Pagoda SL Group
Off Topic => Other cars => Topic started by: rwmastel on September 30, 2025, 19:34:02
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Hi. The dealerships in the USA won't provide info on towing, and MBUSA doesn't provide info either. I know people outside the USA tow small trailers and campers with various models and vintages of Mercedes-Benz. Even our Pagoda have a trailer hitch accessory. I'm hoping some "rest of world" members can help me out.
I want to tow a small combo trailer. It's both a utility trailer and a tent camper called the Sylvansport Go. A very creative design, I haven't really found a competitor. Here's a very detailed 1 hour video on the camper aspect.
https://youtu.be/fgZt3x2IOPU?si=ADfXDou873AHmh11
Here's a much shorter video showing some utility aspects.
https://youtu.be/L5TR4LjSv4c?si=WvDik8ieEUK0dRTz
Anyway, the trailer starts at about 850 pounds (365 kg) and can carry almost the same. The only info I have found is Google saying "with unbraked trailers usually limited to 750 kg (1,653 lbs)." My GVWR is 4916 pounds (2230 kg). I'm going to get the car weighed this week.
What info can you overseas members share about towing in general and specifically with relatively modern Mercedes-Benz cars?
I would have to make a cut in the bottom of my diffuser.
https://stealthhitches.com/products/mercedes-hitch-shr32001?rq=yr_2017~mk_mercedes~md_c-class-sedan
There was a MBCA member here in Ohio who would tow a tiny trailer of orange cones for autocross with his 2nd generation SKL55, so I'm hoping I can do this.
Thanks!
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Hi Rodd,
You’re right – here in Europe most Mercedes models, even relatively modern ones, are officially homologated for towing, and factory data is usually available. For example, unbraked trailers are typically limited to 750 kg (around 1,650 lbs), which matches what you found. With braked trailers, depending on the engine and chassis, tow ratings often go well above 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs) – even on C-Class models similar to yours.
Your Sylvansport Go sounds like a very light and clever design – at 365 kg empty it’s well below the usual EU limits. From a European perspective, towing that size and weight with a C-Class should not be a problem at all, as long as:
the hitch is well integrated (like the Stealth one you linked),
the trailer has proper lighting and safety chains,
and you pay attention to tongue weight (keep it within 50–75 kg / 110–165 lbs).
One note: Mercedes often specifies a maximum rear axle load, so once you weigh your car, make sure to leave some margin for that.
In short – in Europe, many owners tow similar or even heavier small trailers with no issue. Your setup seems well within what the car could handle.
Cheers from the “rest of world” side
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Thanks Seb! When weighing my car, I don't know if I'll get separate axle measurements.
Door sticker says:
GVWR (total) 4916 lbs
GAWR Front 2480 lbs
GAWR Rear 2513 lbs
GCWR - Curb weight (& people & cargo) = Max towing capacity
GVWR is not equal to GCWR, and calculators use GCWR.
https://towstats.com/towing-capacity-calculator/
GCVW sums the car & trailer weight limits together. This is not found for my car online. It would also help me know cargo limits.
GCVW - curb weight - trailer weight = permissible car/trailer cargo weight
Regarding the hitch, I put 240 lbs in my trunk the other day and the bumper lowered 1/2 inch, so it can handle some weight. I read that more tongue weight increases trailer stability.
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If you ask Gemini or ChatGPT you'll get answers and they are yes.
Some specifics included. More importantly the source of the information is provided on both, so it's not just AI making things up.
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Thanks Mike. I have a neighbor with a paid account (?) AI tool. I'll get some details from him after I weigh my car.
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Thanks Mike. I have a neighbor with a paid account (?) AI tool. I'll get some details from him after I weigh my car.
You don’t need a paid account for Gemini or ChatGPT. Just add the app(s) to your phone. Simple.
https://chatgpt.com/s/t_68dc929fb45c81918a4b6480ad1e780d
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Rod,
In Australia we work on a similar way but our terms are probably different.
There is the GVM or Gross Vehicle Mass that is the maximum weight of the towing vehicle its self (loaded)
Then there is the GCM. The gross combines mass the combined maximum weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer/caravan and then there is the GTM the gross weight of the trailer/caravan. These are all figures released either by the vehicle manufacturer and trailer maker. There will also be front and rear axle load limits specified by the vehicle manufacture.
The last bit of the puzzle is what we call the ball weight, that is the down load on the tow bar/hitch ball and the vehicle manufacturer will also have this figure, based on what draw bar has been fitted, usually around 150 kg max
The trailer should be packed such that there is ample down pressure on the tow hitch thus the centre of gravity must be forward of the trailers axle normally a down ward load of around at least 30-50 kg. But will depend on the size of the trailer. This is to avoid trailer/caravan sway and eventual jackknifing.
Hope that all makes sense to you. By the sound of your trailer, you will be well within all these limits. Just make sure the centre of gravity for the trailer is forward of the axle when loading it up.
Garry
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Thanks Garry. Same numbers, different acronyms.
I just got weighed at a Love's truck stop on a CAT scale.
Total weight 3820 lbs
Front axle 2160 lbs / 980 kg
Read axle 1660 lbs / 753 kg
No wonder this car understeers so bad on the race track!
