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xtooner's avatar
xtooner
Explorer
Apr 19, 2019

Dinghy towing with a class C Mercedes chassis

I'm wondering if I can tow my car with a Jayco Melborne Mercedes chassis. My toad weighs about 3000 lbs. I know the hitch is rated for 5000 lbs. but am wondering if the transmission, engine and drive train etc. is capable of pulling that load comfortably. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
  • Check with the manufacturer, your Owners Manual and you can also check with FMCA Dinghy Towing Guide, available by year. Final and only word that counts is the manufacturer/manual. Some newer vehicles cannot be towed four down. Our 2018 Edge is towable with a certain engine/tranny combo only, other 2018 Edges CANNOT. Again owners manual/manufacturer is the ONLY opinion that counts. Hitch capacity has little to do with what can safely be towed, but indicates the max weight the hitch can pull. Good luck!
  • Howdy - as mentioned, you need to know what the manufacturer says it can tow, not what the hitch is rated for... Quick search seems to indicate your rig (unsure of year...) has a 5K towing capacity. We tow our 3200# Forester with our Sprinter-based Prism (we have a 3500# limit) without difficulty. Been across the Rockies, toured West Virginia hills, live in NH White Mountains. About 25K miles towing so far. make sure you have a supplemental braking system - we use ReadyBrute and have been very happy with it.
  • I tow my 18ft boat pushing 2600# loaded and have no problem ,mines the MB 5cyc diesel. makes a trip from ohio to AR almost every year.
  • You should have documentation regarding how much your vehicle can tow. At a minimum you should have info on GVWR and the GCVR. The difference in these two numbers is the weight you can safely tow. If you get your MH weighed (and it’s less than the GVWR) you can use that number versus GVWR in the calculation. If it weighs more than the GVWR then you have a different problem!

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