Will a 230 GE Tow a car trailer
Hello
First post here, I am about to look at a 230 GE SWB Auto for occasional towing of our car trailer/transporter. I appreciate it wont be fast but thats not really the issue, I just wondered if it would be able to actually do this without breaking the engine or the box etc.
Thanks
Joe
Done that with a G on the trailer.You're not going to go fast but it wil do it.
Legally you are limited to 2800KG with a swb - I was just over the limit (G + trailer) but no problems. I regularly tow 2000kg without any trouble - as I say, just don't expect to get 60mph up hill and down dale.
Chris
Hi Joe you will find the automatic 230 less of a performer than a manual 230..the auto box will hold the intermediate gears a lot longer than you would if you had manual gearbox control...as a result the fuel economy suffers.....the 280 Auto performs a lot better when towing but again the fuel economy is that of a six cylinder engine.......
Hi Joe No!!! referring to "are Diesel G's better" from experience the 4 speed 300gd 5 cyl diesel is a better pulling vehicle than the 5 speed.but for motorway driving the noise makes you look for the 5th gear.
Well I am still looking for an older G as an occasional towing vehicle.
Is my best option the 280 SWB manual the one I should be looking out for.
Cheers
Joe
Hi Joe
I have a 280 auto long base that will be available in the next four weeks. If interested get in touch, I am having some minor bits and pieces done to her prior to sale. Would rather she go to an enthusiastic owner than Ebay :(
Hello
Thanks for the offer but I only have room for a SWB in the shed so to speak. Just my Luck.
Cheers
Joe
if you can only accomodate a swb then so be it, but having used all sorts of gs and other 4x4s to tow with lwb vehicles are usually better tow vehicles due to length/stability and being slightly heavier.
Hello,
I want to keep it covered in one of my sheds, plus can get SWB motors on a ramp I have for repairs etc, LWB would mean I loose that facility and might have to leave it outside.
Whats the height from the ground to the tallest part on a G, SWB and LWB, Ally and Steel wheels, the lowest and the tallest if you like, I might have another option.
I have done a bit of towing and I take on board what you say fully, but its only towing occasionally, and then it will be a slow tow.
Reading above, would a 300GD with say a TB Turbo conversion tow alright on a 5 speed box or would that still be a bit hopeless. Reading the buying advice it sort of slags the OM617 Engine, wearing out early etc, yet I here there is a turbo kit available for them!
Cheers
Joe
Hi Joe I have used a 460 with a TB Turbo conversion and intercooler but now drive a SWB 460 with an OM617A engine (MB factory built as a turboed engine) but never imported into the UK... the factory built OM617A has the edge on the OM 617 TB conversion because the turbo has a larger output aperture to suit a larger bore exhaust. trouble is both need 1000/1200 rpm to kick in.... so the bottom end of the torque range with a turbo is more effective in the lower gears.a manual G' box gives you the capability of controlling the available torque better than the auto G'box.we have just finished a refurb on a SWB 460 diesel non turbo the owner wanted for his double horsebox and now he wants a LWB diesel instead.so if you are looking for a very well finished 1987 refurbished 460 give me an email address for some pics..
dimensions of the 463 and 460 (sorry about the size, old file!)
Ps. I've used mine (300GE SWB '91 auto) with a 2-wheel open box trailer (~250kg?) and a 4 wheel one (once with a load of slabs and gravel, nearly 2 ton?) and haven't had much problem, other than it being considerably slower on the uptake!
Thanks for the dimensions thats given me something else to work on.
I really appreciate the input from you guys.
One other thought does anyone know the towing capacities for the different models, I assume they are by body type/drivetrain.
I.E. LWB SWB, 4x4 2x4, does the cabrio SW(pickup) have a different max tow as its a lighter body?
Cheers
Joe
Well after a lot of experimenting it looks like I have to admit defeat on the G Wagon Tow vehicle experiment.
I did get a SWB Pickup 3 Litre diesel and after getting a few bits sorted have recently given it a good workout on the towing front.
Getting used to the slow speed was the first thing, but then the hills seemed to almost take me into moving traffic hazard territory.
The bit that did surprise was reversing, this may be due to it being an SWB rather than LWB but found it ran out of steam quite quickly when reverse manouvering into load areas. It just dont seem to have the torque from standstill when you are at an angle.
I am towing an enclosed twin axle car transporter all Ally so not that heavy probably 1200 -1500 kgs all up.
Shame as the the G is good fun with the top down, great for visibility for manovering my little boy loved it.
So next stop post in the G for sale section, only owes me £1800 with all the bits so no great loss.
Thanks for all your help
Joe
Sounds as if you found one with a bad engine. Some years back I used a softop, SWB, G300D (5cyl), Auto, with 90kmiles on the clock, to tow a 2.5 tonne trailer from the UK to Italy. The journey involved the steep hair-pin bends of the Gotthard pass and had no problems at all, forwards, backwards or sideways.... and at over 2000m altitude.
Hi
Nope engine checked out fine, first thing I did when I got it along with the MOT, also not a lot of smoke under load.
One reason put forward was that it had slightly larger tyres. I have also heard the 4 speed box is better.
Thanks
Joe
Joe
You mention lock up / running out of steam when reversing
the overrun brakes were not perhaps kicking in??
Thats a good point but sadly no, the damper is a bit softer than normal but works fine. I have had them jam on on some trailers after an emergency stop etc.
OT.
Stunning picture Arnie.
Heres Rich prepering to overtake on a similar road. :lol:
OT.
Stunning picture Arnie.
Heres Rich prepering to overtake on a similar road. :lol:
AND thats daily :roll:
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Thanks for the help, I am looking to tow about 2000kg, I looked at the SWB following the thinking less to pull etc, would I be better off with a 300 Diesel manual. trouble is non turbo diesels I have normally found a bit painful to tow with are G's different
Dont want to spend a fortune as it will sit idle for most of the time. not bothered about cosmetics really either.
Thanks Again
Joe