Towing - GL350 vs GL550
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Joined: Jun 2014
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2014 GL450
Towing - GL350 vs GL550
Hi,
In general diesel engine is better for towing, but I am wondering if this is the case when it is between GL350 vs GL550.
GL350 455 ft-lbs. @ 1600 rpm, 240 hp @ 3600 rpm
GL550 516 ft-lbs. @ 1800 rpm, 429 hp @ 5250 rpm
Since GL550 can output 516 ft-lb @ 1800rpm, and for as far as I know, it maintains similar torque output in a wide range of rpm (from 1800rpm to 4k-5k rpm, if I remember correctly), and it has better horse power, does it mean power wise, GL550 will tow better than GL350?
I understand that diesel has the advantage of better gas mileage, so you don't have to stop frequently to pump fuel.
Thanks for your reply!
In general diesel engine is better for towing, but I am wondering if this is the case when it is between GL350 vs GL550.
GL350 455 ft-lbs. @ 1600 rpm, 240 hp @ 3600 rpm
GL550 516 ft-lbs. @ 1800 rpm, 429 hp @ 5250 rpm
Since GL550 can output 516 ft-lb @ 1800rpm, and for as far as I know, it maintains similar torque output in a wide range of rpm (from 1800rpm to 4k-5k rpm, if I remember correctly), and it has better horse power, does it mean power wise, GL550 will tow better than GL350?
I understand that diesel has the advantage of better gas mileage, so you don't have to stop frequently to pump fuel.
Thanks for your reply!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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15 GL550
I would check on the X164 forum to see what experience people have had towing with the 3.0 L diesel. I used to own a X164 diesel and the problem that I had and others had was that the seals and gaskets on the engine couldn't handle the heat and would leak oil. My personal feeling is that Mercedes is/was asking too much from such a small displacement engine. The sprinter vans with the same engine supposedly has similar problems but developed them with far more miles on the odometer. Mercedes wasn't getting nearly the output out of that engine. More compression/air + more fuel = more heat.
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Joined: Jan 2016
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GLE300D, GL 350BT
These vehicles honestly were not really designed to town a lot of weight. I believe the diesel was designed to handle the weight of the vehicle, occupants and maybe a very small trailer at the most. I would take a hard look at the new GMC Canyon with the duramax or something similar. It will tow the same weight, it is designed for it and comes with an exhaust brake. You won't catch me towing with any SUV. I prefer the wheel base, bigger brakes and sturdier frame of a pickup. I personally tow all of our stuff with a 1 ton long bed truck with a Cummins. I used to own a 28 foot Airstream which the dealer will tell you can be towed with just about anything but once again, I would only tow that with a pickup truck.
Last edited by alphainfinity; Mar 27, 2016 at 12:55 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2014
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2014 GL450
Thanks for your reply. I understand the capability of a big truck when it comes to towing. However, there are situations where a truck (no matter how powerful/big it is) just won't cut the deal. Pick up trucks only have two rows of seats, no matter how big it is, it is no big/comfortable enough to take 6 passengers (including me) with two of them in convertible car seats. I need a three row seats tow vehicle. You don't want to sit between two convertible car seats for long trips.
If the GL350/450's payload is 200 lbs more, it will fit my need. But its payload is not enough. GL350/450's payload is 1700+/- lbs, already pretty high among all SUVs, but still not high enough for my situation.
I have to figure out what my solution is.
If the GL350/450's payload is 200 lbs more, it will fit my need. But its payload is not enough. GL350/450's payload is 1700+/- lbs, already pretty high among all SUVs, but still not high enough for my situation.
I have to figure out what my solution is.
These vehicles honestly were not really designed to town a lot of weight. I believe the diesel was designed to handle the weight of the vehicle, occupants and maybe a very small trailer at the most. I would take a hard look at the new GMC Canyon with the duramax or something similar. It will tow the same weight, it is designed for it and comes with an exhaust brake. You won't catch me towing with any SUV. I prefer the wheel base, bigger brakes and sturdier frame of a pickup. I personally tow all of our stuff with a 1 ton long bed truck with a Cummins. I used to own a 28 foot Airstream which the dealer will tell you can be towed with just about anything but once again, I would only tow that with a pickup truck.
