Towing with a 2013 GL450
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2013 Mercedes benz gl450
Towing with a 2013 GL450
Hello to all. I have a 2013 gl450 that I am considering using to tow a camper trailer. My initial plan was to trade it in for a ford expedition, as I heard they are better in the suv class to tow camper trailers easily. However, I may have the vehicle right in front in front my eyes and I may not know it.
I know the towing capcity is 7500. If I'm looking for a trailer, what should it weight be with everthing in it such as cargo, food etc. My wife and I are currently looking at trailers that are approximately 9000, which I know is over the trailer capacity.
How efficient is towing a camper cross country or locally? What repairs, maintenance etc should I be looking out for. How many miles should I drive up to before it's no longer worthy to put pressure on engine and other parts. I currently have 137000+ miles on the vehicle. Thanks for your responses in advance.
I know the towing capcity is 7500. If I'm looking for a trailer, what should it weight be with everthing in it such as cargo, food etc. My wife and I are currently looking at trailers that are approximately 9000, which I know is over the trailer capacity.
How efficient is towing a camper cross country or locally? What repairs, maintenance etc should I be looking out for. How many miles should I drive up to before it's no longer worthy to put pressure on engine and other parts. I currently have 137000+ miles on the vehicle. Thanks for your responses in advance.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
The GL/GLS/ML/GLE platforms are solid towing machines. Tow with confidence.
Trailer weight plus food, clothing, dishes, televisions cannot exceed the vehicle tow rating. The trailer dealer can help with this, or estimate approx 10% of the dry trailer weight for its contents. This means a 6k lbs dry weight trailer is getting close to the limit.
At that trailer weight you will want a weight distributing hitch. Are you familiar with these?
Fuel economy goes way down when towing, not a surprise. Brakes get consumed faster, as do tires, but to a lesser extent than brakes. You will want an electric brake controller with a 6k lbs dry weight trailer.
Trailer weight plus food, clothing, dishes, televisions cannot exceed the vehicle tow rating. The trailer dealer can help with this, or estimate approx 10% of the dry trailer weight for its contents. This means a 6k lbs dry weight trailer is getting close to the limit.
At that trailer weight you will want a weight distributing hitch. Are you familiar with these?
Fuel economy goes way down when towing, not a surprise. Brakes get consumed faster, as do tires, but to a lesser extent than brakes. You will want an electric brake controller with a 6k lbs dry weight trailer.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 361
Likes: 55
From: Los Angeles, CA
2024 EQE350 SUV, 2022 SL55 AMGMG, 2022 C300
Hello to all. I have a 2013 gl450 that I am considering using to tow a camper trailer. My initial plan was to trade it in for a ford expedition, as I heard they are better in the suv class to tow camper trailers easily. However, I may have the vehicle right in front in front my eyes and I may not know it.
I know the towing capcity is 7500. If I'm looking for a trailer, what should it weight be with everthing in it such as cargo, food etc. My wife and I are currently looking at trailers that are approximately 9000, which I know is over the trailer capacity.
How efficient is towing a camper cross country or locally? What repairs, maintenance etc should I be looking out for. How many miles should I drive up to before it's no longer worthy to put pressure on engine and other parts. I currently have 137000+ miles on the vehicle. Thanks for your responses in advance.
I know the towing capcity is 7500. If I'm looking for a trailer, what should it weight be with everthing in it such as cargo, food etc. My wife and I are currently looking at trailers that are approximately 9000, which I know is over the trailer capacity.
How efficient is towing a camper cross country or locally? What repairs, maintenance etc should I be looking out for. How many miles should I drive up to before it's no longer worthy to put pressure on engine and other parts. I currently have 137000+ miles on the vehicle. Thanks for your responses in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
That part about turning your car upside down is a bit of an exaggeration, but trailering safely is definitely important.
I'm curious about the videos you make as I know nothing about how youtube works. Do you make money whenever someone clicks on your videos? It seems like you post these videos you make a lot and I was curious about it.
