Hammer1

Just ordered a build of a GL 350 with hitch and plan to pull a 27' Airstream Serenity http://www.airstream.com/travel-trai.../photos-decor/. We will have the hitch beafed up a little and probably tow a max of 6,300# trailer. For what is worth, I ordered a DTUK CRDT plus pedal box for 2014 GL 350cdi to try and get a little more torque... will see if it helps.

Here is a guy that writes (editor) of Airstream Life Magazine and he has a 2009 GL 320 blutec. Here is a video from him: and
We are very excited to get our truck, but the dealer estimates June. So, the Airstream dealer is going to let us borrow one of their F150 trucks to take out our new trailer a couple of times before we get our GL350.

Now, the fun stuff... our build:

DIAMOND WHITE METALLIC
ALMOND BEIGE/BLACK LEATHER
BROWN SATIN ASH
WOOD STEERING WHEEL
PARKING ASSIST
PO1 PACKAGE
BI-XENON HEADLAMPS
MULTI-COUNOUR SEATS W/MASSAGE
PANORAMA SUNROOF
RUNNING BOARDS ILLUMINATED
HARMAN/KARDON SOUND
KEYLESS
REAR SEAT WARMER

How does that sound to you guys? We are stoked! Summer can't come too soon...

JMCarter

We tow our 28 ft International Serenity with a 2013 GL350. What a fantastic tow vehicle! I would recommend a ProPride (or Hensley) hitch so you can transfer more weight to the front axle and keep the rear axle weight within the load limits. Our Airstreams have a lot of tongue weight but if you manage that there is no problem.

BTW, you didn't show the hitch option in your specs, I trust you ordered the MB hitch; which you need even if you plan to reinforce it to preclude twisting.

Hammer1

Hi. Yes, we did get the hitch. Thanks for catching that. Could have been a real surprise when delivered!

We are getting a Hensley sway control hitch. Glad to hear you recommend it. We are planning on taking the GL350 to a local trailer hitch business and having them reinforce it. The TW max is 600# and as you know we need it little more and it sure would be nice if it was beafed up... right? What did you do to your hitch to strengthen it? I understand the the Hensley will cut the trailer tongue weight in about half.

Thanks for the nice reply. It is reassuring to hear that there are Airstreamers out there using this TV. I have talked with several others that really love this combination. Can't wait.

Rick

cefcore

We tow a vintage 1972 27' Airstream with our 07 GL 450. It only weighs about 4,500lbs dry, and we assume about 5,000lbs actual tow weight.

We used to tow the Airstream with an 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee which we had before the GL. The GL is a far better tow vehicle than the Jeep. The extra weight, wheel base, and gearing of the GL make it a night and day comparison, not to mention the comfort and extra room!

We put the standard MB hitch on it, and we use sway control to transfer some of tongue weight, and a Prodigy brake controller. It is a great combination, you will love it!

Hammer1

Hi cefcore - What a great looking airstream. Vintage 1972... who would have guessed. Glad to hear that your '07 GL 450 pulls it just fine. I am feeling much better about our choice of the GL350 diesel after reading the last two of you post about your towing experience with the GL. I really didn't want to go the F150 or F250 route. I'll admit, I'm really not a truck guy and my wife was sold on the GL as soon as she got in it and after driving it she was in love.

Our 27' Serenity Airstream weighs about 5,800# dry and being minimalists I think we will only end up loading it up to about 6,300#. So, I am confidant that we are going to have a great tow vehicle in the GL.

Here is our interior except we have the flat-finished ash...

JimBarnhart

Wow, look at that shine!

We had a '69 Airstream International for awhile (prior to my MB ownership). It was no where near as pretty at that.

Hammer1

I know. If, you look closely I think he/she is doing a bit of a selfy in the reflection.

JMCarter

Hammer, I can't post pictures from my old iPad but if you wander over to the Airstream Forum (a great community and resource) and search ml350 you can see what kind of modification is needed. CanAm RV in London, Ontario did that mod and they are highly recommended if that is feasible. I personally like the ProPride hitch but a Hensley hitch will suffice, would recommend you read threads on the other forum about the pros and cons. I use the Prodigy RF brake controller, great for if you use multiple tow vehicles and you don't have to contend with wiring into your GL's wire harness.

BTW, my wife averages 27 mpg running around and we get 15 mpg towing at 65 mph. Particularly like the incredible range, you'll love it!

Hammer1

I'm a recent member of the Airstream forum and agree that it is a great community and resource. I have been researching the ProPride over there and it seems to be overall choice. I'm not sure why it is the most recommended. As an owner of the ProPride hitch, why do you feel it is the better choice? Do you believe it is better than the Hensley in actual performance?

JMCarter

Just think the ProPride is a cleaner design and like the hitch bar adjustability. You can fine tune the trailer ride height and by adjusting the stinger in a few minutes you can tow your AS with another vehicle. Since Ive never pulled with the Hensley I cannnot offer a performance comparison but other members of Airforum have addressed it. My profile is jmcarter on the AS forum and search my posts, I've included some pics of my setup.

Hammer1

Thanks JMCarter. Did a lot of reading over there and now have the following to add to my GL350 "build" in order to tow:

PROPRIDE
PRODIGY BRAKE CONTROLLER

And, to try and get a little more torque and response from the engine:

TUK® CRD-T® MultiChannel Fuel and Boost
DTE Systems Maximum Response PEDAL BOX

(Now I just need the GL350)

KrustyKustom

I tow a 2005 Airstream Safari 30 with a 2011 GL350 and propride hitch. Tows and looks great. Soon as I figure out how to post a pic I will get it posted.