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From: Colorado, USA
2016 GL450
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Joined: Jun 2014
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2014 GL450
Payload is the load a vehicle can carry in vertical direction, i.e. all passenger, all gas/fluids, all cargo, plus the downward weight trailer hitch places on your vehicle, i.e. it includes anything that can causes downward force onto vehicle.
When you tow a trailer, the payload is often a limiting factor, but most people new to towing often don't know this and they only look at how much a vehicle can tow (GL can tow 7500 lbs in horizon direction).
Whatever you want to tow, you have to make sure it exceeds neither payload rating nor tow rating.
When you tow a trailer, the payload is often a limiting factor, but most people new to towing often don't know this and they only look at how much a vehicle can tow (GL can tow 7500 lbs in horizon direction).
Whatever you want to tow, you have to make sure it exceeds neither payload rating nor tow rating.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2014
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2014 GL450
On your driver side door frame, there is a sticker will tell you the GVWR of your vehicle, that's the sum of your vehicle's curb weight + payload.
There is also data published about the curb weight. But you have to know that although almost all online resources says "curb weight" includes full tank of fuel and all necessary fluids, the reality is it doesn't. I just verified this with my GL (see my post https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...450-today.html) .
There is also data published about the curb weight. But you have to know that although almost all online resources says "curb weight" includes full tank of fuel and all necessary fluids, the reality is it doesn't. I just verified this with my GL (see my post https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...450-today.html) .
Last edited by deeperblue; Mar 28, 2016 at 02:01 AM.
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GL 350
These vehicles honestly were not really designed to town a lot of weight. I believe the diesel was designed to handle the weight of the vehicle, occupants and maybe a very small trailer at the most. I would take a hard look at the new GMC Canyon with the duramax or something similar. It will tow the same weight, it is designed for it and comes with an exhaust brake. You won't catch me towing with any SUV. I prefer the wheel base, bigger brakes and sturdier frame of a pickup. I personally tow all of our stuff with a 1 ton long bed truck with a Cummins. I used to own a 28 foot Airstream which the dealer will tell you can be towed with just about anything but once again, I would only tow that with a pickup truck.
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2021 V167
Gl350
I tow a Airstream with my GL 350 (2011 model). I only have 405 ftlb of torque compared to the x166 455 and mine tows awesome. As far as 550 vs 350 if you notice the diesel generates it's torque max starting at 1700 and the curve is flat. On the gas engine it's peak torque is over 5k rpm so you really have to spool it up to get the torque, high rpm is not always wanted when towing and maneuvering .
On the towing with a GL I agree it's no 3/4 ton truck but it is a amazing tow vehicle. I have had three. 3/4 ton Suburbans and the GL tows efficiently, smoothly and with a feeling of safety because it handles so well.
On the towing with a GL I agree it's no 3/4 ton truck but it is a amazing tow vehicle. I have had three. 3/4 ton Suburbans and the GL tows efficiently, smoothly and with a feeling of safety because it handles so well.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
What you are saying about the 550 is false. The GL550 has 516 lb-ft from 1,800 RPM to 3,500 RPM. That's a pretty flat torque curve and much higher than the 350.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicl...models-compare
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicl...models-compare
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
It's the x166 forum so not sure why there is any confusion. Even with the old model, peak torque is 391 at 2,800 rpm and remains pretty flat for a few thousand rpms. Most large bore and low revving V8's make peak torque lower in the rpm range. When you turbocharged the engine, it makes even more torque down low. If a v8 can make peak torque high in the rpm range, it is usually making crazy high hp. hp = (torque x RPM)/5252. Play with the calculation and you will.see.
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Krusty specifically mentions the x166. Read his post again.
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2016 GL 450
These vehicles honestly were not really designed to town a lot of weight. I believe the diesel was designed to handle the weight of the vehicle, occupants and maybe a very small trailer at the most. I would take a hard look at the new GMC Canyon with the duramax or something similar. It will tow the same weight, it is designed for it and comes with an exhaust brake. You won't catch me towing with any SUV. I prefer the wheel base, bigger brakes and sturdier frame of a pickup. I personally tow all of our stuff with a 1 ton long bed truck with a Cummins. I used to own a 28 foot Airstream which the dealer will tell you can be towed with just about anything but once again, I would only tow that with a pickup truck.
1/2 ton < German SUV < 3/4 ton
* ML/Cayenne/GL or similar
Last edited by ciparis; Jul 8, 2016 at 03:14 PM.
