If you have a trailer hitch receiver on your SLK (R171) please advise the source. I would like to be able to carry a cooler on a rack.

Thanks in advance.

Bump - me too but I'd to pull a small 4 foot by 4 foot wheel trailer.

 

I was told that MB didn't support a hitch on an SLK at all, but I've seen R171's in Germany with the "EUR" style hitches on 'em - no clue where you'd got about sourcing it...

 

Thanks much. I can certainly understand D-B's position and would probably say the same under similar conditions. I'm not sure what a "EUR" style hitch is...

 

notgonnahappen.com

But, you can fit a roof rack.

 

Yikes! That Pontiac Aztek/Lexus 430SC designer has been busy... <g>

 

Not pretty at all but better than bodging a trailer hitch on a car not designed for it.

 

Generally speaking, I would hasten to agree. However, as I didn't make clear, I would like to hang a 50# (gross) rack on the receiver. If motorcycles can handle them (they can), I would think the SLK would be able to.

Anyone interested in can Google "Cool Custom Trikes" and look for the 'Tag A Long'

 

I wouldn't expect that weight to damage it at all, the structure in that area can handle that, i'm just thinking of how you physically install it.

The structure is far back, and you dont want to weld/drill it, also it will provide a direct path to structure in the event of a rear end crash and that could easily damage it.

 

It would take someone with a much more creative mind and skill in working with metal to design a receiver that would not look like it was styled by K-Mart for this application. I was moderately hopeful though not optimistic from the beginning...

 

There's another thread going on on about towing a PWC with photos of an SLK hitch. Have you seen that? I know I've seen an SLK with a hitch, so I know they exist, but I have no idea who sells them...

 

If you see another SLK (R171) with a hitch receiver, please let us know how to contact the owner or the hitch receiver manufacturer.

Thanks.

 

I have enough trouble not banging the underside of my front bumper on parking curbs, etc.

I suspect any "trailer hitch" would ground at the slightest provocation.

 

My neighbour has been involved in manufacturing/selling tow-hitches etc. for years including formerly sales-director for one of the larger manufacturers. When I asked about a cycle carrier for the SLK, he told me that as far he was aware, there are no official tow-hitches/brackets for the R171. He also said that because Mercedes have not type approved the R171 for towing, it would be illegal in the UK to tow with one.

Actually think this is something of a master stroke, as Mercedes have spared me the nightmare vision of an SLK towing a frikkin' caravan.....:biglaugh:

 

I think that your neighbour is correct in that there seem to be no hitch receivers available for the R171 and understand that Daimler Benz has not approved the car for towing. I think this was the same with respect to the R170 and there is at least one hitch receiver available (still) for that car.

I know little about US law and nothing about British law but here at least, a manufacturer's lack of approval would not make a hitch/hitch receiver illegal to sell or to own.

My intended usage is not to tow a trailer or a caravan, but rather to attach what is called in the US a Tag A Long and may be seen at the coolcustomtrikes.com web site. A Tag is useful for carrying lightweight bulky items, including a small cooler/ice chest thereby freeing up space in the trunk/boot. It is typically used with motorcycles and motorcycle trikes but we do see a few attached to roadsters and small cars for touring.

 

Nobody is "required" to be an engineer or the like, but about anybody can take a few minutes on their back laying under the back side of a SLK and looking for something strong enough to mount a hitch to.

That's the first thing, i.e. carrying the weight of the hitch.

Then there are the forces involved in actually pulling something or even adding some bicycle, ice chest, etc., weight to the hitch.

Don't forget that when the car bounces up and down the weight of the hitch and the weight on the hitch does too, and that EXTRA force is also transmitted to whereever the hitch is mounted.

Here's an additional challenge for the "don't want to think about engineering" types:

Would you allow someone to pull their car up behind your SLK and give you a push"? Do you really think your bumper would survive unscathed? Well, think about the forces the other direction generated by attaching a hitch and adding weight to the hitch or even pulling something--do you think those forces would be less than those simply required to push your car? They might be, actually, but your bumper is still plastic.

 

Nobody is "required" to be an engineer or the like, but about anybody can take a few minutes on their back laying under the back side of a SLK and looking for something strong enough to mount a hitch to.

That's the first thing, i.e. carrying the weight of the hitch.

Then there are the forces involved in actually pulling something or even adding some bicycle, ice chest, etc., weight to the hitch.

Don't forget that when the car bounces up and down the weight of the hitch and the weight on the hitch does too, and that EXTRA force is also transmitted to whereever the hitch is mounted.

Here's an additional challenge for the "don't want to think about engineering" types:

Would you allow someone to pull their car up behind your SLK and give you a push"? Do you really think your bumper would survive unscathed? Well, think about the forces the other direction generated by attaching a hitch and adding weight to the hitch or even pulling something--do you think those forces would be less than those simply required to push your car? They might be, actually, but your bumper is still plastic.

