113 tow hitches

[Desertpagoda]

Does anyone know anything about the optional/available ORIS tow hitch for 113s? Does anyone want/need one?

[Bonnyboy]

A few years ago I thought I had a line on one but it turned out to be a home made contraption that didn't look safe at all. 

I would like to be able to tow my zodiac to the lake on days when I need some fishing therapy.

I never did find one but still looking.

Ian

[neelyrc]

As I recall our fellow member Achim (114015 on the forum) had a hitch on his Pagoda at the Euroevent in Merano last year.  Perhaps he can Advise the particulars.

[mbzse]

Does anyone know anything about the optional/available ORIS tow hitch for 113s

Yes. It was made by company ORIS (Otto Riehle In Stuttgart), and was offered as a special equipment for W113 Pagoda, via Mercedes dealers.
SA 550.
See pictures. The small mounting brackets were welded onto the chassis of the SL.

Some info about the Oris company here:
http://www.bosal-oris.com/history.html

[neelyrc]

....and a pic from Merano......

[cfm65@me.com]

kb,
I had one on my 230SL in the early 80’s which we towed our Hobie to the beach.
Regards
Chris

[mbzse]

Some pics of the device in use in this thread:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=19313.msg142515#msg142515

[dirkbalter]

Mine had a trailer hitch too. I took it off and closed the holes as I was working on the body.
I will post a picture later.

Dirk

[waltklatt]

Ok, if the W113's had an optional tow hitch, did the package also mention anything about beefing up the rear suspension?  To avoid the tail dragging look.

[114015]

Dear Walter,
No...,
there wasn't such a recommendation by Oris, Westfalia (the other common trailer hitch manufacturer back then) or by Daimler themselves.
The maximum towbar load was/is 50 kilogramms. Not more than some load in the trunk.


Achim
(without any trailer hitch knowledge)

[dirkbalter]

For what it's worth,  this is what was installed on mine.

[waltklatt]

Hello Achim,
Thanks for the reply.
Hmm, a factory service literature copy shows a 1200 kg load limit.
Looks similar to the one Dirk shows.
Walter

[114015]

Hello Walter,

Yes, 1200 kg is the maximum total trailer load (towed) - with a trailer containing brakes, less if without brakes.
No, what I was referring to is the maximum vertical ball load for the towing hook, that is 50 kg.

Dirk's and my crossmember for the towbar construction look identical ... only mine has far less rust.
So, he must have had an Oris as well, rather than a Westfalia.

I know that Westfalia had even a detachable tow hook available for the Pagoda. :-) Mine is fixed.

Best,
Achim