Brake Controller Advice Please
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
GL320
Brake Controller Advice Please
New here just pulled the trigger on a 09 GL320 can you guys help me with a recommendation on a brake controller. I have been using a Draw Tite Intella Stop Ultra controller on the my old Escalade wanted to know what you guys are using. Towing my car trailer and track car about 5500 lb. total towing.
Thanks for the advice
Thanks for the advice
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
GL320
Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
2011 BMW X5d, 2011 Nissan Leaf and Kubota L39 Tractor!
I have the Prodigy.
Bought a plug and four pins at the dealer. Was able to solder the the cable that came with the Prodigy to the pins and it pluged right into the cable that's taped up under the dash. Everything works great. I tow a 16 foot flatbed trailer.
Bought a plug and four pins at the dealer. Was able to solder the the cable that came with the Prodigy to the pins and it pluged right into the cable that's taped up under the dash. Everything works great. I tow a 16 foot flatbed trailer.
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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
I currently have a Tekonsha Prodigy. Nice controller... It does everything that I need it to...
However, after I bought the Prodigy, Tekonsha came out with their new P3. This is a really fancy controller, it is their new top of the line and while it does everything that the Prodigy does, it does it in a way cooler fashion.
While you are assembling the wiring harness, be sure to include a 20 to 30 AMP auto reset circuit breaker as shown in the wiring instructions for the Brake Controller. The Mercedes PDF does not show this, but the Tekonsha instructions do... It is pretty simple to do... Just get a blade style fuse holder... Take a look at this earlier post to see a bit more detail:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ntrollers.html
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
GL320
Brake Controller Installed New Question on Trailer Coupler
Just got the Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller installed hooked up the toy hauler and it worked perfect. Thanks for the advice. For information if anyone with a '09 320 GL they had to install it under the parking brake as pictured due to the air bag was to the right.
On another note having issue with the coupler for some reason hitch ball is moving forward and backward inside the coupler. 2 5/16 ball which is the correct size for the standard 2 5/16" a-frame coupler. Is their any way to adjust the coupler?
Thanks again
On another note having issue with the coupler for some reason hitch ball is moving forward and backward inside the coupler. 2 5/16 ball which is the correct size for the standard 2 5/16" a-frame coupler. Is their any way to adjust the coupler?
Thanks again
Yep, that is exactly what I did... Its actually pretty easy to do...
I currently have a Tekonsha Prodigy. Nice controller... It does everything that I need it to...
However, after I bought the Prodigy, Tekonsha came out with their new P3. This is a really fancy controller, it is their new top of the line and while it does everything that the Prodigy does, it does it in a way cooler fashion.
While you are assembling the wiring harness, be sure to include a 20 to 30 AMP auto reset circuit breaker as shown in the wiring instructions for the Brake Controller. The Mercedes PDF does not show this, but the Tekonsha instructions do... It is pretty simple to do... Just get a blade style fuse holder... Take a look at this earlier post to see a bit more detail:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ntrollers.html
I currently have a Tekonsha Prodigy. Nice controller... It does everything that I need it to...
However, after I bought the Prodigy, Tekonsha came out with their new P3. This is a really fancy controller, it is their new top of the line and while it does everything that the Prodigy does, it does it in a way cooler fashion.
While you are assembling the wiring harness, be sure to include a 20 to 30 AMP auto reset circuit breaker as shown in the wiring instructions for the Brake Controller. The Mercedes PDF does not show this, but the Tekonsha instructions do... It is pretty simple to do... Just get a blade style fuse holder... Take a look at this earlier post to see a bit more detail:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ntrollers.html
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Spicewood, TX
2008 GL 320, 2007 Silverado LTZ C3500 Duramax Turbo Diesel
Just got the Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller installed hooked up the toy hauler and it worked perfect. Thanks for the advice. For information if anyone with a '09 320 GL they had to install it under the parking brake as pictured due to the air bag was to the right.
On another note having issue with the coupler for some reason hitch ball is moving forward and backward inside the coupler. 2 5/16 ball which is the correct size for the standard 2 5/16" a-frame coupler. Is their any way to adjust the coupler?
Thanks again
On another note having issue with the coupler for some reason hitch ball is moving forward and backward inside the coupler. 2 5/16 ball which is the correct size for the standard 2 5/16" a-frame coupler. Is their any way to adjust the coupler?
