Can you Tow with a CLS?

[Silver_Star]

I would have thought it was more a commercial decision not make and get type approval on a tow bar as not many CLS owners would be using it to pull anything....well behind the vehicle anyway :lol:

I should imagine the one in the link would be fine and the cooling and "body stresses". However in the eyes of an insurance company it would be a different matter all together.

So it looks like the socks and sandals are staying out of the CLS for now

 

[pipmk]

OK Mercedes have spoken.

All kneel.

"The CLS is a coupe. Mercedes do not make or design tow bars for their coupes."

"Mecerdes do not advocate fitting any tow bars to coupes as the body stresses are different than on a saloon, and Mercedes cannot guarantee that any non-Mercedes towbar would not damage the bodywork or overtax the cooling system on the car."

"Please go forth and multiply yourself" ( well, words to that effect... )

So there is the official answer direct from the horses mouth.


Now where is that Volvo brochure.........

And it is complete rhubarb as they sell tow bars for the E class coupes and the cabriolet. "Spokesman have forked tongue"

 

[rpe2]

"The CLS is a coupe.

Err, no it isn't. - assuming that (as in my book) a Coupe is a 2 door car.

Is there some ambiguous definition that makes it a coupe?

 

[Rappey69]

As a few others have mentioned already, a vehicle needs towing ability submitted when it is homologated..
In the case of the smart car and ford Ka, they have not been tested and therefore illegal to tow with them (using a tow bar)
Appears that the cls is the same as merecedes have not submitted the relevant documentation.
Just because an item may be E marked and legal for sale does not mean it is still legal when fitted to a vehicle.

 

[Mcobinad]

Err, no it isn't. - assuming that (as in my book) a Coupe is a 2 door car.

The CLS is a 4 door coupe. In reality, there is only a 2 door coupe car but the CLS with it's shape fits into a 4 door coupe according to Mercedes. Audi followed and named the A7 coupe hatchback. In my opinion, there is no true definition of coupe. Even the Porsche Panamera is called a 4 door coupe. I guessed everyone is biased !

 

[barry jones]

I have the mercedes towbar on my S Class LWB and tow my old Corsair around with it about twice a year....

Great option on the S Class as the whole thing disappears off and under the rear towbar when not in use and apart from the listing on the datacard, you wouldn't know it was there!!

 

[Spannaz]

Ha ha we tow with a Merc...............and love it. We even tow with the new E. And we tow all 26'6 of van behind us, not that we ever know its there. The sheer torque shoved out by the 3.2 IL6 is amazing!!! You really forget its there.
Nowt wrong with towing with a CLS, i have even thought about it when kids get older. If you can get a bar to fit it.....................why not?

It's a great way to get away, we get about 10 holidays a year (kids see a weekend away as a holiday too) the kids forget their electronic toys, grab a scooter, bike or football........................and there gone for 8-10 hours a day!!
Fortunately, in the caravan fraternity there is no such snobbery, no one frowns if you have a 20 year old van or gets jealous cos you have a 2 year old one. No one will key the side of your van cos its better than yours, and everyone makes sure their kids (well most do) respect other peoples van and cars.
However, go to a car show and they'll always be the 'mine's better than yours' atmosphere, when long a go it was, 'here, let me show you how to fix this, and make that better, and together we'll sort it'


but we live in a free world, and each to their own opinions lol, however, those nice hotel people like soooo much...............................hmmmmmm wanna know what really goes on behind those doors??? truly, you'd be shocked lol

 

[Cardinal Biggles]

Err, no it isn't. - assuming that (as in my book) a Coupe is a 2 door car.

Is there some ambiguous definition that makes it a coupe?

Yes that falls under the "we have no real answer and can't be arsed" customer care slogan.

What do you expect for almost £60grand anyway.

I did grumble to the MB service guy when they fixed my creaky seat and window on Friday (while still in warranty). His take was that the body kit at the rear goes under the car a lot further than on a similar E class, and there is a whopping gert depression in the boot for the spare wheel, together that makes it more awkward to design a tow bar for it, and which they clearly haven't done anyway!

 

[Cardinal Biggles]

I would have thought it was more a commercial decision not make and get type approval on a tow bar as not many CLS owners would be using it to pull anything....well behind the vehicle anyway :lol:

Yeah, we just shovel all our garden or building refuse sh*t straight into the boot. Saves putting a trailer on the back.

 

[Bircham]

Yes that falls under the "we have no real answer and can't be arsed" customer care slogan.

What do you expect for almost £60grand anyway.

I did grumble to the MB service guy when they fixed my creaky seat and window on Friday (while still in warranty). His take was that the body kit at the rear goes under the car a lot further than on a similar E class, and there is a whopping gert depression in the boot for the spare wheel, together that makes it more awkward to design a tow bar for it, and which they clearly haven't done anyway!

