Towing with GL450
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Towing with GL450
Hello:
I’m looking for feedback from someone who has direct experience towing with the GL450. We typically tow a dual axle ski boat set-up at around 4,500 lbs.
We are considering purchasing either the 2012 GL350-Blue or the 2012 GL450. We understand that the GL350 has more torque and may be better suited to towing. Unfortunately, my wife is not a fan of the diesel and the standing start hesitation of the 350 in city driving is a negative.
What has been your towing experience with the GL450? Does the 4.6L V-8 have the power to pull this load up a grade without needing to put on the hazards lights?
Other vehicle also being considered, Audi Q7 TDI and Audi Q7 S-Line.
Thanks
I’m looking for feedback from someone who has direct experience towing with the GL450. We typically tow a dual axle ski boat set-up at around 4,500 lbs.
We are considering purchasing either the 2012 GL350-Blue or the 2012 GL450. We understand that the GL350 has more torque and may be better suited to towing. Unfortunately, my wife is not a fan of the diesel and the standing start hesitation of the 350 in city driving is a negative.
What has been your towing experience with the GL450? Does the 4.6L V-8 have the power to pull this load up a grade without needing to put on the hazards lights?
Other vehicle also being considered, Audi Q7 TDI and Audi Q7 S-Line.
Thanks
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
I have a GL350 but I also town 3000 lbs more than you and the load is WAY less aerodynamic.
It's a fantastic tow vehicle. It really, really is. Very comfortable, very stable, no white knuckles at all.
Recommended.
- Mark
It's a fantastic tow vehicle. It really, really is. Very comfortable, very stable, no white knuckles at all.
Recommended.
- Mark
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: SoCal
Porsche 911
+1
I tow a 4500-5000lb travel trailer (box) with the GL450 and it handles it very well. I seldom ever floor the throttle to merge or maintain traffic speeds, including a short trip up a road over coastal mountains (about 1 mile at 6-8% grade).
I'm sure the GL350 would feel even more effortless when towing but also agree with your wife that the instantaneous torque of the V8 in around town driving is more natural and enjoyable.
I tow a 4500-5000lb travel trailer (box) with the GL450 and it handles it very well. I seldom ever floor the throttle to merge or maintain traffic speeds, including a short trip up a road over coastal mountains (about 1 mile at 6-8% grade).
I'm sure the GL350 would feel even more effortless when towing but also agree with your wife that the instantaneous torque of the V8 in around town driving is more natural and enjoyable.
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From: Cali
2011 GL450
I tow a 6,000lb + boat and my GL450 does amazing! Effortless. We live in the mountains of SoCal and tow to Arizona several times a summer. I am thrilled with the way the GL tows and handles towing. Gas mileage isn't bad either (average 12-15 miles per gallon towing). Here is a pic of what I tow 
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Thank you for the great replies.
Three quick follow-up questions.
1. How well does the AIRMATIC air suspension work for leveling tail sag when towing a boat or trailer?
2. Does Hill-Start Assist work well when pulling a trailer up the boat ramp?
3. Do you use side-view mirror extenders and if so, which brand?
I appreciate your input.
Three quick follow-up questions.
1. How well does the AIRMATIC air suspension work for leveling tail sag when towing a boat or trailer?
2. Does Hill-Start Assist work well when pulling a trailer up the boat ramp?
3. Do you use side-view mirror extenders and if so, which brand?
I appreciate your input.
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
2. Does Hill-Start Assist work well when pulling a trailer up the boat ramp?
3. Do you use side-view mirror extenders and if so, which brand?
https://www.makariosrv.com/products/...-Products.html
Highly recommended.
- Mark
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From: www.Traben-Trarbach.de
MPG+ ROLFCOPTER
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Joined: Feb 2010
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
No bunks in the trailer (other than some hammocks with e-track hooks), but it can easily hit 110 degrees in the summer at some of the tracks around here, so the AC comes in real handy.
- Mark
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From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
Nice color for the GL Mark!
Eric
Last edited by EWT; Feb 6, 2012 at 04:38 PM. Reason: Added picture
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Sure.
For comparison, our other tow vehicle is a Dodge Dakota Quad-Cab 4x4 truck with 4.7L V8 and 5-speed manual.
