ContiSportContact 5 is not available on the recommended load for the GL:

odd because it is available for the GL550: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....0&autoModClar=

you're right, it's available for the GL550:

Did anyone try the Continental Contisportcontact 5? Looks like it has the same ratings as the UHP, but just a different tread design.

And does anyone know what comes stock on new GL550's now?

My Discount Tire guy said he thinks the Contisportcontact 5 would wear entirely too fast on the GL550 because of it's weight and the general summer design of this tire.

BTW, I am looking to get 18" snow tires - any specific recommendations?

I'm running Blizzaks and they are better than I anticipated. Dry handling is great and in snow the truck is a monster. I drove it through a three foot snow drift into the yard last year while towing my 24' trailer and it was like nothing was back there.

The DM-V1? Any reason to go to 19"? It will be substantially more expensive. Thanks.

Correct, the DM-V1. I can't think of any real reason to go up on winter tires. Winter tires you want narrow with tall sidewalls; exactly the opposite of summer tires. Reason being that you want to concentrate the weight of the vehicle over the contact patch to create better snow traction, wheras in summer you (generally) want to distribute the heat of the tire over a greater area.

Tall sidewalls also help when you hit big potholes in winter and especially with run flats, that's a good idea to keep your wheels round.

Interesting thread on this topic : https://www.benzworld.org/threads/le...ts-of.2830730/

I noticed that but always ran in sport. I thought it was more about shock setting then ride height and camber. Thanks for sharing.