JohnOhara

[Johnjo]

Hi, just joined, we have an elderly E 280 **********, would welcome views from anyone using an E320 estate for towing a large caravan weighing approx 1850kgs loaded. We love our 280 only used when it's dry, garaged from oct/ nov until spring, it's just too nice to use when salt and ice on roads. Also, we may buy an early SLK. There 3 of us Merc enthusiasts here in near Darlington,in addition to my 280 there is a 1990 230TE, and a 2000 CLK

Regards

Johno

 

[DSM10000]

Welcome!

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hello and welcome to you.

 

[Deleted member 55947]

Hi and welcome

 

[BEJ]

Welcome from me too. SLK - good!!

 

[s500colin]

Hello
Welcome to the Forum

 

[sgi]

Welcome John

 

[Buffers]

Hi and welcome Johno

 

[BTB 500]

Hi and welcome

E320 estate for towing a large caravan weighing approx 1850kgs loaded.

That's a big caravan. The kerbweight of the car should be more than the MTPLM (maximum permitted gross weight) of the caravan, and the MTPLM must be less than the car's braked trailer limit. You could run into noseweight problems - for good stability the guideline is meant to be 7% of laden weight, so for 1850 kg that would be 130 kg ... which is almost certainly more than the car's limit.

You need handbook data for the specific model of E320 you're talking about, but I suspect it would be a bit marginal.

 

[Johnjo]

Thanks, may have to consider an ML, we currently tow with a Jeep grand cherokee with the 2.7 Merc turbo diesel. It's ok, but we fancy a change
Regards
Johno

 

[BTB 500]

Power-wise a 320 would be OK, but it doesn't have a big SUV's weight (which you need for stability). The ML is pretty good I think, there are a few here who tow with them.