towing with c200K?

[Gazzdid]

hi
this is probably going to seem a strange query, but Im interested to see what peoples thoughts are on towing a caravan with a c200K auto? Obviously it wouldnt be the first choice as a tow-car but I have recently purchased a caravan (bargain from a friend needing a quick sale) and although I can borrow a car off my parents to tow it, but I'd much prefer to use the merc (for any journey actually ) and dont like the idea of putting so much wear and tear on somebody elses vehicle.
Has anyone got experience towing with this model? any forseable problems?
Ive been told automatic gearbox is not ideal for towing but im also wondering whether the car will actually handle the job, Im not sure they had towing in mind when designing a sports coupe!
obviously I know ive got to find out the maximum weight i can tow with it and make sure its below that.
I probably should look at changing the car but really dont want to!
Gazz

 

[V12]

What caravan is it? How much weight?

The C200K will do just fine with a light caravan. The box will be fine.

 

[Druk]

The perceived wisdom is for you to tow not more than 85% of the towcars kerbweight if you are 'new' to towing. So...a fairly small caravan would be fine for the C Class. To all intent the law states actual kerbweight so if your new purchase is slightly over the 85% then just be careful for the first year or so till you become experienced. For instance...keep your max speed at or below 50mph on motorways. The best advice I can give (been caravanning 40yrs) is to keep the van tyre pressures up to recommended -in fact if the tyres are more than 5yrs old get new ones- and to load the van to the max plated towbar weight. Noseweight is everything when it comes to anti-snake. Tyres and snaking are your biggest hazard. The autobox is just fine.
Happy caravanning.

Here's a little light reading. Feel free to join in. http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/ot-o...ravanners-eyes-only-were-getting-new-one.html



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[SimonRJ]

Hi Gazzdid - I have a caravan and up until recently, towed it with a 2005 C220CDI auto. The caravan weighed in at just under 1500kg fully loaded and the car pulled the caravan effortlessly and had no issues with power - it was a little bit 'bouncy' on the back when driving over bumpy New Forest roads. As a first time tower I had no issues but just make sure the van is loaded correctly so the weight is distributed.

Good luck and happy caravanning!

 

[BTB 500]

obviously I know ive got to find out the maximum weight i can tow with it and make sure its below that.

Yup you need to find the maximum braked trailer weight for your car. Also the maximum noseweight allowed.

There are also potential restrictions based on your driving licence ... online guide here:

https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules

 

[Gazzdid]

Thanks for your replies and info guys!
V12- its a avondale rialto 555-4, MTPLM= 1340KG
Druk, thanks for the info and advice. Im a complete newby when it comes to caravaning so its much appreciated. I have read up on the 85% rule and it makes sense.
The 'permissible gross vehicle weight' for my car is 1905 kg, 85% = 1619kg! however Mercedes specify 1500kg as 'maximum braked trailer weight' so I think im right in saying that is the maximum weight trailer it can tow.
But still, I look at the little short-**** coupe on the drive and somehow, hooking 1 and a half tonne of caravan on the back looks like it would break it in half! haha
but according to these figures my caravan is well within at 1340kg so I should have no worries right?
simon - thanks its nice to know its been tried & tested! and your van is heavier than mine so its looking like I should have no problems.

thanks BTB 500, Ive had a look at the licence restrictions and Im ok as long as the combined setup isnt over 3500kg, and the trailer isnt heavier than the car. so no probs there

Has anyone has a towbar fitted to a c200K coupe? would like a removable one but cant seem to find one online? might have to have a ring around
Cheers
Gazz

 

[Zulu 10]

You can buy a removable tow bar from Bertelshofer Anhängerkupplung | Elektrosätze | Im Online-Shop von Bertelshofer - they also sell the electronics and loom which enables full bus integration with the vehicle.

The site is pretty easy to navigate without reverting to Google Translator.

They have a couple of kits for your car, the cheapest being around €400 for removable bar (rated at 1500kg load and 75kg nose weight) with full electronics pack. The expensive one is closer to €500 and rated at 1500kg/100kg respectively.

I bought a kit from them for my CLS and was very impressed with their service.

Delivery from Germany was around £30 but was quicker than some UK traders manage.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Westfalia are great towbars are great to do deal with - in fact if you buy a new Mercedes towbar from factory or parts counter, then you get a Westfalia one. Take your pick:

Westfalia Towbars & Wiring Kits - Model Variation Listing

Ask your Mercedes dealer parts counter for a price too - you may be surprised.

 

[jaymanek]

Im going to go against everyone and say no matter what it says in the book, I would prefer a C220 cdi or C270 for the torque...

That little 1.8 will struggle come any hill...

 

[davidjpowell]

Im going to go against everyone and say no matter what it says in the book, I would prefer a C220 cdi or C270 for the torque...

That little 1.8 will struggle come any hill...

