Is there a cheap and idiot proof tow kit that can be fitted to a 240D? Something I can do myself with a drill and some bolts? Something that doesn't cost more than I paid for the car. Not too worried about wiring, just the nuts and bolts.
Tow Kit for 240D
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Just to be sure are you speaking of towing the Mercedes from the Front behind another Vehicle or do you want to pull a Trailer.
If you want to pull a Trailer that is light weight Trailer Hitches & Vehicle Accessories (800)298-8924
Curt Trailer Hitch 11614.
But, this other Trailer Hitch appears to be stonger DA217336 Dalan Hitch but also does not appear to be sold anywere.
Back in the 1970s I bought a generic Tow Bar to pull a Pickup Truck during a move. The Bar was set up for a flat Bumper and was in fact made for a Jeep at that time.
I had a spare badly rusted Steel Bumper for the Truck that I swapped onto the Truck and I drilled the 4 holes into that and infact that Bumper is still on the Truck.
Questions is the 78 240D Bumper strong enough to drill holes in and tow the Care and do you want to drill holes in the front of the Bumper? Next question is is what holde the Bumper in place strong enough to remain attached to the rest of the Car when you tow it.
Also if you tow your 240D the stock Transmission you have does not have the rear pump in the Transmission. That means you need to detach the Drive Shaft so the Transmission does not turn.
If you want to pull a Trailer that is light weight Trailer Hitches & Vehicle Accessories (800)298-8924
Curt Trailer Hitch 11614.
But, this other Trailer Hitch appears to be stonger DA217336 Dalan Hitch but also does not appear to be sold anywere.
Back in the 1970s I bought a generic Tow Bar to pull a Pickup Truck during a move. The Bar was set up for a flat Bumper and was in fact made for a Jeep at that time.
I had a spare badly rusted Steel Bumper for the Truck that I swapped onto the Truck and I drilled the 4 holes into that and infact that Bumper is still on the Truck.
Questions is the 78 240D Bumper strong enough to drill holes in and tow the Care and do you want to drill holes in the front of the Bumper? Next question is is what holde the Bumper in place strong enough to remain attached to the rest of the Car when you tow it.
Also if you tow your 240D the stock Transmission you have does not have the rear pump in the Transmission. That means you need to detach the Drive Shaft so the Transmission does not turn.
Yes, tow with the 240D, not tow the 240D.
I'm a bit worried about bolting thru the wheel well tho' it's not in the best of shape.
I'm a bit worried about bolting thru the wheel well tho' it's not in the best of shape.
If you can find it, get the Curt hitch. It bolts to the body-studs that secure the 5-mph bumper shocks, with extensions that fasten to the unibody frame-rails, and won't interfere with the bumper operation. The W123 shocks and bumper (especially the later W123 bumpers with the 'welded-pad' shock attachments) are designed for compression, not pulling loads.
Happy Motoring, Mark
Happy Motoring, Mark
There is 2 types of CURT Hitches.
There is the one you describe and a simpler one that does not look strong that came up when I looked up My Year and Model.
So which is which?
Get the one I described if it's still availible. Of course, it's the expensive one. Only issues I've heard with it are clearance problems with some exhaust systems, and possibly (I think) some have had problems fitting it to wagons.
The 'simpler one' is a universal type that bolts to the bumper and tire well. Not recommended.
IMHO, the best hitch for these cars is the Euro version, like the one that came on my '84 Euro TD. But that one only really works with the Euro bumper and it eliminates the bumper-shocks.
Happy Motoring, Mark
Yeah, I meant how do I find it? Like 300DMan, if I put in my Make and Model all I get is the one that bolts to the bumper and tyre well? Do you know the model number? Or how to find it some other way?
Just checked and Curt lists only the 'crap' hitch for the W123 sedans & coupes. They list the 'good' hitch for the 300TD. The bumper mount spacing for sedan and TD should be the same. (I currently have a sedan bumper & shocks on the rear of my 84" TD)
I think the main issue is still clearance with the sedan tailpipe.
Curt Part # 11805 with 1-1/4" receiver.
118051 including 1-7/8" Euro ball.
118052 including 2" Euro ball.
118053 including std 1-1/4" drawbar for different size balls.
Unfortunately, current MSRP is now around $550!
The later W123s are weak where the aluminum rear bumper connects to the shocks. And making the bumper shocks inoperable isn't a good idea either.
I'd put my Euro hitch & bumper back on before I'd use something like that.
Happy Motoring, Mark
What is gods name do you think you can tow with a 78 240d?
If its auto I wouldn't even think of it..
I am afraid to tow with my euro 300D as the max is 3000lbs....a 240D max is 1630lbs....
I suppose since you live on/in Uranus keeping up with traffic won't be an issue but I thought there was no gravity there?
You also need to find a way to stiffen the springs as the tongue weight will cause the rear of the car to seriously drag and in the case of my euro tear up the boots on the axles as well as the rear suspension bump stops to tear up. That was only with maybe 1500lbs in the car...
If its auto I wouldn't even think of it..
I am afraid to tow with my euro 300D as the max is 3000lbs....a 240D max is 1630lbs....
I suppose since you live on/in Uranus keeping up with traffic won't be an issue but I thought there was no gravity there?
You also need to find a way to stiffen the springs as the tongue weight will cause the rear of the car to seriously drag and in the case of my euro tear up the boots on the axles as well as the rear suspension bump stops to tear up. That was only with maybe 1500lbs in the car...
I don't think we're talking about towing an Airstream cross-country here.
With a proper hitch, and balanced load, I'd be OK pulling a small utility trailer to haul appliances short distances - gross weight including trailer, well under 1000 pounds.
Happy Motoring, Mark
Agreed! But what I have found out is that most people want to tow an airstream or yacht behind their car. Its interesting how TV reality shows have influenced "mainstream" fads..American Picker out :grin
I've already fitted my '96 4-cyl Camry sedan with a 'factory' hitch and Camry wagon rear springs - courtesy of Pick-N-Pull, for occasional light-duty towing. The wagon springs also made a huge improvement in handling and stability as the original Camry sedan springs were way too soft and sagged after nearly 20 years use.
So I don't really need to fit a hitch to my 240D. Though I think my diesel's rear springs are still way stiffer, and more capable of taking a load, than the ones I removed from my Camry
Happy Motoring, Mark
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Re:240D towing
Guys and girls,I gotta tell you the only thing I would tow with a 240D (even a manual) is a SMALL trailer filled with down pillows. Anything else is sheer insanity!:nerd
Guys and girls,I gotta tell you the only thing I would tow with a 240D (even a manual) is a SMALL trailer filled with down pillows. Anything else is sheer insanity!:nerd
Yeah, I'll take it off soon, I put it on when the bumper was falling off, now that I've corrected that, I don't need the hitch.
Yeah it's for lightweight work over short distances. It's a manual. I'm not planning on going more than 30-40 mph, and you yanks are obsessed with overlarge engines, in the real world people tow caravans with a Ford Cortina 
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