w205 towbars

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easyonthegas

Active Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
68
Location
The cold north
Car
E220 (S213) 2020
If you want a new W205 and need a towbar then be careful as the MB towbar can not be fitted with a premium pack as there is a rear bumper sensor which MB will not switch off.

Currently you can get a Thule detactable towbar that does not need a bumper cut so this will work, although dedicated electrics are still not quite ready.
Westfalia will have their version from Nov 2014

see Thule Tow bars | Having a tow bar fitted in three steps

advise is to check with your local towbar specialist as they know much more than the MB dealerships.

Already had W204 for 4 years with detachable towbar system - very reliable
 
update on W205 towbar

Just had the towbar fitted and confirm fitting is fine and all systems work. Used a Thule / Brink bar but the new dedidicated electrics needs the dealer to code it - only a 30 minute job for them
 
thanks for posting this - I'm having trouble finding a specialist who has a bar in stock. Can I ask where you are/who you used?

also - what is the issue with dedicated electrics - how much did the MB dealer charge for dealing with that?

I've got a C200 estate with Premium Pack (i.e. inc pana roof)

cheers
 
I used Hedleys Towing Centre which are in Durham. 4th towbar they have fitted for me - all very good standard.
I would advise you to buy the dedicated electrics as they interface into the car's electrical CAN system and allow the dealer to code for the trailer.
I have never been charged for the dealer coding as I always buy the car and tell them this is part of the deal. It is only a 30 minute job so expect to pay an hours rate. Only the dealers can code W205/S205 but a good towbar fitter can code the W204/S204 models.
Photos attached (with and without the towbar) with 13 pin electrics

W205 towbar on.JPGW205 towbar off.JPG
 
Anyone know if there is there a retractable (folding) towbar available yet or in the pipeline for the W205 ? I take delivery of mine at the end of April.

Is there a second reversing camera view option when linking up with a trailer ? I have a factory fitted retractacble bar on my E Class estate and when reversing to hitch up, there is an option which changes the view to the towbar and shows a yellow guide line for lining up accurately. I wasn't able to specify a factory bar with my order so will have to aftermarket. Mine has the Prem + pack so slightly different media screen to Premium. Just wondering what is available aftermarket. Thanks
 
Last edited:
thanks for replying easyonthegas. Unfortunately, I'm down Sarf so using Hedley's not really an option. But encouraging and looking at their website think I can see the Brink stock code to tell a more local firm. And I'm only going to be fitting a bike rack on the tow bar so don't think I have to worry about the coding point
 
thanks for replying easyonthegas. Unfortunately, I'm down Sarf so using Hedley's not really an option. But encouraging and looking at their website think I can see the Brink stock code to tell a more local firm. And I'm only going to be fitting a bike rack on the tow bar so don't think I have to worry about the coding point

Legally you should be displaying a trailer light board over the bikes as fitting the bikes obstructs the tail lights and reg number.

Local plod will help you with this
They did for me and advised me of this little technically:fail


Coding only puts on trailer light on dash and deactivates rear parking sensors

You can fit a bypass relay instead of the expensive wiring like this one if you dont need it coded
TOWING 7 WAY BYPASS RELAY PCT LOGICON NEW ZR2500 | eBay

Much cheaper
 
thanks Del80y - I've got a trailer light board as part of the bike carrier (which I had on my last car)
looking forward to getting sorted soon .... spring is almost here
 
I'm looking for a detachable towbar to fit my S205 Sport (not AMG) premium plus with air suspension. This will be used to fit a 3 bike cycle carrier. I'm not anticipating ever towing a caravan.

My local towbar fitter has suggested fitting a Thule 5883 detachable with 7pin adapter without fully integrated electrics. He said that if I'm not towing a full load, i don't need the full electrics as that changes engine management etc.

Will a 7 pin allow the reversing lights on a cycle carrier to work and what will happen with the Merc's rear parking sensors? I presume the rear camera will continue to work?

I've been quoted £456 inc VAT to fully fit the towbar & 7pin adapter. Is this a reasonable price?
 
I'm looking for a detachable towbar to fit my S205 Sport (not AMG) premium plus with air suspension. This will be used to fit a 3 bike cycle carrier. I'm not anticipating ever towing a caravan.

My local towbar fitter has suggested fitting a Thule 5883 detachable with 7pin adapter without fully integrated electrics. He said that if I'm not towing a full load, i don't need the full electrics as that changes engine management etc.

Will a 7 pin allow the reversing lights on a cycle carrier to work and what will happen with the Merc's rear parking sensors? I presume the rear camera will continue to work?

I've been quoted £456 inc VAT to fully fit the towbar & 7pin adapter. Is this a reasonable price?

If you mean the old-style grey 12N connector (often called 'single electrics'), that doesn't support reversing lights.
 
If you mean the old-style grey 12N connector (often called 'single electrics'), that doesn't support reversing lights.