I'm curious about the videos you make as I know nothing about how youtube works. Do you make money whenever someone clicks on your videos? It seems like you post these videos you make a lot and I was curious about it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
That part about turning your car upside down is a bit of an exaggeration, but trailering safely is definitely important.
I'm curious about the videos you make as I know nothing about how youtube works. Do you make money whenever someone clicks on your videos? It seems like you post these videos you make a lot and I was curious about it.
I'm curious about the videos you make as I know nothing about how youtube works. Do you make money whenever someone clicks on your videos? It seems like you post these videos you make a lot and I was curious about it.
Yes he makes money off clicks on his YT videos, which doesn't mean the content is wrong, but it is unethical to promote your own information without disclosing your financial incentive - making the information automatically suspect. The clickbait UR GONNA DIE headline doesn't help either.
This crazy U-Haul guy told me I would flip my car if I put the safety chains on wrong. I had no idea he was renting me such an unsafe product.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Hello to all. I have a 2013 gl450 that I am considering using to tow a camper trailer. My initial plan was to trade it in for a ford expedition, as I heard they are better in the suv class to tow camper trailers easily. However, I may have the vehicle right in front in front my eyes and I may not know it.
I know the towing capcity is 7500. If I'm looking for a trailer, what should it weight be with everthing in it such as cargo, food etc. My wife and I are currently looking at trailers that are approximately 9000, which I know is over the trailer capacity.
How efficient is towing a camper cross country or locally? What repairs, maintenance etc should I be looking out for. How many miles should I drive up to before it's no longer worthy to put pressure on engine and other parts. I currently have 137000+ miles on the vehicle. Thanks for your responses in advance.
I know the towing capcity is 7500. If I'm looking for a trailer, what should it weight be with everthing in it such as cargo, food etc. My wife and I are currently looking at trailers that are approximately 9000, which I know is over the trailer capacity.
How efficient is towing a camper cross country or locally? What repairs, maintenance etc should I be looking out for. How many miles should I drive up to before it's no longer worthy to put pressure on engine and other parts. I currently have 137000+ miles on the vehicle. Thanks for your responses in advance.
1) Respect the limitations. Towing is unnerving at best, if not change-of-underwear time.
2) You're playing with fire if you heavily load the tongue, because the rear air springs have to run at high pressure to maintain level.
3) Weight is less of a concern than is trailer wind cross section. A locomotive can pull many times its own weight, because each car has its own brakes and the rails prevent sideways movement. A camper trailer, as opposed to a cargo trailer, is mostly air inside. Both may be 6k lbs loaded, but one has several times the cross section. You get a strong sideways gust, like from a passing semi, and, well, hope you brought a change of underwear.
It really isn't what I would do. I value my peace of mind and sanity more than that.
However, it all depends on your relationship with your wife. Put her in the trailer when you're on I-80 over the Rockies, and the semi trucks blast through at 75, and you'll find out how she responds to stress.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
If that's the case, Eric, then yes - I definitely agree. I certainly don't mind if someone is trying to make a buck. But if you do it in a sneaky way, then that's not right. I didn't click on that video because I wasn't quite sure what it was... and I probably now never will (or others by him). Heck, if a person is honest about it, I'd probably click on the video "just because"!
However, this is a good example of how "just because someone makes a video, doesn't make it true". For example... first, it's GVWR, not GRVW (could be a typo, but then whatever happened to proof reading?). However, unlike what is stated above in post #4, GVWR has nothing to do with trailer weight. It only deals with trailer tongue weight and people/cargo in the truck. GCWR tells us more - but you then first subtract the trailer weight and tongue weight and whatever is left is the amount you can put in the truck.
