I'm planning to move cross country and will be driving my e550 fully loaded.

I have a non folding rear seat, does it come out with tools? I'd be interested in taking out the back part so I could fit some larger items.

I was also thinking of getting a roof rack with bike rack or luggage hauler. But have zip experience, any advice on racks that can handle a decent amount of weight or storage container?

Thanks

 

Maybe a trailer instead? Seems like a tow hitch kit might be worth the trouble?
The seats on all my cars folded but I guess you weren't so lucky. And mine has spots on the roof to accept roof racks, which I bet are expensive. There are aftermarket universal mounts but I bet they'll just damage the paint, if they fit at all.
Of course the seats can be removed, but if you're not willing to poke around and figure it out you can post your year and exact model, ideally the VIN, and ask konigstiger who is the resident oem instruction god.

 

Whats the vin on your car are you sure you don't have the pass through seats? They're a pretty common feature.

 

Here is my vin, WDDHF7CB5AA260953
I didn't even know this option existed as I had 2 other w212 that had the fold down seats. Figured it was standard.

I thought about going the route of a hitch but I too have the 4 spots for roof rack attachment and I do not see an easy hitch install option.

My other vehicles have plenty of storage in prep for the move so was just trying to prove to the wife that the e can hold its own on carrying some things. We don't have a bike rack for any of our cars so we're thinking it might be a nice thing to grab.


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do it properly. E is factory prepped for towing. It can’t be hard to install the hitch

 

 

When I love the hide a hitch idea, they are hard to ship from Europe and don't have DOT ratings.
W212 has slots on the roof for bolt on installation of roof rack. Don't know if that changed, but in the past MB dealers were selling relabeled Thule racks with towers that fit the slots.
You can get the same rack for less directly from Thule.
Trailer not only takes a hitch, but also light adapter and when heavier, - brake controller. That makes it quite complicated.

 

Thanks that's great advice on the hitch. Also I don't want it permanently and roof rack looks easier to take on and off. I hate having to get under the car.
also wife said wouldn't it be nice to get a kayak, so a roof rack seems more logical at this point.

Once I get a roof rack, probably the cheapest Thule bars, anyone have a storage capsule they recommend? Or a bike rack for the roof bars?


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Weird I guess the 2011+ E550's have that as standard because I've never ever seen a car without them!

 

You can go to Curt's website and they'll have a DOT spec hitch specifically for the w212. I have one for my W211, and my neighbors got a kick out of me using it to haul a cut up tree that fell in a storm earlier this year. That's probably the heaviest load I've taken on mine.

 

When I move across country, I reserve the car (first) for those items that a mover will not take or insure... Jewelry, seven family heirloom paintings, model collection, firearms collection, etc.

I'm always surprised how quickly I fill the trunk and back seat with these items.

All else rides in a trailer. And the mover's trailer...

 

I have the roof racks, sometimes you can find them on Craigslist/facebook marketplace. It's limited in weight though, I think about 200 pounds max. Don't do anything too crazy like tie them down too hard with ratchet straps, that would add to the force on the bars. I believe the cargo box is kinda universal for MB, should fit as long as you have the racks. At this point I believe the roof racks are discontinued from MB, but if you search around for the part number, maybe you will luck into them, 2128900393.

 

Thule makes the complete set, rack, kayak rack, bike rack and storage box, its expensive but you will not be disappointed

 

Just installed the 1.25" Curt 11413 hitch on our S212 Wagon. I like how it sits out of the way but the trade-off is now the foot-kick tailgate opening antenna is mostly blocked.

I'm looking for a 2" receiver adapter for our bike carrier and have the choice of straight or 4" rise, so I'm wondering if you needed a riser to avoid dragging loads on curbs, etc.?

 

Depending on how much stuff why not rent a small U-haul one way and car trailer for your E type?
or penske has them too; did that 2 years ago for son.

 

I transported my bike about 50 miles with my bike rack without a riser without issue on my w211. That was on interstates and local, however I don't leave the rack on full time so am not sure if curbs would be an issue. Would it hurt to just use the riser regardless?

 

Ultimately this is what we did.
Uhaul box truck + trailer pulling the e and the wife drove her trailblazer with the pets. Worked out to be the cheapest option.

 

Good for you even though driving a U-haul is not on my bucket lists they can be cheap even after fuel and mileage costs.

Enjoy your new surroundings!