E200 1995 Towing question

[TonyCoolDaddy]

Will a E200 (130BHP) pull my 1200KG Caravan down the motorway at 60mph and up the hills at 60mph. Of will it be too gutless and struggle. What is the minimum engine size I can get away with?

 

[talbir]

I think it's maybe fine once every summer, but too often is simply too much for the 4-cyl engine. It struggles enough to just pull the car along, before any 1.2 ton add-ons.

I personally wouldn't reccomend it for longevity of your engine.

 

[TonyCoolDaddy]

Ok pretty much what I thought, what is the minimum that will effortlessly pull my van then, I don’t really want diesel will the V6 240 do or is the older E220 good enough, or to make it enjoyable should I go for 320

 

[stephen.coker@virgin.net]

I tow a 1000kg caravan with my 230TE auto, and it makes mincemeat of it, even though its done over 200,000 miles. I use the gears alot to keep the momentum going, and to save the gearbox(hopefully).

I'd give it a go, but first make sure the engine is in good nick ,a nd it have fresh engine oil and anti freeze. Overheating is a sure sign that the engine is working too hard.

Good luck.

 

[spitfirecbs]

I've just finished towing our 1200Kg 'van with our E220 T124 estate. It was fine - not exactly fast, but perfectly OK. I found sport mode on the auto box to be best otherwise it held onto the taller gears too long and lost momentum on hills. BTW, the bar was a self fitted Witter, with a 6-way relay kit that allows the bulb-failure circuit to still function, bought from www.towbarwarehouse.co.uk - who were very prompt with their free delivery.

PS. Also bought the (better) bumper protector, and gave the bar a coat of hammerite first.

Good luck,
Mark.

 

[TonyCoolDaddy]

E200Kompressor for towing

I am still looking and I have a found a 16K miles E200K, i think if the E230 will tow ok then the 200K will do so as well. Is anyone useing a E200K for towing and does it do the job effortlessly? also are self fit tow bars available for 2001 E class