Factory Towbar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ireland
GL320 CDI - Obsidian Black
Factory Towbar
Hi All,
I was unable to order the factory towbar on my new GL. (delivery now days away....)
I am trying to identify the exact match..
There are a number of suppliers, including witter and westfalia.
Could you post pictures of your towbar (if factory fitted) and of the installation - towbar on and towbar off.
I would be very grateful.
Regards,
--JohnH
I was unable to order the factory towbar on my new GL. (delivery now days away....)
I am trying to identify the exact match..
There are a number of suppliers, including witter and westfalia.
Could you post pictures of your towbar (if factory fitted) and of the installation - towbar on and towbar off.
I would be very grateful.
Regards,
--JohnH
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: Fredericksburg, VA
2008 E320 Bluetec, 2008 GL320 CDI
contact your dealer
you not only need the trailer hitch assembly, the rear bumper needs to be trimmed and you need an electronic device/module to integrate the hitch with the stability control system. You can't just buy a hitch like you would for a pick-up truck and be done with it.
I, and a few other members here have went through the same issues.
Baron
I, and a few other members here have went through the same issues.
Baron
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ireland
GL320 CDI - Obsidian Black
thanks - got that
Yep, thanks for that.
I was aware of all of those issues and details.
I would like some visuals of the factory fit kit and mount.
I was aware of all of those issues and details.
I would like some visuals of the factory fit kit and mount.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
Oh, and it'd be ugly. It's somewhere north of $1500 to get it done afterwards, about - what, $750 to order it from the factory, pre-installed? Gotta love it.
STP
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ireland
GL320 CDI - Obsidian Black
Gotta love the cost of dealer fit...
The cost of Factory Fit options are (in the market) quite reasonable.
The cost of those same options (parts only) is horrendous!
Typically 1.5 to 2.0 times the cost of factory fit!
I know the factory has economies of scale, but it still sticks in my throat.
After fifteen years of driving Audi's, I don't remember the disparity being quite so huge!!
I'm (almost :-)) regretting not configuring a car from scratch and waiting for a factory build slot...
The cost of those same options (parts only) is horrendous!
Typically 1.5 to 2.0 times the cost of factory fit!
I know the factory has economies of scale, but it still sticks in my throat.
After fifteen years of driving Audi's, I don't remember the disparity being quite so huge!!
I'm (almost :-)) regretting not configuring a car from scratch and waiting for a factory build slot...
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 3
2018 AMG GTR, gone 2017 AMG GT, 2015 GL 550, 2008 GL320, 1992 e500
my GL was supposed to have a trailer hitch on but the salesman misinformed me the exact options of the car. After multiple discussions with the manager, we settle at half the cost of the hitch. So I paid $800 and the dealer $800. It takes 3-4 hours to bolt it on the uni-body and if you have the stainless rear rocker panel, it needs to be cut. It is another $300 labor for the electronic brake control.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Northern Ireland
GL320 CDI - Obsidian Black
FTAOD
For The Avoidance of Doubt:
I'm getting a hitch fitted and installed by certified professionals.
I am looking to get the best match product to the factory hitch.
There are at least two competing products on the market,
one from Westfalia and one from Witter.
I'm trying to work out which one (or even which other one) is fitted as standard by MB.
I could ID them from photos of the hitch assembly - before insertion into the frame/receptacle if shown, but I have never seen the OEM hitch for the GL.
For example, for my last car - an Audi - it was the Westfalia hitch that was OEM and I suspect the same might be true for the GL, but I'm trying to be definitive
I'm getting a hitch fitted and installed by certified professionals.
I am looking to get the best match product to the factory hitch.
There are at least two competing products on the market,
one from Westfalia and one from Witter.
I'm trying to work out which one (or even which other one) is fitted as standard by MB.
I could ID them from photos of the hitch assembly - before insertion into the frame/receptacle if shown, but I have never seen the OEM hitch for the GL.
For example, for my last car - an Audi - it was the Westfalia hitch that was OEM and I suspect the same might be true for the GL, but I'm trying to be definitive