Cheers, would have been nice but not a deal-killer, at least I know what I'm getting. Don't think I need the 13pin as this seems overkill for a cycle carrier.
 
Yup it's only reversing lights you miss out on ... foglights are there with 12N.
 
S205 Electrics

can anyone tell me where i can connect the fog light towing electrics sensor cable to on this model pls? The light unit is mounted on the tailgate and not accessible.
Hopefully someone has found a work around! The reversing camera is an ideal pickup for the reversing light, but of course it will not shut of the cars reversing light.:wallbash:
 
Hi all. Start by introducing myself. Im from Wales, just ordered a Merc C220 AMG premium plus 7g saloon. Salesman advised a car I wanted spec wise was already in system as their own pre-order. And to reserve and then fit aftermarket towbar. I went with this and car arrives in First week of June. Dilemma, can I actually fit a towbar to this car? with the prem plus pack? I have seen on PF jones we site they are offering a towbar with a small cut to the bumper.

Has anyone actually fitted towbar to their w205 with the same setup as mine?

Also read some alarming info that a c220 without factory fit towbar is only rated for 400kg tow limit!!!! not good!! my 2015 Swift Sprite Major 6 TD caravan is 1385kg.

Starting to panick a tad now.

Anyone offer any welcome advice??
 
From Mercedes Website - Owners manuals I have copied the details below, these of course apply to the factory fit Towbar but I would assume the towing weights would equally apply to retrofit towbars (subject to that bar's specific limits if less):

Trailer towing is not permissible on the following models:
  • C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
  • C 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
  • C 300 BlueTEC HYBRID
  • C 350 PLUG IN HYBRID
  • C 63 AMG
  • C 63 AMG S-MODEL


railer loads

Permissible trailer load, braked (at a minimum gradient-climbing capability of 8% from a standstill)

Towing a trailer is not possible with all models. Further information more.


Saloon
Saloon

Manual transmission
Automatic transmission
C 180
1400 kg
1800 kg
C 180 BlueTEC
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 200
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 200 BlueTEC
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 220 BlueTEC
1800 kg
1800 kg




Steve
 
That did not quite work but I'm sure you can read across.
 
From Mercedes Website - Owners manuals I have copied the details below, these of course apply to the factory fit Towbar but I would assume the towing weights would equally apply to retrofit towbars (subject to that bar's specific limits if less):

Trailer towing is not permissible on the following models:
  • C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
  • C 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
  • C 300 BlueTEC HYBRID
  • C 350 PLUG IN HYBRID
  • C 63 AMG
  • C 63 AMG S-MODEL


railer loads

Permissible trailer load, braked (at a minimum gradient-climbing capability of 8% from a standstill)

Towing a trailer is not possible with all models. Further information more.


Saloon
Saloon

Manual transmission
Automatic transmission
C 180
1400 kg
1800 kg
C 180 BlueTEC
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 200
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 200 BlueTEC
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 220 BlueTEC
1800 kg
1800 kg




Steve




appreciate efforts, however my concern is warranty more so. Aftermarket tow bars with no gearbox oil cooling ( factory ) rated at 400kg supposedly??
 
It is puzzling why their are models which MB say can not be used for towing. I suspect this has to do with the engine cooling system, as on my W204 C250 fitted (at their cost) required a larger cooling fan. What this will do was a mystery to me.

If you have ordered the Merc C220 AMG then get MB to quote the figure from the car towing limits from the data plate, This states the maximum weights for towing from a strength point of view (I.e. can it brake and go up a hill), but MB should advise what the towing limit is. Get this in writing, especially if you have told them you will use the vehicle for towing.
Aftermarket towbars are fine - Thule and Westfalia have good technical advise.

Only note of caution is that I think the AMG model requires a small bumper cut.
Type "590370/06-06-2014/10" into Google and this will provide you the fitting instructions for the Thule towbar for your car.
 
From Mercedes Website - Owners manuals I have copied the details below, these of course apply to the factory fit Towbar but I would assume the towing weights would equally apply to retrofit towbars (subject to that bar's specific limits if less):

Trailer towing is not permissible on the following models:
  • C 180 BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
  • C 220 BlueTEC BlueEFFICIENCY Edition
  • C 300 BlueTEC HYBRID
  • C 350 PLUG IN HYBRID
  • C 63 AMG
  • C 63 AMG S-MODEL


railer loads

Permissible trailer load, braked (at a minimum gradient-climbing capability of 8% from a standstill)

Towing a trailer is not possible with all models. Further information more.


Saloon
Saloon

Manual transmission
Automatic transmission
C 180
1400 kg
1800 kg
C 180 BlueTEC
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 200
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 200 BlueTEC
1600 kg
1800 kg
C 220 BlueTEC
1800 kg
1800 kg




Steve


Please can you share the source of this information more so for the c350e

You can order a towbar with the c350e and tow upto 1600kg breaked as per the pdf.

Please can you confirm

Thanks
 
Looks like your source data has been updated since you posted



Phew

Cheers
 

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