Traffic53

so, has anyone done this with an e55? is there anywhere to attach to?
i want to drag a lightweight track car/aluminum trailer to some regional events this year and would like to use the merc.

the question is: who has done it, and what's involved?



due respect to those looking to have a discussion on the social ramifications of using the e55 to tow...i don't care. i know it's ten kinds of evil to even suggest towing with these. i want to move past that, and discuss whether the machine can accomplish the task without destroying some secret e55-only component that i'm not aware of.

any thoughts?

cheers.

intellilogic

I want after pictures!

Uber Wagon

What does the owner's manual say about towing? I've seen in the past that German cars usually address a max GWR that you can tow - even the higher performing ones.

If the owner's manual says you can - I would suggest going to a show that is very familiar with hitches and get something solid, yet aesthetically pleasing (i.e. able to be hidden)

The airmatic should help you with leveling, or void your warranty - one or the other....

Corvettes often tow tire trailers, etc so I don't see why you can't - just stay within the limits of the braking ability of the E55.

tscales

I never found a way. The rear lower plastic panel is in the way.

MBenzNL

just get the original mercedes fold-away trailer hitch...this fits without drilling a single hole, comes with the wiring and it's own control unit and is not vissible at all when folded away behind the bumper - HOWEVER -

1) as these hitches are european, they come with a 13pin socket and a european ball...if you are planning on towing 1 trailer and only with this car you can simply change the electronics and coupler on th etrailer

2) mercedes states that their trailer hitches are not meant to be used on 211s with an AMG rear bumper but that is no problem on the W211 (the sedan) and I don't expect it to be a problem on the S211 (the station) either...the space between the ball and the bumper is less with the AMG bumper compared to the regular bumper but as long as you couple with care...

The last 2 pictures in the following link: http://www.mbenznl.nl/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=28&catid=16&PageN o=2 show that hitch (un)folded

greetingz,

Hazy1

Hmmm.......wonder how well it'd do with my boat behind. I can just see the looks at the launch when the little AMG drags a 6,000# boat up the ramp.

I assume this isn't a Class 3 hitch.

MJ50

it should do well with ur boat...

blkamgsl55

I built my own hitch with a 2" receiver that I successfully used on my previously owned 2005 E500 4Matic Wagon, 2007 E63 Wagon and is currently installed on my 2008 E350 4MaticWagon. I copied Curt Trailer Hitches design for a Wagon using the vertical bolts on the bumper spacer and two(2) of the horizontal bolts on the other side of these spacers for the other attachment point. I used 2-1/2" with 1/4" wall thickness tubing for the crossbar and a short section of this same sized tubing to get the drop required to position the 2" receiver below the rear cushion. I used 3/8" x 2" strap steel to make the tabs that secure the crossbar to the vertical bolt previously mentioned. I used this same size strapping to make the "L" shaped brackets to secure the crossbar to the horizontal bolts. The biggest challenge is getting the crossbar to clear the tailpipes. when I installed the hitch on my E63 I had to section and box the crossbar where it went over the tailpipes. This project was one of the most difficult challenges I have encountered in the 50 years that I've been pklaying with cars. The main issue is the clearances involved and the repeated times I had to put the hitch in place to confirm fit before welding.

Traffic53

sl55-
i see you are in frankfort. i am in oak park. do you still have it? do you need it? are you selling it!!

Traffic53

mbenzNL-

is that a factory part? i see it says "550 fold-away" hitch. i just haven't been able to find a factory part in north america.

thanks for the link.
cheers

Wish4_e55Wagon

Pics please

SWED E55-04

Mike,
I have had it done by mercdealer in Sweden, oem parts. Just get a cooling mod. Max 1000kg in papper, i`m towing 1500-2000kg without any problems. E500(all exept E200) can take max 2100kg with same airmatic etc, we have better trans and breaks but amgtechs are afraid of engineheat but i have no problem in cold swe and rear bumper fits in nice, i can take it away when its not in use so nothing can be seen. I try to make some pics here later.

MBenzNL

yes it is an original mercedes option...I installed one on a US W211 today as well...

greetingz,

WayneE

I'm considering an E63 Wagon. If I buy the wagon, I'd want to install a hitch to tow a small utility trailer. Do you have any better pics of the MB hitch and a part number?

Thanks!

WayneE

Is this the design you copied?

http://www.hidden-hitch.com/instructions.aspx?pn=C11701

Do you have any pictures of your setup?

tscales

Did anyone ever figure out the part number? I need to order this.

Thanks,

Tom