bumper hitch on 300TD? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

odie · #1 10-25-2004, 04:16 PM

I need to put a hitch on my 82 300TD. Has anyone built their own? I did some forum searches but little usefull info was found.

I was thinking maybe a bumper mounted hitch but the bumper seems to be made of some kinda alloy and not steel. I think the stress would soon deform the bumper and pull the bolts though the holes that I would drill to mount the hitch. What is the bumper made from?

Has anyone had any luck with the universal hitches that you bolt to the bumper? Maybe with a big backing plate?

I've looked everywhere for a hitch for the wagons but had little luck. "hitch-webb" I think has a listing but I can't tell much from the limited info they provide.

Has anyone used/built a hitch that attaches to the bumper mounting points or hangs off the bumper struts? My 944 Porsche has a hitch that uses big U- bolts to hang from the bumper shocks and also attaches to the underbody of the car as well. The 944 bumper is also some kinda alloy.

bill murrow · #2 10-25-2004, 04:23 PM

Have you priced a hitch yet? I was quoted $500

Built my own, it does attach to my bumper on my '85 300td. I'm pulling a 14' aluminum boat with a 25 HP motor on it. Not much weight.

The problem is I am no computer wiz and do not know how to post pics.

I am better with other things

If you can give me a step by step procedure for posting pics I'll run out and take a pic now for ya....

Cheers,

Bill

phidauex · #3 10-25-2004, 04:42 PM

I've found as cheap as 324$ for a DaLan hitch, which seems to be the only company making a hitch for the 300TD (stupid sedan owners get a draw-tite for only 80$). Still more than I'd like to pay.. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if making one is something I could do too.

peace,
sam

bill murrow · #4 10-25-2004, 04:58 PM

Well, I guess you guys know as much about posting pics as I do so I'll do my best to describe how I attached mine....

I took a heavy [1/4 'thick] piece of stell to build the "straps" that attach to the bumper. The straps-there are four-two for the top, two for the bottom-have an "L" on one end only to fit over the top lip of the bumper and the bottom lip.

Then, for the part that holds the ball, I used a piece of angle iron. The top straps bolt on to the angle iron. Next to where the top straps bolt onto the angle iron I drilled a hole, one on each side. I slipped a carriage bolt[a regular bolt would work], one on each side, through the holes I drilled.

The bottom straps I had to bend to get them up to where the bolts are. There will be a couple of bends to get the bottom ones to work. With the "L" part hooked to the bottom of the bumper, I simply lined up the bolts into the predrilled holes in the bottom straps and started tightening. The bolts will draw down on the bottom straps and bingo. An instant hitch for about $20. I do not know how much really because I already had the steel.

I know my description is not clear and confusing--when the wife gets home I'll see if she knows enough to post pics.

i would not reccomend pulling anything heavy with this rig and make sure to tow a little and then check the bolts.

The best part of it is I can easily take it off and have my clean car back.

Cheers,

Bill

d.delano · #5 10-25-2004, 07:07 PM

yeah but what about taillights? DOT gonna get you!

bill murrow · #6 10-25-2004, 07:37 PM

The wiring was installed by Jiffy Hitch for $50.

I could've gotten just the plug for about $10-not sure about that price-just a guess. But wiring is not my thing and I didn't want to mess it up.

Bring on the DOT-I'm ready

Cheers,

Bill

Rick Miley · #7 10-25-2004, 07:57 PM

Bumper hitch on W123 = bad idea. See the picture below. The heavy steel backing plate came right off with the rest of the hitch.

bill murrow · #8 10-25-2004, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Miley

Bumper hitch on W123 = bad idea. See the picture below. The heavy steel backing plate came right off with the rest of the hitch.

Was yours attached to the bottom only? That could be why it broke. My rig is attached top and bottom.

Like I said, i'm only pulling a small aluminum boat with mine. Done it all summer. I must admit, first time pulling it out of the water I was nervous. And since it is bolted on I do keep an eye on the bolts.

BTW--I did NOT drill holes in my bumper. Would not think of doing that.

Cheers,

Bill

Pete Geither · #9 10-25-2004, 08:48 PM

We build custom hitches all the time and built one, a class II, for my TE. Any competent fab shop should be able to build a hitch to suit your needs. Remember that the integrity of the body and structure will have a bearing on what can be done.

bill murrow · #10 10-25-2004, 09:52 PM

Well, my darling wife has figured out how to attach a pic of my homemade hitch.

I wonder how many other ways I can find to drive her crazy with MB stuff?

Hope this helps...

Cheers,

Bill

Rick Miley · #11 10-25-2004, 10:56 PM

Mine was a pickup truck style hitch simply bolted through the bottom of the bumper. It was done by the previous owner and I never attempted to tow anything with it. In fact, when I yanked on it that whole section of the bumper came out in my hand!

bill murrow · #12 10-25-2004, 11:12 PM

The holes that were drilled plus not being tied in to the top of the bumper is why it ripped out. Good thing you didn't tow with it.

I was surprised at how thick the steel is on the bumper.

what do you think of my rig?

Cheers,

Bill

tenknots · #13 10-26-2004, 09:27 AM

I just installed a DaLan hitch on my 300SD. It bolts through the bumper (looks to be 1/4'' thick) and also into the box frame. Seems OK for 1-2000 pounds. Hitchfinder.com had it for the best price.

Eric Eliel · #14 10-26-2004, 10:57 AM

Peyton300TD had a hitch on his. Just before he turned it into the wrecker (it got totaled) I removed the hitch for him. He still has it although I don't know the manufacturer. I had it off and the bumper re-installed in 20 minutes.

The hitch mounts in 4 places. The bumper is removed and the hitch has a plate on each side that fits between the bumper extension shocks and the frame. The front of the hitch attaches to the frame of the car that runs front to rear. It appears a bolt went through the hitch into the frame and attached to a nut that was either welded or was friction fit to the top of the frame.

The hitch fit well, but was of lighter weight metal. Good for hauling jet skis, a Zodiac or an aluminum boat.

It appeared to be a stock sort of hitch, I thought the workmanship appeared to be assembly line and not backyard hack.

odie · #15 10-26-2004, 11:25 AM

I think I'm going to avoid touching the bumper. I'll try either U-bolt hangers over the bumper shocks or a plate sandwiched between the bumper shock mounts and body

Looks like homebuilt is the waqy to go. I think the web sites wanted $400ish for a hitch

4X what I'm willing to pay

Some cheap plate & box steel and a little time with the welder is all that is really needed.

If I come up with a winner maybe I'll go into production