[Brian VT]

I will be moving soon and I have a 1985 280SE that I'd like to pull behind the U-haul with a car dolly.
Where, and how big of a deal is it, to disconnect the driveshaft?
Also, the rear diff. fluid is long over due for changing. Is it imperative that I change it before this 4 1/2 hour tow?

 

[Pinecreekman]

I will be moving soon and I have a 1985 280SE that I'd like to pull behind the U-haul with a car dolly.
Where, and how big of a deal is it, to disconnect the driveshaft?
Also, the rear diff. fluid is long over due for changing. Is it imperative that I change it before this 4 1/2 hour tow?

Brian, fair amount of work involved to remove the propshaft.... also a whole lot of car to put on a dolly..

 

[tusabes]

Drive the car . Trailering a car on two wheels is very dangerous

 

[Brian VT]

Thanks guys. I’ll skip the towing.
That said, I towed my wife’s Supra from MA to Oregon with no issues back in 1998.

 

[MarkCan]

Drive the car . Trailering a car on two wheels is very dangerous

Provided your diff. is disconnected and the car is placed in the forward direction on the tow dolly you are good to go. The difference between the above setup and a full car trailer is the brakes. The heavier/full size car trailers can be equipped with electric brakes.
You got 4 hours to go. Unless there is a second driver doing nothing I would tow. Just drive according to the conditions and equipment you are operating. I don’t think I have to tell you that. You drive the classic Benz, you know by now. 😀

 

[Brian VT]

Where would be the easiest spot to disconnect the driveshaft and what’s involved? Then I would just make a hanger to hold it up.
The Supra had a manual tranny so I don’t think I disconnected the driveshaft.

 

[John350]

I would pull it on a flat bed. You need to remove the driveshaft, not just disconnect it, unless you can secure the free end in such a away that it can't possibly move and come into contact with the differential drive flange. Once you remove the shaft, you need to cap off the rear of the transmission. Unless you can remove the aft section of the shaft after the center bearing.

Some have reportedly towed with the engine idling to maintain lubrication in the trans. Not sure I'd be comfortable with that option myself.

 

[Heikkif]

Mercedessource on youtube had a video on this.

 

[Brian VT]

Thanks. I found it.
It just says to disconnect the driveshaft before trailering.

 

[Jim-ML320W164]

Is the car drivable Brian?

 

[Brian VT]

Yes.

 

[Jim-ML320W164]

Well maybe you could turn it into a fun drive.

How far do you have to go?

I don't have much of an idea of distances in the us, in 1978 I planned to drive from Philadelphia to San Francisco and back in a weekend until someone laughed and pulled out a map and measured the distance for me!

Is the interstate highways speed limit still 55mph?

.

 

[Brian VT]

I'd have to store it at a friend's house and then make the wife drive me 4 1/2 hours each way to retrieve it.
Or I could just sell it.

 

[Jim-ML320W164]

Selling it would be a great shame, it's among the last of the "real" quality Mercs.