Towing with a 2020 316 Sprinter 4x4

[pandjb]

Hi all, my first post so be gentle with me!
I have a 4 wheel Brian James trailer which I would like to tow with my 2020 4x4 Sprinter camper. The tow bar fitted by the conversion company is a Witter one, which is, I think, is one for a standard RWD sprinter. As a result the tow ball is at least 3 inches too high for the trailer (which needs to be towed level). I cannot find a specific 4x4 Sprinter tow bar, or a type approved drop plate or adjustable height tow hitch, so three questions:
1. is there a specific tow bar for a 2020 sprinter 4x4?
2. Is it legal to fit a lowered tow ball eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254810464958?epid=18009704797&hash=item3b53e322be:g:qt4AAOSwO6Bf2xwZ
3. Am I worrying too much about type approval?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[EmilysDad]

I'd have thought that the lowered tow ball would be OK ... it'd drop plates that are frowned upon.
As for type approval, you definitely want a type approved tow bar if you were unfortunate to have an accident & the powers that be checked your Sprinter's bar

 

[MJJ]

I had a similar problem on my S211, though in my case the car was lower than the trailer. I contacted Ifor Williams (trailer manufacturer) and they explained that the regulation for towbar heights (EEC9420) has a variance of 70mm, the height regulation being 430mm +/- 35mm. So, in my case, the car was at the bottom of that range, and the trailer was at the top.

I then emailed Witter direct (ecommerce@witter-towbars.co.uk), and they were very helpful. They suggested another swan neck part number that bolted straight on, and raised the towball height by 40mm. I found the replacement swan neck used online very cheaply with a part number search, as it was a standard part from another vehicle's towbar.

So, I would suggest contacting Witter with your vehicle details, and they will be able to tell you what *should* be fitted for that vehicle, and what options you have to adjust.

Martin.

 

[Kev555]

I think if your tow bar is approved for a drop plate by witter then theres no issue from memory especially on a van or 4x4. I dont like those drop plates with the quick remove pins for easy adjustment. id rather fit a fixed solid non adjustable type if you can get one that matches your requirements. Again that drop neck ball you posted looks ok as long as its approved/stamped for certain weights. What sort of weights are you towing with the trailer? Half the vans in the country have drop plates to suit trailers and some plant setups like utility operators could be towing up to 3 ton behind sprinters

 

[pandjb]

Thanks for the replies.
I talked to Witters before making the original post. The current tow bar currently fitted is not type approved for use with their adjustable height tow hitch. I was surprised that they said they did not do a specific tow bar for the 4x4 Sprinter as I would have thought that it is exactly the sort of vehicle that the adjustable height tow hitch would be used on.
The total mass of trailer and car i will be towing is less than 1000kg.
I specified a factory tow bar on my original Mercedes sales order, but was told it would delay the build of the van by 6 months because they were out of stock!
Mercedes parts weren't able to find a factory tow bar for the 4x4 when I rang them last week.
Somewhere, there must be a properly approved tow bar!!

 

[pandjb]

OK, so I have eventually found the parts numbers for the Genuine parts from Midland truck and van in Coventry
A9073109800, Trailer coupling, Cross-member, Panel van/crewbus, all-wheel drive A3-A4 as 5 t and A1-A4 as 3.5 t with 2 t; 2.8 t; 3 t or 3.5 t trailer coupling load
A9073150000, Ball neck
There is no indication / photo / drawing of what these consist of or what height of tow ball these will result in . The cross member bit is £210+vat and the 'Ball neck' is £250 + vat .
Any idea what the 'ball neck' might look like, or how I might get hold of a diagram / spec?
Thanks!

 

[Kev555]

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwihgdzKl4PyAhUFoVwKHcJUATgQFjALegQIBBAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lllparts.co.uk%2Fmpn%2Fv%2Fa907315000064%2Fnew-genuine-mercedes-benz-auto-car-part&usg=AOvVaw0URlc5L7wph6keKXPVessE

Bound to be cheaper options out there as it looks like a pretty standard ball hitch? I would be looking for a whole towbar kit for the price of that ball hitch. If it were me I would be shopping around tons of UK towbar makers out there and as long as it carries a stamp its legal for a van. Has your towbar currently fitted the fixed hitch type? or is it the detachable hitch type?

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

I put the part number of the ball neck and it come out with this parts picture with an updated part number.

Coupling Ball Neck 907315000065 | Mercedes-Benz Parts

Coupling Ball Neck 907315000065

www.mercedesbenz.parts

 

[pandjb]

Current Witter bar (MR68) has upper and lower bolt holes in the flange. The issue is that even on the bottom set of holes, the tow ball is still around 80- 100mm too high for my trailer. (which corresponds with the standard suspension lift on the 4x4 sprinter)

 

[Kev555]

Not sure what tow bar is the MR68?
edit: found the Mr68 after a bit of googling, honestly cant see any logical reason why you could not fit a height adjustable plate to your tow bar? Its a standard Mercedes aftermarket tow bar which ive seen dozens of height adjustable backplates fitted too. I have a tow trust tow bar but I dont need a height plate as its on a Vito. I occasionally tow heavier weights about 1.5-2 Ton behind mine not counting the trailer with no issues at all over the years. worked with work vans for years with height adjustable plates on tow bars like yours and never seen any safety issues.

 

[pandjb]

I put the part number of the ball neck and it come out with this parts picture with an updated part number.

Coupling Ball Neck 907315000065 | Mercedes-Benz Parts

Coupling Ball Neck 907315000065

www.mercedesbenz.parts

Thanks for finding this - I had done a search but came up with nothing relevant.
Looking at the diagram, I can't see how this will give me the 100mm drop I need unless the cross member part on the vehicle sits lower??

 

[clarkmichigan55b]

Try tow-trust tow bars they do height adjustable tow bars for sprinters.

Towbars | Tow Trust

www.tow-trust.co.uk

 

[pandjb]

The Witter MR68 which the converter has fitted is actually a VW crafter part! (though I think the chassis dimensions are the same - it certainly fits very well!). it is similar to the first picture you posted, but with a flange to mount the towball on rather than a receiver type mounting.

 

[Kev555]

The Witter MR68 which the converter has fitted is actually a VW crafter part! (though I think the chassis dimensions are the same - it certainly fits very well!). it is similar to the first picture you posted, but with a flange to mount the towball on rather than a receiver type mounting.

This your type pandjb?

 

[Kev555]

posted an example of the bar clarkemichigan55b recommended. looks an excellent bar from the photo, if you really wanted to change your bar? I recommend going to a local tow bar fitter or firm done the camper conversion first for peace of mind to see if they can recommend a retrofit height plate for you existing tow bar.

 

[pandjb]

This one!

 

[pandjb]

Talked with the Tow Trust tech department who have confirmed that the bar with the built in adjustable height hitch is type approved etc, so all sorted.

Many thanks for all of the responses and suggestions.

Paul

 

[Kev555]

Thanks pandjb, the flange for the ball hitch looks much the same which is the important part, cant see any reason why you cant get a tow bar fitter to recommend an after market height adjusting plate provided you can get one to drop to the desired height with your sprinter being higher than standard

 

[Kev555]

Talked with the Tow Trust tech department who have confirmed that the bar with the built in adjustable height hitch is type approved etc, so all sorted.

Many thanks for all of the responses and suggestions.

Paul

Good job pandjb, at least have your 7 pin wiring loom already installed with the little electronic box to make it can bus compatible. so just a matter of installing the new bar if thats the way you have decided to go Seen on tow trusts website they are special order if I remember correctly so that usually means extra £ unfortunately