Hitch Shopping - Any advice?

[franck2cv]

Hi Folks,

I'm fairly new to this forum and well... don't actually own a RV trailer yet.
First thread here

So first thing first a need to get our towing vehicle back on the road and geared up to tow our desired FG Rv : a 13' Trillium.
Our TV is an old Mercedes Benz W124 / E320 Station wagon (1995).

I'm currently shopping around for a Hitch frame and I would like to know if there's any brand to favour versus others. Prices range from 280 to 400 !!
Any place you recommend at all (Montreal, Qc)?

Thank you!

F.

[cpaharley2008]

etrailer.com
Trailer hitch, hitches and bike rack (800)298-8924 here in the southern 48, perhaps Canadian Tire above the border?

[Mike Magee]

Reese/ Hidden Hitch (same mfr) seems pretty good. I had poor luck with a Curt, but YMMV.

[Brian B-P]

The well-known Reese, Hidden Hitch, and Draw-Tite (plus the newer Tow-Ready) are now brands of the same manufacturer - Cequent.
I have Cequent-built hitches on by my Sienna and my Focus, but that's not a brand preference. The Sienna hitch is Toyota OEM (no longer an option for a 1995 model), and the one on the Focus was my choice among the specific designs for that model. I would do the same again: look at what is available for my car, rather than choosing a brand first.

Even if you don't buy from them, the eTrailer site is a great source of information, showing most available hitches in one page, with detail pages often providing great illustrations as installed, and convenient links to installation instructions which clearly show the mounting and structural details. Although this usually means lots of choice, Trailer Hitch for 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | etrailer.com shows only Curt, and only Class 1; welcome to the joys of old car ownership!

Canadian Tire occasionally puts their hitches on sale, and when they do they are as cheap as anyone; however, I think they only carry Reese.

[Ian G.]

I checked the hitches manufactured by Cequent (Reese, Hidden Hitch, ...) and they do not list any for MB. As Brian mentioned only Curt lists a smaller Class 1 hitch. Replies from Benz forums appears that in Europe a very nice hitch is available but I could not find anything on this hitch. Your best answers would be to call a local hitch shop, such as Attaches Montréal - Attaches Pour Remorques

[Jon Vermilye]

If you are considering a weight distribution hitch, be sure to install a hitch that has a 2" receiver, typically a class III hitch. You may not need it weight wise, but I don't know of any WDH that fits a smaller receiver.

[MC1]

Hey there Franck

Luv those Mercedes. Had a 450SEL years ago and understand the drive and solid build. There is a good hotch place here in Ontario but the 7 hour drive may be an issue for you. Anyway a bolt on class III should work fine for your lightweight egg.

Good luck.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by MC1

Anyway a bolt on class III should work fine for your lightweight egg.

Yes, but unfortunately no one has yet identified a source of a bolt-on North American style Class 3 receiver

Even the Class 1 is sufficient for a 13' egg, if you don't get carried away with adding equipment or cargo, especially on the tongue.

[MCDenny]

Call Can-am RV in London, ON. Google for their website. If they can't help you no one can.

[franck2cv]

Originally Posted by MC1

Hey there Franck

Luv those Mercedes. Had a 450SEL years ago and understand the drive and solid build. There is a good hotch place here in Ontario but the 7 hour drive may be an issue for you. Anyway a bolt on class III should work fine for your lightweight egg.

Good luck.

I would drive the distance for a good opportunity. Those old MB's are just so inviting to drive long journeys. ... 450SEL woooo lovely! Wish they were available as Wagon. I personally find Sedan too limited (in terms of versatility).
I did a search on this forum and was surprise not to find other old Mercedes Benz + BG trailer owners.

[franck2cv]

Thank you all for your input. Seems straight forward enough.
I'm going to purchase the Hitch next month.

[Carol Ann in TO]

Originally Posted by franck2cv

Thank you all for your input. Seems straight forward enough.
I'm going to purchase the Hitch next month.

Once you get this done, please post the final result. I am very interested as our other vehicle is a '98 version of yours. I'd love to tow with it but hitches are not common for it. Probably has something to do with the fact that MB won't put a tow rating on it in North America.

[MC1]

They can tow. Can Am in London Ont are specialists in building and installing custom receivers for just about any vehicle.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by MC1

They can tow...

Oh no...here comes the great European towing ratings debate again.

[MC1]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Oh no...here comes the great European towing ratings debate again.

But, but, but...... didn't you read the headlines yesterday? It was just discovered the physics on the eastern hemisphere are completely different than the physics here in the west. It makes all makes sense now..... the global warming conundrum

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by MC1

But, but, but...... didn't you read the headlines yesterday? It was just discovered the physics on the eastern hemisphere are completely different than the physics here in the west. It makes all makes sense now..... the global warming conundrum

Thanks, I can relax now. It occurs to me that they use the metric system in that part of the world and forces, like temperatures are much lower

[MC1]

True, but our speeds are higher. That's probably why the tow ratings are lower.

Note.... we use metric here too.

[Thomas G.]

[QUOTE=MC1;378148]True, but our speeds are higher. That's probably why the tow ratings are lower.[QUOTE] Good point, I've seen those European speedometers. Those cars really fly!

Note.... we use metric here too.

So you claim. I dispelled that notion with my inquiries about buying metric bolts and lumber in Canada.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...lts-57429.html

[franck2cv]

Originally Posted by Carol Ann in TO

Once you get this done, please post the final result. I am very interested as our other vehicle is a '98 version of yours. I'd love to tow with it but hitches are not common for it. Probably has something to do with the fact that MB won't put a tow rating on it in North America.

After much browsing and calling around, I found what I need at a reasonable price and free shipping (to a US address) from Amazon (Auto trend). It's a curt hitch. So ... power line + hitch: $300. Not cheap considering that other vehicles can equipped for $120.... But it all comes down to manufacture volume I suppose.

I attached the spec sheet for both Mercedes (W124 & W210) Wagons.
And yeah..... North America & Towing rate.....
My Citroen 2cv is rated to tow up to 880 lbs with trailer brakes... and it does so beautifully!

[MC1]

Tnxs for the update franck. Sounds like a fair and reasonable solution.