Using USA and Garry's Aussie acronyms:
(WR = weight restriction)
GCWR or GCM - not published by MB. Can anyone find this?
GVWR or GVM - 4916 lbs / 2230 kg
GAWR Rear - 2480 lbs / 1125 kg
GAWR Front - 2513 lbs / 1149 kg
Trailer GVWR or GTM - 1650 lbs / 750 kg (max)
Trailer empty weight - 840 lbs / 381 kg
I plan to keep the trailer under 1200 lbs / 545 kg at all times. I can't imagine needing to carry more than 350 lbs / 160 kg.
At that point, the hitch ball weight would be about 150 lbs / 68 kg.
I think I'm going to be safe. I need to find one of these tent trailers to test out and make sure I'm comfortable laying down on the bed. I'm 6'2" and I think the bed is just under 7 feet. Should work fine, I just need to test for comfort.
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Hey Mike,
Here's what my neighbor got from his paid version of CharGPT. I supplied the question.
Is it safe for a 2017 Mercedes C43 AMG to tow a Sylvansport Go trailer?
ChatGPT said:
Short answer: probably not, or at least not safely or legally without a lot of caveats. Here's why:
Key facts & issues
No tow rating listed
The official specs for the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C43 show “NA” for towing capacity and tongue weight. Car and Driver+2CarPro+2
In other words: Mercedes (for that model) doesn’t support or specify towing, which strongly suggests it isn’t designed for it.
SylvanSport GO weight
The dry (unloaded) weight is about 840 lb (381 kg). beckleysrvs.com+2Bless This Stuff+2
Its GVWR (maximum gross weight fully loaded) is about 1,650 lb (748 kg). beckleysrvs.com
The tongue weight (at the hitch) is about 85 lb (dry) but will increase when loaded. SylvanSport+2sylvansport.answerbase.com+2
Mismatch risk
Since the car has no official towing spec, you have no safety margins established by the manufacturer.
Even though the trailer is light, once loaded it can approach twice its dry weight, pushing it closer to the untested limits.
The suspension, brakes, drivetrain, and cooling systems on a performance sedan like the C43 are not engineered for towing stress.
Legal / insurance / warranty risk
In many places, towing with a vehicle not rated for it may void parts of your insurance or lead to liability issues if something goes wrong.
Damage from towing stress (axle, transmission, cooling, frame) may not be covered by warranty (if any applies).
Verdict
If you tow the GO trailer very lightly loaded (just minimal gear, keeping the total trailer weight low), you might get away with it in benign conditions (flat roads, slow speeds).
But “might” is a big qualifier. It’s risky — you’re pushing a car beyond what its maker explicitly supports.
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I've just had a read up on the rules in the UK
Any towbar fitted in the UK must be "type approved", which as far as i can tell means it has to be approved for the model of the car it's being fitted to
The MB forums have investigated fitting a tow bar to your year model and the consensus of opinion seems to be that if MB don't publish the "gross train weight", the total of the car plus trailer, then it's not suitable for towing and a tow bar should not be legally fitted. In the UK it would be illegal to tow without a type approved bar and the insurance would be invalidated
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/tow-bar-doubts.171743/
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/tow-bar-on-c43.94832/
Best check with your insurers first for their opinion
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Here's what my neighbor got from his paid version of ChatGPT. I supplied the question.
Is it safe for a 2017 Mercedes C43 AMG to tow a Sylvansport Go trailer?
ChatGPT said:
Short answer: probably not…Since the car has no official towing spec, you have no safety margins established by the manufacturer…
Rodd, paid or not paid isn’t relevant. Understand you asked an exceedingly specific question with car detail and trailer; I framed a more general question regarding just the model and towing. That explains the difference in answers. Both answers point to tow specification or lack therof.
But, don’t you have a Jeep for this? I guarantee you no matter what model or year Jeep you have, there’s a tow specification.
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But, don’t you have a Jeep for this? I guarantee you no matter what model or year Jeep you have, there’s a tow specification.
Over the last 5 or 6 years, I haven't been off-roading in the Jeep, which is what I bought it for 10 years ago. It's given me that top down (and doors off!) fix while the 230SL has been down. It's also a stuff hauler for dirty things, large things, lumber, etc. Owning and maintaining this trailer will be cheaper than a Jeep, and it will be a much better hauler. I love the Jeep and will miss it dearly, but I think a tilting utility trailer will be more useful and I have a use for the pop up tent as well.
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The MB forums have investigated fitting a tow bar to your year model and the consensus of opinion seems to be that if MB don't publish the "gross train weight", the total of the car plus trailer, then it's not suitable for towing and a tow bar should not be legally fitted.
Best check with your insurers first for their opinion
Yes, not having a GCWR (gross combined weight restriction, in USA speak) is the problem. I will call my insurance company.
One of those threads was from 2010 and they were talking about W202 chassis. Mine is a 2017 W205 chassis.
I did find the Mercedes tow bar. A2053103900
Perhaps someone with online parts catalog access can tell if this is specified to fit C43, or only C300. I'll PM my VIN to you if necessary.
UPDATE:
https://mbparts.mbusa.com/v-2017-mercedes-benz-c43-amg--4matic--3-0l-v6-gas/trailer-hitch--trailer-coupling
So, if MB made the hitch, and made it available through USA parts catalog, then I should be allowed to tow, right??