I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but I think that typically you advocate using OEM this or that based on MB engineers being smart guys, and I think you're probably right on this most of the time. Yet here you're suggesting that one doesn't need to be an engineer to identify a suitable location on the chassis for a tow bracket.

I think that if the MB engineers had designed the car to have a tow bracket, then there would be one in the accessories list and companies like Witter would have one in their catalogue.

As Dan says fitting a tow bracket could compromise the effectiveness of the rear crush zone.

 

FWIW, ages ago I once saw a 55 towing a fairly large boat through the Okanagan. They were going the opposite way on the highway from me otherwise I would've done my best to get a photo of it, but they were long gone by the time I picked my jaw up off the floor. No idea what sort of hitch they were using -- from the above discussions, one can only assume it was a custom job.

 

Curt Hitch C11751 for 1998-2004 SLK

Hello,

Curt makes a bolt on Class-1 hitch (C11751) for the 1998-2004 SLK.
- To see a picture of the hitch go to:
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2002_Mercedes-Benz_SLK-Class.htm
- To display the installation instructions, click on "More information", then "Installation details"
- MSRP price is around $230, best price I found was around $160.
To find the best price just Google search on "trailer hitch mercedes SLK 1998". Substitute your model year of course.

Takes about 30-60 minutes to install and requires to drill some holes. The bolts all are within the spare tire compartment so nothing is visible inside the trunk. From the rear of the vehicle, all you see is the center "receiver" portion of the hitch. This hitch does not have a side to side metal brace that goes between the left and right main frame members as on most hitch designs that make them so ugly. It is perfect for mounting a bike rack, a tray to carry lightweight bulky items or pulling a light trailer. Of course it is a class-1 hitch, for light weight use only. My 1998 is way out of warranty so I'm not particularly concerned if Mercedes approves this or not. As a mechanical engineer and part time mechanic, I'm very comfortable that it will not harm the vehicle at all for light usage. Of course your results and viewpoints may differ!

All the best,
Ed

 

Yes. I think there are a couple that fit the R170 cars but have not found one that will fit the R171. if you see one, please let me know.

Thanks.

Hello,

Curt makes a bolt on Class-1 hitch (C11751) for the 1998-2004 SLK.
- To see a picture of the hitch go to:
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2002_Mercedes-Benz_SLK-Class.htm
- To display the installation instructions, click on "More information", then "Installation details"
- MSRP price is around $230, best price I found was around $160.
To find the best price just Google search on "trailer hitch mercedes SLK 1998". Substitute your model year of course.

Takes about 30-60 minutes to install and requires to drill some holes. The bolts all are within the spare tire compartment so nothing is visible inside the trunk. From the rear of the vehicle, all you see is the center "receiver" portion of the hitch. This hitch does not have a side to side metal brace that goes between the left and right main frame members as on most hitch designs that make them so ugly. It is perfect for mounting a bike rack, a tray to carry lightweight bulky items or pulling a light trailer. Of course it is a class-1 hitch, for light weight use only. My 1998 is way out of warranty so I'm not particularly concerned if Mercedes approves this or not. As a mechanical engineer and part time mechanic, I'm very comfortable that it will not harm the vehicle at all for light usage. Of course your results and viewpoints may differ!

All the best,
Ed

 

Ed,

Welcome from Valrico, Florida!
And welcome to this great forum!

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Thank you,
Jeff
Sergeant-at Arms

 

Prior post in error, was meant for the SLK R170 forum.

Mea Culpa, rookie mistake, I got so excited to contribute something that I didn't notice this was an R171 question. I Google searched and indeed found nothing for the R171. Sorry about that...

 

If you have one for the R170, it's worth looking into.

I loved having the hitch on my R170. The purpose was for a hitch mounted bike rack. Much better looking and a lot less intrusive than any other method and looks way better than those roof racks and looking like a L(insert yawn)exus.

Adding a (that?s right) Trailer Hitch » Rambling Along the Roads

 

It's funny, I looked at the site mentioned about the Curt Class trailer hitches, and they have them for 1998-2004 and for 2014, but nothing else in between! Interesting.

 

The R171 is not rated or approved by the factory for towing. Therefore no hitch company will make one, and it is illegal to self fabricate one and tow a trailer.
If one was to put one on a R171 and was in an accident. Insurance would be void and there would probably be criminal liability.
I looked into this years ago and ya just can't do it with the R171, at least not in the US.