JMCarter

Finally got around to adding a pic....

Hammer1

THANKS FOR THE PICTURE.

That is almost exactly what I'll end up with! I did go over on the other forum and read quite a bit and saw most of your current posts.

zimirza2003

I am towing my 2011 23FB International with 2012 GL350 and the combination is fantastic. Planning to go Alaska this summer. Only concern is the run flat tires with no spare.

Hammer1

Hello fellow Airstreamer! I'm glad to hear all of the positive responces about the GL350. The rather rare GL350 seems to be the choice for towing due to its best in GL-model class: Low-end Torque, MPG, and range.

As far as your run flat tires, I read about someone with your GL350 that removed the spare AS spare tire and with some modification put a GL run flat tire mounted on a rim under the AS in place of the AS spare. His idea came to him after he had a flat on his GL350 and was stranded for quite a few days while he waited for a run flat to be sent to his location.

If, he would have had a flat on the AS, it was available locally as it was more common. Also, he figured he could limp along on 3 AS tires to an exit or near by town if, he got one flat tire on the AS. But, there is no limping with your GL with one flat tire.

Or, you could trade your GL350 in on a new one... which have spares now.

ymmv

I have a swing-away rear wheel spare carrier that allows for the hitch (give or take tongue load, but should be well within the 600lb+/- spec whatever it is.) I can't remember the brand off hand, but it needs some modification to clear the bumper and add an "anti rattle" device so it doesn't clunk and clatter on bumpy roads.

Hammer1

All-right, all-right, all-right! - MM

We got the GL350 last week. This will be our TV (Tow Vehicle) for our 2015 Airstream 28" Serenity travel trailer... which has been sitting on the dealer lot waiting for the TV.

First, I installed a DirectLink brake controller. This unit is unique because, it connects directly to the OBDII and reads the telemetry from the vehicle CPU to determine how to control the trailer's brakes. This is the next generation of brake controller and is being included in some trucks now. http://direclink.webplus.net/direclink.html

Next, I connected the DTUK diesel tuning system which gives gain of up to around 600 ft lb of torque. This unit gives subjective (me) response that increases the diminutive engine performance of the stock GL350 up to a very noticeable increase in grunt! Recommended. I installed the Racechip CR Ultimate.: http://www.racechip.de/chiptuning/me...79kw/index.php

Not yet installed is the 3714 pedal Box which is reported to elevate the dead pedal response off of the line. No comment on this yet as I have not tested it yet.

Also, in the works is a video in motion mod. that will allow an additional rear view camera mounted on the tail of the Airstream to play on the in-dash LCD while the vehicle is traveling down the freeway or backing up into camp sites. Should help a lot!

I'll post pictures of the mods. some time soon, but we are real busy getting ready to bug out of here for a while and get on the road.

Rick

KrustyKustom

Not sure if you have towed your Airstream or not yet but the GL350 is a great tow vehicle. I have been using the ProPride hitch and it complements the package really well. The tuner box you have sounds interesting, what does it do to the mileage?

Hammer1

Krusty - The claim by the manufacturer is that it improves milage. I haven't had it long enough to tell. I would assume it will decrease my milage in the short term due to the fact that, now it is just too much fun to hammer the gas pedal.

RUN FLATS: I was pleasantly surprised to find my 2014 GL350 was delivered with standard tires and a spare. The BlueTEK is now added through a second opening next to the diesel fill opening. I really like having the spare for traveling and the ride should be ever so slightly better.

Yesterday my wife drove the GL350 and when she punched-it, her response to the added power was, "that's amazing."

cadetdrivr

Out of curiosity, how involved was the installation?

Hammer1

It was easy. Here is a link to an instal example for a BMW. http://www.racechip.com/installation/ The GL350 is much the same except there are 4 connections. Also, I'd order an OBDII scanner/reader because, in my case, I had a loose connection and the vehicle went into limp back home mode and I couldn't get going faster than about 30mph. Imagine how good that felt? I figured I screwed up the engine.

But, my scanner read a code of something like, too high a value on diesel rail. The scanner allows you to reset the engine codes. The car was fine after I discovered I didn't shove one the connectors together well enough. I'd have been dead if I couldn't have reset the engine error code.

Also, it is relatively easy to remove before you take it in for service.

Hammer1

Pedal Box: Installed tonight and it definitely helps with the lag off the line. I find that the sport mode gives a nice responsive boost to the lethargic stock programing of the execration. I'm glad the unit has a small hand control unit that allows the user to select several different pedal curves and driving modes.

For example, the Eco-mode would be fine when pulling the trailer and fast revs from start are not desired. Sport mode jazzes the acceleration up and is definitely fun. Day to day driving especially in traffic I believe I might just turn it off and enjoy a more lazy throttle response.

This little unit is pretty inexpensive and takes about 5 minutes to install. I'd say this mod is worth the price and I'd recommend it.

So far, both of these mods (chip and pedal unit) get the acceleration of the GL350 to feel more like the 450 with way more of a feeling of throwing you back in the seat. I'm sure none of this is going to help my MPGs.

cadetdrivr

Very interesting. Thanks for the info, Rick.

waejae

Also, in the works is a video in motion mod. that will allow an additional rear view camera mounted on the tail of the Airstream to play on the in-dash LCD while the vehicle is traveling down the freeway or backing up into camp sites. Should help a lot!


Did you ever get the in-dash in motion mod? Is it Mid City Engineering?