2013 GL350 Towind 7300# on a 980# hitch?
01-14-2019, 07:08 AM
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2013 Mercedes Benz GL350 Blue-Tec
2013 GL350 Towind 7300# on a 980# hitch?
Hi Everyone,
First, thank you to everyone here for all of the incredible content. I’ve been a lurker for quite some time
mainly because I can search and find the answer to almost any question that I need have. But on this one I just want to make sure that I’m thinking in the right direction.
I own a 2013 GL350 Bluetec Diesel and we are going to buy a camper for family road trips. The camper that I’m looking at is 30’ and has a dry weight of 6400# but with all of the gear and luggage that will go into it for travel, I’m estimating that I’ll be just shy of the towing capacity of 7500#. The hitch weight is 980# which is just over the OEM tongue weight of 918 on the GL350. I’m planning on using a remote breaking system to help with the downhills and just slowing down in general. I will also be using Sway Bars for more control.
All of the forums here on towing have been really helpful but I haven’t come across one that fits this specific setup.
Based on all of this, am I headed in the right direction? Or am I overestimating the capabilities of my GL350?
Thanks!
Brian
First, thank you to everyone here for all of the incredible content. I’ve been a lurker for quite some time
mainly because I can search and find the answer to almost any question that I need have. But on this one I just want to make sure that I’m thinking in the right direction.
I own a 2013 GL350 Bluetec Diesel and we are going to buy a camper for family road trips. The camper that I’m looking at is 30’ and has a dry weight of 6400# but with all of the gear and luggage that will go into it for travel, I’m estimating that I’ll be just shy of the towing capacity of 7500#. The hitch weight is 980# which is just over the OEM tongue weight of 918 on the GL350. I’m planning on using a remote breaking system to help with the downhills and just slowing down in general. I will also be using Sway Bars for more control.
All of the forums here on towing have been really helpful but I haven’t come across one that fits this specific setup.
Based on all of this, am I headed in the right direction? Or am I overestimating the capabilities of my GL350?
Thanks!
Brian
01-17-2019, 06:11 PM
#2
I'd be curious to hear how your GL tows a camper of that weight.
I have a camper that is ~5500lb loaded and my 2014 GL350 tows it with ease. My old V8 Grand Cherokee with a 6500lb capacity used to struggle with it.
I have a camper that is ~5500lb loaded and my 2014 GL350 tows it with ease. My old V8 Grand Cherokee with a 6500lb capacity used to struggle with it.
03-12-2019, 08:25 PM
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Brian, a 30' trailer at max GCW raises a red flag for me. The vehicle, technically, may be able to do it. I question the ease and driving enjoyment of doing so.
03-13-2019, 10:16 AM
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All in all, I'm very happy with the set up.
Thanks again for all of your help!
03-13-2019, 10:20 AM
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Thank you so much! I worked with the owner of the camper to let me drive it before I purchased it and I'm comfortable with it. It does get a little nerve racking going full speed on the interstate but that's the only part that I would consider iffy...but I don't intend on driving 70mph pulling any trailer that size.
The weight distribution hitch makes all the difference in the world and the air bags in the GL350 auto adjust to the weight on the tongue.
So far, so good...
