2011 GL350 diesel - can it tow a trailer?
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
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2011 GL350
2011 GL350 diesel - can it tow a trailer?
It's rated to tow 7500 lbs. and has a heavy-duty hitch, but we're getting information that it's designed to tow flat-beds and boats, not trailers, even ultra-lights that are well below the weight limit. Our dealership isn't helping us get this information. Towing is part of the reason we bought it, with the dealer's assurance that we could do so. Now we're not so sure.
Does anyone know anything about this?
TIA!
Does anyone know anything about this?
TIA!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
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GL350, C350
I assume you're talking about enclosed trailers? If that's the case I haven't had the chance to tow one, only about 3,000 pounds on our flatbed. However, with a fully enclosed trailer that was under the max tow rating and max tongue load when loaded up I would have no hesitation pulling it. Just be sure you have an adapter plugged in if the trailer has LED lights. If you don't then the LED lights won't draw enough current to register in the vehicle and the vehicle will start telling you there's a trailer light out. I had that problem with my trailer when I installed LED lights. The inline adapter available online or from the dealer will fix it.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 986
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From: Kingsville Ontario (South of Detroit)
2003 S500 4Matic (SOLD) + 2004 S55 (SOLD) 2005 CLK 500 Cabriolet 2008 S 450
The problem will be not so much the towing capacity but rather the hitch system you choose to use. I have little doubt the vehicle can pull the trailer, assuming the total weight towed is below the maximum rating for the vehicle. Without some sort of sway control receiver you will most likely experience some a of sway especially when being passed by a larger vehicle. This will be not only uncomfortable but possibly dangerous if the swaying becomes too advanced. If at all possible you need to avoid the trailer controlling the tower as opposed to the towing vehicle controlling the trailer. Have fun.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
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2011 GL350
We have the weight distribution hitch and the sway control system, as well as the brake controller and all the other stuff needed for towing. The vehicle also has the factory-installed 4" Class 4 hitch. My only question is about the general appropriateness of towing with this car. We don't want a truck because our vehicle will be used for towing between 5% and 10% of the time; the rest of the time it will be our daily car and we don't want to drive a truck around town.
The towing capacity numbers are fine, except for one thing: the hitch weight, which is quite low for a hunky car like this. We've also been warned that because MBs are considered luxury cars instead of work-horses, we could damage the frame if we try to tow with it. The hitch connects to the sides of the chassis. And finally, someone mentioned that it could tow a flat-bed or boat, but not a full travel trailer, which is why I wondered why it maters what we tow as long as the weight numbers are OK.
The towing capacity numbers are fine, except for one thing: the hitch weight, which is quite low for a hunky car like this. We've also been warned that because MBs are considered luxury cars instead of work-horses, we could damage the frame if we try to tow with it. The hitch connects to the sides of the chassis. And finally, someone mentioned that it could tow a flat-bed or boat, but not a full travel trailer, which is why I wondered why it maters what we tow as long as the weight numbers are OK.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
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GL350, C350
We have the weight distribution hitch and the sway control system, as well as the brake controller and all the other stuff needed for towing. The vehicle also has the factory-installed 4" Class 4 hitch. My only question is about the general appropriateness of towing with this car. We don't want a truck because our vehicle will be used for towing between 5% and 10% of the time; the rest of the time it will be our daily car and we don't want to drive a truck around town.
The towing capacity numbers are fine, except for one thing: the hitch weight, which is quite low for a hunky car like this. We've also been warned that because MBs are considered luxury cars instead of work-horses, we could damage the frame if we try to tow with it. The hitch connects to the sides of the chassis. And finally, someone mentioned that it could tow a flat-bed or boat, but not a full travel trailer, which is why I wondered why it maters what we tow as long as the weight numbers are OK.
