Sam1905

Hi,

I am looking to install a hitch to my GLK350 to tow a couple of motorcycles.
I have been quoted $1200 plus at the dealer which apparently includes ‘sometimes a cooling fan’, hitch, ECU etc.
I have been quoted $400 at u-Haul and similar.

Has anyone done the aftermarket option. Does it do OK without the above extras?

Thanks
Sam

kozak79

I think if you're towing, you need the wiring and cooling stuff. It's 1200 because of the labor. I've heard 1500 also for a dealer install. My dealer won't even do it at all.

slk55er

Does the $400 include electrical modulator for the lights? (Doubt it) If you are only towing cycles, you probably can do without the extra cooling.

I'm pleased with the Curt Hitch and electrical I installed which you can check out at

https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...asier-way.html

Sam1905

Thanks - very helpful.
The U Haul includes a "Trailer Power Module, 4-way flat plug 3 to 2 powered tailight connector' I assume this is all that is needed...

Excuse my ignorance but I am just used to splicing into brakelights - are these lights on a CAN or something?

Is the MB cooling upgrade transmission or engine?
I will be towing a light trailer with about 800lbs of bikes, hopefully the stock cooling wil be OK.

Full list is in link.
http://www.uhaul.com/Locations/Trailer-hitches/834021

slk55er

Well, you need to check this carefully. I don't know how your GLK is wired, but it likely does not have simple separate wires for the brake, tail and turn lights like in the "old days." U-Haul may not realize this, or perhaps they do. ONE wire is used for BOTH the tail and brake light functions using ONE bulb.
The Curt 59200 "Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Stop/Tail Powered Circuit Protected Tail Light Converter With Surface Mount Technology (SMT)--Includes Wiring Kit" solves this problem.

There are other posts on t he PWM you should search. Make sure U-Haul understands this and has a solution to accommodate this design.

Here is the description of the setup on my 2010 from my referenced post:

"My '10 GLK and perhaps later model years has one bulb connected to a wire that carries what measures about 4 volts DC (it is actually an PWM signal) for tail light and also carries 12 volts DC to the same bulb for brake light. There is also a separate tail light that has a 12v line, but you have to use the Converter to separate out the brake light. (There is probably an option to send the PWM line to a trailer light which, just as on the GLK, could serve both functions, but the trailer brake light would be on all the time that the GLK's tail lights are on.)

The Converter takes the PWM signal and creates 2 separate lines -- both 12 volts, one for a trailer brake light and one for a trailer tail light. The turn signals are on separate lines.

On my '10, here are the color of wires on the driver side tail light assembly:
Brown: Ground
Blue/Grey: Reverse (used on my ultrasonicn backup alarm posted separately)
Black/Red: tail light only bulb
Green: ?? Not sure -- fluctuates with turn signal, but use the Black/White below
Black/White: Left Turn
Pink: PWM tail and brake bulb

On the passenger side the turn signal is Black/Green."

rmfnla

My thinking as well.

slk55er

WRT Cooling and Towing. In June I towed a heavily loaded U-Haul 5X9 trailer 550 miles on I-15 and I-70 at through Utah and Colorado with outside air temp between 90 and 100 degrees F with no cooling problems.

Sam1905

Gordon - thanks for the local info - exactly what I needed (I have seen too many trucks on the side of the first grade of I-70 with the hood up!)

Sam

CJBROWN

Been using my DIY install for two years now, works great.

Write up here: https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...g-savings.html

mitmoht

Check out this site. Trailer hitch completely invisible unless hooked up. Cost is about the same for the hardware but I'm sure install price cheaper since it will not be at the dealer.

http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/

Kevin R

I couldn't find any images of it installed on a GLK, maybe I just missed them.

$700 vs $250 for a Curt hitch, guess it just comes down to how much you are willing to pay for having the hitch hidden when not in use.

Edit: Just watched their Youtube video, wow, that is a complicated hitch... controlled by a cpu LOL.

scrippsbruin

Did my research and finally went with U-Haul for my hitch installation on my 2011 GLK.

Called the local dealership. Quoted $1600 for the hitch and install.

Was looking at aftermarket Curt hitch for $200. The local Curt installer quoted installation charge of $200.

U-Haul's charge on the hitch was $160. The install took an hour at $60/hour, for total of $240 after tax.

drstehr

How is this hitch working out for you? Any glitches?

mogulman

I installed this hitch last summer. It was pretty easy. My son just helped hold it up while I bolted it in. Took 30 mins to install.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hit...leid=201315503

Sippican

I bought the Curt hitch as well. It came with the modulation and wiring. Mercedes told me 'directly', "your warrenty will be voided if you use aftermarket module wiring harness". I was forced to buy the MB trailer hitch as a 'package' that included the wiring harness. $800 (plus installation. I didn't mount the MB hitch, but did use the wiring harness. So now, I have an extra MB trailer hitch.
I have a 2015 with a warranty that goes to 2021 (unlimited miles). I didn't want to ruin that.
Anyone need a MB GLK350 trailer hitch?

cuppelmant10

I do, how much?

balmoral58

Hi - where did you buy the tow package?

Sippican

Are you local to Massachusetts?

balmoral58

I'm in Austin

Sippican

I'm thinking the shipping will be very high.

CERNICALO1

Hello,

I know it has been some time since your last post about the OEM GLK350 hitch, but did you sell it? Please let me know.

Thanks,

Sippican

are you local to Massachusetts?

CERNICALO1

Thanks for your prompt reply. Unfortunately, I am not in Massachusetts; I am in Miami, FL. However, shipping is not "the end of the world". Please let me know how much $ you would like for the hitch and the work required to package it, and how much the item to be shipped weights. With this information I would be able to make an educated decision regarding whether it makes sense to buy your hitch.

Many thanks for your help,
Infante
(305) 216-1649

CERNICALO1

I guess not?!?

CERNICALO1

Hello Guys, so I went with the eTrailer 3Point connection hitch, and the Tekonsha Power Module (119191). The hitch was a breeze to install, on the other hand, the wiring is kicking my but. Does anyone have wiring diagrams, or color codes for a 2015 GLK350? Please let me know.

Your help will be much appreciated.