Thanks again
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
GL320
Great point I had to put another hitch I had in my garage of parts on the GL because I had a 10" Drop adjustable with a 2 5/16" ball on my Escalade ( former ) it worked great. I could not put it on because it hit the ground on the GL. I will try another ball. Thank you
One time I loaned a trailer to a friend who had his 2 5/16 ball that he uses for his travel trailer. My coupler (bull dog style) would not close on his ball hitch, which was clearly marked 2 5/16. He ended up using my receiver hitch and ball, which is also clearly marked 2 5/16, to tow the trailer, so there might be some slight variations. This goes against reason and there should be very stringent tolerences but that is what we found.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee,WI
2008 GL320 CDI
While you are assembling the wiring harness, be sure to include a 20 to 30 AMP auto reset circuit breaker as shown in the wiring instructions for the Brake Controller. The Mercedes PDF does not show this, but the Tekonsha instructions do... It is pretty simple to do... Just get a blade style fuse holder... Take a look at this earlier post to see a bit more detail:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ntrollers.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ntrollers.html
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2007 GL320 CDI, 2001 TJ Rockcrawler, 2005 Scoobie STI
Without the circuit breaker, in a momentary overload situation, the fuse will blow for this circuit... Then you are completely out of trailer brakes until you replace the fuse... With an auto-reset circuit breaker, it will auto reset itself... and you will still have trailer brakes...
Manufacturers use the same setup for headlights... In a temporary overload, the lights will simply blink off and then back on when the breaker resets itself...
Manufacturers use the same setup for headlights... In a temporary overload, the lights will simply blink off and then back on when the breaker resets itself...
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: LAS VEGAS
ML500
I had the stealer installed me a brake controller when I bought the truck, they got the cheapest controller from checkers, and have worked just fine towing my open trailer and race car for two years.
I hate car wiring, specially in a Mercedes. I had to go thru a lot of trouble for a Land Rover before so this time I got the stealer doing it for me.
I hate car wiring, specially in a Mercedes. I had to go thru a lot of trouble for a Land Rover before so this time I got the stealer doing it for me.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 271
Likes: 2
From: Howard Co MD
'13 ML350 Bluetec for work, E550 for pleasure, & ML350 for my wife
Any new info on installing a controller?
I have a new 2010 on order, due end of April.
Any / all recommendations on controller brand/models & install tips greatly appreciated.
David in MD
I have a new 2010 on order, due end of April.
Any / all recommendations on controller brand/models & install tips greatly appreciated.
David in MD
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
GL320
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...ce-please.html
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
ML350
Brake controller for GL450
How do I install a brake controller on a GL450? Dealer says not needed - I'm not so sure. I will be towing a 7500 pound 3 horse trailer. Thanks!
New here just pulled the trigger on a 09 GL320 can you guys help me with a recommendation on a brake controller. I have been using a Draw Tite Intella Stop Ultra controller on the my old Escalade wanted to know what you guys are using. Towing my car trailer and track car about 5500 lb. total towing.
Thanks for the advice
Thanks for the advice
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
GL320
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
GL320
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 271
Likes: 2
From: Howard Co MD
'13 ML350 Bluetec for work, E550 for pleasure, & ML350 for my wife
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
ML350
Brake Controller Advice Please
Thanks. I think this is the case here. From the carfax, it looks like the car was originally sold in Dec '06 so it may have the plug in the back. Where in the back would it be located? Does the wiring have to be pulled to the front?
Do you recommend this vehicle for towing or should I stick with a domestic truck?
My trailer dealer suggested using a RF brake controller instead of hard wiring. Has anyone tried this?
Thanks again for all your help. I'm nervous about spending this much money if it is not the right vehicle for the job.
Do you recommend this vehicle for towing or should I stick with a domestic truck?
My trailer dealer suggested using a RF brake controller instead of hard wiring. Has anyone tried this?
Thanks again for all your help. I'm nervous about spending this much money if it is not the right vehicle for the job.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
GL320
Thanks. I think this is the case here. From the carfax, it looks like the car was originally sold in Dec '06 so it may have the plug in the back. Where in the back would it be located? Does the wiring have to be pulled to the front?
Do you recommend this vehicle for towing or should I stick with a domestic truck?
My trailer dealer suggested using a RF brake controller instead of hard wiring. Has anyone tried this?
Thanks again for all your help. I'm nervous about spending this much money if it is not the right vehicle for the job.
Do you recommend this vehicle for towing or should I stick with a domestic truck?
My trailer dealer suggested using a RF brake controller instead of hard wiring. Has anyone tried this?
Thanks again for all your help. I'm nervous about spending this much money if it is not the right vehicle for the job.
This vehicle will tow like a chap no issues I pull a 28 ft enclosed trailer all over the country and get 17 to 18 mpg at 65 mph.
I would hard wire the controller! Is this a MB dealer sounds to me like you may need to bring this to someone who know at best where the plug is.
