Towing with a Mercedes Suffolk Motorhome

[phazed]

I have my eye on a couple of really nice Mercedes Suffolk motorhomes, 2008-2010 vintage. Both vans are the 2.1L, about 160bhp I believe and automatic, (most seem to be)

I do about 10-12 track days a year and always tow my cars to track. Apart from TD's, it will be used for the usual touring holidays.

Question: Will it be man enough to tow a total weight of up to 1.8 tonnes?

I currently use a manual 1999 Autosleeper Herald on a Transit 2.5 turbo diesel chassis. 100 bhp and will tow all day at lorry speed, (56mph).

This will be a long term van so need to get it right.

Any thoughts or experiences?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-details/202...

[nagsheadwarrior]

I'm a Motorhome dealer, I've just bought and sold an Autosleeper Devon same running gear in the last few days 2008 but low profile.

I'm not over sure they are 160bhp tbh but it will be a delight after your Herald.

You got to watch them for damp, like your Herald also tbh particularly around the front bulkheads like all Autosleepers, lovely vans though if a little dated and the Sprinter is a bit wobbly.

I can't help but feel that one's a tiny bit pricey but prices are very strong at the moment tbh, we just got £33995 for our 2008 Autosleeeper Devon though that's 2 berth and smaller ao maybe it stacks up against that Suffolk at £42k

They tow well though, rwd is good for that

[nagsheadwarrior]

Second thoughts with that mileage and one owner it's probably worth it, Wellsbrudge are OK too, Harry the chap who owns it I think has been in the trade a long long time

[phazed]

Thanks for that.

So, no issues towing with an auto?

[nagsheadwarrior]

Not with the Merc box no, new 17 on Ford can only tow 750kg but the Merc 5 speed is pretty bombproof and low geared which I guess is good for towing.

A remap wouldn't do much harm either

[phazed]

Thanks for that. Sounds like it’s a goer.

Just need to get up there.

Picking your brains, what do you think I should put this up for privately. Good condition Herald two birth with only 36K miles on the clock, one previous owner. 1999.



Performed brilliantly a few weeks ago, two weeks in the Swiss mountains and the Black Forest. 2000 miles and didn’t miss a beat.

Edited by phazed on Tuesday 30th August 10:20

[nagsheadwarrior]

Umm thats an Autosleeper Legend not a Herald?

Lovely vans, not likely to be damp, it's mid to mid upper teens privately

[phazed]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Umm thats an Autosleeper Legend not a Herald?

Lovely vans, not likely to be damp, it's mid to mid upper teens privately

Of course its a Legend! Thanks for the valuation.

I bought it 7-8 years ago with 10K on the clock for £12K. Now has 36K miles. Maybe I should keep it

[Teem50]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Second thoughts with that mileage and one owner it's probably worth it, Wellsbrudge are OK too, Harry the chap who owns it I think has been in the trade a long long time

I've just sold our 2005 Rimor, bought from Wellsbridge in 2007 and used for towing a race car around Europe in similar manner to the OP. Harry has now retired although his brother Lance is still there.

[nagsheadwarrior]

phazed said:

nagsheadwarrior said:

Umm thats an Autosleeper Legend not a Herald?

Lovely vans, not likely to be damp, it's mid to mid upper teens privately

Of course its a Legend! Thanks for the valuation.

I bought it 7-8 years ago with 10K on the clock for £12K. Now has 36K miles. Maybe I should keep it

Quids in then good buy that, £14995 private should sell very quickly