W124 Towing a caravan

[papeter]

We have ordered a used 2005 4 berth caravan just under 7 mtrs long and weight of 1430 kg. Could my 1994 M reg E320 estate handle this easily? Getting towbar fitted next week and going on manoeuvering course afterwards.

Thanks

 

[Rose Chap]

Nope, it definitely won't pull this caravan. Nor will any other car, SUV, or lorry.

Best abandon the whole caravan idea I reckon.

 

[bolide]

A 320 will easily tug a 1430 Kg caravan. But how much will it weigh when it's loaded?

Keep to the recommended nose weight and it should tow OK. I believe 4th gear is 1:1 so I'd tow in 4th so long as there's enough torque to maintain your cruising speed. With a 320 I'm sure there will be

The incredible steering lock of the W124 will get you out of a few sticky situations when you're manoeuvering

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[BTB 500]

We have ordered a used 2005 4 berth caravan just under 7 mtrs long and weight of 1430 kg. Could my 1994 M reg E320 estate handle this easily?

Look up in your handbook:

1. Braked trailer towing limit
2. Kerbweight of car
3. Maximum trailer noseweight

So long as the laden weight of the caravan is less than both 1 & 2 you will be OK (legally). Ideally the caravan shouldn't be more than 85% of 2, but up to 100% is permissible (just needs a bit more care when towing).

As Nick said, load the caravan to the maximum noseweight allowed in the car's handbook.

If you got your driving licence after 31/12/96 you may need to take a "B+E" test to tow this combination legally, if the total weight (based on the maximum permissible weight of both car and caravan) is over 3.5 tonnes.

 

[A210AMG]

Yippie another caravan Owner on the forum,.


We can almost have our own rally now

 

[wemorgan]

Yippie another caravan Owner on the forum,.

We can almost have our own rally now

Yep, I'd pay to watch you chaps do this

[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9_axIytjoJU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9_axIytjoJU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

 

[SilverSaloon]

hi

absolutely no problem:

 

[papeter]

Fantastic - thanks!

hi

absolutely no problem:

 

[Seamster15]

hi

absolutely no problem:

How did the old girl perform on the Devon trip?

 

[RoseTattoo]

Nope, it definitely won't pull this caravan. Nor will any other car, SUV, or lorry.

Best abandon the whole caravan idea I reckon.

But if you put a 320 engine into the caravan, add a nose-wheel and tail-wheel plus wings, it could well work. Please report back for more Useless useful advice when you have the conversion ready.

 

[SilverSaloon]

How did the old girl perform on the Devon trip?

the devon trip is at the end of june. the above pic was another trip to Berwick Upon Tweed.

 

[Chattonmill]

If you are down in Berwick again drop by for a cuppa as I am not far!

 

[219]

I towed an Abbey GT 418 , which must have been about the same weight , with both my W123 280TE and my W124 300TE - no problems whatsoever .

Will dig out and scan some negs as no digital pics of the combos .

 

[Dave Lewis]

OK I'll 'fess up, I've got a caravan too. At 86, Dad's decided to give up caravanning after 50-odd years, but wants to keep the 'van in the family. It's an Elddis Avante 475, and comes complete with a 11-year old Subaru Forester. Just tried it out last weekend to Salcombe, loved it. Got held up by a tractor The Scooby is a great tow car, what with hi-lo ratio box and hill-holder clutch, so will use this instead of the W124.

 

[Niks]

Silversaloon, your pic looks awesome! Thats a workhorse of a car in its element right there!