ML63 AMG

Hey Guys,

Looking to buy a racecar soon for the track and I wanted to use my ML63 for some towing purposes. Is it possible to retrofit the Towing adapter on my car if it did not come from the factory or am I flat out screwed if the car did now come with the towing package from the factory as brand new?

Any help/advice on the towing front would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

s0ph3aktra

I too am looking into this. my car did not come with the tow package. But from what i read, it is possible its just going to cost a little more than you would pay if it was added on from the factory. also i believe the car computer needs to be programmed with you add the tow hitch?? don't quote me. please some one correct me.

ML63 AMG

Apparently here are some good aftermarket kits that are event stronger than the factory kit, they just require minor cutting of the lower portion of the bumper for the trailer hitch.

Still trying to find out more info

xxGenericSNxx

Yes the factory kit can be retrofitted and something my dealer has done before. I think it costs a couple grand (rough guess from what they told me before) but I would start at the dealer and see what they say- talk to the most experienced person there otherwise you'll get a runaround saying it can't be done. But yes, the factory kit can absolutely be installed later on- it'll just cost more than the $510 option that it cost when speccing the car with it from the beginning.

ML63 AMG

Apparently there are aftermarket kits that are far less that essentially do the same thing and even include the new module for the electronics.

Has anyone found a good aftermarket solution?

stockC43

Working at a dealer and seeing both the oem and the aftermarket hitches I would go oem. The oe hitch bolts up in different spots and has extra reinforcements that the aftermarket ones don't. Also, factory esp will know when you have a trailer hooked up and will function differently. (Trailer anti sway on hard braking etc) The aftermarket ones won't do that.

Btw I'm picking up a 08 ml63 next week that doesn't have a hitch, and I'm installing a MB hitch if that means anything.

I believe dealer cost on the whole hitch kit was around $600 or so. Retail would be double that on average plus install and programming so it's not cheap, but if esp saves your a$$ (and your trailer) once it's worth it.

ML63 AMG

Hey guys,

I spoke with service rep and master tech at the MB dealership today and found out some unfortunate (albeit interesting information). The ML63 AMG has a rated towing capacity of 7200lbs. HOWEVER, the actual "Tongue Weight Rating" (downward weight on the hitch itself) is only 496 lbs b/c of the rear Air Suspension. This means that I am not sure if I will be able to town my race car as it technically probably cannot support the downward weight of the hitch I assume on an enclosed Aluminum trailer.

The Master test said it all depends on the balance of the trailer, but most will place more weight on the nose obviously rather than the rear depending on how close to the front or rear the wheels are.

Has anyone else run into this issue or actually towed a car/decently heavy boat with an ML63? The extra low tongue weight rating has me seriously concerned I cannot use the ML63 for this type of towing application afterall.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

stockC43

I'm sure MB is just staying on the safe side, they usually do. On the early versions they had a recall to add additional welds around the receiver area. That may be why gl's use the same air springs, suspension components etc and I've seen customers pulling very large boats, trailers etc and have never seen any issues due to it.

The air springs, like all rubber components will fail eventually. Trailer or not.

I don't think a properly loaded aluminum trailer will give you any issues. Hell, I have towed my s600 several times on a heavy steel trailer with my beater ml55 with no issues. Completely different ml I know but MB doesn't want you towing with a ml55 at all due to the t case. My point is that MB will always be very underrated on the actual strength of components.

I will look into the actual ratings of the vehicles that share the same hitch and air springs on Monday.

ML63 AMG

That's what I was thinking because it seems very odd for them to put such a. High towing capacity with such a low tongue weight. Event the actual on board payload is higher than the Tongue weight rating. I am pushing almost 540-550hp and 500+ torque now (especially at much lower rpms), so I know I have all the power in the world to pull whatever, it's just the actual rating that concerns me.

j2nh

Figure 10% of the weight of the trailer and load should be on the tongue.

If you are concerned go with a weight distributing hitch and distribute the load more evenly and it will definitely bring the tongue weight under the 500# requirement.

Hope this helps.

Nanook

Also don't overlook brake and tire size or condition

ML63 AMG

Brakes are the last think I am concerned about with the massive upgrades I have done in that department.

J2NH, where do I get a weight distributing hitch? Are those the ones that have vertical adjustments not he hitch to tip the trailer higher?

Thanks

j2nh

Here's a primer on a weight distributing hitch. You won't need to change anything on your G63, the hitch requires a special draw bar, the part that goes into the receiver on your G.

We use one for a club 24 foot equipment trailer that is frequently loaded heavy. We can tow with a 3/4 ton pickup without the weight distributing hitch but once we converted we will never go back. Handling returns, the load is less prone to sway and it is much easier to drive.

As for brakes you won't find better brakes than you have on your G, brakes, either electric or hydraulic, are a must for the trailer.

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

pojefferson1

This post mentions programming. What gets programmed?

pojefferson1

I am looking at a 2015 ML63 that I was hoping I could also use to tow a car to the track. The car I am considering is 'on the lot' and otherwise perfect, but does not have the factory tow gear installed, and (surprisingly) the dealership says they will not install one. I would prefer MB installed also to avoid any warrantee shenanigans or third-party mistakes. What is involved beyond mounting the tow hitch; i.e. harness wiring? Trailor brake controller? What is connected to any car electronics? How is all that done?

Philip

XRQTOR

I purchased a kit today from my local dealer, $1600 odd for the kit and another $1200 for fitment, unfortunately it's a 2 week wait to have it fitted and another 2 month wait as they don't have the software to update the ECU

MercedesDad

2010 ML63 that did not come with tow package.

My indy MB specialized Mechanic did the job.

- OEM tow gear, $600 from the Dealership.
- Installation, $550.
- New Computer (IT has to be changed at least For 2010), $450.
- Reprogram computer (at Dealer only) $150.

In my experience, my local (and many) Dealerships do NOT know how to retrofit the electronic portions of the work. It is a tricky job as gear comes without instructions and MB techs themselves had to call technical support.

Once it is done, however, the ML63 is a towing beast. I towed my 16V along with a full set of spare tires/wheels in a 2400 mile round trip. The Beast never complained.

executive13

double axle trailers carry FAR less tongue weight than single axle trailers.

neil_martinez

Any update on this? Has anyone else succeeded on installing a tow hitch on their ML63?

I have an 09 and would like to get a hitch installed to tow a boat with tandem trailer.

Thanks.

MercedesDad

I did. See above.

Tod Price

Installed OEM hitch, now I need programming.

mrmotoguzzi00

how was the gas mpg while towing ? I have a 2012 ML63 so have the 5.5 bi-turbo... we get our boat shortly, weighs about 6k with trailer....

Thanks

Mike

MercedesDad

Different engine than mine but as a reference, I usually get 17-17.5 mpg when cruising without the trailer at 75mph.


WITH the trailer, mpgs when down to 11-12 when cruising at 75mph on the interstate. I was towing the beast you see here, about 5,000 with trailer and all.


ML63's torque is deceiving because it tows so effortlessly that you forget about the rig behind you

mrmotoguzzi00

that's not bad, I would expect to do better with the newer motor, but would be happy with 11-12

Thanks

Mike

MercedesDad

Just don't get too excite about it!!


The amount of power is intoxicating along with the pleasure of passing "fast" cars with a rig


(then you may see mpg's on the single digits)