Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: sweetpear on September 11, 2008, 18:25:33

Title: Towing a 66 230 sl with ZF 5speed HELP
Post by: sweetpear on September 11, 2008, 18:25:33

I am in need of a quick answer to whether this vehicle can be towed on a car dolly with the rear wheels on the ground and front wheels on dolly. The last thing that we need to happen is have something go wrong with the ZF transmission. Has anyone any experience with this situation?

Title: Re: Towing a 66 230 sl with ZF 5speed HELP
Post by: J. Huber on September 11, 2008, 18:33:58

I have always opted for a flatbed. Mainly because I am not crazy about tilting the car either way and running the risk of scraping the ends... Two scenerios for me have been rescuing and relocating. For rescuing, AAA will send a flatbed if you request it. I have the premium coverage and this is included. For relocating, I was able to rent a U-Haul flatbed for not much more than their car dolly...

Title: Re: Towing a 66 230 sl with ZF 5speed HELP
Post by: sweetpear on September 11, 2008, 20:02:58

Sorry I didn't specify earlier. This automobile will need to be dollied for a LONG distance (Vermont to Florida) and don't have the option of a flat car hauler. is there a way to do this safely on a dolly?

Title: Re: Towing a 66 230 sl with ZF 5speed HELP
Post by: George Des on September 11, 2008, 21:17:36

If you must tow with rear wheels on the ground and are concerned about the transmission, you can always just remove the drive shaft from the car.

George Des

Title: Re: Towing a 66 230 sl with ZF 5speed HELP
Post by: ja17 on September 11, 2008, 22:42:55

Hello,

Flat towing a Mercedes with a standard transmission will do no harm. As usual make sure the fluid level is right and the tranmission is in nuetral.  I flat towed my standard tranmission Mercedes rally car all over the USA and never had a bit of trouble.

Title: Re: Towing a 66 230 sl with ZF 5speed HELP
Post by: graphic66 on September 12, 2008, 08:03:23

We should correct that last post to flat towing a Mercedes W113 with a standard transmission wont do any harm. Some models must be in a certain gear and not towed over a certain speed to keep the transmission lubricated. There is always an exception with Mercedes.

Title: Re: Towing a 66 230 sl with ZF 5speed HELP
Post by: Benz Dr. on September 12, 2008, 15:36:58

If you put the car on a trailer make sure to leave the trans in neutral on all trans types. The locking pall on an auto can be snapped or broken from constant shaking if you lerave the eelector in park. It doesn't do a standard much good either.

Put the HAND parking brake on if you know it's safe and working properly and leave the trans out of gear. Lock the car down on all four corners at it should be fine.

NEVER, EVER, back a car on to a tow dolly with the engine weight at the back. It will whip around and if you're luck maybe you will get it under conrol before you end up into a tree or another car. Yeah..... I did that once..... ( and only once! )