The towing capacity numbers are fine, except for one thing: the hitch weight, which is quite low for a hunky car like this. We've also been warned that because MBs are considered luxury cars instead of work-horses, we could damage the frame if we try to tow with it. The hitch connects to the sides of the chassis. And finally, someone mentioned that it could tow a flat-bed or boat, but not a full travel trailer, which is why I wondered why it maters what we tow as long as the weight numbers are OK.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
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2011 GL350
We were told, in great detail by a mechanic, that unless the tow vehicle has a ladder-bar frame, a WDH could eventually wreck the frame. The transfer of weight onto the vehicle will eventually cause the frame to sag - doors will no longer close and fit properly, trim will misalign, etc.
The fact that the manual says nothing at all about a WDH causes us to believe that it's not a wise thing to use on this car. I'd love to believe as you do, that if it was verboten, it would say so, but knowing how cautious and lawyer-run the manufacturers are, we're taking the cautious route and not using it to tow.
Which is what we bought it for. So now we have a beautiful but expensive vehicle that we can't use for its intended purpose and that we don't need. Sheesh.
The fact that the manual says nothing at all about a WDH causes us to believe that it's not a wise thing to use on this car. I'd love to believe as you do, that if it was verboten, it would say so, but knowing how cautious and lawyer-run the manufacturers are, we're taking the cautious route and not using it to tow.
Which is what we bought it for. So now we have a beautiful but expensive vehicle that we can't use for its intended purpose and that we don't need. Sheesh.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 165
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From: San Diego, CA
07 S600 Designo, 03 SL500, 1959 220S
Very few trucks/SUVs have a ladder bar frame straight from the manufacturer. It's usually a customization one would make after buying the vehicle. Under the theory that you need a ladder bar frame to tow a travel trailer would mean that most SUV/trucks aren't able to tow in stock condition. This of course is ridiculous since most people tow with stock vehicles, and you will not have any problem towing with your GL350.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Where exactly did this mechanic who told you this work?
There are plenty of good ol' boys who will scoff at anything that isn't an F350 or Chevrolet 3500 towing a trailer. If you are within your limits for tongue weight and trailer weight, you will be fine.
There are plenty of good ol' boys who will scoff at anything that isn't an F350 or Chevrolet 3500 towing a trailer. If you are within your limits for tongue weight and trailer weight, you will be fine.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 783
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2006 s65. Ford Excursion 6.0. Pontiac GTO convertible. Porsche 944 Turbo SCCA car. Wife-E550 and 968
I have a friend who tows an enclosed race car trailer, far over the weight limit, with his GL diesel, and he swears by it. In fact I am looking into swapping my wife's R Class diesel for a GL for just this purpose. I will ask him all the details over the weekend and post his response.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 783
Likes: 13
2006 s65. Ford Excursion 6.0. Pontiac GTO convertible. Porsche 944 Turbo SCCA car. Wife-E550 and 968
I have a friend who tows an enclosed race car trailer, far over the weight limit, with his GL diesel, and he swears by it. In fact I am looking into swapping my wife's R Class diesel for a GL for just this purpose. I will ask him all the details over the weekend and post his response.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
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GL 350 Bluetec 2015
GL350 Towing
I have a 2011 GL350 and I tow with it often. I am in the military and I tow a enclosed Big Tex 17' V nose trailer from Killeen Tx to Charlotte NC about 10x, five there full with an average weight of 6500lbs and back empty. I had NO issues at all! In fact I had to make myself maintain a steady speed. This SUV definitely can tow much more than 7500lbs. It is limited by law because of weight restrictions of the vehicle in comparison to what is being towed. 75 MPH, with the trailer is a non issue and I have not experienced sway with the V nose trailer. On occasion, when I pass 18 wheelers, it will shift a little but what do you expect when traveling at those speeds, its normal. I do not use a weight distro hitch, I just make sure the tongue weight is not exceeded by using the 12% ruled.
I also use a Tekonsha Prodigy break controller so I did not have to install anything into the vehicle. The break controller mounts on the trailer and is controlled by the remote in the vehicle. It has worked perfect every time for me. It is an electric brake controller.
I also use a Tekonsha Prodigy break controller so I did not have to install anything into the vehicle. The break controller mounts on the trailer and is controlled by the remote in the vehicle. It has worked perfect every time for me. It is an electric brake controller.
