Towing Capabilities W211

[Blackjack]

I tow a Twin axle caravan (Loaded approx 1900kg) with a 4x4 but I am thinking the W211 (2100kg tow cap) would may be a better choice. I would think it will be a bit easier on the syrup

So if any member can give me some info re the Towing capabilities / advantages of the E220 W211 (170bhp) auto estate Avantgarde before I decide whether to stick a ball on it or not

Any info regarding MPG and towing would be appreciated and also if it will require an auto transmission oil cooler fitting if fact any useful information on this model and towing would be appreciated
Thank You

 

[Druk]

My W211 handbook gives the unladen weight of a 220CDi as 1785kg. Irrespective of what Merc say you are not allowed to tow more than the kerbweight of the towing vehicle. Vosa would have kittens at you towing 1900. Having said that, my 320 is classed at 1885kg but when I put it on the local authority weighbridge it came in at 1990kg. I tow an 8mtr single axle van weighing 1700kg and the car copes brilliantly. Not sure I would like to try that with a 220. A bit underpowered I suspect.

 

[BTB 500]

What's the kerbweight of your W211? I suspect it won't be enough for decent stability with a 1900kg caravan. To get an 85% match (ideal) you'd need a kerbweight of over 2200 kg - big 4x4 (or van).

The braked trailer limit of 2100 kg you mention only means it's capable of doing a hill start on a specified gradient with that weight hitched up.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Irrespective of what Merc say you are not allowed to tow more than the kerbweight of the towing vehicle. Vosa would have kittens at you towing 1900.

i think it depends on when you got your licence....

you should be able to tow up to whatever the max is indicated in your handbook if your licence is before 97, although not really recommended if its over 100%.....

What weight can I tow

also;

Practical Caravan - Legal issues of towing

NTTA Safe & Legal Towing - Matching the Trailer with the Towing Vehicle

i personally wouldnt do it, but i believe you can, legally.

 

[BTB 500]

I believe if you go over 100% you can be prosecuted for it being "unroadworthy" if there's an accident or it's seen to be snaking. But other than that yes, provided you licence has the right ratings you can legally go up to the car's braked trailer limit (which is fine for a low trailer).

 

[timskemp]

Sell caravan. Use hotels.Never worry about trainweight, noseweight, snaking, braking, bowwave, towing capacities, caravan insurance, chemical toilets, hook up points, site fees, turning in narrow roads, reversing or causing queues on long hills again. Problem solved.

 

[A210AMG]

^ funny man.


Caravaning....LOVE IT

 

[Druk]

Sell caravan. Use hotels.Never worry about trainweight, noseweight, snaking, braking, bowwave, towing capacities, caravan insurance, chemical toilets, hook up points, site fees, turning in narrow roads, reversing or causing queues on long hills again. Problem solved.

Buy caravan. Shun hotels. Never again worry about overpricing, bedbugs, surly receptionists, overcooked/undercooked breakfasts you have to be down for by 9am, noisy toilets that don't work. Learn how to reverse like the professionals, have B&B for £20pn for two and revel in the longest traffic jam you can create (preferably on the narrowest road in north Wales).

 

[st4]

Sell caravan. Use hotels.Never worry about trainweight, noseweight, snaking, braking, bowwave, towing capacities, caravan insurance, chemical toilets, hook up points, site fees, turning in narrow roads, reversing or causing queues on long hills again. Problem solved.

Buy caravan. Shun hotels. Never again worry about overpricing, bedbugs, surly receptionists, overcooked/undercooked breakfasts you have to be down for by 9am, noisy toilets that don't work. Learn how to reverse like the professionals, have B&B for £20pn for two and revel in the longest traffic jam you can create (preferably on the narrowest road in north Wales).

Camp fire - BBC Top Gear
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TehZL0bCnkg[/YOUTUBE]

YouTube - Top Gear - Going on Caravan Hollidays (Part 1)

 

[Blackjack]

Thanks for all you comments, I should have pointed out the caravan is a Eddlis Crusader Storm 2007 (twin axle so is very stable when towed) with a ULW of 1625KG this is under the ULW of the E220 so would be legal but a little outside the general 85% rule advised by the Caravan Club. Obviously when loading you take account of this and stick the heavy stuff in the car.

The power output of the E220 CDI engine is around 204 BHP and around 455NM with the Power Box fitted.

The car feels like it would do the job with ease but I was hoping some members would have used this model for towing and could have given me some feedback that would help me to decide whether to put a ball on this or carry on using the 4x4.

 

[Apial]

I believe if you go over 100% you can be prosecuted for it being "unroadworthy" if there's an accident or it's seen to be snaking. But other than that yes, provided you licence has the right ratings you can legally go up to the car's braked trailer limit (which is fine for a low trailer).