The GL550 has much less road noise resulting in being able to hearing the trailer more (suspension and surge brakes). Power is better (5.5L vs. 4.7L), but the 550 is also heavier than the truck. The difference between the manual and auto transmission is great. Interior comforts are not comparable.
Overall, the GL550 towed great with very smooth and predictable power delivery. I will post after our first tow to the boat ramp that requires a good hill climb.
Tom
For comparison, our other tow vehicle is a Dodge Dakota Quad-Cab 4x4 truck with 4.7L V8 and 5-speed manual.
The GL550 has much less road noise resulting in being able to hearing the trailer more (suspension and surge brakes). Power is better (5.5L vs. 4.7L), but the 550 is also heavier than the truck. The difference between the manual and auto transmission is great. Interior comforts are not comparable.
Overall, the GL550 towed great with very smooth and predictable power delivery. I will post after our first tow to the boat ramp that requires a good hill climb.
Tom
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Salinas, Ca
2007 GL450, 2003 BMW 325i
What gear do you all tow in?
I realize this is an older thread, but since I tow the same or less I am curious if you all tow in "D" or select "D6" or lower? I towed this same boat with my ML430 and rarely shifted manually.
I presume selecting a lower gear is like taking the car out of overdrive and the tranny would be more responsive. I towed home last night in "D6" due to my tranny acting up on the tow to the lake on Friday.
I presume selecting a lower gear is like taking the car out of overdrive and the tranny would be more responsive. I towed home last night in "D6" due to my tranny acting up on the tow to the lake on Friday.
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We have used Jones Valley Resort on the Pitt River arm of the lake for the last 8-9 years. We have rented a houseboat for a week or weekend for the last 18 years on Shasta and find their houseboats well maintained and great service.
Lake Shasta is a beautiful lake where 5 rivers coming together to create over 350 miles of waterline and lots of coves. Attached is a picture from this last trip.
Lake Shasta is a beautiful lake where 5 rivers coming together to create over 350 miles of waterline and lots of coves. Attached is a picture from this last trip.
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From: Salinas, Ca
2007 GL450, 2003 BMW 325i
Sorry to hijack this thread, but that photo of Shasta makes me long for the miles and miles of ski-able warm water... Looks beautiful. It's been too long since I've been there. We just got back from Don Pedro... searched pretty hard for water like your photo...
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From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
We just returned from a 3000 mile trip from the San Francisco Bay Area through Yellowstone and surrounds towing a 27 foot Airstream Safari. Our GL 350 pulled beautifully including up and over the Teton pass - which features 10% grades.
We were never lacking for power and had no issues with sway or any other problems for the entire trip. I could definitely feel the trailer back there, particularly in gusty 40 MPH side winds coming down I5 near Stockton - but it was never scary.
We normally get about 25 MPG on the highway with the Diesel GL350; towing the Airstream we saw an average of 16 MPG. We definitely got funny looks from the full sized diesel pickup truck crowd when we were in RV parks along with comments along the line of - "you're towing with that little thing?"
Rear tire pressure increased to as high as 45 PSI on 100 degree plus days while towing. Fronts stayed at about 38 while towing.
Attached is an obligatory photo in front of the Tetons, another of my kids cooking trout they caught a few hours earlier, and a third of a Bison that got a little too close for comfort - I was trying to imagine what I would tell the body shop and insurance folks.
We were never lacking for power and had no issues with sway or any other problems for the entire trip. I could definitely feel the trailer back there, particularly in gusty 40 MPH side winds coming down I5 near Stockton - but it was never scary.
We normally get about 25 MPG on the highway with the Diesel GL350; towing the Airstream we saw an average of 16 MPG. We definitely got funny looks from the full sized diesel pickup truck crowd when we were in RV parks along with comments along the line of - "you're towing with that little thing?"
Rear tire pressure increased to as high as 45 PSI on 100 degree plus days while towing. Fronts stayed at about 38 while towing.
Attached is an obligatory photo in front of the Tetons, another of my kids cooking trout they caught a few hours earlier, and a third of a Bison that got a little too close for comfort - I was trying to imagine what I would tell the body shop and insurance folks.
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From: CA
11 ML550, 95 Supra TT, 14 Audi S4
The pavement on that section of I5 is awful too. I definitely know the boat is back there when I tow on that stretch.