 

I have no intention to mount a towbar or something like that on my SLK (brrr....) but just out of curiosity I did a search and found a Dutch site that claims they can supply one.

https://www.onderdelendirect.nl/mer...350/35-24v-r171__8924/trekhaken/toebehoren/thule-rear-mount-connector--b9078178

This "rear mount connector" is manufactured by Thule specially for cars that are not approved for towing like hybrid cars. It is not designed for towing but should only be used to mount a bikecarrier on it. I could only find some Dutch info on it so maybe it is only allowed here in the Netherlands but maybe for some of you who want to take their bike when going for I ride in your SLK (why in heavens name would you want to do that?) it could be worth to check it out.

 

I have a 1.25 on my wife's Honda Civic to carry a bike carrier. I agree it's much better than the roof or trunk mounted ones. I would never pull a trailer with that small car though.
I wanted to put one on my R171 to carry bikes also, but none can be found in the US. I was also worried about warranty issues when the MB dealer saw it on the car.
If you do find one, just be very careful that it sets out from the car far enough to let the trunk tilt back when opening the roof as not to hit the bicycles.
Please keep us updated, and if that company offers one, can it be shipped to the US.
Thanks

 

I'll ask them, I have no intention in buying one however.

 

Thank you to all who tried to help with my question.
Tom

 

Idea for Hitch for R171 SLK

Are there any members of this forum that live in the Miami FL area??? If we have a member with an SLK from 2005 to 2012 (R171) body style then it may be possible to have Roger Perrine look at it to determine the cost to make a custom hitch. His primary business is installing hitches and he is willing to make custom hitches. If a number of members want a hitch as was indicated in response to my question then he may be a good and relatively reasonnable priced solution. Looking forward to any possibilities.
Tom

 

Are there any members of this forum that live in the Miami FL area??? If we have a member with an SLK from 2005 to 2012 (R171) body style then it may be possible to have Roger Perrine look at it to determine the cost to make a custom hitch.Tom

I'm in South Florida, but at the South end of Palm Beach County. It looks like Perrine is actually in SW Miami near Homestead two counties South of me.

That would be about a 100 mile drive and the last stop before the Keys. I'd have to tell the wife we're going on a weekend getaway and take a detour...

Anyone closer?

 

Trailer Hitch R171

I am trying to get a trailer hitch for my 2005 SLK 350. Not having any luck. There is a shop in Miami Fl that specializes in installing trailer hitches. If anyone in the Miami area with a R171 model that is willing to drive by his shop he will determine if a good hitch can be made. He just needs to look at the rear body underneath. I will leave his name and address below. If he can make a hitch then any of us that need one can order one from him. So far in my dealings with him(put hitch on our 2001 R170 for $320) his prices have been fair. His name is Roger Perrine.

Roger Perrine Trailer hitch Miamai Fl

* 10459 SW 185th Ter
Cutler Bay, FL 33157

* Phone number(305) 233-5619

Please let me know if anyone can help with their car. Tel 978 427 3691

 

I am trying to get a trailer hitch for my 2005 SLK 350. Not having any luck. There is a shop in Miami Fl that specializes in installing trailer hitches. If anyone in the Miami area with a R171 model that is willing to drive by his shop he will determine if a good hitch can be made. He just needs to look at the rear body underneath. I will leave his name and address below. If he can make a hitch then any of us that need one can order one from him. So far in my dealings with him(put hitch on our 2001 R170 for $320) his prices have been fair. His name is Roger Perrine.

Roger Perrine Trailer hitch Miamai Fl

* 10459 SW 185th Ter
Cutler Bay, FL 33157

* Phone number(305) 233-5619

Please let me know if anyone can help with their car. Tel 978 427 3691

These guys are specialists: Trailer Hitches, Cargo Carriers, and Bike Racks from CURT Manufacturing

But, I think they only have for the R170 !!! :crying:

 

The R171 is not designed or type approved for being fitted with a towing hitch, unlike the R170. If you fit one, your insurance will be void.

 

My neighbour is a former director of a company that manufactures tow bars for the motor industry, including Tier 1 supply to some of the OEMs. He confirmed to me some time ago that there are no approved tow bar options for the R171.

 

The R171 is not rated or approved by the factory for towing. Therefore no hitch company will make one, and it is illegal to self fabricate one and tow a trailer.
If one was to put one on a R171 and was in an accident. Insurance would be void and there would probably be criminal liability.
I looked into this years ago and ya just can't do it with the R171, at least not in the US.

 

That is not correct Wooly. First of all they do NOT inspect trailer hitches. Second I did say if one can be designed to properly fit and distribute the load he would then make them.
Tom

 

You've had a lot of people telling you that the R171 is not designed to have a hitch fitted.

In the UK, (and all of Europe ) it would be illegal to drive a car that has one fitted.

There are now several members in the USA telling you it would be illegal.

Please can you point out to me why I am incorrect?