Trailering with GL550?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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99CLK320, 98ML320, 02S430 (gone replaced with 2008 BMW 550i)
Trailering with GL550?
Are the GL550's with the tow package ready to trailer? Is the wiring already on the truck sufficient to install an electronic brake without modification?
Thanks in advance,
C
Thanks in advance,
C
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
Likely the same as the 2007s...
I installed a TB Controller in my GL320 CDI with the tow package following these instructions... Pretty straight forward.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
I spent a few bucks getting the harness connector and pins from the dealer parts department to plug directly into the vehicle input, but you could cut the connector off of the vehicle wiring and splice them directly as well...
I installed a TB Controller in my GL320 CDI with the tow package following these instructions... Pretty straight forward.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
I spent a few bucks getting the harness connector and pins from the dealer parts department to plug directly into the vehicle input, but you could cut the connector off of the vehicle wiring and splice them directly as well...
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
E320 & GL450
Likely the same as the 2007s...
I installed a TB Controller in my GL320 CDI with the tow package following these instructions... Pretty straight forward.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
I spent a few bucks getting the harness connector and pins from the dealer parts department to plug directly into the vehicle input, but you could cut the connector off of the vehicle wiring and splice them directly as well...
I installed a TB Controller in my GL320 CDI with the tow package following these instructions... Pretty straight forward.
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/164_Brake_Controller.pdf
I spent a few bucks getting the harness connector and pins from the dealer parts department to plug directly into the vehicle input, but you could cut the connector off of the vehicle wiring and splice them directly as well...
Many thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
The "link" contains ...
The W164 Service DVD contains the required procedure and you can obtain it from your dealer or by calling 800.for.merc
Alternatively, you can subscribe at http://www.startekinfo and download anything you want.
Trailer Brake Controller Installation in new ML, R and GL
A dealer technical bulletin (DTB) dated Mar 9, 2007 with number T-B-31.19/07d describes how to install an Electric Trailer Brake Controller. The bulletin is for the new W164 M-Class and X164 GL, but might also work for the W251 R-Class.
Four wires are required to operate the electric brake controller. These four wires can be found on a plug tie wrapped to the harness leading to the diagnostic plug under the dash. On early production vehicles the plug was stuffed behind the rear SAM and sometimes difficult to locate.
A dealer technical bulletin (DTB) dated Mar 9, 2007 with number T-B-31.19/07d describes how to install an Electric Trailer Brake Controller. The bulletin is for the new W164 M-Class and X164 GL, but might also work for the W251 R-Class.
Four wires are required to operate the electric brake controller. These four wires can be found on a plug tie wrapped to the harness leading to the diagnostic plug under the dash. On early production vehicles the plug was stuffed behind the rear SAM and sometimes difficult to locate.
Alternatively, you can subscribe at http://www.startekinfo and download anything you want.
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
E320 & GL450
The "link" contains ...
The W164 Service DVD contains the required procedure and you can obtain it from your dealer or by calling 800.for.merc
Alternatively, you can subscribe at http://www.startekinfo and download anything you want.
The W164 Service DVD contains the required procedure and you can obtain it from your dealer or by calling 800.for.merc
Alternatively, you can subscribe at http://www.startekinfo and download anything you want.
Jim
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
Sorry I took so long to respond. I knew that I had printed the Factory Service Bulletin regarding the Trailer Brake Controller, but I couldn't find it...
However, you are in luck... I found it, scanned it and have posted it here...
However, you are in luck... I found it, scanned it and have posted it here...
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
E320 & GL450
Jim
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
Well my 2007 came with the pre-wired connector per the factory service bulletin. Since there are several different makers of brake controllers, I am not sure that they would go further than that...
In the end, all I did was create an adapter harness which contained the female MZB plug on one side and the Prodigy trailer brake controller male plug on the other... I put a 20 amp self-resetting circuit breaker in-line with the positive power wire and plugged it in... It took probably 30 minutes of work in total.
In the end, all I did was create an adapter harness which contained the female MZB plug on one side and the Prodigy trailer brake controller male plug on the other... I put a 20 amp self-resetting circuit breaker in-line with the positive power wire and plugged it in... It took probably 30 minutes of work in total.
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Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
E320 & GL450
Well my 2007 came with the pre-wired connector per the factory service bulletin. Since there are several different makers of brake controllers, I am not sure that they would go further than that...
In the end, all I did was create an adapter harness which contained the female MZB plug on one side and the Prodigy trailer brake controller male plug on the other... I put a 20 amp self-resetting circuit breaker in-line with the positive power wire and plugged it in... It took probably 30 minutes of work in total.
In the end, all I did was create an adapter harness which contained the female MZB plug on one side and the Prodigy trailer brake controller male plug on the other... I put a 20 amp self-resetting circuit breaker in-line with the positive power wire and plugged it in... It took probably 30 minutes of work in total.
thanks again for the TB. Very clear with the prodigh instructions.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
Jeb,
Sorry for the delay buddy... My wife is usually in charge of the camera and tracking it down while it still has a charge can be a bit of a challenge.
Here are the pictures... There is plenty of leg clearance in this spot. Neither my wife nor I ever notice it is there and do not hit it with our legs.
Sorry for the delay buddy... My wife is usually in charge of the camera and tracking it down while it still has a charge can be a bit of a challenge.
Here are the pictures... There is plenty of leg clearance in this spot. Neither my wife nor I ever notice it is there and do not hit it with our legs.
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 2
E320 & GL450
Jeb,
Sorry for the delay buddy... My wife is usually in charge of the camera and tracking it down while it still has a charge can be a bit of a challenge.
Here are the pictures... There is plenty of leg clearance in this spot. Neither my wife nor I ever notice it is there and do not hit it with our legs.
Sorry for the delay buddy... My wife is usually in charge of the camera and tracking it down while it still has a charge can be a bit of a challenge.
Here are the pictures... There is plenty of leg clearance in this spot. Neither my wife nor I ever notice it is there and do not hit it with our legs.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
11 E350 Cabriolet
For anyone wanting to hook up a controller on a 2013 and newer GL, this worked for me!
Thank you for posting this.
-Paul
