05:33 PM.
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Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 139
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From: little rock,ar
E-320 Bluetec
I tried to find a hitch on e trailer for my Bluetec and they don't offer any. I know that the engine would pull a train, I have a 1000# 6X10 utility trailer that from time to time I would like to haul stuff, rather than behind the Yukon. Where'd you find one?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 2
From: ct
All Diesel Fleet !1983 240d stick,2005 E320 CDI Midnight blue, 2005 E320 CDI, Desert Silver, Kubota
E Class Hitch
My hitch is a Class 1. It is manufactured by Curt. I see charts that show 03-06 211 Body Style. You might call Curt and ask them about your 2007. It might be the same, and the charts not updated.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, Canada
E320 CDI
From the instruction, it looks like the back and forth force is controlled by 2 bolts mounted by 2 drilled hole in the trunk well. There are 4 hooks to provide some metal to metal friction for the back and forth movement. Unless the document is missing something, I don't feel very safe to tow with that setup. I mean the drilled hole could deform over time. The bolts will come lose. I would like to weld the whole part where it attaches to the trunk well. Is it relatively easy to weld a car? Will it screw up any electronics on the car with such a big voltage feed to the metal body?
Are there any other hitches out there?
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area
2015 GLK 250 BT
You were successful in mounting this CURT hitch onto 2005 CDI? I was thinking of doing the same, but read that CURT hitch won't work with CDI. Something to do with our CDI exhausts getting in the way. But appears you made it work. Any major alteration that needs to be done to fit this CURT hitch?