I hear what you believe, but my horse trailer has a MLW of 2.7 tonnes and the L200 has a manufacturers maximum trailer weight of 2.8 tonnes. I think the L200 has a kerb weight of about 1.9 tonnes. So in theory, if I towed the trailer fully laden at roughly 150% I would not be exceeding the trailers nor the L200s manufacturers specifications. In fact even with just one horse and lots of gear I probably could just about hit 100%

So if 100% was the law, what on earth tow vehicle could ever pull it with two horses in?

I think what you "believe" might have been true some years ago,and I think that towing law has since been changed so that you may only tow a trailer whose plated MLW does not exceed the car manufacturers plated maximum trailer tow weight. Maximum Train Weight also must be obeyed as well as individual axle limits.

Towing an unladed braked 1000kg trailer that was plated with say a 5 tonne MLW would only be legal if the towing vehicle had the same or higher maximum trailer towing capacity of 5 tonnes. For this reason some horse trailers get down plated to match the towing vehicle.

This area is very complex and I know a lot of people still tow with incorrect plating and think that it is the actual laden trailer weight that only matters.

 

[Apial]

Thanks for all you comments, I should have pointed out the caravan is a Eddlis Crusader Storm 2007 (twin axle so is very stable when towed) with a ULW of 1625KG this is under the ULW of the E220 so would be legal but a little outside the general 85% rule advised by the Caravan Club. Obviously when loading you take account of this and stick the heavy stuff in the car.

The power output of the E220 CDI engine is around 204 BHP and around 455NM with the Power Box fitted.

The car feels like it would do the job with ease but I was hoping some members would have used this model for towing and could have given me some feedback that would help me to decide whether to put a ball on this or carry on using the 4x4.

This is what I "think" is correct...

What is the maximum caravan laden weight on the caravans chassis plate? What is the Mercs max train weight and kerb weight? Deduct one from the other and you derive tha maximum towable weight. The maximum towable mass might also be listed seperately in your handbook. The plated figures though are the ones that count.

If you exceed any of the maximums then you are not legal. The ULW of your caravan is only a guide as to how much payload your caravan might be able to carry. MLW-ULW = payload. It is the MLW that is more important. If unsure then you will need to put your caravan on a weighbridge when everything is packed.

The Mercs maximum plated train weight must be heavier than the caravans plated MLW+the Mercs plated unladen kerb weight. The Mercs maximum train weight must never be exceeded.

In addition I would also pay close attention to the noseweight and aim to run it at the maximum. If you are also close to your limit then you should also consider a hitch stabiliser to reduce snaking, or just fit one anyway.

Lastly, tyre pressures are extremely important. Under-inflated tyres cause premature tyre failure and instability. Check your tyre pressures are inaccordance with the manufacturers recommendations, and also that the correct type of tyres are fitted. Some people fit cheaper un-reinforced tyres to save money, but these tyres can not take the load or required pressures needed.

Tyre pressures are often much higher than you would expect on a car. My horser trailer runs at 93psi, and from memory the last caravan I had was running at around 55psi, but they will all vary.

DISCLAIMER:
I am not a legal expert nor qualified to give any advice on towing and any advice given is not to be relied on under any circumstances. If you want any towing or legal advice then you should ask a competant expert in those fields.

 

[x332race]

I hear what you believe, but my horse trailer has a MLW of 2.7 tonnes and the L200 has a manufacturers maximum trailer weight of 2.8 tonnes. I think the L200 has a kerb weight of about 1.9 tonnes. So in theory, if I towed the trailer fully laden at roughly 150% I would not be exceeding the trailers nor the L200s manufacturers specifications. In fact even with just one horse and lots of gear I probably could just about hit 100%

So if 100% was the law, what on earth tow vehicle could ever pull it with two horses in?

I think what you "believe" might have been true some years ago,and I think that towing law has since been changed so that you may only tow a trailer whose plated MLW does not exceed the car manufacturers plated maximum trailer tow weight. Maximum Train Weight also must be obeyed as well as individual axle limits.

Towing an unladed braked 1000kg trailer that was plated with say a 5 tonne MLW would only be legal if the towing vehicle had the same or higher maximum trailer towing capacity of 5 tonnes. For this reason some horse trailers get down plated to match the towing vehicle.

This area is very complex and I know a lot of people still tow with incorrect plating and think that it is the actual laden trailer weight that only matters.

I believe you are correct.....A horse trailer and two horses will be around 2,200kgs, perhaps more..an ML has a kerbweight of about 2,200kgs but is rated to tow around 3,300kgs.
However, I do not believe that, if you have C + E licence, you need to have the trailer plated to match the car.....my reading of the legislation is that it is only necessary to replate if you only have a C licence (no E). If you have C + E all you have to ensure is that the total weight being towed (trailer and load) does not exceed the manufactures rated towing limit for the vehicle.

As you say, the situation regarding towing and trailers is overly complex and it is very difficult to get a straight answer...I have had many discussions on horse related forums relating to this and everybody appears to have a different view as to the law, even police officers!! I have read and reread the govements guidelines on this matter and none of it is clear.