However, this is a good example of how "just because someone makes a video, doesn't make it true". For example... first, it's GVWR, not GRVW (could be a typo, but then whatever happened to proof reading?). However, unlike what is stated above in post #4, GVWR has nothing to do with trailer weight. It only deals with trailer tongue weight and people/cargo in the truck. GCWR tells us more - but you then first subtract the trailer weight and tongue weight and whatever is left is the amount you can put in the truck.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 361
Likes: 55
From: Los Angeles, CA
2024 EQE350 SUV, 2022 SL55 AMGMG, 2022 C300
If that's the case, Eric, then yes - I definitely agree. I certainly don't mind if someone is trying to make a buck. But if you do it in a sneaky way, then that's not right. I didn't click on that video because I wasn't quite sure what it was... and I probably now never will (or others by him). Heck, if a person is honest about it, I'd probably click on the video "just because"!
However, this is a good example of how "just because someone makes a video, doesn't make it true". For example... first, it's GVWR, not GRVW (could be a typo, but then whatever happened to proof reading?). However, unlike what is stated above in post #4, GVWR has nothing to do with trailer weight. It only deals with trailer tongue weight and people/cargo in the truck. GCWR tells us more - but you then first subtract the trailer weight and tongue weight and whatever is left is the amount you can put in the truck.
However, this is a good example of how "just because someone makes a video, doesn't make it true". For example... first, it's GVWR, not GRVW (could be a typo, but then whatever happened to proof reading?). However, unlike what is stated above in post #4, GVWR has nothing to do with trailer weight. It only deals with trailer tongue weight and people/cargo in the truck. GCWR tells us more - but you then first subtract the trailer weight and tongue weight and whatever is left is the amount you can put in the truck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 630
From: Emmett, ID, USA
2007 GL450
Since you are making money off your posts, and presumably have cash to spare anyway, being a super successful care salesman, why don't you do the noble thing and become a MBWorld sponsor?
Or take the text from your video and post it, so people don't have to give Youtube the traffic? That would be the selfless thing to do.
People have to eat, but forums such as this are comprised of people crowdsourcing knowledge. It is volunteer work. Grifters taint the water.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 291
From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
Storm, you missed the point. It's not about you making money - in fact, look at my post above as I already said there's nothing wrong with that. It's about being honest in your post - don't try to make the video out to be something that you "found" on the internet and are passing it along. Be truthful and upfront about it - be honest - just tell everyone that it is a video that you made and while, yes, you make money through Youtube, it might be information that could be helpful. Otherwise, it just comes across as sneaky and dishonest.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 361
Likes: 55
From: Los Angeles, CA
2024 EQE350 SUV, 2022 SL55 AMGMG, 2022 C300
So you're a car salesman. Got it.
Since you are making money off your posts, and presumably have cash to spare anyway, being a super successful care salesman, why don't you do the noble thing and become a MBWorld sponsor?
Or take the text from your video and post it, so people don't have to give Youtube the traffic? That would be the selfless thing to do.
People have to eat, but forums such as this are comprised of people crowdsourcing knowledge. It is volunteer work. Grifters taint the water.
Since you are making money off your posts, and presumably have cash to spare anyway, being a super successful care salesman, why don't you do the noble thing and become a MBWorld sponsor?
Or take the text from your video and post it, so people don't have to give Youtube the traffic? That would be the selfless thing to do.
People have to eat, but forums such as this are comprised of people crowdsourcing knowledge. It is volunteer work. Grifters taint the water.
I used to buy leads from their CarsDirect since 2004 for 3 different MB dealerships, so I already invested my part.
Next time I'll provide you with a text instead of the video if that's what you prefer. Maybe you suggest to MB World, since you sincerely worry about traffic, to remove the embedding of YouTube videos altogether, and just use text.
Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 104
Likes: 18
GL 350
Within its limits, GL is a very capable and stable tow vehicle. A 9000# camper is beyond GL's capability. If you travel in the mountains, limiting the trailer weight to say 6000# makes the towing experience much more enjoyable. Also, after taking into account the trailer tongue weight, you don't have much weight carrying capacity left. With 3 adults (170# each), a 50# child, and 600# trailer tongue weight, our GL was 40# shy of the GVWR and 20# shy of the rear axle weight rating.
