NorseWagon

Just bought a little boat and a trailer.
Could use a hook on the E-500 Wagon.

One of my buds thought the re-sale value of the car would go way down with a hook. (As the next buyer would think I have been hauling bricks for a living or some such thing)

Is a hook doable without a factory "towing package" and if so, how much?

Thx.

lkchris

Problem is there is no "factory towing package" available for US-spec Mercedes, save for the SUVs.

NorseWagon

Hmm, guess that is it then..?
Can't just bolt on a tow hook without a towing package...?

lkchris

There are USA-made hitches.

I'd worry a lot however, about some mechanic with a handful of Scotchloks messing with a Mercedes electrical system.

sillen963

Here in Europe you can equip your w211/s211 with towbar that folds away under your bumber when its not in use!
Totaly invisible so no value loss here

Can you see it?


Here it is folded away:


Here is the lever that you pull to relese the towbar:


A small light comes on and it says Towbar relesed in the speedo:


Here it has relesed from its hiding place:


And here it is in its place ready to tow:

michaelle1

Man, that's cool. I have a 05 E500 4matic wagon that I've just purchased a Wesfallia hitch from Germany -- it is rated at 2200 KG, which is roughly about 4800 lbs. I now need the wiring kit -- they sell the kit for European which is not the same as the U.S. I've been searching for a converter but no such luck yet. If anyone out there has a solution for wiring for me it would be awesome.

NorseWagon

Hmm, that is pretty clever...Invisible hook..

Looks expensive however and not sure it can be retro-fitted.

True, but I would not need any elctric connections back there, required or not, will take my changes.

sillen963

I cant understand what the difference is between a European and U.S kit?
The only information you need to get to the trailer is Running light,Brake light and Blinker and that cant be different from Europe and America?
Or do you have electric brakes in U.S too?

sillen963

Well i think everything can get retrofitted,its just a question about cost :P

I would guess that this option cost around 2000-2500$ when you orderd your car new.

michaelle1

the hitch is hideable as well. It is not as fancy as the factory's with the switch lever inside like pictured above but it comes down, turn and pivot up behind the rear bumper. I guess there's enough room under there for that to work. It's pretty slick.

the european light connectors are different from the flat blade connector to our trailers here. I am thinking of getting the European wiring kit and then purchase a european trailer connector and re wire it to our flat blade kind.

sillen963

That shouldent be to hard to do.
Good luck with your little project

lkchris

Euro hitches have 50mm *****, which is not quite the same as the 2-inch USA standard.

The factory electrics also include backup lights and rear fog light. The connector is 7 pins and I really doubt there's, for example, a "U-haul" adapter.

Most USA trailers use same bulb filament for brake and turn indicators, and this requires some extra electronics to avoid turn indicator being always 4-way hazard flasher.

michaelle1

Thanks. I did do the conversion and 50mm is approximately 1.97 inches which is close enough to make it work. Thanks for checking. I'm working on the wiring but it looks likes there is a way -- one of the post showed a 04 E320 towing a travel trailer and with some info. I'm going to contact him. Thanks for the info.