PS. A lot of this seems to depend on how long ago you took your driving test....I passed on in 1978 and have B, BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E on my licence which seems to cover most things! I thing if you have passed your test since 1 Jan 1997 matters are much tougher and you need to take additional tests.

 

[Apial]

So if I were to upgrade my horse trailer to a triple axle Star Treka with an ULW of 1850kg and a max of 3500kg, could I legally tow it empty with a vehicle whose maximum trailer weight is 2700kg? Clearly I would have a payload of 850kg and that would be enough for one large horse or 2 13.2h ish ponies.

The Equi-Trek delaer I spoke to said that I couldn't do it because the trailer was plated at 3500kg. But if it were replated to 2700 kg I definately would not have a problem?

 

[x332race]

If you have the correct sections on you driving licence, I believe you should be able to tow this combo without any replating. If the trailer were plated at 2700kgs, you are going to have problems carrying 2 horses who are likely to weigh in excess of 500kgs each.
See this government website...its all as clear as mud on it!

It is a very confusing situation...here is an extract from the site...see if you can understand what they are trying to say!

Upgrading entitlement for trailers

"In general, an additional driving test is required for each category or subcategory of entitlement. But there are certain exceptions to this where drivers have already passed one test which involves trailer entitlement for a larger or equivalent sized vehicle.

This means that passing a test for subcategory C1+E or D1+E upgrades category B entitlement to B+E. A test pass for subcategory C1+E upgrades subcategory D1, if held, to D1+E. But a test pass for subcategory D1+E does not upgrade subcategory C1 to C1+E because the trailer size required for a subcategory D1+E test is smaller than that required for a subcategory C1+E test.

Passing a test for category C+E upgrades category B entitlement to B+E and also confers entitlement to subcategory C1 and C1+E and, if category D or subcategory D1 is held, these are upgraded to category D+E or subcategory D1+E. A test passed for category D+E upgrades category B and subcategory D1 to category B+E and subcategory D1+E respectively. But it does not upgrade category C or subcategory C1 entitlements because the trailer size required for a category D+E test is smaller than that required for a category C+E or subcategory C1+E test"

 

[Druk]

This is what I "think" is correct...

What is the Mercs max train weight and kerb weight? Deduct one from the other and you derive tha maximum towable weight.

I don't think this is correct. Max train weight has to take into account driver, passenger/s luggage, fuel, load in car...then add trailer. Kerbweight is unladen. Max train weight is everything.

I'm still convinced that (irrespective of what license group you hold) you're still not allowed to tow more than the towcars kerbweight. There has been endless talk on this subject on the caravan forums and the above is the advice given.

4WDs may be different but the OP is asking about an E Class.



.

 

[Apial]

Yes the maximum train weight is everything. Put the whole lot on the weigh bridge and you must be under the limit. Kerb weight does allow a few extras inc some fuel and the weight of a driver, I forget the exact definition.

I certainly can't agree with you about the 100%. Equi-trek openly advertise triple axle horse trailers plated at 3500kg being pulled by a Range Rover. I have never seen any special case being made that puts 4x4s being in a special class. The same rules apply to 4x4s as any other towing vehicle.

Equi-trek are not the only company to do this. I'm quite sure by now I would have heard about VOSA hauling horse trailers off the road if this was true. VOSA are quite sharp at pulling 7.5 tonne converted horseboxes off the road because many conversions leave the lorry only capable of loading one horse, never mind 3. I have not come across any warnings given to 3.5 tonne plated horse trailers being towed by vehicles designed to be capable of towing 3.5 tonnes but weighing less than 3.5 tonnes themselves.

In fact a Land Rover Defender might have a kerb weight of as little as 1750KG but be rated by the manufacturer to be able to tow 3500kg. These vehicles often tow horse trailers much in excess of their kerb weight and nobody bats an eyelid.

 

[SilverSaloon]

Thanks for all you comments, I should have pointed out the caravan is a Eddlis Crusader Storm 2007 (twin axle so is very stable when towed) with a ULW of 1625KG

its the MTLPLM not the MIRO which is important here. I believe about 1800kg is about the MTLPLM of the Crusadar TA?

whatever, i love those vans and a worthy replacement to mine! this is exactly what i'll be interested in towing with a 320cdi S211 estate eventually.

 

[Apial]

MIRO = mass in running order, as in the weight of the caravan with no additions e.g. gas bottles

MTPLM = maximum technical permissible laden mass (pre 1998 it was known as MGW maximum gross weight), as in the maximum the van can weigh with all your items inside it.

MTPLM minus MIRO = user payload, as in the maximum weight you can put inside the van when on-tow

 

[Apial]

its the MTLPLM not the MIRO which is important here. I believe about 1800kg is about the MTLPLM of the Crusadar TA?

whatever, i love those vans and a worthy replacement to mine! this is exactly what i'll be interested in towing with a 320cdi S211 estate eventually.

A 2006 model is listed at 1900KG MTPLM or maximum gross weight.