Mercedes 206D Towing Capacity?

Martin-123

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Hi All, I'm trying to establish the permitted towing weight of my 1974 Mercedes Hanomag 206D camper. My data plate doesn't give an MTW. The space is blank.
If the data plate on your 206D (or similar model) gives an MTW could you send me a photo of it please... private message if you prefer.
TIA.
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Good luck. Not too many off those around.

If I come across one I'll see if I can get a pic of data plate.
 
mark61 said:
Good luck. Not too many off those around.

If I come across one I'll see if I can get a pic of data plate.
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Thank you, Mark. I was told there are about 6 on the road in the UK. I only know one owner. I've posted my request in all the European FB groups for Vintage Mercedes. Your help would be appreciated.
 
I ysed to work for a Mercedes truck dealer back in the 70's I think the max towing weight was around 1,000kg, we used to fit the tow bar using round tubes into the end of the chassis tubes.
 
Some vehicles are not rated for towing at all and have a blank GTW. could yours be in that category?
 
Martin-123 said:
Thank you, Mark. I was told there are about 6 on the road in the UK. I only know one owner. I've posted my request in all the European FB groups for Vintage Mercedes. Your help would be appreciated.
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Came across this. http://www.hanomag-henschel.net/hanomag/bedrijfswagens/f20-35-chassis/

If I understand correctly that gives a towing weight of 400 or 500 KG for the older Hanomag F20 > F35's. Not much use I guess for the 206D as Mercedes completely changed rear suspension.

Anyway, here's mine from early 80's. Very early Merc badged one. Old man had it from new, sold it to me after I started work and then very nicely converted it.

Scan105 copy.jpg
 
Just had another idea.

Since towbars have to be approved these days why not get a quote from a fitter and ask him.
 
Martin-123 said:
Hi All, I'm trying to establish the permitted towing weight of my 1974 Mercedes Hanomag 206D camper. My data plate doesn't give an MTW. The space is blank.
If the data plate on your 206D (or similar model) gives an MTW could you send me a photo of it please... private message if you prefer.
TIA.View attachment 119822
Click to expand...

Martin-123 said:
Hi All, I'm trying to establish the permitted towing weight of my 1974 Mercedes Hanomag 206D camper. My data plate doesn't give an MTW. The space is blank.
If the data plate on your 206D (or similar model) gives an MTW could you send me a photo of it please... private message if you prefer.
TIA.View attachment 119822
Click to expand...
Why would you want to tow with this van ? With the conversion its probably near it max weight already, loading it with a trailer would only stress the already overloaded engine, gearbox and brakes. Madness!
 
If the manufacturer hasn't specified a max train weight on the official plate then I believe the vehicle is not considered capable of towing anything, I think Smart cars were the same.
 
Martin-123 said:
Hi All, I'm trying to establish the permitted towing weight of my 1974 Mercedes Hanomag 206D camper. My data plate doesn't give an MTW. The space is blank.
If the data plate on your 206D (or similar model) gives an MTW could you send me a photo of it please... private message if you prefer.
TIA.View attachment 119822
Click to expand...
Sadly, without a gross train weight listed, legally you have no towing limit.
i had the same issue on my 1st Hymer. 😕
https://spinner28.wixsite.com/tonys-towing-trivia/post/weights-vin-plates
 
r4dent said:
Just had another idea.

Since towbars have to be approved these days why not get a quote from a fitter and ask him.
Click to expand...
Type approval regs for Towbars were introduced in 1998 for M1 class vehicles (passenger cars) and in 2012 for N1 vehicles (vans) and campers/motorhomes.

The regs are not retrospective so a 1974 vehicle doesn’t need a type approved Towbar. Anyone can make and fit one! That said, without a GTW it would be illegal to use it… 😏
 
TonyEmm said:
Type approval regs for Towbars were introduced in 1998 for M1 class vehicles (passenger cars) and in 2012 for N1 vehicles (vans) and campers/motorhomes.

The regs are not retrospective so a 1974 vehicle doesn’t need a type approved Towbar. Anyone can make and fit one! That said, without a GTW it would be illegal to use it… 😏
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Thanks. Didn't know about them not being retrospective.
 
TonyEmm said:
Type approval regs for Towbars were introduced in 1998 for M1 class vehicles (passenger cars) and in 2012 for N1 vehicles (vans) and campers/motorhomes.

The regs are not retrospective so a 1974 vehicle doesn’t need a type approved Towbar. Anyone can make and fit one! That said, without a GTW it would be illegal to use it… 😏
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To get picky and a touch pendantic (possibly).... I would think it would be ok to have a towbar fitted and used on the road IF you were using it as a support for a load carrier, such as a Bike Rack or general purpose storage box that is stitting on it and no wheels behind on the ground being pulled?

Just saying this as quite a few folk do fit Towbars with that precise use in mind and never intend to actually tow anything.
 
wildebus said:
To get picky and a touch pendantic (possibly).... I would think it would be ok to have a towbar fitted and used on the road IF you were using it as a support for a load carrier, such as a Bike Rack or general purpose storage box that is stitting on it and no wheels behind on the ground being pulled?

Just saying this as quite a few folk do fit Towbars with that precise use in mind and never intend to actually tow anything.
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That’s certainly possible. It happens with Smart cars that aren’t approved for towing, but have bike racks.
Rear axle weight then becomes more critical though, in part due to the extra leverage.
 
I did a lot of towing with my 306 for many years. The engine, gearbox and suspension are certainly well up to it. It towed my 17 ft sailboat, both van and boat fully loaded countless miles, and a friend towed his Austin 7 on a trailer to France with no problems! Due to the tubular chassis the instalation of towbar is easy. I have no idea if there was a GTW on my plate but it certainly would not surprise me if there is one - there is a Facebook forum called Classic Hymers and I'm sure you'll get your answer there . I hope it'll be legal for you and if so don't listen to negative people who try to tell you the vehicle is not capable of it
 

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Dougbobbill said:
I did a lot of towing with my 306 for many years. The engine, gearbox and suspension are certainly well up to it. It towed my 17 ft sailboat, both van and boat fully loaded countless miles, and a friend towed his Austin 7 on a trailer to France with no problems! Due to the tubular chassis the instalation of towbar is easy. I have no idea if there was a GTW on my plate but it certainly would not surprise me if there is one - there is a Facebook forum called Classic Hymers and I'm sure you'll get your answer there . I hope it'll be legal for you and if so don't listen to negative people who try to tell you the vehicle is not capable of it
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Yeah, I wouldn't be taking any notice of that post either.
Now whether, you should or shouldn't, can, can't or mustn't is another matter :)
 
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