I don't see why Mercedes have to spend the money to homologate the cls for a towbar. They sell 4x4s, estate, saloons in all differnt shapes and sizes so if towing is important then buy a car than can tow is probably their thoughts! The AMG kitted cars can be a pain for towbars because of their shape at the back. I believe some of them have to be cut. I don't think I would want my car bumper cut in order to tow. Perhaps we should blame the powers that be who say a manufacturer has to put a car through testing to say that it can tow rather than trusting witter et al to make a towbar that works. I can't believe how much it costs t get a towbar fitted to a S212 compared to a more mainstream manufacturer such as ford. Do they see the star and triple the price?
Jon

 

[simon bartlett]

There is a place that advertises to caravaners, give them a try if you are serious.

http://www.watling-towbars.co.uk/

simon

 

[S500 Pete]

So what's wrong with prejudice?

I am completely against prejudiced people.

 

[Cardinal Biggles]

The CLS is a 4 door coupe. In reality, there is only a 2 door coupe car but the CLS with it's shape fits into a 4 door coupe according to Mercedes. Audi followed and named the A7 coupe hatchback. In my opinion, there is no true definition of coupe. Even the Porsche Panamera is called a 4 door coupe. I guessed everyone is biased !

Coupe = cut.

I guess its a roofline definition......

 

[Cardinal Biggles]

I have the mercedes towbar on my S Class LWB and tow my old Corsair around with it about twice a year....

Great option on the S Class as the whole thing disappears off and under the rear towbar when not in use and apart from the listing on the datacard, you wouldn't know it was there!!

Yep, that will be a Brink (Thule) towbar. Best you can get. Got one on my W204, a car much much less costly than my non-towing CLS! :lol:

 

[Cardinal Biggles]

Ha ha we tow with a Merc...............and love it.

Love the wheels on that E class..... great looking rig when that lot turns up on the site I am sure! Cheers!

 

[Cardinal Biggles]

I don't see why Mercedes have to spend the money to homologate the cls for a towbar. They sell 4x4s, estate, saloons in all differnt shapes and sizes so if towing is important then buy a car than can tow is probably their thoughts!

Who are MB to tell me how I can use my car!!?? The CLS would be a GREAT towcar given half a chance. SUperb torque, smooth power delivery... outstanding brakes, and heavy enough to control a decent size 'van!! Much better than a Golf or Focus - both of which can have towbars fitted!

The AMG kitted cars can be a pain for towbars because of their shape at the back. I believe some of them have to be cut. I don't think I would want my car bumper cut in order to tow. Perhaps we should blame the powers that be who say a manufacturer has to put a car through testing to say that it can tow rather than trusting witter et al to make a towbar that works.

Agreed, although manufacturers often contract out bits of the car, not just towbars - lights etc also get sorted by specialists.

I can't believe how much it costs t get a towbar fitted to a S212 compared to a more mainstream manufacturer such as ford. Do they see the star and triple the price?
Jon

They probably do load the price for S class. As regards choosing a towbar, they come in all price points from about £50, or £80 with electrics, can go up to £600 for a good one and all points in between.

You can't really compare a Brink with the sort of tat they put on Land Rovers though. It is a Merc after all....... couldn't just stuff a cheapo on there!

 

[trebronic]

CLS Towbar

I ask Mercedes why you can't fit a towbar and this is the reply that came back.
Hi Biggles how are you doing.

Mercedes-Benz Model: CLS-Class

Thank you for your recent email communication received by the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center Maastricht N.V.

We have noted your enquiries with regards to an option for tow bar fitment on the Mercedes-Benz CLS range and have consulted with our Technical Department on your behalf. They have advised that it is correct that it is not possible to have a factory fit or retrofit tow bar on this model. The reason being that the Mercedes-Benz coupe range are not designed with towing in mind and towing equipment detracts from the smooth, flowing lines of the CLS bodywork.

We are sorry we will be unable to meet with your requirements but should you have any further requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I tow with my CLK but think it may have something to do with Type Approval because you can have one fitted to the E Class Coupe

 

[pipmk]

I ask Mercedes why you can't fit a towbar and this is the reply that came back.
Hi Biggles how are you doing.

Mercedes-Benz Model: CLS-Class

Thank you for your recent email communication received by the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center Maastricht N.V.

We have noted your enquiries with regards to an option for tow bar fitment on the Mercedes-Benz CLS range and have consulted with our Technical Department on your behalf. They have advised that it is correct that it is not possible to have a factory fit or retrofit tow bar on this model. The reason being that the Mercedes-Benz coupe range are not designed with towing in mind and towing equipment detracts from the smooth, flowing lines of the CLS bodywork.

We are sorry we will be unable to meet with your requirements but should you have any further requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I tow with my CLK but think it may have something to do with Type Approval because you can have one fitted to the E Class Coupe

Their reply is rather mealy mouthed and less than full. The position as I understand it is:
You cannot tow a trailer of any desciption unless the vehicle to which it is attached has type approval for a tow bar. This can only be sought by the vehicle manufacturer and Mercedes have not done so for the CLS.

It is not illegal to sell such tow bars or indeed fit them but to use them on an unapproved vehicle will render your insurance void and may make you liable to prosecution under the construction and use regulations.

A risk too far?

 

[MBDevotee]

Yes

Do NOT tow with a non-approved car full stop.

As said, if there were an accident, even if totally NOT your fault, you would have the book thrown at you - indeed if someone drove into the side of you, they could actually claim off you if they wanted as they could simply say you were not operating your vehicle in line with it's capabilities - and they might win!

It's just not worth it nowadays.

 

[466829]

for people who still search...