GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

Trailering with GL550?

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Old 09-12-2007, 03:42 PM
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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
Old 09-13-2007, 08:15 PM
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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...
Old 10-15-2007, 07:21 PM
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E320 & GL450
Originally Posted by Danno4x4
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...
This link is now dead. Do you have an active link, or a copy of the PDF you could attach to a reply.

Many thanks!
Old 10-16-2007, 02:51 PM
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'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550
The "link" contains ...

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.
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.
Old 10-16-2007, 05:03 PM
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E320 & GL450
Originally Posted by lkchris
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.
Thanks!

Jim
Old 10-20-2007, 07:45 PM
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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...
Attached Thumbnails Trailering with GL550?-gl-fsb-001.jpg   Trailering with GL550?-gl-fsb-002.jpg   Trailering with GL550?-gl-fsb-003.jpg  
Old 10-21-2007, 12:44 AM
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E320 & GL450
Originally Posted by Danno4x4
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...
Thanks!!! the TB Seems straighforward. I also heard that 2008's actually come with a prewired connector with the 4 wires ready to connect with controllers. (like most US manufactureres provide with factory hitch installations) Any truth to this rumor? Asked of those with recent trucks with factory hitch.
Jim
Old 10-21-2007, 12:57 AM
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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.
Old 10-21-2007, 01:31 AM
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E320 & GL450
Originally Posted by Danno4x4
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.
I bought the prodigy also with the $12 instal kit. Waiting to install 'cause the bleep truck is not hereYet. clearly anxious to get going. where did you mount the controller in the truck. Would really appreciate a pix when you have the chance.

thanks again for the TB. Very clear with the prodigh instructions.
Old 10-31-2007, 02:30 AM
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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.





Attached Thumbnails Trailering with GL550?-tbc1.jpg   Trailering with GL550?-tbc2.jpg   Trailering with GL550?-tbc3.jpg  
Old 10-31-2007, 12:12 PM
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E320 & GL450
Originally Posted by Danno4x4
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.





Outstanding! Thanks for the pictures and ideas, comments and instructions. My GL "should", as the saying goes, be here by the end of next week. Can hardly wait to see how she performs with my 28 foot R-Vision Trailite, our tailgating home for fall weekends. You have been very kind!
Old 05-27-2017, 04:47 PM
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13 GLK 250, 93 190e, previous 13 Gl450, 95 E350 wagon, 06 E350 wagon, 00 S430, 06 E350, 08 ml320
Originally Posted by Danno4x4
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...
I know, old thread but thought I would share that this wiring is what I needed on my 2013 GL450 - there is NOWHERE online that I have found to clarify what to do so I went digging.

For anyone wanting to hook up a controller on a 2013 and newer GL, this worked for me!

Thank you for posting this.

-Paul

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