roof rack for the 123 model

[AnthroProfessor]

Its not that I wouldn't mind buying a Toyota Tacoma for hauling larger objects around like when I go to Ikea or when I rummage in the junk yards for Mercedes parts, but I think a roof rack will do for most purposes I run into periodically for right now.

Is there such a thing as a factory roof rack? I want something that will not damage the car when set up properly. I know better than to load something real heavy on my car's roof, but I have seen certain aftermarket roof racks that will simply etch paint or ruin the trim mouldings of a car just by nature of shoddy design. I would think something with protective rubber when coming into contact with the Mercedes roof is in order.

Where can I get a suitable roof rack? Fill me in on what I am missing.

[Maxbumpo]

Most wagons came with roof rack and protective strips installed. There are also cross bars but usually they get separated from the car so they are rare.

When I lived in Italy I had a very nice rack for my Alfa Romeo that clamped onto the rain gutter. My father-in-law loaned it to me, and when I moved to the states I left it with him in Italy. It did not have any maker's mark so I can't help you with that.

Have you looked at Yakima (sp?) racks?

[dropnosky]

I have had good luck with one of those thule (or equivilant) gutter mounted roof racks. They are not factory, but I feel a lot more comfortable with their support structure than something that attaches to the roof proper. Also, there is the benefit that they can be easily removed and attached without scratching the car for specific circumstances.

I just have the flat bar variety, which accepts a wide number of toys for mounting different things.

[Grey Ghost]

Most wagons came with roof rack and protective strips installed. There are also cross bars but usually they get separated from the car so they are rare.Amen, Meade. For this reason I keep my lovely chrome cross bars in my locked garage until they're needed. If they get pinched, you'll pay a fortune to replace 'em.

[AnthroProfessor]

what I had in mind were gutter mounted roof racks so they can also be detached easily.

I am familiar with Thule and I have to see if it will fit safely on a Mercedes.
I just thought you guys know a specific product already so I can save time on the guess work and trial/error phase.

So, I guess Mercedes never made roof racks for the sedan model even after production. I know the station wagons have some sort of roof racks and they are not necessarily gutter mounted--it is already factory pre-installed from what I gather.

[shadetree]

Hello,
Back around the winter of 1984 shortly after I bought the W-123 300D
I bought both the roof rack for skis and also one for just a goods carrier.
I bought both at the Mercedes dealer in Bad Kreuznach, Ger. I don't
believe they had an actual Mercedes rack for the purposes at that
time anyway. Both racks connected to the rain gutter and included
rubber bushings to prevent scarring any paint. Still have the Ski
rack and it was made in Austria. Think I still have the other carrier
but have not used it in many years so can't find it just now. Packed
away toooo good I guess. We used the goods carrier to transport
our camping tent and other supplies used in our camping escapades
all over several countries while in Europe.
Both racks were easy to install and remove and served us very well.
Regards,
Chas Mattix

[dropnosky]

the thule rack I use I actually found on an old volvo wagon in a junk yard. The grips work pretty well at gripping the wide mercedes sedan gutters, but the rack is extremely high, the selling point for me, its a good 7 inches off of the roof. I have used it to carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood and a 14 ft canoe before now. The mercedes specific racks might be closer to the roof and give you a nice look, but I dont know what those aftermarket compaines would offer for a 123 chassis.

[AnthroProfessor]

I like that idea of just grabbing a roof rack from the junk yard and using it. I find many oddball stuff in the junkyard myself--they don't charge for things like that or if they do, it is very little. I have found MagLite flashlights in some junk cars.


I guess what I am learning here is that I should try on a roof rack and see how it fits my car. I can determine whether it will damage my car or not by studying it carefully. There must be rubber protection for where the rack comes into contact with the gutters. Also, I am sure the amount of weight one puts on the racks also is a factor in damaging the car, so I am not planning to put anything really heavy on there, but something like a Mercedes hood, door, fender, seats and even home improvement stuff like wood, drywall, etc. I will just be careful of not overdoing it. If I find myself needing to do a lot of hauling, then its time for a Toyota Tacoma addition to my fleet, but I don't forsee that unless I get my own home and have yard space for all these cars to keep top notch. Mercedes does not make a small pick up, or at least its not in the USA.

[Maxbumpo]

... If I find myself needing to do a lot of hauling, then its time for a Toyota Tacoma addition to my fleet, but I don't forsee that unless I get my own home and have yard space for all these cars to keep top notch. Mercedes does not make a small pick up, or at least its not in the USA.

Two birds with one stone: get yourself an MB wagon!

[dropnosky]

another option that has been working for me is the use of a small utility trailer. That way you get the ride and comfort of your mercedes, and a bed that you can beat the heck out of. I will never go back to a pickup truck, they are just too limited, and a trailer can be left at locations fully loaded if need be. The only trick is learning how to maneuver with them, but after a few weeks, its a cinch. Used trailers are between 3-8 hundred dollars, plus a couple hundred for the hitch and wiring, (less if you do it yourself), and for around a thousand bucks, you have your pickup truck. beats the dealer anyday.

