W211 saloon detachable towbar

[RSS]

Before I take the plunge thought I'd ask here first.

Need to fit a towbar to my 2004 E320 saloon, I want one that when the towball is removed the rest of the towbar is hidden from view. I'm only going to use it for a small trailer so not worried about weight restrictions of the chosen type I just want it hidden when not it use.

The one I've looked at so far is Westfalia, seems to fit the requirement but has anyone fitted this to a W211 before.

My previous towbar I had fitted by the supplier but looking at the instructions it seems pretty straight forward to fit (no drilling even :bannana. My only question would be on the electrics as it does mention about Star testing so does this mean that with the towing kit fitted I have to get Mercedes to update the cars settings?

 

[Druk]

Any wiring you do will be connected to the rear sam. My 211 has a factory towbar and the car 'knows' when a trailer is coupled to the wiring and makes allowances for extra blinker/taillights/brakelights etc. At the very least I would assume the sam has to be re-programmed for trailer operation.

 

[bouncer]

It's not that straight forward. dont forget to order the boot stiffeners from the dealer. Warranty void on the vehicle if these are not fitted.

Electrics do need coding for optional functions. . . . parking sensors, fog light, trailer sability.

Part numbers for stiffeners and covers here.

http://www.catalogue.bosal.com/pdf/pdf_mi/048513.pdf

sTeVe

 

[Alex Argent]

I had a detachable Westfalia fitted to my W211 a few weeks back by Anglia Towbars, just outside Newmarket, Suffolk.

You need to install a by-pass relay, and the dedicated wiring kit which as Druk correctly states is wired directly back to the rear SAM (all done by Anglia in my case). And there are 2 strengthening brackets which should be fitted either side within the boot cavity (hidden behind the trim).

A few years back, I had a Bosal fitted on my W202, which the detachable tow ball pushed into horizontally - which means quite a lot was visible from the rear when it wasn't in situ.

Then I had a W203, which had a factory-fitted towbar with detachable tow ball (it was stamped MB, but I can't remember the actual manufacturer). That one was mounted vertically, and apart from the 13 pin socket was all invisible.

The Westfalia is impressive. Nothing on show at all, and even the 13 pin socket bracket is hinged so it can be turned through 180 deg behind the bumper valance when not in use.

Cheers

Alex

 

[bouncer]

I had a detachable Westfalia fitted to my W211 a few weeks back by Anglia Towbars, just outside Newmarket, Suffolk.

You need to install a by-pass relay, and the dedicated wiring kit which as Druk correctly states is wired directly back to the rear SAM (all done by Anglia in my case). And there are 2 strengthening brackets which should be fitted either side within the boot cavity (hidden behind the trim).

A few years back, I had a Bosal fitted on my W202, which the detachable tow ball pushed into horizontally - which means quite a lot was visible from the rear when it wasn't in situ.

Then I had a W203, which had a factory-fitted towbar with detachable tow ball (it was stamped MB, but I can't remember the actual manufacturer). That one was mounted vertically, and apart from the 13 pin socket was all invisible.

The Westfalia is impressive. Nothing on show at all, and even the 13 pin socket bracket is hinged so it can be turned through 180 deg behind the bumper valance when not in use.

Cheers

Alex

Here are some pics of the Bosal one fitted, Nothing showing when removed as its a vertical fit.
No need for a Bypass relay if you use the dedicated kit.
Socket is on a swing down bracket.

sTeVe

 

[RSS]

Alex, Bouncer,

Thanks for the replies, I didn't see the Bosal one on my search, whichever one I choose I'll get the full kit so it has the strengtheners for the boot and the wiring kit. I'll call a few to get some Bosal prices, cant seem to find these online.

 

[BTB 500]

Westfalia are top quality, and factory-fit for many German makes.

The OEM removable towbar on our M-B Vito is a Westfalia, ditto on the VW Sharan we had before that.

 

[Matt's Dad]

I had a detachable Westfalia fitted to my W211 a few weeks back by Anglia Towbars, just outside Newmarket, Suffolk.

You need to install a by-pass relay, and the dedicated wiring kit which as Druk correctly states is wired directly back to the rear SAM (all done by Anglia in my case). And there are 2 strengthening brackets which should be fitted either side within the boot cavity (hidden behind the trim).

A few years back, I had a Bosal fitted on my W202, which the detachable tow ball pushed into horizontally - which means quite a lot was visible from the rear when it wasn't in situ.

Then I had a W203, which had a factory-fitted towbar with detachable tow ball (it was stamped MB, but I can't remember the actual manufacturer). That one was mounted vertically, and apart from the 13 pin socket was all invisible.

The Westfalia is impressive. Nothing on show at all, and even the 13 pin socket bracket is hinged so it can be turned through 180 deg behind the bumper valance when not in use.

Cheers

Alex

Do you have a picture with the tow ball detached?

