Trailer Brake Controller
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
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Trailer Brake Controller
I purchased my GL450 with the trailer package to tow a 7x14 enclosed trailer (kart racing), and spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get a brake controller installed. Obviously, trailer dealers know how to install one easily on a Ford, Chevy, or Dodge, but Mercedes freak them out.
At the end of the day, Mercedes has put a plug in the back (way under the subwoofer), and there is a way to install the brake controller. Mine now sits in the left recess next to the first aid kit.
I will give credit to the Mercedes dealer that sold me the truck. After striking out virtually everywhere, I called them (Loeber in Lincolnwood, just outside Chicago), and they called around to find someone in the area who had installed them before.
At the end of the day, Mercedes has put a plug in the back (way under the subwoofer), and there is a way to install the brake controller. Mine now sits in the left recess next to the first aid kit.
I will give credit to the Mercedes dealer that sold me the truck. After striking out virtually everywhere, I called them (Loeber in Lincolnwood, just outside Chicago), and they called around to find someone in the area who had installed them before.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 35
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wants a diesel GLK European Delivery
where?
Are you saying you put the brake conroller is in the back of the truck or that is where you found the connector.
From Wolfgang's ML Page
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/towing.html
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
From Wolfgang's ML Page
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/towing.html
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Actually put the unit in back. I understand that it's not accesible, but I don't really expect to ever manually use it in an emergency. The trailer is just not that heavy, and I suspect I'll have my hand full with the steering wheel.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 35
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wants a diesel GLK European Delivery
not sure that is the best idea
With my 99 ML, it was nice to have the controller right there, but yes I rarely needed to intervene. In stop and go traffic, my controller was too intrusive. The trailer could stop both the truck and the trailer and it wasn't perfectly smooth cutting on and off. I also would adjust the controller settings due to conditions of road and weather.
It also integrated with the truck systems. I.e. when activated manually it would engage the lights and cancel cruise control.
Haven't wired up my 2007 ML yet...
It also integrated with the truck systems. I.e. when activated manually it would engage the lights and cancel cruise control.
Haven't wired up my 2007 ML yet...
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 377
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From: .
08 GL450
So the GL factory " tow pkg " does NOT come with prewiring ( as included on other luxury SUVs in this market segment ) to the front for an electronic brake controller ? So we all have to pay someone 5-7 hours labor to take out half the interior to run the 4 lengths ( and $2 worth ) of "Radio Shack" generic insulated wires from under the dash to the rear bumper plug ? Did MBZ engineers have brain fade ? Even $20K cheap US made pick ups and SUVs with tow pkg have factory prewiring . My dealerships labor rate is $145 per hour , you do the math .
Do the European makes mean it has wires in place for owner installed brake controller when they say a car with tow pkg has " prewiring " , or can that term mean other things ? TIA.
Do the European makes mean it has wires in place for owner installed brake controller when they say a car with tow pkg has " prewiring " , or can that term mean other things ? TIA.
Last edited by MKW; Mar 11, 2007 at 01:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9
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Everything you said is true. However, I prefer my brake controller hidden in the back rather than under the dash. And I paid 1 1/2 hours labor ar $76 per hour to have the hitch people do the install in the back.
That said, I spent 10 hours on the internet and digging through the car trying to figure it out, before finding someone to do it.
Would have been better if Benz put a standard plug under dash like the domestic brands.
That said, I spent 10 hours on the internet and digging through the car trying to figure it out, before finding someone to do it.
Would have been better if Benz put a standard plug under dash like the domestic brands.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 377
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From: .
08 GL450
Everything you said is true. However, I prefer my brake controller hidden in the back rather than under the dash. And I paid 1 1/2 hours labor ar $76 per hour to have the hitch people do the install in the back.
That said, I spent 10 hours on the internet and digging through the car trying to figure it out, before finding someone to do it.
Would have been better if Benz put a standard plug under dash like the domestic brands.
That said, I spent 10 hours on the internet and digging through the car trying to figure it out, before finding someone to do it.
Would have been better if Benz put a standard plug under dash like the domestic brands.
A dumb but irritating omission for GL " tow pkg " buyers , esp with their ads showing GLs towing boats and horse trailers to " tony " locales and the engineering effort and cost it took to program in trailer- towing algorithm in the vehicle's yaw stability software as touted in their brochure .
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 672
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From: Northern California
MBs
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
The connector for the trailer brake controller was relocated to under the dash, starting with December 2006 production. The updated TSB shows pictures of the old and new location:
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1
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From: Sunny Californai
GL 450
GL 450
I have just fitted a hitch to my 2008 GL450 and have been researching this very issue. It is all very confusing as there seenms to be no real definitve answer.
So my story so far:
Purchased a kurt hitch with wiring only to discover the wiring was of no use.
Purchased the 2 cables from MB (the one to the controler under the sub woofer to the hitch and then the second from the controler up to the dash) as well as the hitch connector.
Discovering where all the cables went was the fun part as well as taking apart the interior and now I am left with the same question - brake controler.
For those asking about europe we the answer is simple, all trailers use a brake overun system and not electric brakes. Further they use a 13 plug system in europe so that you have fog, reverse and of course seperate turn signal lights.
I am not sure if the MB System used the controler for the brakes or if indeed you need a seperate controler for the trailer brakes.
Of course I now have to get the car re programmed so that the suspension etc knows that the trailer is present and de activates the park tronic etc.
Cost so far has been around $450 including labor, another $75 for the MB work with their STAR system and then hopefully some advice from them on the need or not for a brake controler.
So my story so far:
Purchased a kurt hitch with wiring only to discover the wiring was of no use.
Purchased the 2 cables from MB (the one to the controler under the sub woofer to the hitch and then the second from the controler up to the dash) as well as the hitch connector.
Discovering where all the cables went was the fun part as well as taking apart the interior and now I am left with the same question - brake controler.
For those asking about europe we the answer is simple, all trailers use a brake overun system and not electric brakes. Further they use a 13 plug system in europe so that you have fog, reverse and of course seperate turn signal lights.
I am not sure if the MB System used the controler for the brakes or if indeed you need a seperate controler for the trailer brakes.
Of course I now have to get the car re programmed so that the suspension etc knows that the trailer is present and de activates the park tronic etc.
Cost so far has been around $450 including labor, another $75 for the MB work with their STAR system and then hopefully some advice from them on the need or not for a brake controler.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
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From: Grand Junction
GL 550
So, it seems that thing changed in 2009 for the trailer brake plug, is this correct and if so where is the plug located. Is the plug still located in the rear under the sub woofer, what are the models that are compatable for MB. HAs the problem been fixed yet, where can I get more information on this subject. Thanks