But it will do it. I used to tow with a 1.8 Laguna a heavier Caravan. It was fine, the only thing that really murdered it was a very steep hill with a sharp bend forcing me to slow down. That could eventually see me in first gear for that hill only.

pfjones in Manchester are also helpful and reasonable. Witter Tow bars Westfalia Towbars Eberspacher Main Dealer

 

[BTB 500]

They have a couple of kits for your car, the cheapest being around €400 for removable bar (rated at 1500kg load and 75kg nose weight) with full electronics pack. The expensive one is closer to €500 and rated at 1500kg/100kg respectively.

Maximum allowed noseweight is given in the car's specs (based on rear overhang, suspension, and mounting point design) and is not based on the particular towbar used. I would be very surprised if it was as high as 100 kg for a C Class coupe.

For good stability you are meant to load a caravan to a 7% noseweight, so the towbar limit can be more restrictive than the trailer weight limit (e.g. 7% of 1500 kg is 105 kg).

 

[BTB 500]

The 'permissible gross vehicle weight' for my car is 1905 kg, 85% = 1619kg!

You're supposed to base the 85% 'rule' (guideline) on the kerbweight of the car though, not the maximum weight it could possibly be.

As mentioned, you need to look up the maximum noseweight limit too as it can be pretty low on some cars (I have seen 40 kg, for example).

 

[Druk]

For good stability you are meant to load a caravan to a 7% noseweight, so the towbar limit can be more restrictive than the trailer weight limit (e.g. 7% of 1500 kg is 105 kg).

We've discussed this before Bill. It must be the most unattainable of parameters. 7% of my MTPLM comes out at 120KG. The handbook gives the cars towbar weight at 70KG but there is 80KG on the actual towbar plate. So I tow at nearer 90KG and the thing is as stable as any I've ever towed. Probably better in fact given it's got the continental extended drawbar and OE shockers. I don't know how anyone complies with the 7% in this day of heavier vans unless they've got some 4X4 or other. I regard it as just another CC nonsense.

 

[davidjpowell]

Until the X5 I don't think I've ever been able to have over 60KG on the nose.

I've not had an issue with a Stabiliser, other than a long tow back from the Alps, which had the old fashioned bar type, and I had not realised that you needed to put the lever down to get it to work. Even then it was not too bad, just unnerving.

 

[BTB 500]

Not sure where the 7% originated. But you shouldn't exceed the max. noseweight in the car's handbook - it's one of the things measured in roadside spot checks. As mentioned, it's based on the design of the mounting points and rear suspension and I suspect it could be quote low for a C Coupe, which is what we're talking about here.

 

[grahamcarvlin]

I got my first caravan in 1990 and towed it very safely with an MG metro !!! Yes it attracted attention.
Getting the weights right and distributed evenly is the important thing to remember.
85 % of the car kerb weight is the rule until your experienced then 100% of the cars kerb weight is the maximum allowed. The police and VOSA will use these limits.

Nose weights for most cars are usually 50 - 75 Kg (not 4x4's). Get this right and distribute the rest of the weight evenly and you will be fine. Putting too much nose weight my give the impression of greater stability until you have to change direction quickly as you may then find your suspension is already max'd out thereby affecting stability. Just when you need the flexibility.
Auto boxes are great nowadays and have been for years, ever since they started having more than 3 gears. In fact they have won tow car of the year before. So don't worry about that.
Remember though that you will often find your mpg drops ...drastically. But think about the extra weight and reduced aerodynamics.
Take your time and read the road ahead and you'll be fine. But most of all enjoy

 

[Druk]

Not sure where the 7% originated. But you shouldn't exceed the max. noseweight in the car's handbook - it's one of the things measured in roadside spot checks.

I know but if per chance I'm stopped I'll just move the spare wheel out from under the front bed and back to the rear. Till the next services that is.





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[V12]

This is what happens when it all goes wrong. Last Friday on the M25, we were travelling north bound somewhere between the M4 and M1. I wasn't paying any attention until the driver shouted for me to get a pic.

It looked like a hilux or similar had overturned whilst jackknifing with the trailer still connected.

 

[V12]

As mentioned, it's based on the design of the mounting points and rear suspension and I suspect it could be quote low for a C Coupe, which is what we're talking about here.

The C Coupe does have a very short overhang at the back, placing the rear suspension much closer to the towbar than usual.

That's what i've always liked about towing with the 638. The weight is right on the rear axle, the air suspension works perfectly and the commercial tyres have a lot less sidewall flex, increasing stability in all conditions.

 

[Zulu 10]

Maximum allowed noseweight is given in the car's specs (based on rear overhang, suspension, and mounting point design) and is not based on the particular towbar used. I would be very surprised if it was as high as 100 kg for a C Class coupe.

There's always someone who knows better than the manufacturer isn't there?

FYI: The differing nose weight limits of the two products are nothing to do with the moments exerted on the vehicle, but instead occur as a consequence of the fact that it's a removable tow bar and the figures relate to the locking mechnism for the removable swan neck.