I used Anglian Towbars a few years ago, and I was impressed at the quality of work, and they were a good price too.

I’m thinking of having a detachable one fitted to my W211 E320 Saloon - but it has AMG bumpers, so I don’t know if they are lower than standard rear bumpers?. Also I don’t want to see anything, as I don’t plan on using the E- class for towing, but I’m likely to keep it for a few years, so there’s a good chance a tow bar will come in handy.

 

[Alex Argent]

Do you have a picture with the tow ball detached?

I used Anglian Towbars a few years ago, and I was impressed at the quality of work, and they were a good price too.

I’m thinking of having a detachable one fitted to my W211 E320 Saloon - but it has AMG bumpers, so I don’t know if they are lower than standard rear bumpers?. Also I don’t want to see anything, as I don’t plan on using the E- class for towing, but I’m likely to keep it for a few years, so there’s a good chance a tow bar will come in handy.

I'll try to get a photo taken from underneath the rear bumper uploaded in the next couple of days, to give you an idea of clearance. Mine's also a saloon but with stock bumpers. I'm working away from home at the mo (and am using the Mondeo ).

It wasn't exactly cheap mind! I paid a total of £720 incl VAT - the towbar and fitting was £375 + vat and the wiring kit (with 13 pin electrics) and fitting was £238 + vat. I must say though that I was very impressed with Anglia's service and hospitality .

 

[RSS]

I think I'll fit this myself, there is no cutting to be done just dropping the bumper off and the additional parts in the boot.

Now if I'm taking the bumper off maybe I could fit the facelift one with the twin pipes, Hmmmmmmmm

 

[Benzowner]

I have no affilliation with these people, but the third bar looks good :: Towbars :: Towbar Express :: Professional Mobile Towbar Fitting :: a google search

 

[Alex Argent]

I got back home earlier than expected today :bannana:

Here are some photos taken a few minutes ago:

Top: From underneath (showing limited clearance between bar and bumper)

Centre: Hooked (showing clearance between top of ball attachment and underside of bumper skirt - approx 7mm - so if your AMG bumper is lower, I'd think it may need to have a cut-out formed ).

Bottom: Unhooked

 

[Matt's Dad]

Alex Argent, thanks for taking the time to take, edit and post pictures

Although, I'm confused now, as my rear bumper looks like yours mine is a 54 plate, and my local dealer said it had full AMG styling package?

I'll try and figure out how to edit a picture, and post it up later.

 

[Matt's Dad]

Right, here goes! I'm going to try and put on pictures

 

[Matt's Dad]

 

[Matt's Dad]

 

[Matt's Dad]

This should of been after the other rear picture, but as you can probably guess, I'm not too good at this

 

[Alex Argent]

Hmmm......

Looking at your photos of the rear, the bumper on your car is definitely different to mine.

The lower 'insert' is wider on yours, and the 'fold' is higher (using the towing eye cover as a guide). My car is a '55 plate Elegance (just pre-facelift), I'm not sure if yours is an Avantgarde. Maybe there was a difference between them - I'm sure others on here will compare the photos to what is on theirs of the same year/model.

Failing that, it may be worthwhile asking a dealer if it's a standard fit for the year, or seeing if there is a part number sticker or stamp somewhere.

Regards,

Alex

 

[Matt's Dad]

Hmmm......

Looking at your photos of the rear, the bumper on your car is definitely different to mine.

The lower 'insert' is wider on yours, and the 'fold' is higher (using the towing eye cover as a guide). My car is a '55 plate Elegance (just pre-facelift), I'm not sure if yours is an Avantgarde. Maybe there was a difference between them - I'm sure others on here will compare the photos to what is on theirs of the same year/model.

Failing that, it may be worthwhile asking a dealer if it's a standard fit for the year, or seeing if there is a part number sticker or stamp somewhere.

Regards,

Alex

I only bought the car a few weeks ago, and it’s the first Mercedes I’ve owned, so I’m not familiar with the different ages and styles.

When I took the car to my local dealer for some work, they said according to the chassis number it is the AMG styling and wheels that were fitted from new. Oh and yeas, it’s Avantgarde.

Now , I’ve sort of managed to edit and upload pictures, I’ll start a thread asking for info on it.

I forgot to say earlier, your towbar looks really neat and tidy. It looks a good job! Just what I’m after, if it’ll fit!

 

[10JP]

AMG Tow Bar

Hi,

I have a 2005 E320 with full AMG styling it is a special edition model and i am having great difficulty with a towbar, i have contacted Witter and Bosal direct and they have both said that it was due to the rear bumper and also the sport suspension however Witter did say it would probably fit but due to the lower suspension the towball height may be to low for a caravan, The local MB dealer just said no with no apparent reason but i have now managed to contact MB UK direct and have supplied them with the VIN number and I am awaiting a reply. Could you possibly measure the centre height of your towball and let me know?

All the best

John