I found mine for 100 bucks and completely replaced all the rolling parts and hardware as well as rewiring it for about 2-300 bucks. 400 bucks and I have basically a brand new trailer that can be shockingly abused rolling behind my freshly waxed vehicle.

[Sysco Kid]

Shadetree

Are you willing to part with the ski rack or the other one. I'd like to see any pix you might have
Michael;) Enjoy the weekend

please send me a message

[stricht8]

Thule roof racks work well. I've used them hard on a w116 and w115 mainly for hauling construction materials.
Dimitri

[DADamascus]

I am looking to sell my Thule Roof Rack with Gutter clamps and 2 big mouth upright bike mounts from my erstwhile 1981 240D. Contact me at dennis@dennisad.com if anyone is interested.

[shadetree]

For the Sysco Kid who posted message #11 to this thread.
You inquired if I wish to sell either one of my goods carriers for the W-123.
Another search for the goods carrier revealed I no longer have it. My
wife seems to recall that we gave it to a co-worker about the same time
we moved back to the USA from Germany back during 1993.
So far as the ski rack is concerned I still use it from time to time as a
backup when we have visitors primarily from the flatlands and we
go to the slopes here in Colorado.
I tried to include a picture here but it failed to load. If interested I
can send it to your e-mail box. If you wish just send an e-mail to
redtop39@wmconnect.com so I have your e-mail address.
Regards,
Charles Mattix

[bro frank]

trailer sounds great, but no one will sell me a hitch for this car, and since i've been under it a few times i see there's not a really good place to put a hidden hitch .

so how and where do i put a hitch?

where would i get one at?

[woodnerd]

I have been using a Yakima roof rack for the past 7 years on my 240D. I use it to carry a mountain bike and have a box carrier for camping that attaches to it as well. It attaches to the rain gutter and can be locked in place. It is easy to install and take off. I found mine in the Recycler, a local classifed ad newspaper and website.


Woodnerd

[AnthroProfessor]

I never knew that this would be such a popular thread.

It shouldn't surprise me because a roof rack can be a real help in our lives.


I am on Spring Break, so its time I rummage junk yards for Mercedes parts. I will keep an eye out for roof racks as well.

I know what to look for now. You guys gave me some great insights.

[mgburg]

I may be comparing a grape to an apple, but here goes....

I had a '75 Fiat 128 Wagon. My Fiat mechanic supplied me with a 1/2" metal plate where he had welded a trailer-tongue and 1-7/8" ball to it to haul small trailers. I just had to drill a few holes in the underside on the bumper (Fiat bumpers where mounted to the car through the Fed/mandated bumper-shocks), use some Grade 8 bolts to hold the plate/bumper combo together, and then attach two safety-chain eye-let "thingies" for the complete job.

I hauled around a 750# 14' V-bottomed boat and trailer for 7 years before I eventually got rid of the Fiat. I've still got the boat/trailer.

Never once did I ever have a handling, or other, issue with the setup...it balanced out right and I never over-exceded the limits of the setup.

HOWEVER, I did manage to "wank" my knees and shins on that da*n ball-&-tongue a few times!!! :eek: :mad: :rolleyes: :o

Now, I'm going to make a WILD guess here, but I'm thinking that Mercedes makes WAY BETTER bumper-shocks and related materials than Fiat, so I'm also of the belief that if you're not trying to pull a car-hauler trailer or anything over 750# cross-country, or over the Rockies, something similiar should work just fine.

And, if you're looking for a "hidden" style of attachment, instead of having the "knee-&-shin-seeking" tongue-portion welded to a 1/2" mounting plate, use something similiar to the 1-1/4" receiver-style tube, then remove the receiver-tongue when not in use. I've seen those types of units at local Farm-Supply stores around the area. They usually run around 30-50 dollars for the set-up, including the safety hardware and related material. These things are rated for light loads, less than 100# tongue-weight, Class A/Class 1 (I believe) is the rating.

Again, check to see if your bumper is substantial enough to handle the mounting of the the plate first. If I remember correctly, my Fiat's bumper was about 1/4" thick aluminum channel.

Good luck with the project. ;)

[dropnosky]

That is exactly what I did for my 81 240. I completely removed the bumper and shocks, manufactured a plate that fit over the studs for the shocks where they mounted to the car, cut down a 3500 lb reciever hitch I got off of a nissan truck at the junkyard, and welded it to the plate so that it was right under the bumper when it was reassembled.

The car was never able to tow that weight, but the reason to somehow get a 3500 hitch on there was to bump up the available rental tow loads. specifically this allowed me to rent a dolly to tow around a small VW which did not exceed the tow limitations of the 240.

I do know that you can definitely get a reciever hitch for that car in the class 1 and2 varients. check it out online, I think the reciever is about 150 to 200 bucks.

[cashman]

I have a gutter mounted Thule carrier from the 80's that works great. it's is of a round bar variety which means I have to clamp everything down. Comes apart so that I can store it in the boot.... really handy.